Tag Archives: bronte beach

Back to Bondi (Sydney Day 4)

Today our friends took us on another short driving tour of the city, exploring a different area.

Centennial Park

First we stopped at Centennial Park, which was designed in 1811 and opened to the public in 1888. This area is unique because it is a beautiful recreational park in the center of busy downtown Sydney. With stunning views, lovely wildlife, and happy people, it is definitely worth a visit!

Centennial Park

Centennial Park

Duckling in Centennial Park

Duckling in Centennial Park

Wildlife in Centennial Park

Wildlife in Centennial Park

Bondi Beach

Next we headed to Bondi Beach, which I had been lucky enough to visit when I was in Sydney earlier in the semester. Our friends walked with us through the town, and we went into a few shops in addition to taking in the beautiful Bondi Beach views. If you continue along the coast, you can follow the trail to the end destination of Coogee Beach.

Mom & I on the coastal walk

Mom & I on the coastal walk

Bondi to Bronte

We followed the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk trail to Bronte Beach, and the views along the way were just as breathtaking as I remembered. We took plenty of photos along the way, and made it to Bronte all to fast.

Classic coastal walk view

Classic coastal walk view

Since we had some extra time, we walked to the coastal lookout on the far side of Bronte, and checked out the original saltwater pool. This pool sits right on the ocean’s edge, and the waves overflow into the pool basin, filling it with nature saltwater.  Originally this pool was only open to women for several hours of the day on specific days. Today, anyone can enjoy it free of charge. A more very similar, but more modern day, infinity pool is present at Bondi Beach, called Icebergs. Although it’s mimicked after Bronte’s pool, you must be a club member or pay to swim there!

Original saltwater pool

Original saltwater pool (Bronte)

New saltwater pool (Bondi)

New saltwater pool (Bondi)

Rock formation near Bronte Beach

Rock formation near Bronte Beach

To wrap up our day, we had lunch at a café overlooking Bronte Beach, then headed back to our bed and breakfast to finish packing. Before we knew it, we were on the way to the airport for one last day in Brisbane prior to heading home!

Beaches on Beaches (Sydney Day 3)

Manly Beach

On Sunday morning, we walked downtown to Darling Harbour once again, and boarded a ferry to take us to Manly beach. This beach is very well known for surfing, and also has an adorable little downtown area along the edge of the beach. We spent about two hours there, walking down to the Australian Open 2016 surfing competition and watching for a little, checking out a fitness competition that was going on, and of course getting some sun and cooling off in the water. After what seemed like hardly any time at all, we boarded the ferry back to Darling Habour, then took a bus to Bronte beach.

Manly Beach

Manly Beach

Australian Open 2016 surfing competition

Australian Open 2016 surfing competition

Handpainted surfboards selling along the beach

Hand painted surfboards selling along the beach

Bronte to Bondi Coastal Walk

After arriving, we started on the Bronte to Bondi Coastal Walk, which took about an hour (factoring in stopping for photos), and leads on a path built right along the coast. The views on this walk are beautiful, and you get to see so much of the natural beauty in the area. Bondi beach is known as one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Sydney, usually a must-see for visitors, and it was definitely worth the trip. Once at Bondi, we spent the afternoon walking around the small downtown area, and simply just enjoying time on the beach. We took fun pictures by a wall of street art at the boardwalk area, and early evening boarded the bus for the way home.

Bronte Beach

Bronte Beach

Bronte to Bondi Coastal Walk

Bronte to Bondi Coastal Walk

Distant view of Bondi Beach

Distant view of Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach

Taking pictures along the art wall

Taking pictures along the art wall

Despite the busy schedule and back-to-back events, my weekend is Sydney was very enjoyable and extremely worthwhile. There was no place we went that wasn’t worth it, and I was thrilled to check off many major items on my bucket list. My mom and I will also be traveling to Sydney together at the end of the semester, so I am happy to have a little first-hand advice for planning our trip!