The pleasant suburb of Coogee is home to one of Sydney’s most popular beaches and in addition to its beautiful stretch of sand, offers large grassy parklands, popular coastal walkways and a bustling shopping, dining and nightlife strip.
Coogee Beach is one of the eastern suburbs safest ocean swimming spots. Protected by large rocky headlands at either end and shielded by Wedding Cake Island which sits 400-metres offshore, Coogee Beach offers calm conditions and is patrolled year-round by lifeguards. Surfers and bodyboarders can tackle the breaks that form just off the sand in large swells, while sunbathers can take to the sand for a relaxing day in the sun.
Goldstein Reserve sits behind the beach and is a large reserve popular with picnickers and sunseekers. Large trees offer shady spots in the heat of the day, while the beachfront promenade buzzes at all hours with joggers, walkers and idlers. Just to the south, Grant Reserve is another popular attraction and has one of the largest and best children’s playgrounds in the area. McIver’s Baths, an ocean swimming pool open to women and children only, is close by and remains one of the area’s quirkiest landmarks. Wylie Baths is next-door and is a great venue for swimming laps.
Dunningham Reserve is another highlight and protects the beach’s northern headland. A sloping grassy area with beautiful views of the water, the reserve is a perfect spot for a picnic or for reading a book in the sun. The coastal walkway which eventually reaches Bondi Beach, passing Clovelly, Bronte and Tamarama, also starts at Dunningham Reserve and ranks as one of Sydney’s best coastal trails.
Clovelly is a short distance to the north and is a unique combination of beach and swimming pool. The long stretch of water formed by the narrow bay offers a terrific place for a swim. Clovelly is also a popular spot for snorkellers and scuba divers with the rocky headlands creating many interesting underwater areas. Surrounding parks and reserves offer picnic tables and stunning ocean views.
Arden Street is Coogee’s beachfront thoroughfare and is home to cafes, shops, bars and pubs. The large Coogee Bay Hotel occupies a prime beachfront site and is favourite gathering spot for locals and visitors. Its beer garden is huge and one of the best places to meet up with friends on a warm day. The Beach Palace Hotel sits at the northern end of the sand and is a similarly popular venue that enjoys a pleasant outlook over the water.
Coogee Bay Road links the beach with neighbouring Randwick and is the suburb’s commercial hub. Sidewalk cafes buzz with coffee lovers from the early hours of the morning, while restaurants and bistros come alive at lunchtime. The strip has recently seen fashion boutiques and trendy designer shops move in and browsing their wares is a popular pastime for visitors once they’ve finished at the beach.
Coogee is ten kilometres from Sydney’s CBD or a twenty minute drive. A number of bus services link Sydney’s CBD with Coogee and surrounding suburbs.
