Gabriele Steindl: Professional Kitesurfer & Freelance Writer - Action, Lifestyle & Travels

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Bondi Beach, NSW

Bondi Beach, NSW

Coming to Sydney for the first time, I wasn’t quite sure where to set myself up, i.e. where to stay… I figured, there was actually only one place really: Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most famous beaches and among the world’s most well-known beaches, located only about 7 kms East of Sydney’s central business district.

“Bondi” or “Boondi” is an Aboriginal word meaning water breaking over rocks or noise of water breaking over rocks, I guess you can do the maths: YES, Bondi is Sydney’s surf beach No.1 !

It’s a really cool place with loads of chilled-out cafes, restaurants, a sick skateboard-park overlooking the line up and stunning white sandy beach with sweet lines rollin’ in 🙂  Yeah, there’s always action @ Bondi !

While the northern end has been rated a gentle 4 (with 10 as the most hazardous), the southern side is rated as a 7 due to a famous rip current known as the “Backpackers’ Express” because of its proximity to the bus stop, and the unwillingness of tourists to walk the length of the beach to safer swimming. There is an underwater shark net shared, during the summer months…

Yeah, I’ve already been for a surf, sweet 🙂   … and in fact, I went to the Southern side, cause the sandbanks there simply looked better that day and had a joy surf, without being caught in the rip.

Find some impressions of Bondi to the right in the photo gallery.  I’m staying here at the Bondi Beachhouse, with lovely crew taking good care of all the guests and some surfboards at reception to grab any time.   For the ones who would like to follow what’s happening on Bondi every day of the year, a local surfer and talented photographer has established ‘Aquabumps’, a website that portrays Bondi with its surf, swimmers, joggers etc.  every day of the year.

For tomorrow, I’m planning on heading into Sydney’s City  –   stay tuned !
Yours Gabi