Coogee Beach (Sydney, Australia)
A Beautifully Laid-back Beach in East Sydney
One of the best swimming beaches in Sydney, Coogee Beach features sun-kissed sands and calm waters courtesy of Wedding Cake Island, a distinctive bit of rock about one kilometre east of the shore. While Coogee Beach is a magnet for young families, who also appreciate the nearby parkland and playgrounds, it is popular with swimmers of all ages, who come to take a dip in the spectacular rock pools and ocean baths at either end of the sand. The beach is also well known to locals and sightseers as the end point of the Bondi to Coogee Walk, one of the most popular stretches of Sydney’s lovely coastal walking trail.
Jump in a Rock Pool
Coogee boasts three ocean pools and each has its own unique charm. At the northern end, a set of stairs descends from Dolphin Point to the Giles Baths. This natural rock pool, widely known as the “bogey hole,” is the most adventurous option of the three, as the water here can be a bit rough when the surf’s up. At the southern end of the beach, you’ll find the McIver’s Ladies Baths; built in 1886, McIver’s is neatly tucked into the face of a cliff, offering a pleasant sense of privacy from the beach as well as stunning views of the ocean. It is the only seawater pool in Australia still open to women and children only. A little further south, you’ll find the Wylie Baths, one of the first mixed gender pools in Australia. Opened in 1907 by Henry Alexander Wylie, a champion Australian long distance swimmer, the baths feature a lovely wooden deck that is the ideal length for swimming laps.
Walk Along the Cliffs from Bondi to Coogee
Sydney’s impressively scenic Coastal Walk begins near the Icebergs Pool Club at Bondi Beach and then winds its way through Tamarama, a small surf beach and home of the annual Sculpture by the Sea art exhibition. After passing through Bronte, Clovelly, and Gordons Bay, the six-kilometre trail ends along the cliff tops of Coogee Beach, not far from several relaxed cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a well-deserved cold drink. The walk takes about two hours to complete at a moderate pace. Some sections are fairly steep or interrupted by sets of stairs, though there are many places to stop and catch your breath; walkers will find comfortable places to sit at some of the most spectacular viewpoints, and can easily stop off at the beaches along the way. Most offer picnic shelters with electric barbecues, as well as washroom facilities and change rooms.
Stay Close to the Shore
Travellers will find many comfortable places to stay in this part of Sydney, including several hotels just steps away from the shore. The Coogee Bay Hotel, which opened in 1873, offers luxuriously modern suites as well as more relaxed, pub-style accommodation within its handsome, heritage property. Among the most popular mid-range options you’ll find the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach, as well as the Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments, both very close to the sand. Self-catering travellers might also try the Adina Apartment Hotel, a five-minute walk from Coogee Beach.
Contact
Coogee Beach, 2400,