Located in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney and only eight kilometres from the city, Coogee Beach is one of Sydney’s most popular beaches and neighbour to Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic beaches.
Coogee Beach is known for it’s rock formation – Wedding Cake Island. Located roughly 700m off the coast, it’s a popular swimming spot for avid swimmers, snorkellers and scuba divers because of it’s relatively calm waters and thriving underwater world. Wedding Cake Island was made famous by the eponymous instrumental song from rock band Midnight Oil.
It is home to three ocean pools, which can be found at the southern end of the beach. Wylie’s Baths, McIver Baths and the Ross Jones Memorial Pool. Wylie’s Bath is a popular tidal pool with an elevated timber deck and a popular swim location for locals. McIver Baths was built in 1886 and is Australia’s last remaining ocean pool for only children and women. The Ross Jones Memorial Pool is one of the most unique and stunning ocean pools you’ll find in Ausralia, with its sandcastle-like turrents sticking out of the concrete pool walls.
At the northern end of the beach you, at the foot of the headland, you will find Giles Bath, a natural rock pool carved out of the surrounding rocks, which you can only access via the coastal walkway at Dolphin Point.
Coogee Beach is also home to the Coogee Island Challenge which is 2.4km ocean swim that takes swimmers out and around Wedding Cake Island. Beginning back in 2000, the ocean swim has grown from humble beginnings to being one of the most popular Sydney ocean swims on the calendar.
Coogee Beach is well-serviced on the public bus routes along Coogee Bay Road and Arden Street (forming a bus interchange location). Bus 372 runs from Railway Sq. to terminus, 373 and X73 from Spring St. to terminus. Bus 374, X74 from Circular Quay to terminus; or train to Bondi Jctn. Bus No. 314, 315, X13 to terminus. Bus 353 runs from Bondi Junction.
If you are driving to the Coogee Beach, there is an all-day paid beach car park at the north end of the beach and both free and metred street parking but this can be hard to come by especially during the summer months.
There are plenty of things to do at Coogee from enjoying a nice meal at a restaurant to taking in the natural sites. One of the fan favourite activities to do is the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk. This walk offers spectacular views of both the headland and ocean. Starting at Coogee Beach this 6km walk takes you to the iconic Bondi Beach. This is a well serviced bath, with rest areas, picnic facilities, barbecues, cafes and toilets along the way. Plus there are a million spots to take breathtaking photos of the beautiful scenery.
Just north of Coogee’s northern headland, you’ll find Gordons Bay, which is an oasis for breathtaking snorkelling and diving. There is also an underwater nature trail where you can explore plenty of marine life in a unique way.
You’ll be spoiled for choice at Coogee, with a wide range of places to eat. Some favourites are the Coogee Pavilion’s rooftop for a drink overlooking the ocean before enjoying a meal at mimi’s, the Coogee Wine room, Taqueria and Sugarcane. The Coogee Bay Hotel is a local icon and has been operating for 140 years and is a great spot to enjoy an ocean view while having a classic Aussie pub feed.
For our coffee enthusiasts, The Little Kitchen, Bohaus Cafe and The Lion and Buffalo are great for a coffee and snack post-swim.
If you are looking to enjoy your take away fish and chips, a barbeque or picnic, the Goldstein Reserve, located across from the main beach and Grant Reserve on the southern end of the beach are both popular places among locals, with picnic tables and barbecues overlooking the beach.
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2025-01-06 21:41:59
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