Waverley Council > Beaches and the Coast > Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach, Australia’s most famous beach, is located in the suburb of Bondi, in the Municipality of Waverley, seven kilometres from the centre of Sydney. Bondi is believed to be an Aboriginal word meaning the sound of breaking waves. There are Aboriginal Rock carvings on the northern end of the beach at Ben Buckler and south of Bondi Beach near McKenzies Beach on the coastal walk.
- Bondi Beach is approximately one kilometre long. The width of Bondi Beach averages 50m at the north end, widening out to 100m at the south end. It is the widest beach in the Sydney region.
- The average water temperature at Bondi Beach in summer is 21 degrees. The average water temperature in September/October is 16 degrees.
- A shark net is laid about 150m off the beach, set in 8m of water. (There has been no shark fatality since 1937).
- At the southern end of the beach is the Bondi Baths, which are over 100 years old and have been used by the famous Bondi Icebergs for many years. At the northern end of the beach there is the Children’s Wading Pool and the Wally Weekes Pool.
- Swimming areas are designated by red and yellow flags, which are moved according to surf conditions. The northern end and the centre of the beach is usually the safest for swimming. The south end of the beach is available for board riders who are not permitted to go into the areas set aside for swimmers.
Life Guards & Life Savers
Waverley Council employs professional lifeguards to protect visitors at Bondi. These professional lifeguards wear blue uniforms and work 365 days
a year.
Lifeguard hours of operation.
May to September 8am 5pm
Late September to start of daylight saving October 6am 6pm
Late October to end of daylight saving March 6am 7pm
April 6am 6pm
The volunteer lifesavers wear red and yellow uniforms and assist the lifeguards on the beach on weekends and public holidays during the summer period. There are two surf life saving clubs on Bondi Beach: the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club and the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club.
Buildings on the Beach
Bondi Pavilion: the Pavilion, designed in
Mediterranean Georgian Revival style was opened in 1929 and built at a
cost of £100,000. Among
the other pavilions erected at this time, such as those at Balmoral and
Cronulla, Bondi is unique as the grandest. (When woollen swimwear was
replaced by synthetics which dried quickly swimmers no longer required
these changing pavilions.) In the 1970’s when no longer needed as a
bathers pavilion it was adapted to become the Bondi Pavilion
Community Cultural Centre with art gallery, theatre, classes and other
cultural activities. A café/gelateria, restaurant and a souvenir shop
also operate out of the Pavilion.
Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club: the club was founded in 1906. Members claim the Bondi Surf Club is the oldest in Australia. The present club house was opened in 1934.
North Bondi Surf Club: the club was founded in 1906. The present Club House, situated to the north of the Bondi Surf Club was opened in 1932.
Annual Bondi Events
Among the popular annual events at Bondi are:
- Roughwater Swim - 2nd Sunday in January
- Flickerfest (short films) - early January
- North Bondi Classic - 1st Sunday in February
- South American Festival - 3rd Sunday in February
- Sun-Herald City to Surf (a race from Sydney Town Hall to Bondi) - 2nd Sunday in August
- Festival of the Winds (an internationally acclaimed kite festival) - 2nd Sunday in September
- Sculpture by the Sea - late October to mid November
- Bondi to Bronte ocean swim - 1st Sunday in December
- Christmas / New Year Celebrations (popular with overseas visitors)
Transport
Sustainable Transport
Coastal Walk
The coastal walk follows the cliffs from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach. There are breathtaking views
along this walk which goes for 3.4kms.
Further information contact:
Waverley Council’s Beach Services Division 8362 3406
or Bondi Lifeguards 8362 3450
(This page maintained by Manager - Beach Services (8362 3406). Last updated 27-Jun-2008 )
