Coogee Beach, Sydney

Coogee Beach lies along Sydney’s eastern coastline, a sweeping arc of soft sand bordered by calm surf and a lively seaside promenade. Smaller and more sheltered than nearby Bondi, it offers gentler waves protected by natural rock formations, making it ideal for swimming and family outings. Early morning joggers, ocean swimmers, and beachgoers fill the foreshore, where grassy terraces provide shaded spots for picnics and views across the Pacific. The beach’s name is believed to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning “smelly place,” likely referring to the seaweed that once washed ashore in abundance.

The surrounding Coogee Bay area retains the character of a classic Australian beach suburb. The Coogee Pavilion, a restored 1920s building at the northern end, serves as a landmark with rooftop bars and restaurants overlooking the water. Along the promenade, cafés, kiosks, and heritage baths—including the McIver’s Ladies Baths, one of the few women-only ocean pools in the world—reflect the area’s enduring connection to Sydney’s coastal leisure culture. The Wylie’s Baths, established in 1907, sit at the southern end and offer swimmers panoramic ocean views framed by wooden decking and cliffs.

Coogee also marks the starting point of the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk, a scenic clifftop path that passes bays, rock pools, and public art installations.