What Are The Directions For The Bondi To Coogee Coastal Walk?

The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a signed, paved path that follows the cliff tops of Sydney's eastern suburbs from the south end of Bondi Beach to the northern end of Coogee Beach. It passes Tamarama and Bronte, then the Waverley Cemetery coastline, Clovelly and Gordons Bay before Coogee. Clovelly is part of the full route, not an optional extension. The walk itself is free, needs no booking and no guide, and you can start at either end. This page gives the turn-by-turn directions, plus the swimming, safety and transport details that decide whether the day goes well.

For the full picture, including detours and where to eat, see our Bondi to Coogee coastal walk guide, and if you are weighing up the route in reverse, we also cover which direction to walk, Bondi or Coogee first.

What Are The Directions For The Bondi To Coogee Coastal Walk?

Start near Bondi Icebergs and Notts Avenue at the southern end of Bondi Beach. Follow coastal signs past the Mackenzies Bay coastline to Tamarama, then Bronte, the Waverley Cemetery coastline, Clovelly, Gordons Bay and Coogee. The roughly 6km route includes stairs and changes of level; follow current signs, diversions and closures.

In practice, the walk has four legs, and the table below is the sequence to follow.

Icebergs marks the Bondi approach. Tamarama is followed by Bronte’s beach, park and ocean pool, then the cemetery coastline toward Clovelly. Clovelly has a narrow bay and a separate ocean pool; Gordons Bay comes before Coogee. Use these landmarks with current signs rather than assuming a closure-free or step-free route.

The walk is well covered in our overview of Sydney's coastal walks, which places it alongside longer and quieter alternatives such as the Spit to Manly track. If your question is not the directions but the timing, see our separate answer on how long the Bondi to Coogee walk takes.

Which Way Should You Walk It: Bondi To Coogee, Or Coogee To Bondi?

Either direction works for independent walking. Choose the endpoint, food stops and transport connection that suit your day. The path turns around bays, so neither direction keeps the sun behind you throughout, and both involve stairs and exposed sections.

Bondi Beach and Coogee both have food venues and bus services; neither has a railway station. Bondi Junction is a separate interchange reached by bus from the beach. Current weather, crowd levels and venue hours vary, so check the specific plans that matter to you.

Both endpoints have full guides: Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach, if you want to make either precinct a larger part of your day.

For city history instead, The Rocks guided walk follows a separate 90-minute, roughly 2km route from 28 Harrington Street and back. Arrive 15 minutes early. Cobbles, slopes and stairs require individual access planning; it is not a flat coastal substitute.

Where Can You Swim Along The Walk?

Swim only between the red and yellow flags during patrols, and follow lifeguard advice and closures. Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee have patrol services; Gordons Bay is not an equivalent flagged beach. Ocean pools are not automatically safe for weak swimmers or during rough conditions.

Waverley Council patrols Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama year-round, normally 6am–7pm October–April and 7am–5:30pm May–September. Coogee’s council hours are 7am–7pm in daylight saving and 7am–5pm outside it. Clovelly’s current council patrol text lists 8am–6pm in daylight saving and 7am–5pm otherwise. The flags, local signs and closures on the day govern swimming.

Two safety facts are worth carrying with you. Rip currents are the number one hazard on this coast, and the official advice from Beachsafe, Surf Life Saving Australia's public safety site, is blunt: swim at a patrolled beach between the flags, and if you are caught in a rip, stay calm, raise an arm and call for help, float with the current, or swim parallel to the beach toward breaking waves (beachsafe.org.au). Second, water quality: NSW's Beachwatch program advises staying out of the water while it is raining and for up to one day after heavy rain at ocean beaches, and up to three days at harbour and estuarine sites. Check the daily grades at beachwatch.nsw.gov.au before you swim, especially if there has been a storm in the previous 24 hours.

For another morning, the selected sunrise kayak tour is a separate two-hour active outing from Rushcutters Bay. It includes equipment and photos and lists age 12+. Complete the waiver and confirm individual participation, the selected single/double meeting instructions and weather arrangements. Calm water, wildlife and a particular landmark route are not guaranteed.

What Should You Bring, And When Should You Go?

Bring water, sun protection and comfortable shoes with grip for paths and stairs. Check current UV and use protection at UV 3 or above. Choose the time and distance using the actual forecast, daylight and your group’s pace; summer averages are not the temperature you will necessarily encounter.

Exposed headlands can be uncomfortable in hot or windy weather, and wet surfaces can be slippery. Carry enough water for your outing and plan breaks. Facilities around the beaches have their own access and opening arrangements; do not rely on a guaranteed refill at every point.

Historical Observatory Hill records show August with 13.4 mean clear days and February with 5.3 over 1955–2010. February has the fewest clear days; January has the most cloudy days, a different measure. June has the highest mean monthly rainfall, 133.1mm over 1858–2020. The station closed in 2020; these averages do not forecast your walk. Historical June–August mean maximums range from 16.4–17.9°C over 1859–2020, but your actual day can differ. Bring layers appropriate to the forecast.

Bluebottles and other changing beach conditions can affect swimming plans. Follow local warnings and seek lifeguard assistance if stung. Not every coastal stretch is patrolled, and an outing can be enjoyable without entering the water.

How Do You Get To The Start, And Back From The End?

Both ends of the walk sit on bus routes rather than train lines, and neither has a station. Bondi Junction is the nearest train interchange, with buses continuing to Bondi Beach from there; Coogee is likewise served by buses connecting through the eastern suburbs to the city. Use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner for the live schedule on the day, and tap a contactless card or Opal card on and off every bus, because tap-off matters to what you are charged.

Plan the end before setting off: use a suitable bus onward from Coogee, connect back toward Bondi, or allow for walking the route again. Adult eligible Opal/contactless caps checked 20 September 2026 are A$19.30 Monday–Thursday and A$9.65 Friday–Sunday and NSW public holidays. Airport station access is extra; child/concession arrangements differ. The Opal card guide covers payment and off-peak rules.

Manly Fast Ferry has normal Opal fares and benefits; it is different from private services using OpalPay. A sightseeing cruise is a separate ticket and does not count toward the public transport fare cap. The Sydney ferries guide covers the network.

A separate harbour sightseeing outing takes about 90 minutes from Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay, returning there. Add travel to the quay and arrive 20 minutes early; this product is not wheelchair accessible. It does not provide the return journey from Coogee.

Common Questions About The Bondi To Coogee Coastal Walk

What are the directions for the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk?

Start near Icebergs and Notts Avenue at southern Bondi. Follow current coastal signs past Mackenzies Bay to Tamarama, then Bronte, the cemetery coastline, Clovelly, Gordons Bay and Coogee. Check any diversions and closures; the approximately 6km route has stairs.

Can you get lost on the Bondi to Coogee walk?

The route is signposted, but check your position and follow current diversions rather than assuming every junction is obvious. Around the cemetery and local approaches, use the signed public route and respect closed areas.

Is the walk suitable for children and prams?

The full route has stairs and exposed sections and is not continuously step-free. Choose a shorter, individually checked section for your party and plan supervision, rests and onward transport. Do not assume every beach stop is patrolled at every time.

Do you need to book anything to do the walk?

No booking or admission ticket is needed for the public path. Optional guided walks, food, transport and paid pool entries are separate purchases. Check current route access and conditions before setting out.

Can you swim during the walk?

Only swim between the flags during patrols and follow lifeguard advice, closures and water-quality information. Gordons Bay is not an equivalent flagged swim stop, and ocean pools are not automatically safe in rough conditions.

What happens if it rains?

Check the forecast and any closures or diversions. Wet steps and exposed sections may not suit your group. Avoid swimming during rain and for up to a day after heavy rain at ocean beaches; choose an alternative outing if needed.