Bondi Beach, Australias 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...

Bondi Beach, Australias 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 Childrens 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.

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 1970s 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 1907. 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 and is the largest club by membership in NSW. The present Club House, situated to the north of the Bondi Surf Club was opened in 1932. With great views of the beach!!

Annual Bondi Events

Among the popular annual events at Bondi are: Surf Carnivals , NORTH BONDI Classic (a swimming race across Bondi Bay), BONDIbarefoot soft sand run, Sun-Herald City to Surf (a race from Sydney Town Hall to Bondi) Festival of the Winds (an internationally acclaimed kite festival) South American Festival Sculpture by the Sea Flickerfest (short films) Fringe Festival Christmas / New Year Celebrations (popular with overseas visitors)

Transport

A frequent bus service (380 & L82) which goes along Campbell Parade takes passengers to Bondi Junction Station or the City. Taxis are also available.

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