Iconic Australia: Bondi to Bronte

Holding hands is the best.

I could really get into this fall in Australia thing. Summer was hot, really hot. And so far autumn has been about just about perfect. As a result we've started a new tradition at our house the past few weeks: Super Saturday morning. It involves making sure we get motivated to get outside and do something new or an infrequent activity (although not really an area we've struggled with much in the past, due to the recent addition to our family it seems we've fallen into a boring Saturday routine, one which was causing Emma to complain that Saturdays were her least favorite day of the week!).

While we have talked many times about doing the Bondi to Bronte walk since we moved here, it had yet to happen. So with yet another picture perfect Saturday in the forecast we decided it was time.

The walk is a relatively easy 2.5 km in each direction. You can start at either the world famous Bondi beach or the lesser known, but still stunning Bronte beach and then finish at the opposite. Weaving along the rocky coastline you are treated to what I can only describe as image after image of iconic Australia:

Beautiful blue green water, schools of novice and well-trained surfers alike, smooth white sand, restaurant after cafe after bar to fit the tastes of every foodie, gorgeous homes with walls (and ceilings) of windows getting sprayed with ocean mist, beautiful bodies playing beach volleyball, oceanfront playgrounds full of children and parents with takeaway coffee in hand, and of course droves of tourists speaking every language on the globe.

The start of the walk: Bondi Beach

Emma surveying the lay of the land.

The Bondi Iceberg club: Where the cool kids go swimming when you don't want to swim in the ocean.

Me and my girls overlooking Bondi.

Looking ahead to Tamarama beach and Bronte beach. 

Emma stopping to do her exercises en route.

Emma wanted to wear her hat just like daddy (even though he took it off for this photo).

Bronte Beach

Back at Bondi: We did it!

She walked the whole way, but when the going got tough near the end a little gelato bribery sure helped!

Finally, Morgan got a chance to show her face for a photo!

It was a fun and exhausting morning turned all day activity. Besides walking both directions we were spoiled with time to play on the beach, at the playground, eat some of the best fish & chips to date, and some well-earned gelato. While only a 30 minute drive from our house, we still felt like we were on vacation. For anyone visiting Sydney be sure to add it to the top of your "must do" list. It wasn't hard for me to understand after talking to a local mom at the park that told me she grew up in the neighborhood and moved abroad for a few years, that she eventually decided to return to the very same neighborhood to raise her family. Seeing some of the best of the world had helped her realized she had grown up in one of the best spots in the world. I couldn't agree more with her conclusion.