Bondi to Maroubra Coastal Walk

The coastal path from North Bondi to Maroubra strings together the Bondi to Coogee walk and the Randwick coastal walkway, roughly 10 km of clifftop path one way. Dogs can walk nearly all of it on lead, but not the parts most people picture: the sand is off limits for the entire route, and so are Waverley Cemetery and the Malabar Headland National Park sections at the southern end.

The rules. Waverley Council manages the northern half and Randwick City Council the south, and dogs are on lead the whole way. They are banned from the beach sand at Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra, banned from Waverley Cemetery, and banned from Malabar Headland National Park, which the walkway crosses south of Maroubra. That last one catches people out, because it is national park, where the rule is absolute rather than a matter of keeping your dog close. Plan to finish at the northern end of Maroubra Beach rather than push on past it.

The walk. AllTrails records the full out and back at 23.5 km and grades it moderate. One way is around 10 km and takes three to four hours with a dog stopping to look at things. The surface changes constantly: sealed promenade, sandstone paving, boardwalk, and several long flights of stairs around Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly. There is no flat alternative and no way around the stairs.

Hazards. Long sections run along unfenced or low railed cliff edge with a long drop below. Keep the dog on the inland side of you and the lead short. Shade is scarce and the sandstone is hot underfoot by mid morning through summer.

Water. Bubblers sit at the main headlands at Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee, and the cafes along the way will fill a bowl. Carry water for the stretches in between, which can run half an hour with nothing.

Getting there. Buses serve North Bondi, Bronte, Coogee and Maroubra, so walking one way and riding back is the sensible plan. Parking near Bondi and Coogee is metered and fiercely contested on weekends. The Maroubra end is easier.

Nearby with the dogs. The shorter Bondi to Coogee section and Coogee to Maroubra both work as half day versions. Coogee Dog Park is the off-leash release valve mid route. Seasalt at Clovelly and Cafe Rafaele are both within a block of the path.

When to go. Weekday mornings outside summer. On a hot day the combination of stairs, exposed sandstone and no beach access makes this a poor choice for any dog. Good for big runners with a head for heights.

Sources

• Off-leash parks and dog rules - Waverley Council · www.waverley.nsw.gov.au
• Coastal Walkway - Randwick City Council · www.randwick.nsw.gov.au
• Bondi Beach to Maroubra Beach Coastal Walk - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.