Story of Bondi

Aboriginal rock carvings found along coastal areas of Bondi Beach, believed to be approximately 200 years old, provide a fascinating insight into the traditional coastal life of Indigenous Australians. The rock carvings can be found at Bondi Golf Course, Ben Buckler Reserve and on the Costal Walk at Mackenzies Point. They depict various fish species, and were probably formed by ‘pecking’ small holes in the rock surface with a pointed stone or shell and later joined together by grooving the rock. The largest group of carvings is found on what is now the Bondi Golf Course, which was once probably a ceremonial ground. These depict what could be described as the first recorded shark attack at Bondi Beach with a large, 8-metre shark (whose face has unfortunately worn away) attacking a large, male figure who is swimming diagonally away from the creature.

The Homestead was the first house built at Bondi Beach. The O’Brien family resided there after buying the land from William Roberts’ estate. This painting of the house is believed to be the work of by Georgiana O’Brien, whose father bought the land at Bondi in trust for her. Georgiana was the second wife of Thomas O’Brien. He had previously been married to her sister, who died in child birth. Thomas eventually outlived three wives. The last of the O’Brien’s Bondi land holding was sold off in 1917.

Before 1905, bathing during daylight hours was prohibited due to concerns over sharks and stingrays, as well as modesty. However, that didn’t stop people from enjoying the sand and the surf. During the 1990s, attitudes began to relax, and the beach became associated with health, leisure and democracy – a playground everyone could enjoy.

Though hard to imagine now, the park behind Tamarama Beach was once home to a very colourful amusement park. In 1887, the Royal Aquarium and Pleasure Grounds was established here, with exhibits including sharks, seals and a penguin, as well as roller coasters, sword contests, tightrope walkers and roller-skating rinks. In 1906, the park evolved into Wonderland City, and featured a miniature railway along the cliff tops as well as an airship which was suspended above the beach.

Bondi Bay, 1880 photo by Henry King

An 1890s outing on Bondi Beach for a privileged group of children. Note the original 1887 sewer vent shaft in the background and the brush fencing installed in an attempt to stymie the ebb and flow of the hitherto untamed sand dunes.

As sea bathing became more popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, public safety became a concern. In response, the world’s first formally documented surf lifesaving club, the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club, was formed in 1907. Surf patrol members wearing their distinctive red and yellow quartered caps first appeared at Bondi that summer. Some key features of surf rescue were established in those early years, including several Australian inventions. From Bondi, the surf lifesaving movement spread through NSW and then to the rest of Australia and the world. Today, Surf Life Saving Australia is one of the largest and most successful nationwide associations of volunteers dedicated to protecting the safety of beach goers. Surf lifesavers have rescued over 520,000 people in the 80 years since records have been kept.

Amusements at Bondi Beach circa 1907

Bondi Hotel in the 1920s

Once Bondi’s sand dunes were cleared about 1920, a building boom began. It helped meet the shortage of housing caused by a population explosion in post-war Australia. The Bondi basin was filled with a new type of architecture – the residential flat building. They were built in many architectural styles, the most famous being Art Deco.

There were 2 putt putt golf courses in Bondi – they were the rage in 1920s

Trans-Tasman Cable House and gas light, photo SLNSW

Bondi Pavillion, just opened in 1928

Two girls walking the Promenade, Photo courtesy National Library of Australia

Ambulance at North Bondi

Looking out from South Bondi

Only recently uncovered, the photography of Bondi resident, George Caddy, captures the popular trend of Beachobatics, or acrobatics on the beach, which was popular in the 1930s.

Chorus Girls wheel rolling at Bondi Beach, Photo Sam Hood.

Aerial view of Bondi Beach

The first people to surf our beaches were Duke Kahanamoku and Isabelle Latham, who did so around 100 years ago. By the 1950s, surf culture was well and truly established in Bondi.

North Bondi SLSC girls march team

These Gadigal carvings thought to be hundreds if not thousands of years old were re-grooved by Raymond De Cusack in 1951

SBLSC patrol

Groms on surf-o-planes

Christmas Day lunch on Bondi Beach

If you’re walking along the beachfront, be sure to snap your own selfie in front of the Bondi Beach Sea Wall Mural, which has been operating since the 1970s. The mural features a mix of street and contemporary art, and over the years, has hosted the work of some of the best-known street artists across the world.

The Sydney City2Surf has been held as an annual event since the first run on 5 September 1971, which attracted 1,576 racegoers. Today, the race from the Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach is one of the biggest events on the Sydney calendar.

Surfers carrying coolite boards cross Cambell Parade in the 70's

Waverley Council is committed to making our beaches accessible for everyone. Millions of people visit Bondi Beach every year to enjoy the sand and surf, yet something enjoyed by so many is often challenging for people who are less mobile, use a wheelchair or mobility aid. Council is working on a number of initiatives to improve inclusion and access at Bondi Beach.

Bondi’s architectural crown, the Bondi Pavilion, was carefully restored and reopened in 2022. In 2015, Waverley Council engaged TZG Architects to upgrade the Pavilion with better facilities for visitors to the building, park, and beach. The restoration preserved the Pavilion’s important heritage features while improving spaces for the community and visitors. Today, it includes an upgraded gallery, theatre, pottery studio, music studios, a community radio station, and a beach heritage room called the Bondi Story Room. The Pavilion continues to hold an important place in Bondi’s community and cultural life.