Bondi to Coogee gets all the attention, and fairly enough, it’s the one everyone’s heard of. But it’s not the only walk worth doing out here, and depending on how much time you’ve got, who you’re with, or whether you’ve already done the main one, there’s a handful of others genuinely worth knowing about.
Some of these run off the main route, some head in a completely different direction, and a couple are worth doing precisely because they’re quieter than the one everyone else is already on. Staying a few days? Pair these walks with our weekend in Bondi Beach itinerary.
Bondi to Coogee (6km, 2-3 hours)
The flagship, and the one most people mean when they say “the coastal walk.” Five beaches, a handful of ocean pools, and a stretch through Waverley Cemetery that’s more memorable than it sounds. The route deserves its own guide, so I’ll keep this one short.
Bondi to Bronte (2.3km, 45 minutes to an hour)
This is the one to do if you’ve got less time, you’re with someone who isn’t up for the full six kilometres, or you just want a taste of the walk without committing to the whole thing. It’s the first half of the full route, Bondi, past Tamarama, into Bronte, and it’s genuinely easy, with a bit of stair work but nothing that rules anyone out. Good for a first attempt if you’re not sure the full walk is for you yet. If you want to build a day around this one, our local’s guide to a full day at Bondi Beach covers the rest.
The Tamarama-Bronte gullies loop (quieter, inland)
Most people doing the coastal walk stick to the clifftop path, which means they miss this one entirely. It loops inland from Bronte through Tamarama Gully and the parks behind the beaches rather than along the water, and it’s noticeably quieter than the main route, worth it on a day when Bondi to Coogee feels like it’ll be shoulder to shoulder. It’s short, more of a green, leafy detour than a coastal walk in the usual sense.
Coogee to Maroubra (4.9km, just over an hour)
If you’ve finished the main walk at Coogee and you’re not ready to stop, this keeps going south rather than turning back. It’s flatter and quieter than the Bondi to Coogee stretch, with virtually no steep sections, and it’s worth timing for low tide if you can, since part of the route follows an undercliff path that’s easier to walk when the water’s out. There’s a rock pool along the way, Rob Walker Rock Pool, that blends into the ocean rather than sitting apart from it, and Mistral Point near the Maroubra end gives you a proper 360-degree lookout before you finish. Genuinely underused compared to the main walk, mostly because people don’t realise it’s there. If you’re keen to go further again, Malabar Headland picks up from around here too, with tracks out to Magic Point and Boora Point, though that one’s worth checking before you go, since parts of it close when the rifle range nearby is in use.
The Bondi headland loop (short, best at sunset)
This one stays entirely within North Bondi rather than heading toward another suburb, and it’s the one to do if you’ve only got twenty minutes and want a proper view rather than a full walk. There are three lookout points on the way up from North Bondi: the first looking straight back across the beach, then Sam Fiszman Park, then Ben Buckler Point at the top, where you can see down the coast as far as Clovelly and Maroubra on a clear day. Sunset’s the better time for this one specifically, the light sits right across the water from up there. Walk back down from Ben Buckler afterward for a drink on Campbell Parade.
Bondi to Watsons Bay (9km+, half a day)
If you’ve finished the main walk at Coogee and you’re not ready to stop, this keeps going south rather than turning back. It’s flatter and quieter than the Bondi to Coogee stretch, with virtually no steep sections, and it’s worth timing for low tide if you can, since part of the route follows an undercliff path that’s easier to walk when the water’s out. There’s a rock pool along the way, Rob Walker Rock Pool, that blends into the ocean rather than sitting apart from it, and Mistral Point near the Maroubra end gives you a proper 360-degree lookout before you finish. Genuinely underused compared to the main walk, mostly because people don’t realise it’s there.
If you’re keen to go further again, Malabar Headland picks up from around here too, with tracks out to Magic Point and Boora Point, though that one’s worth checking before you go, since parts of it close when the rifle range nearby is in use.
Where to eat, depending on where you end up
If you finish at Bondi, whether that’s the full Coogee walk, the shorter Bronte version, or just the headland loop, walking straight into Macelleria, a walk-in restaurant on Bondi Beach, is the easy move. No booking, no waiting around, which matters when you don’t know exactly what time a walk like this finishes. Order the grass-fed steak or a burger straight off the grill.
If you’re finishing at Coogee, Sugarcane’s worth it for something more substantial, or Melonhead if you just need a smoothie to get you home. We’ve gone into all of this properly in a separate guide to where to eat after the Bondi to Coogee walk.
Whichever one you end up doing, it’s worth remembering these all connect, you’re not choosing one walk forever, just picking the right one for the day you’ve got.
Macelleria Bondi · G09/180 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach · Open 7 days · No bookings required
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FAQs
What is the best walk in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs?
Bondi to Coogee is the one most people mean by “the coastal walk” and it’s the most complete version, five beaches, ocean pools, and the Waverley Cemetery stretch. But the best one for you depends on time and who you’re with.
How long is the Bondi to Bronte walk?
About 2.3km, taking most people 45 minutes to an hour at an easy pace.
Are there other coastal walks near Bondi besides Bondi to Coogee?
Yes, Bondi to Bronte as a shorter version, Coogee to Maroubra as an extension south, a quieter inland loop between Tamarama and Bronte, a short North Bondi headland loop, and the longer Bondi to Watsons Bay walk heading north instead of south.
What is the easiest coastal walk near Bondi Beach?
The Bondi headland loop, if you just want a short walk with a proper view. For something a bit longer but still easy, Bondi to Bronte is the next step up.
Is there a good steakhouse in Bondi that doesn’t require a booking?
Macelleria Bondi Beach takes walk-ins only. Arrive during opening hours and the team seats you, no reservation needed. See the menu before you arrive.
