Bronte Beach

Bronte beach is situated in Sydney’s eastern suburbs between Bondi and Coogee beaches. From either of beach it is an easy walk of about 2km along the paved clifftop path. However, if you fancy a swim there is an anual swim held every December between Bondi and Bronte.

For those who feel they aren’t quite ready to take on the open ocean Bronte offers a couple of other swimming options. For the kids there is the “bogey hole”, a giant rock pool at the south end of the beach, whilst for the more serious swimmer there are the lanes of the Bronte Baths - a 30 metre outdoor pool.

As well as swimming there is also some decent surf to be had here although the bottom is a little rocky in places so it isn’t an ideal beginners wave. Whatever watersport you choose, watch out for the “Bronte express” - the strong, particularly dangerous rip current that kicks in when there is a swell running.

Much smaller than its bigger, brasher neighbours Bronte is popular all the same, but with a different crowd. You want find quite the same degree of posing and strutting here, and a larger proportion of beachgoers tend to be locals. Bronte has a more chilled atmosphere making it popular with familes who love the large area of parkland behind the beach with its picnic areas. This area is perfect for barbecues, but there are plenty of beachfront cafes if you fancy sitting back and watching the world go by.

In case you are wondering where the name “Bronte” comes from it isn’t the Brontë sisters as people often assume. The name actually comes from the legendary British admiral Horatio Nelson, who was also Duke of Bronté. In fact the wider bay here is still referred to as Nelson Bay.