The Bungalows at Bondi

The Bungalows at Bondi are a collection of 12 boutique, self-contained studios and two-bedroom apartments at 298 Campbell Parade, North Bondi, in the middle of the village strip a short stroll from the sand. Dogs are accepted, one per bungalow and generally under 20kg on request, which is rare enough this close to Bondi Beach to make the booking worth the paperwork.

Dogs at The Bungalows at Bondi

Request the dog when you book and get it approved before arrival: one dog per bungalow, well behaved and house trained, with the property supplying a dog bed and bowls so you can pack lighter. The fee is reported two ways in the listings, either a small daily charge of around $15 per dog or a separate pet cleaning fee of up to $300 depending on channel and stay length, so confirm the exact amount for your dates rather than assuming the cheaper figure. Supervision is expected at all times.

The vibe

The units were recently renovated and run as self-contained studios and one and two-bedroom apartments: full kitchens, private bathrooms, modern fittings, with some rooms adding private balconies and others a private garden area. Reviewers rate the beds, the host responsiveness and the walk-to-everything position. If your dog needs outdoor space without leaving the room, ask for a garden-access unit at booking.

Getting there and walking the dog

One correction to the usual beach-town assumption: Waverley Council prohibits dogs on Bondi Beach itself at all times, sand and intertidal zone included, and Bondi Park is leash-on unless signed otherwise. The off-lead outlet is Barracluff Park on Beach Road at the North Bondi end, which allows off-leash exercise between 3pm and 10am daily, on-leash through the middle of the day, with dogs kept 10 metres from playgrounds and BBQs and off the sportsfield during games. For a beach walk the Bondi to Maroubra coastal walk runs south from the headland, though sections are on-lead.

For a dedicated dog-cafe stop, DOGLATERIA BONDI is a short drive inland to Bondi Junction. Parking is the practical headache: paid parking on site, but street parking in North Bondi is competitive, so arrive early or come by bus, which runs regularly along Campbell Parade from the city.

The North Bondi destination guide and the New South Wales stays index cover the rest of the coast. The fit here is couples and small families who want a full kitchen and balcony, a dog under 20kg, and everything from groceries to the sand within a few minutes' walk.

Max: get the pet fee confirmed in writing when you request approval. The $15-a-day versus $300-cleaning-fee gap is the difference between a bargain and a surprise on the folio.