Bondi Beach is Your Ticket to Fun

Just a short drive outside Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, Australia, you'll find the vibrant community of Bondi Beach. Pronounced "Bon-die," with a long I, this beach is a center for surfing and sunbathing all summer long.

Founded in the 1850s as part of Sydney's expansion to the suburbs, Bondi Beach takes its name from an Aboriginal word meaning "waves crashing over rocks."

With nearly one kilometer of white sand, Bondi Beach is a great place to get away from the populous Sydney and enjoy South Wales' beautiful beaches. In their migratory months, schools of dolphins and even whales can be seen off the coast. The rare fairy penguin has even been known to make the occasional appearance.

For visitor orientation, start at the Pavilion Community Center and pick up some helpful information. This town hub also has changing rooms and showers for bathers, several eateries and an amphitheater.

Down at the beach, take a pleasant walk along the white sand, compare your tan with the locals, or take a dip in the crystal clear waters at the northern beaches. Bondi's southern beaches have great waves for surfers, though beginner swimmers should be very careful at these spots. Throughout the summer lifeguards patrol the beaches and shark nets are positioned out in the water to keep swimmers safe and sound.

For a scenic and energizing afternoon, try one of Bondi Beach's nature walks. Starting out at the Pavilion which dates back to 1928, make your way to Bronte's cliffs. Along the way, see some of nature's oldest phenomena in the Hawkesbury sandstone belt which can be traced back nearly 225 million years. On another route, pass the Bronte bath houses before arriving at Waverley Cemetery.

Get into the racy bikini culture on Bondi Beach's southern end, where sunbathers have been known to flout the city ordinances and go topless. In fact, the beach holds the Guinness World Record for largest swimsuit photo shoot ever.

Get into the groove of the wild City to Surf Fun Run which takes place every August. Participants make their way to Bondi Beach from Sydney's center. Or go fly a kite in the annual Festival of the Winds in September.

Bondi Beach has many options when you get hungry, from four-star restaurants to tiny cafes in sight of the water's edge. Mix with the locals and share a toast in one of the many pubs.

Bondi's stunning beach has caught the eye of the entertainment industry, as it serves as the location for Bondi Rescue (about beach patrols) and Breakers.

At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Bondi hosted the beach volleyball tournament for all the world to see.

Visitors looking to spend a night or weeks in Bondi Beach will find accommodations in any price range. Backpacker hostels, small upscale hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts are all options.

Just thirty minutes away from Sydney by car, Bondi Beach can be accessed by taking Oxford Street out of the capital until it becomes Enfield Drive and then Bondi Road. Due to the traffic and parking crunch on popular weekends, locals recommend going to Bondi Beach via public transportation. Buses to Bondi usually leave Sydney on an hourly basis.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

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For surf travel services in Sydney's south coast beaches, contact Brad from Sydney Surfboard Rentals

by: Brad Peterson

Total views: 7 Word Count: 555 Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 Time: 5:10 AM - 2 comments

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