Sydney East

In Sydney’s eastern suburbs enjoy Australia’s most famous beach, wonderful coastal walks and many more attractions. There are thrilling sports to watch at the Sydney Cricket Ground, fascinating heritage to explore and a tasty range of waterside restaurants, laid-back cafes and hip bars to relish.

From sunrise to sunset, Bondi Beach is brimming with activity. Yet this lovely stretch of white sand is just one of the gorgeous beaches in the east, from harbourside delights in Watsons Bay, Vaucluse and Double Bay to stunning ocean beaches south of Bondi such as Coogee Beach, a family favourite.

The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is exhilarating. You’ll marvel at the vast Pacific Ocean on the 6km trail that winds over sandstone cliffs and meanders by charming Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly. You can spot majestic humpback whales leaping and rolling in the air between May and November.

Other splendid walking trails in Sydney’s east include:

• Federation Cliff Walk
• South Head Heritage Trail
• Hermitage Foreshore Track
• Western Escarpment Walking Track

You’ll find plenty more fun experiences, from ferry rides to Watsons Bay for humble fish ‘n’ chips to kayaking, sailing and Rose Bay seaplanes. Go cycling or horseriding in Centennial Park, a green oasis near Paddington’s boutiques, Moore Park’s entertainment and Randwick’s thoroughbred racing.

The harbour entrance at South Head is a magnificent point to watch one of the world’s great ocean-racing events - the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. Check out the exciting events calendar for more top sporting contests, from cricket at the hallowed SGC to the glamour of Royal Randwick.

Surfing is popular and there are Let’s Go surf schools at both Bondi and Maroubra. The two beaches are recognised in the National Surfing Reserves as places of intrinsic value. Maroubra Beach is nicknamed the Bra and curves about 1km south to the Malabar Headland National Park.

South of Maroubra is La Perouse, where Captain Arthur Phillip’s First Fleet initially landed in 1788 before deciding on Sydney Cove. The Aboriginal connection to the area, named after a French explorer, dates back thousands of years and you can explore this heritage with Kadoo Tours.