Bronte is just over a kilometre’s walk south of Bondi. The beach itself
faces east and picks up swell from any direction, but bulky headlands to
the north and south and clusters of underwater rocks make conditions
challenging, especially for swimmers. The south headland shapes Bronte’s
premium wave, but it breaks across rocks so it’s for confident
board-riders only.
Those same rocks create a sheltered natural
pool beloved of parents with young kids, while an ocean-fed lap pool
tucked in beneath the south headland provides one of Sydney’s finest
saltwater swim experiences (free entry). A wide grassy park behind the
beach has barbecues and picnic tables and gives way to a wooded gully
between rows of expensive houses on the opposing hillsides.