Best things to do in Bondi

Surrounded by stunning scenery, the popular Bondi to Coogee Walk follows a clifftop trail for 6 km (3.7 mi). You'll encounter wide golden-sand beaches, green parks, tide pools, and vistas of blue ocean waves dramatically crashing into craggy rock faces. The medium-grade walk passes Tamarama, Bronte, Coogee, and Maroubra beaches, all of which have free electric barbecues. Tamarama is a trendy beach, and Bronte suits families. Mackenzie's Point serves up superb waves for surfing. Along the way, you can stop to relax on the beach, snorkel Clovelly Beach, or admire the view from one of the world's most beautiful final resting places, Waverley Cemetery.

Situated between two prominent headlands, with a sand valley to the back, cozy Tamarama Beach is surrounded by pleasant parkland and picnic areas. Often called "Glamarama" because of the alleged abundance of glamorous topless tourists, the beach features one of the smallest strips of sand in the entire region. Remember that due to its deep water and big waves, this beach is considered too dangerous for most swimmers. Never ignore lifeguards’ directions, and keep out of the water altogether when the biggest swells roll in. There’s plenty to do on dry land, as the beach is in the middle of the "Bondi to Bronte Ocean Walk," the most popular coastal walking route in Australia.

Australian Reptile Park brings you to reptile and wildlife paradise. Get up close to the animals: See the giant 165 kg (363 lbs) Galapagos tortoise, pet a possum, and hand-feed the kangaroos. You can also watch the alligator feeding at the lagoon and wildlife shows starring Burmese pythons and dingoes. Head to the snake and venom collection to learn about production of antivenin used for saving lives. Don’t miss a chance to see one of largest diplodocus replicas and Elvis the crocodile, dubbed the zoo’s unhappiest resident, since an attack on park staff and their lawnmower left him with two lost teeth.

Nestled on a hillside, Nan Tien Temple represents the largest Buddhist temple south of the Equator. The eclectic temple complex--with a Tibetan-style temple and an eight-story Chinese pagoda--was completed in 1995 on land donated by Australian government. Weekend meditation retreats and classes in Tai Chi and calligraphy are organized on regular basis for all visitors interested in Buddhism and Chinese culture.

Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures provides a safe, interesting, and above all fun way to explore the unspoiled hinterland of New South Wales’ Central Coast. You can escape from the everyday in the valley’s lush forests and on the trails that traverse them, and can also undertake activities such as kayaking, rappelling, horseback riding, and riding ATVs.