Sydney, Australia

Bondi Beach to Rose Bay

Leg 1 of the Bondi to Manly route

Distance
19.76 km
Elevation
318 m
Time
2h – 2h 30
Difficulty
Hard
Type
Point to point

Clifftops from Bondi to South Head, then the quiet harbour side home. Ocean views the whole way out, the lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, and Parsley Bay, Nielsen Park and the Hermitage foreshore on the way back to Rose Bay.

SunriseCoastalHarbour ViewsWeekend AdventureHard

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  • Printable terrain map
  • Public transport info
  • Photo-stop guide
  • Coffee + brunch suggestions

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The experience

Why you'll love this run

  • Ocean clifftops from Bondi all the way to South Head
  • The lighthouse walk at the tip of the peninsula
  • Quiet harbour beaches on the way back
  • Leg 1 of the Bondi to Manly route

At a glance

crowds
scenery
adventure
technicality
accessibility

Route map

Every stop, mapped

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Printable illustrated route card

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StartFinishWaterToiletsTransportCafeBeachLookoutLandmark Photo stop

Route timeline

Kilometre by kilometre

  1. 0 km

    Bondi Beach

    North along the promenade and up towards Ben Buckler.

  2. 4 km

    Dover Heights

    Clifftop streets and reserves with constant ocean views.

  3. 8 km

    Gap Bluff

    Into Watsons Bay along the headland.

  4. 10 km

    South Head

    Out to the lighthouse walk and back.

  5. 12 km

    Parsley Bay

    Across the suspension bridge on the harbour side.

  6. 14 km

    Hermitage foreshore

    Trail, small beaches and skyline views.

  7. 19.8 km

    Rose Bay

    Finish at the waterfront — ferries and buses back to the city.

Route highlights

The parts you'll remember

4 km

Dover Heights clifftops

Open ocean on your right and nothing between you and the horizon.

-33.8714, 151.2825

10 km

South Head

The lighthouse walk out to the tip of the peninsula, with the harbour mouth on both sides.

-33.8391, 151.2796

14 km

Hermitage foreshore

Sandstone trail, small harbour beaches and city skyline views for the last few kilometres.

-33.8549, 151.2659

Photo stops

Where to stop and shoot

Dover Heights clifftop

Sheer sandstone cliffs with the ocean straight below.

Best time
Sunrise
Photography tip
Keep the cliff line running diagonally through the frame for scale.
GPS
-33.8714, 151.2825

South Head lighthouse walk

The harbour entrance with the city skyline behind it.

Best time
Morning
Photography tip
Shoot back down the peninsula so the path leads the eye to the water.
GPS
-33.8391, 151.2796

Local knowledge

Before you go

Best time to run
Start at first light — the clifftop half faces east.
Sunrise
6:00am summer / 6:50am winter.
Sunset
The harbour half looks west, so late afternoon works too.
Parking
Street parking around Bondi fills early; metered and time limited.
Public transport
Buses to Bondi Beach, ferry or bus home from Rose Bay.
Water
Bubblers at Bondi, Watsons Bay and Nielsen Park.
Toilets
Bondi, Watsons Bay, Parsley Bay and Nielsen Park.

Safety

Clifftop sections are unfenced in places — stay on the path and away from the edge.

Getting there

  • • Rose Bay ferry wharf

1 water point · 1 toilet stop on route

Make a morning of it

Break it in half at Watsons Bay; the ferry runs from there if the legs have had enough.

  • brunchWatsons Bay — Halfway point with cafes, toilets and a ferry wharf.
  • coffeeRose Bay — Coffee on the waterfront and a ferry straight back to Circular Quay.

Ready to run Bondi Beach to Rose Bay?

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