Sydney Beaches … A Walk from Bondi to Coogee

It was Good Monday – a public holiday in Australia when I did the walking adventure on Sydney Beaches. Its holiday, another opportunity for me, so I grab my chance on that holiday to come back again to Sydney. This time, I spent two days and just in the city. I arrived Sunday morning and the next day I decided to visit Bondi Beach.

The only thing that I prepared before going out that day was how to get to Bondi. Most of the time, I traveled with a definite plan, but that day, I don’t even know what I am going to do once I reached the famous beach in Sydney. As far as I remembered, I only heard the name of the beach as there are TV shows in the country where the settings used is Bondi Beach.

I left my hotel at The Bayswater Sydney before lunch time which located at Kings Cross. It’s just few minutes walk to Kings Cross Station in T4 Line. I took the train to Bondi Junction, then I took bus 381 to Bondi Beach. I know there’s bus going directly to the beach, but I have to figure out which bus stop I should hop on the bus, so I decided the easiest route which is train.

IMG_4787

When I reached Bondi Junction station and walk towards the bus station, I realized that it’s a Bondi Bus Interchange where other bus, stops at the same station. I find it very convenient because people will not be confused which bus to take because each bus number has their assigned gate. So I bought the ticket in the junction and queue in the gate where Bus 381 docks to pick-up its passengers.

Bondi Beach

I reached Bondi Beach and I got-off in one of the bus stop along Campbell Parade. I looked at the surroundings and I like what I had seen so far. The people in the vicinity were still manageable, not to many and not too few. So I walked a bit along Campbell Parade to see what I can find along the road, and the result, I found the place refreshing and comforting. The road on the left side has shops, cafe or restaurants and other business establishments which adds appeal to the place, while the beach and the pavilion are located at the right side of the road.

IMG_4693

IMG_4694

Campbell Parade

IMG_4695

Bondi Beach

IMG_4692

Bondi Pavillion

Since it’s a beach, typical scenery were obvious, people were just lying in the sand enjoying the sun, some were just sitting in groups and talking together, some were enjoying the water by swimming and surfing, somewhere like me just wandering in the beach on a beautiful sunny day. I spent sometime in Bondi Beach and even walked around at the whole stretch of the shore so I can take different photos of the famous beach in different angle.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Bondi Beach

IMG_4697IMG_4699IMG_4703

Bondi Beach from the start of walking trail

After loving my stroll around and appreciating the views of Bondi Beach, I continued my pace forward. Along the walking trail I just enjoyed the sea views that surrounds me. The walk was fascinating as the trail was not a lonely trail as there were other people does the same walk. Some did their normal walking as their working out routine, some were like tourist like me with their own cameras, some started their walks from the other directions towards Bondi so there’s counter flow in the trail. I felt admiration in the natures that I am witnessing while walking.

IMG_4705

At the walking trail looking towards Bondi Beach

Scenery along the walking trail between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach

IMG_4717

At the walking trail looking towards Tamarama Beach and Bronte Beach

Without any idea, how long my walk will be and what else I am going to see along the trail, my steps still never stops, maybe because I was so infatuated with the fantastic scenery that I am seeing and every time something beautiful to be seen, my eyes, my hand and my camera automatically synchronised in taking photos.

Tamarama Beach

IMG_4732

So my pace never stops and then I reached another beach, I can say that Australian loves water and most of them are great in waters. Though, if I live in Sydney, I will think the same outdoor activities. The beaches and shores are not far from the city. If you don’t have car, it’s not even a problem because it has strategic public transportation system that has in place, that’s why like me still able to reach such place.

IMG_4729IMG_4734IMG_4735IMG_4738

I stayed in the walking trail, I had been contented taking photos of Tamarama beach along the trail as the scenery were more appealing to me. I stopped from time to time to rest but most of the time to take photos.

Bronte Beach

IMG_4740

Bronte Beach is not far from Tamarama Beach, the two beaches are close to each other, so people who chose to swim or play around between these two has options to have both.

IMG_4741

Unlike Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach is bigger and it has a pool in one side near rocky parts of the shore where both young and adults can enjoy.

IMG_4742

Up Close and Personal with Bronte Beach

IMG_4743

Bronte Park

IMG_4744

Bond Ocean Pool or Bronte Baths

After passing Bronte’s beach, park and baths, my walks continues. The distance of Clovelly Beach from Bronte Beach is quite significant. But along the way there’s two interesting stuff that I had seen. First is Waverley Cemetery not far from the cliff. Second, I witnessed a Barefoot Bowl (Lawn Bowl) game. It’s bowling played in the grass ground and swinging the ball like in bowling indoor games but the target is to get closer to the jack – a smaller white ball.  I stayed for a bit to watch how the game was being played.

IMG_4756

Waverley Cemetery

IMG_4758IMG_4759

Barefoot Bowl at Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club

Other scenery to see between Bronte Beach and Clovelly Beach

Clovelly Beach

IMG_4765

As I was enjoying what I had seen so far in my walk, without realising that I reached Clovelly Beach. This beach has narrowest bay that I had seen in my walk and because of that, it has limited shore as its playground and the water looks deep as I had seen how the water gets darker even it’s not far from the sand. The beach has ocean pool or baths too similar to Bronte Beach just differ on its shape.

IMG_4761IMG_4767IMG_4766

Clovelly Beach and its Ocean Pool/Baths

Gordons Bay

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

An Awe-inspiring scenery of Gordons Bay from the walking trail

How many beaches that I discovered? Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly Beach. And it seems my walk never ends. While my steps keeps moving forward, I am wondering if there will be an end in that walking trail. I felt the sun in my face and in my skin. I can feel the heat scorching in my body but everytime I saw amazing and inspiring scenery, how can I tell to myself to stop this walking adventure. In the trail, I had a glimpse of fantastic view of Gordons Bay. The water is so clear that I dreamt myself soaking underneath.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

When I reached Gordons Bay, its different from what I am expecting. It is the smallest beach with quite treacherous shore where I found raised boardwalks and small boats which said to be from local fishing club reminiscing the European fishing village which is interesting.

Coogee Beach

IMG_4779

Before I reached the last beach for my walk, I strolled few more minutes from Gordons Bay. I passed a park at the top of the cliff which is part of the trail. Then, from a far, saw Coogee Beach. Like Bondi Beach its a busy one. I took time for photos before I decided to end my walk. Then, I felt tired and I felt hungry. My total time for the walk was around 4 hours for the walking distance which around 6kms. as I spent time taking photos and resting for a while to enjoy picturesque views of my surroundings.

Walking at the park before Coogee Beach

IMG_4782

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Coogee Beach

When I got full, again, I inquired where will I find the bus stop going back to Bondi Junction and after that, I walked straight to the bus stop. Waited for the incoming bus and then I found myself in Bondi Junction. From the junction, I took the train going to Circular Quay station for my next activity, though I was uncertain on the plan because of the timing, still the next adventure happened.

Top 12 Areas Visited In Sydney

I traveled to Sydney for 4 times while living in Australia. But the commonality of these 4 trips in the city, all were short trips, mostly from less than 24 hours up to more than 48 hours. Most of my traveled in the city the intention was to just passed it except during my last flight which was really meant for Sydney.

I knew there were so much places to visit in Sydney and I thought that anyone can create a lots of bucket list because the city offers so much to anyone, to everyone. During my few trips in the city I found myself to be in the following places and I ranked them by my own reasoning and personal preferences. If you had visited Sydney and had been in places in my list, what will be your top list?

TOP 1 – BLUE MOUNTAINS

I had a chance to travel to Blue Mountains during my second trip in Sydney. For this trip, my only itinerary was to join a tour in one of the nearest mountain ranges from Sydney which is Blue Mountains and to visit one of the caves which is Jenolan Caves. Since I didn’t knew how to drive, my only option was to be part of a group tour because there was no public transportation available directly to that place. When I saw Blue Mountains, there was another dream that I was thinking at that time, if only I had a chance to explore even just part of that mountain range.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

TOP 2 – JENOLAN CAVES

Another part that I enjoyed was tour inside the Jenolan Caves because its one of the caves that even its being protected, the public still got a chance to see the major crystal formations even from a distance since it has tourist trail to follow. The tour is one of the best time I had while visiting Sydney or let’s say visiting New South Wales.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

TOP 3 TO  9
BONDI, TAMARAMA, BRONTE, CLOVELLY, GORDONS BAY, COOGEE AND MANLY

If you are fond with water scenery, enjoy water activities or just wanted to have fresh air while enjoying the walk near the sea-shore, you can select any of the above beaches. I don’t have the intention to really walk the trail from Bondi to Coogee since I have no knowledge about the trail, but because I enjoyed the scenery, I just go with the flow and  entrap with the beauty that surrounds me. I never regret that I finished the walking trail.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

TOP 10 – SYDNEY HARBOUR

Who does not know about Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge? These are famous icons not only in Sydney, not only in Australia but famous icons in the world. I had a chance to be here twice in my 4 trips in the city, happened during my first and my last trip in Sydney. Here’s my opinion about the place, for me, there is something  in the harbour that keeps people on coming back in the place. It’s a place that I thought I will never be tired to visit the area again and again.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

TOP 11 – DARLING HARBOUR

Geographically, Darling Harbour is part of Sydney Harbour. I wanted to emphasize the place since it’s not far from Circular Quay and it offers a different scenery which unique on its own. My visit here was accidental because my intention was really just pass the harbour since I was on my way to a tour. But while walking in the area, I cannot stop myself to stop a bit and enjoy the surrounding area. They usually call the harbour as the ‘Heart of Sydney’ since it’s a place  of entertainments that offers great waterfront dining. But if your intention was just to walk around the area like what happened to me, you will be alright.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

TOP 12 – QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING

It is the only building that I visited in Sydney. Just for this building, I was already fascinated. Sometimes I am wondering about the other buildings to see in the city, but I never had a chance to do that anymore. The way I see Queen Victoria Building or QVB, it is the mother of all arcades in Australia as it is the biggest historical arcades  that still exists today that I found while touring in Australia.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


Sydney Beaches … A Scenic Walk From Bondi To Coogee (in “We’re the Travelers”)

Hey guys, my post for Bondi and Coogee Walk has been published in “We’re the Travelers” site. This is my second post. I hope you enjoy the virtual walk. Please visit the link below.

Sydney Beaches … A Scenic Walk From Bondi To Coogee

IMG_4699

IMG_4738

IMG_4742

IMG_4744

IMG_4766

IMG_4770

IMG_4783

 

Theme : Beach – Coogee Beach

Theme (Post#9) : Beach – Coogee Beach

The last beach I reached for the walking trail that I took is Coogee Beach. The volume of people I found in Bondi seems to be similar in Coogee. And seeing people in the beach, everyone was having a great time. The name of Coogee is said to be taken from a local Aboriginal word “koojah” which means “smelly place”. The photo is part of Sydney Walking Tour April 2014.

IMG_4782

Walking Around Sydney

After writing lots of post for Melbourne (though I still have lots in my plates for Melbourne and Victoria State), now I am moving to Sydney for the mean time where I also enjoyed a walking tour. I had been in Sydney for 4 times while I was in Australia. But some of those were just peeking and passing. If you had a chance to read some of my post for Melbourne, I mentioned that I only travel every weekend or public holiday. Why? Because I was in Australia for work and not for holiday, that’s why I grab my chance to go around the country most of the time during weekend or holiday.

And maybe you are wondering, I had been 4 times in Sydney which means I went to many places within the city, but on the contrary I had visited just few places. The first ever I landed in Sydney was during the time that I attended Music Collaboration activity and stayed in the city for at least 33 hours which happened second week of April 2013.

After two weeks, second trip happened when I joined Blue Mountains and Jenolan Cave tour for a day and I logically stayed in Sydney for 11 hours. Third trip to the city, was during my visit to Canberra for a day tour on June in the same year since its more expensive to fly directly from Melbourne to Canberra and again I spent 11 hours in the city which mostly in the airport and accommodation.

During my forth and my last travel in the city which happened last April 2014, I dedicated the trip only to to see Sydney. The plan were walk around the city in some popular areas like Opera House and Circular Quay for the second time. Next, was the walked inside Queen Victoria Building. Then followed by an adventure walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. And last but not the least was a night walk in Manly Beach.

Here’s the list of places all combined from all my walking trips to the city that I had a chance to see in this incredible metropolis down under that so popular in the world and always thought to be the capital city of Australia, even myself made that mistake before.

  1. Queen Victoria Building IMG_4496
  2. Sydney Beaches
    1. Bondi Beach IMG_4657
    2. Tamarama Beach IMG_4735
    3. Bronte Beach IMG_4744
    4. Clovelly Beach IMG_4766
    5. Gordons Bay IMG_4771
    6. Coogee Beach IMG_4779
    7. Manly Beach IMG_4819
  3. Opera House and Circular Quay – First Glimpse P1080225
  4. Opera House and Circular Quay – Second Time
    1. Opera House IMG_4577
    2. Circular Quay IMG_4604
    3. Sydney Harbour Bridge IMG_4624
  5. Darling Harbour P1080955

Some of the place included a post link which means there is a published article for that specific place. For the rest that link is not available,  write-up will be coming soon.