Beaches, Sydney

4 more images

If you look at picture two, imagine if you will that once right in the middle of the beach was a pier, Brighton style. The English influence was still being writ large upon the landscape and in 1928 it opened with a 1,400 seat theatre, 600 people ballroom and a 400 seat restaurant. Alas, they hadn't reckoned on the relentless Australian surf and, just six short years later, it was gone.
The shark net, installed at the same time, lasted till 1945. Its grand opening, along with Giles hot sea baths, attracted 135,000 people in 1929.
More fortunate was the Coogee Palace Aquarium that was erected a little further inland in 1887. Its dance floor was so popular it was enlarged to cater for 3,000 people in 1889 and it was used as a skating rink at other times.
A storm in 1984 saw the roof collapse but fortunately a heritage order was already in place from two years previously and it was eventually restored and, in 1987, re-opened as a place for restaurants and specialty shops.
Coogee is known these days as an eating spot and, coupled with its proximity to the ocean, makes it a very attractive destination for tourists and locals alike.

3 more images

Maroubra Beach
---------------------

My home beach, and obviously, one of my favourites. It isn't crowded like the others and you can always find a spot to lay your towel on the sand. It's a farely large beach with great surf.

If you don't want waves, a visit to Mahon Pool (on the northern side about 300 metres past the beach along the cliff-face) is really nice. There is also a nice little cafe near Mahon Pool.

It doesn't have the lively scene of Bondi or Coogee, but it's a nice beach without dealing with the crowds.

Type = Surf. Salt-water bathing pools available. Bars, cafes.

There is also a rifle range located south of the beach for anyone wanting to have some practice. It's located on a peninsula... prized location these days!

Getting There = From Bondi Junction Railway station or Coogee Beach, get the 353 bus. Alternatively, you may walk along the coastal walk via Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee beaches. From the city centre, either get the 377 or 396 bus.

1 more image

Of course, turn your eye away from the ocean and Maroubra is a different story. The immediate thing that strikes you is the garish blue of certain buildings and how the decrepit looking Seals Club stands out from everything else.
You may wonder why the developers haven't moved in. Well, there's a reason for that. There's a strong community resentment towards change and thus the 50's style look hangs around the place. It's in a time warp and that's the way the locals like it. It also has a tendency to keep away foreign visitors so you get a genuine feel of what Australia used to be like in that era.
So, if you like your Australiana as you may have imagined it, perhaps you should catch a bus out from Central Station and try Maroubra. One thing I can promise you, it's different.

2 more images

As surfing beaches go, Maroubra is one of Sydney's finest. There are some good breaks here due to the shape of the headlands and the way the sand is laid.
However, that is not what most people see at Maroubra.
The rifle range at the southern end is almost an enigma in the 21st century. I wonder how many cities have an open air rifle range so close to the CBD?
There's a lovely park behind the beach around its central point (pic 2) which is clearly defined by a bright blue pavilion where you can eat and shop if you like.
Maroubra has a reputation of being tough, not helped by a local gang called the Bra Boys who have gained some notoriety lately especially since a movie bearing their name came out.
The reality is something different. People who live there say it's one of the safest suburbs in Sydney and, on my experience, I'd have to say they're right.

La Perouse
---------------

At the southern tip of the peninsula, it offers restaurants, a national park and the "snake man" on weekends who shows off his snakes. It's a great show! Just provide a donation to him as payment.

There is also Bare Island... an old fort built within the island. You can also see Kurnell where Captain James Cook first landed, the mouth of Botany Bay, the oil refinery and airoplanes flying over Botany Bay either landing or taking off to/from Sydney Airport.

The national park to the east is nice for some bush walking or maybe some spear fishing. There are good golf coarses nearby also.

There are a few beaches around La Perouse (one of the western side with a view of the oil refinery) and two on the eastern side (nicer). Conwong Beach and Little Conwong Beach... the latter is a nudist beach but not formally nude. I recommend walking straight past this beach as it's mainly of men "hanging out".

Type = Calm. Restaurants, national park.

Getting There = From the city centre, get the L94, 394 or X94 bus.

4 more images

When visiting Sydney in the summer the weather can become very hot and if you like the beach then jump on a bus or train/bus and go to the one of many of the fine Eastern suburbs beaches..ie: Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama,Clovelly or Coogee..These are wonderful Sydney beaches that are very well known especially Bondi and Coogee beaches..it certainly is a budget way to spend the day. The majority of Sydneys beaches are patrolled by life guards for your safety...Transport depends on where you are staying in Sydney's eastern or western or southern suburbs..trains and/or connecting busses will get you to the beach of your choice..timetables for busses and trains are available at various train stations and bus info is a quick phone call..yes..ALWAYS REMEMBER...when swimming on Australian beaches...
ALWAYS SWIM BETWEEN THE FLAGS..THESE ARE THERE FOR YOUR SAFETY..

1 more image

Bondi Beach is a popular beach, located 7 km east of the Sydney central business district. The Beach is about one kilometre long and is well known for its great sandy beach, as well as its surf.

The Beach is a nice place to take a rest; you can just sit down and watch the surfers or the beautiful sunset.

4 more images

As my vter/mate was a few days away from going back home, I took her to the iconic and very popular Sydney beach, BONDI. At first sight of the scenic beach, its big waves lapping before our almost frozen bodies, that winter day being so cold at around 8 degrees, my friend's face lighted up and all she could say was, "Bondi is truly beautiful!" The public baths of course were isolated but you could see BONDI in a new light in winter.

Luckily it got sunny after a few minutes while we were taking photos, so it was a bonus, the much welcome heat from the bright sun was enough to help us withstand the cool breeze from the ocean.

Even in winter, BONDI is still magical, just imagine it in summer when it gets so crowded and the nudists sunbathers are around too! So whatever the season, this place is fantastic!

Look for the amenities toward the left side at the arcade in front of the beach- showers and toilets are there, including heaps of shopping and restaurants.