Sydney/Eastern suburbs

The Eastern Suburbs is the eastern metropolitan region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. In the more expansive sense, the Eastern Suburbs refers to the whole area situated to the east and south-east of the Sydney central business district, around the southern shore of Sydney Harbour to the Pacific Ocean beaches and continuing on to the port at Botany Bay.

It is one of the most popular areas for visitors to Sydney, including the famous Bondi Beach, as well as Coogee Beach, Maroubra Beach and La Perouse. It is well-served by public transport and located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour.

Understand
The Eastern Suburbs enjoys extensive frontages on the Harbour, the Ocean beaches and extensive towering sandstone clifftops. This part of Sydney has a choice of over 5 different beaches. Sydney's eastern suburbs connect through to the City Centre through the City east precinct east towards Double Bay, Watsons Bay, Bondi Beach and Bronte Beach through New South Head Road and Oxford Street.

Harbourside
Sydney's Eastern Suburbs lines the southern side of the harbour from the city to North Head, with some of Sydney's finest views, and most expensive houses. Starting with the inner eastern suburbs of Woolloomooloo, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay within City of Sydney then continuing on through Darling Point, Double Bay, Rose Bay, and Watsons Bay in Woollahra Municipal Council.

Oceanside Areas
Waverley Council Randwick City Council
 * Bondi Beach - World famous beach and beach culture.
 * Tamarama Beach
 * Bronte Beach


 * Clovelly Beach
 * Coogee Beach
 * Maroubra Beach
 * Malabar Beach
 * Little Bay Beach

Botany Bay

 * Port Botany
 * Philip Bay
 * La Perouse.

Orientation
Eastern Sydney has much to offer with some of Sydney’s most famous and beautiful spots. Eastern Sydney stretches all the way from Watsons Bay down to La Perouse.

Sydney's Eastern Suburbs are made up of the districts of Woollahra-Double Bay, Waverley-Bondi and The Centennial Parklands, starting with Paddington, Edgecliff and Darling Point to the west, The Centennial Parklands in the south, Bronte, Tamarama and Bondi to the east, Bellevue Hill at the centre and Watsons Bay in the north.

By bus

 * Buses run extensively throughout the Eastern Suburbs. Most originate from Circular Quay in the city.  There are five main bus routes from the city:
 * William St/New South Head Rd (to Rose Bay, Double Bay, Vaucluse, Watsons Bay)
 * Oxford St (to Bondi Junction)
 * 373 - To Coogee Beach via Taylor Square, Moore Park and Randwick Junction
 * 394/L94 - To La Perouse via Taylor Square, Moore Park and Maroubra Junction
 * City Sightseeing operates a hop-on hop-off bus touring the Eastern Suburbs, which travels east along the southern shore of the harbour to south head, through Double Bay out to Watsons Bay and South Head before tracking down the coast through Bondi Beach, before heading directly back to the city.
 * There are also lots of local services to Shopping Malls - Eastgardens being the largest. There are also other city bound services from most beaches and major areas as well as cross city Metrobuses which are rapid transit style buses that run every 15 mins from 7AM–7PM daily.
 * M10 Maroubra Junction To Leichardt
 * M20 Botany To Gore Hill
 * M50 Coogee To Drummoyne
 * There is also a beach connect service during summer on weekends and runs From Bondi Beach at the Tour Buses to Coogee Beach via Bronte number 362 and runs from 10AM to 6PM.

By train
Surprisingly there are no trains that take you to the beaches, however the Eastern Suburbs Line goes to Martin Place, Kings Cross, and terminates at  which is  from Bondi Beach itself. Passengers can interchange with frequent buses to Bondi Beach.

Coogee beach can also be accessed via bus from Bondi Junction, although it can be faster to take a direct bus from the city centre instead.

By light rail
The Eastern Suburbs are connected via the L2 and L3 light rail lines. Both lines start from Circular Quay and passes Central and Surry Hills, but the L2 line branches east towards Moore Park and Randwick, while the L3 line branches south wards Kingsford and Kensington.

By car
Sydney's Eastern Suburbs are very accessible by car with lots of major roadways. Main roads connected Sydney's Eastern Suburbs to Sydney CBD include New South Head Road and Oxford Street, and Anzac Parade and The M1 Eastern Distributor.

Traffic can sometimes be a struggle but is generally alright and parking can be a competition that never let's you win at the beaches in summer.

Harbour Shoreline
See the different aspects of the harbour to walk, admire the views. Take a swim in the Sydney Harbour. You can access all of the harbour shoreline by ferry or bus.

From the city to the heads:


 * Double Bay. Best known for its shopping, restaurants, and cafes. A marina and a ferry wharf dominate the harbourfront.  Swimming isn't popular here, and the waterfront park is a little worn.  There is an enclosure further east, but you can't walk to it along the harbour front.  The shopping district used to be irreverently referred to as "Double Bay-double pay" due to the range of upmarket and exclusive boutiques situated there. The bay itself has extensive mooring areas for private water craft.  Public transport access by ferry or bus.
 * Rose Bay. See the seaplanes take off and land.  This was the original international airport for Sydney when the airlines operating toward the Pacific, SE Asia and onward to Europe used seaplanes. The old seaplane terminal and airport administration building has been converted into use a waterfront restaurant. The water landing strip remains in service and is generally used for light seaplanes doing charter work and scenic flights northward to Palm Beach. Look at the harbour views.  Not really a swimming place and can feel a bit like a harbourside transport hub at times due to the ferries and the buses coming and going. There is an enclosure for swimming at the headland on the east of the bay, which is nice to cool off.  The bay has extensive mooring areas for private water craft. Parking is tight.  Public transport access by ferry or bus.
 * Rose Bay. See the seaplanes take off and land.  This was the original international airport for Sydney when the airlines operating toward the Pacific, SE Asia and onward to Europe used seaplanes. The old seaplane terminal and airport administration building has been converted into use a waterfront restaurant. The water landing strip remains in service and is generally used for light seaplanes doing charter work and scenic flights northward to Palm Beach. Look at the harbour views.  Not really a swimming place and can feel a bit like a harbourside transport hub at times due to the ferries and the buses coming and going. There is an enclosure for swimming at the headland on the east of the bay, which is nice to cool off.  The bay has extensive mooring areas for private water craft. Parking is tight.  Public transport access by ferry or bus.


 * Watsons Bay. Famous for its seafood, city and harbour views.  Immensely popular on summer weekends, it can be impossible to park anywhere close. Visit Nielsen Park and the famous Gap above the sandstone cliffs at South Head, it has stunning views and is part of an extended coastal walkway. The Gap also has a macabre history as the site of many mysterious deaths and many suicides  Public transport access by ferry or bus.

Ocean beaches
Swim, surf, walk or explore the Eastern Suburbs beaches. All of them have public transport access by bus, check Transport Info for more information.

From north to south:

Waverley Council


 * Bondi Beach. World famous surf beach.  Pretty beach, nice for swimming, walking, with plenty of food and accommodation places lining the shoreline. Parking and car access can be extremely difficult summer weekends, and challenging even at other times. Public transport access is bus from the City, Bondi Junction, or Watsons Bay.
 * Tamarama Beach. A small surf beach 2 km south from Bondi Beach. Worth a walk along the cost from there. The walk, although nice, is not quite as pretty as walking from Clovelly. Only kerbside parking. Public transport is by direct bus, or walking from the bus at Bondi Beach.

Randwick City Council
 * Bronte Beach. A nice surf beach around 3km walk south from Bondi Beach, much smaller than its northern neighbour. Good for walking. Nice ocean rock pool for swimming. Nice beachfront park with barbeques. Popular with surfers. Car access and parking can be difficult summer weekends - get there early or late if you want to drive. Public transport access is very easy from Bondi Junction, with very regular buses stopping right at the beach.
 * Clovelly Beach. Clovelly is a beach like no other in the area. If you are looking for a safe, wave free swim, then Clovelly is for you, but be prepared to swap the natural beauty of Sydney's other beaches for a beach that resembles a cement basketball court. ). There is a long bay, a breakwater, and calm swimming. It is a great location for walking, with headland walks heading north and south. The walk north to Waverley Cemetery popular and spectacular. The kiosk is now an upmarket cafe, so a good place for a picnic. Parking can be difficult, at peak times, but it is usually possible to find a spot somewhere. Public transport access is by bus. If you are not satisfied with Clovelly's man-made feel, follow the path south to Gordon's Bay where you will find an astonishing deep bay, popular with backpackers and the nimble of foot (the water is best accessed by climbing over rocks.


 * Coogee Beach. Very pretty and popular beach. A little smaller than Bondi, but not a small beach, and it has a bit of a similar feel to it.  Nice for swimming and walking, with a rock pool at the southern end of the beach.  Plenty of facilities surrounding it, Coogee has pubs, restaurants and takeaway places. Parking and car access can be difficult.  Public transport access is by bus  routes are to the City, Central, Eastgardens and Bondi Junction.


 * Maroubra Beach. Sydney largest eastern beach, with good facilities and great waves. You will always find a spot on the sand at Maroubra, but gets crowded swimming between the flags. Large parking lots, which do fill up summer weekends. Probably a little less scenic than the beaches further north, as it lacks the cliff headlands, therefore probably not as good for walking.  A cafe and kiosk on the beach, open even during winter.  Public transport access is by bus.


 * Malabar Beach. Sheltered at the end of Long Bay, Malabar is not the beach for surfers. It is a smaller, quieter beach, often not crowded at all. It is not patrolled by lifeguards. Parking is usually available. Public transport access is by bus.


 * Little Bay and Congwong Beach. A beautiful, calm little bay (hence the name) surrounded by cliffs. Rather untouched, save for an amenities hut, this beach is accessed by traveling through old hospital grounds —Prince Henry Hospital— that have now been converted into retirement villages and upper class neighborhoods. There are a couple of shops located on Anzac Parade, which is a bout 10 minutes walk away from the beach. The beach is NOT dog friendly, good for snorkeling and kids, although this beach is not patrolled by lifeguards. Has a nice quiet atmosphere. Best accessed by car or any south-bound bus services running along Anzac Parade, such as the 392. Congwong is a calm beach nearby, save for the planes taking off overhead. There are several other beaches that are around La Perouse and the airport, but have little to no surf due to the calm waters of Botany Bay.

La Perouse and Kamay-Botany Bay
La Perouse was the site of some of Australia's earliest European history. It is named after a French explorer, Jean François de Galaup de Lapérouse, who was commissioned by King Louis XVI of France to explore the Pacific. The La Perouse area has also been an Aboriginal reserve, a defence site and even a home for hundreds of homeless Sydneysiders during the Great Depression. Much of the area is now a national park, and there are cliffs, inlets, bays, and walking trails to explore. Visit on a summer Sunday, and you will see Sydney in full recreation mode, with boomerang throwers, kite fliers, beach goers, fishermen, walkers, and picnic blankets with fish and chips. You might even catch the snake man showing Australian native snakes, all for a dollar in the hat at the end of the show.


 * Frenchmans Beach at La Perouse. This is a swimming spot on Botany Bay. It is a fairly average beach, but has an interesting westerly outlook which allows you see the sun setting over the bay, which is very unusual in Sydney, where looking over the water usually means you are facing east. Accessible by car or bus.
 * La Perouse Congwong Bay Beach. Little Congwong Beach is an unofficial & secluded clothing optional beach located at La Perouse, which is reached only by walking through the Botany Bay national park. Little Congwong Beach has been used peacefully by naturists for more than 40 years. Make your way to La Perouse on Botany Bay and park in the car park just north of Bare Island. Walk down the steps to Congwong Beach then left across the rocks to Little Congwong Beach, the second bay. This beach is very popular on summer weekends. Little Congwong is small, and has been described as the most beautiful beach oasis in Sydney.
 * La Perouse Congwong Bay Beach. Little Congwong Beach is an unofficial & secluded clothing optional beach located at La Perouse, which is reached only by walking through the Botany Bay national park. Little Congwong Beach has been used peacefully by naturists for more than 40 years. Make your way to La Perouse on Botany Bay and park in the car park just north of Bare Island. Walk down the steps to Congwong Beach then left across the rocks to Little Congwong Beach, the second bay. This beach is very popular on summer weekends. Little Congwong is small, and has been described as the most beautiful beach oasis in Sydney.
 * La Perouse Congwong Bay Beach. Little Congwong Beach is an unofficial & secluded clothing optional beach located at La Perouse, which is reached only by walking through the Botany Bay national park. Little Congwong Beach has been used peacefully by naturists for more than 40 years. Make your way to La Perouse on Botany Bay and park in the car park just north of Bare Island. Walk down the steps to Congwong Beach then left across the rocks to Little Congwong Beach, the second bay. This beach is very popular on summer weekends. Little Congwong is small, and has been described as the most beautiful beach oasis in Sydney.

Centennial Park

 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.
 * For maps of the Centennial park precincts and facilities visit Centennial Park maps.

Historical sites

 * The Historic Waverley Cemetery is on the south head of Bronte. It is Australia's oldest European graveyard, and contains a mausoleum designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the architect who designed Canberra.
 * The Historic Waverley Cemetery is on the south head of Bronte. It is Australia's oldest European graveyard, and contains a mausoleum designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the architect who designed Canberra.

Do

 * Moonlight Cinema, in the warmer months at Centennial Park and also the nearby Botanic Gardens in the City.
 * Picnic in Centennial Park, just go relax in the wonderful expanse of this sprawling park
 * Go to the Cinemas at Double Bay or to the Entertainment Quarter for movies and many other entertainment venues, or at the historic Ritz Cinema at Randwick or Hoyts Eastgardens.
 * Go to the beach. Pick any one of the iconic Eastern Suburbs beaches and enjoy the sand, surf and parade of Australian city beach culture.
 * Hang out with the tanned set at Double Bay.
 * Take a walk. Sydney's Great Coastal Walk - Barrenjoey to Royal National Park, this seven day walk traverses the great urban coastal walk of Sydney. The walk can be broken into distances and times of one’s own choosing and may be walked in either direction south from Palm Beach or north from Cronulla. There is no need to do the whole walk and a visitor can just access any part of the coastal walk they choose to experience either for a few metres or a few kilometres. For full details information and brochures see details for walks including Harbour Bridge to South Head & Clovelly and Clovelly to Cronulla. There are additional details available for Sydney Harbour coastline walks.
 * Take a walk. Sydney's Great Coastal Walk - Barrenjoey to Royal National Park, this seven day walk traverses the great urban coastal walk of Sydney. The walk can be broken into distances and times of one’s own choosing and may be walked in either direction south from Palm Beach or north from Cronulla. There is no need to do the whole walk and a visitor can just access any part of the coastal walk they choose to experience either for a few metres or a few kilometres. For full details information and brochures see details for walks including Harbour Bridge to South Head & Clovelly and Clovelly to Cronulla. There are additional details available for Sydney Harbour coastline walks.


 * Coogee Bowling and Tennis Club - a popular place to play social tennis or an afternoon of bowling. The tennis club also has space to host parties.
 * Gordon's Bay - (Also has a local nickname, Thomo's, the origin of which appears to be unknown.) A small rocky inlet just north of Coogee Beach, accessed from the cliff walk, popular for snorkeling. There is an underwater snorkel trail there for the adventurous.
 * Randwick Rugby - Coogee is the location of the home ground of Randwick Rugby Union Club, one of the main teams in the Sydney rugby union football competition. Alternate weekends see Randwick and an opposing team battle it out on Coogee Oval, just over the road from the beach - a great way to spend a winter afternoon.

Commercial centres

 * Bondi Junction. Bondi Junction is the largest commercial centre in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs being the major connection to Bondi Beach. The suburb has high rise office and apartment buildings along with Westfield Bondi Junction, the largest shopping centre in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. Its major connection to the Sydney CBD is Oxford Street.
 * Double Bay. Largest commercial centre within Woollahra Municipal Council with the Woollahra administrative centre in the famous building 'Redleaf' in front of the famous 'Redleaf Pool'. Its major connection to Sydney CBD is New South Head Road.


 * Randwick Junction. Major junction in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs connecting Coogee Beach and is the home of The Randwick City Council Administration and Town Hall. Main road is Belmore Road. Its major connection to the CBD is Alison Road.
 * Maroubra Junction. Major connection to Maroubra Beach, Sydney's largest eastern beach. Located around the intersection of Anzac Parade and Maroubra Road.

Shopping malls

 * Eastgate Bondi Junction. Smaller shopping centre in Bondi Junction which predates the Westfield. Lies below the famous Bondi Junction Eastgate Towers.
 * Supa Centa Moore Park. Homemaker Centre in Moore Park with furniture, homeware and electronic stores.
 * Supa Centa Moore Park. Homemaker Centre in Moore Park with furniture, homeware and electronic stores.


 * Royal Randwick Shopping Centre. Shopping Centre in Randwick Junction on Belmore Road.
 * Pacific Square in Maroubra. Shopping centre located on the site of the previous 'Maroubra Mall'.
 * Southpoint in Hillsdale. Shopping centre located below the Hillsdale apartment complex called 'Southpoint'.
 * Westfield Eastgardens. Largest shopping centre in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. Built on the site of the former Pagewood bus depot which was the largest shopping centre in Australia upon completion in 1987. The area around the centre became its own suburb which took on the name of the shopping centre 'Eastgardens'.

Markets

 * Paddington Markets - Held every Saturday from 10AM in the grounds of Paddington Uniting Church, Oxford St. Expect handmade goods, vintage bargains, international foods, etc.
 * EQ Village Markets - Fresh produce markets held in the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. Regional produce and gourmet foods. Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10AM. On Sundays, the EQ Village Sunday Market offers a greater variety of goods including clothing, jewellery, toys and homewares.
 * Bondi Markets - Held every Sunday from 10AM at Bondi Beach Public School. A very popular place for local students, families and bohemian types, especially on weekends in Summer. Home-made and vintage clothing (often from up-and-coming designers), jewellery, art, homewares, etc. Reasonably cheap.
 * Antiques - Stores in Woollahra, Charing Cross.

Eat

 * Burnie's at 48 Burnie Street. Fabulous breakfasts and a sublime single origin roasters coffee menu is organic and gluten free open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch.
 * The Jilted Anchovy at 350 Clovelly Road does great pizzas.
 * Burnie's at 48 Burnie Street. Fabulous breakfasts and a sublime single origin roasters coffee menu is organic and gluten free open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch.
 * The Jilted Anchovy at 350 Clovelly Road does great pizzas.

Drink

 * The Eastern Hotel at Bondi Junction is popular with young crowds on Wednesday nights, one of the more renowned mid-week venues in Sydney. Expect to pay at least $10 in cover charge.
 * Around the beaches, there are many modern pubs, such as the Beach Road Hotel Bondi.


 * Around the beaches, there are many modern pubs, such as the Clovelley Hotel and Coogee Beach Palace, which serve food and alcohol, as well as having gaming facilities and live entertainment. Other large, well-renovated pubs sit a little further back from the beach, such as the Royal Hotel in Randwick, and the Doncaster Hotel in Kensington.
 * Cheaper drinks can be found at RSLs, which will always have bistros and gaming, as well as various other facilities - try Coogee RSL on Carr St.
 * Around the University of New South Wales, pubs and bars serve the student population - the campus bar serves cheap drinks, especially at Happy Hour (5-6PM, 5-7PM on Wednesday). The Regent Hotel in Kingsford is also a popular student haunt.
 * The Legion Club, with a balcony (with high glass) overlooking Coogee beach the Legion has long been the secret watering hole of Coogee locals. Cheap drinks and a relaxed atmosphere, midweek trivia and live music at weekends the legion is an attractive alternative to people of all ages.
 * The Legion Club, with a balcony (with high glass) overlooking Coogee beach the Legion has long been the secret watering hole of Coogee locals. Cheap drinks and a relaxed atmosphere, midweek trivia and live music at weekends the legion is an attractive alternative to people of all ages.
 * The Legion Club, with a balcony (with high glass) overlooking Coogee beach the Legion has long been the secret watering hole of Coogee locals. Cheap drinks and a relaxed atmosphere, midweek trivia and live music at weekends the legion is an attractive alternative to people of all ages.

Sleep
Hotels and hostels are available throughout the Eastern Suburbs. Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach are one of the main areas for backpacker and budget accommodation in Sydney.



Stay healthy
For a serious medical emergency you should call 000 from any phone for immediate attention of the emergency services.

The Prince of Wales Hospital is the major Public Hospital servicing the Eastern suburbs. It is on a large Randwick campus which also incorporates The Prince of Wales Private Hospital, The Royal Hospital for Women and Sydney Children’s Hospital with The University of New South Wales located on an adjoining campus.



Public hospital emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, including public holidays.