Bondi Beach, New South Wales

Bondi is unquestionably the best city beach; in fact, it is one of the closest beaches to Sydney's CBD, and its renown has earned it a place among Australia's top beaches. It's just 15 minutes by car or bus from the city center, and it's a perfect place to escape the city's hum for the soothing slop of surf - Bondi is an Aboriginal word that means "water smashing over rocks."

People-watching is one of the best things about this place. The beachside promenade in Bondi is bustling with laid-back locals, globe-trotting visitors, and swarms of fun-loving backpackers, and if you enjoy shopping, the market booths along the beachfront are open every Sunday.

In Bondi Beach, swimmers should be wary of "Backpackers Rip," a severe riptide near the beach's southern end that also generates a lot of drama for the Australian reality show Bondi Rescue. The Bondi Baths at Iceberg's are ideal for those who wish to put on their cap and goggles for some serious laps. With a 50-meter Olympic pool and a smaller pool for children, this seaside pool has been a popular Sydney swimming venue for almost a century.

Location: Bondi Beach, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Sydney, New South Wales 2026 Australia
Website: https://www.visitbondibeach.com/
Entrance fee: N/A
Highlight: oldest surf life-saving clubs in the world, take a Coastal Walk, attend one the many year-round events such as the City to Surf Fun in August or Sculpture by the Sea in Oct/Nov....
Best time to visit: December to February