Bondi Beach as a beach is amazing. The crystal clear water, moderate surf, beautiful views down the coast, and the clean white sand which stretches for over a kilometer make this beach one of the best in Sydney.

However, as a locality, bondi is an absolute disgrace. To get to the beach requires taking a train to Bondi Junction, then queing for a bus which must navigate the heavy traffic along the uninspiring Bondi Road in order to get to the beach.

The main beachside shopping strip is extremely ugly, with little overpriced convenience stores, tourist merchandise shops, fast food joints and backpacker hostels which were built in the 1960s with no architectural considerations.

The beachside park is sparse and dominated by a huge carpark on both sides which takes away from any natural ambience the water provides. The constant stream of cars and buses are always noisy. At night, many 'lads' (ie chavs for UK readers) stand around staunching people and smoking.

Bondi beach needs a billion dollar makeover, with a new train station and beautiful foreshore park to distance the actual beach from the hovel that is the suburb of Bondi (ie. hundreds of 60s appartment blocks with 6 flats in each, all squished side by side). A glamarous shopping strip with quality cafes and restaurants (surprisingly, most of the restaurants are already very good and inexpensive) and without tacky little shops with blaring music should be contstructed. The car parks should be demolished (perhaps replaced by an underground parking strip which you must have a proper surfboard on your roof to use).

So basically, bring your swimmers but leave your wallets at home. Do not support the businesses that are stealing from tourists. And shut your eyes until you feel sand under your feet. Do not turn around and look back up the hill.

Get there from Circular Quay (pronounced "key") on bus 333. Buy ticket in advance as can't pay on the bus. Bondi is wide, sandy beach. Crowded with sunbathers, surfers, lots of backpackers. Lots of tourist shops along the ocean front street. Many cafes all serving the same 'fish and chips' type food. Went to the Iceberg Cafe at the south end of the beach. Just OK. Not as good as the guide books say it is. But has a great view of Bondi. From there starts the ocean walk to Coogee. This is a strenuous walk. Lots of steps (up and down), passage through a narrow cliffside path through a large cemetary, occasional parking lots, and very little shade from the sun. Do not do in mid-day, carry plenty of water, use sunscreen, and be in good shape to walk the several kms. May be easier to go from south to north as it seemed there were more climbing steps from the north (Bondi) start. A couple of beaches in between are good stops to rest and get refreshments. Ocean walk has great views, but no real need to go all the way down to Coogee. First several hundred meters gives enough views that you don't need to do the whole walk.

I am not a fan of Bondi. I was utterly disappointed on my first visit as a tourist, and it has not improved since. In fact it makes me cringe!

The beach is far from spectacular. There are many many better beaches either up or down the coast.

There are a LOT of backpackers. It is way worse than Manly, I would prefer Manly anyday to Bondi, nicer, cleaner beach. Nicer atmosphere.

The shops & cafes/restaurants are so overpriced it is laughable

LOTS of wannabes/posers/try hards

In short, the only reason to go would be to say 'been there done that' and take a quick snap to two on your way to Watsons Bay for fish & chips. You really would not be missing much if you didnt go and could spend your time much better with a trip to the gorgeous Northern Beaches.

overrated, don't get too excited about going there because you might get disapointed. It is a lovely place wih a wide sandy beach but beaches down the Illawarra are better