Bondi to Coogee Walk

The view up the coast towards Bondi.

I know that the last post was also about a walk in Sydney, but let's face it, there are a million great walks to do in this city, and this one deserves to be mentioned! It starts at the world famous Bondi Beach, and ends up in the picturesque beach suburb of Coogee. You walk through some lovely little spots, including Tamarama and Clovelly, and it is one you can do over and over again.

The Bondi Icebergs.

A Rainbow Lorikeet.

Winter swimming at the Icebergs.

It's a great time of year to be walking here in Sydney. It's nearly the end of Winter, and the weather is sunny and warm, and the days getting longer. Bondi is always a great place to hang out and even just visit - full of pubs, trendy shops and of course fish and chips on the beach! It really is the 'Newtown by the Sea.' A recognisable sight at Bondi, apart from the half-moon shaped beach, is the Bondi Icebergs pool. This pool was founded in 1929 by a bunch of dedicated lifesavers who wanted to keep fit during the winter months. In 1960 there was a major upgrade, and a bar and pokies (gambling machines) were added - you can't have a club without booze right? Up until 1994, it really was a big 'boys club,' but that changed and now women are allowed to join. It had always been a slight eye-sore to the community, run-down clubhouse and peeling paint, until it was refurbished in 2002 and is now very trendy. I remember swimming there as a kid, and it only cost 50c to get in, and kids under 5 free. Slightly more expensive now I would think.

Tamarama beach.

Heading south along the coastal path, going past the Icebergs, the landscape becomes wild seas, fresh ocean breezes, and the colours that hit you nearly make it impossible to believe you are still in the city. The coast of Australia is wind and wave-worn, the soft sandstone cliffs take a beating everyday from the might Pacific. It is much like the iconic Australian Squint - that look Aussies have of pinched crows' feet around the eyes. This is because of the bright sun they we face everyday, and the cliffs are also uniquely rough and worn in an Australian way. Following the small path, climbing stairs, you need to be on your toes to dodge joggers, dogs and jogging dogs. No matter the weather, someone is out here running along the coast - in fact, I used to do in my younger days, sometimes even in the rain. There is a sense of peace you get running in the rain, buffeted by salt air and nothing else but your feet thumping the ground to your favourite running tune.

Watching the surfers.

Sun worshipping.

The wind-and-wave worn coast.

From late October till early November, you can see the 'Sculptures By The Sea' exhibition. It runs for a stretch of 2kms from Bondi to Tamarama, and is a series of temporary sculptures. This year will be the exhibition's 18th year here, and it always has plenty of people coming to see it and take pictures. The weather at this time of year is usually quite stormy, but again, people face the weather to see it. Further along there is Waverly cemetery. This cemetery is quite large, and sits on prime real estate too - people pay tens of millions of dollars to live in this area. It was first used in 1877, and is now known for it's Victorian and Edwardian monuments. Amount it's 'residents,' quite a few of whom are famous, is Henry Lawson. Along side Banjo Patteron, he is Australia's most famous author and poet. Both have also been on our money too - Lawson on the old paper $10 note and Banjo on the new plastic one. It has also been used for numerous movies and TV series - Home and Away, Water Rats, the Australia movie Dirty Deeds with Bryan Brown, and even Baywatch The Movie! It is also a popular spot for walkers to sit and take a break, as there are lovely green lawns to sit down on and enjoy the sun and the quiet.

A male Blue Wren on the lookout for lunch.

Finally rounding the last corner, I headed down to the beach to meet some friends for a Sunday Barbie. Nearly all Australian beaches has BBQs set up for use by the general public - free. Push a button, and these clean and well-maintained sausage-cookers fire up with electricity, and allow you to enjoy all the great food you should be cooking on Sunday - snags, steaks, chicken drumsticks, and maybe even a few veggies if you like. So many people were down in Coogee that day, just enjoying the weekend, the sun, friends and family, and life in general. This is the 'Australian Way.' Warm weather, mates and family, with a beer in hand and a snag popping on the hot plate. What a great way to spend a Sunday!

Just chillin' with the view of Coogee.