Explore The Outdoors: The P.E Guide to Bondi

Explore The Outdoors: The P.E Guide to Bondi

With the origins of its Aboriginal name meaning ‘noise of water breaking over rocks’, Bondi is busting with energy, a close-knit and active community, and sunrises over the Pacific Ocean that can take your breath away. Bondi Beach is the actual birthplace of P.E Nation - the idea for an elevated, everyday activewear wardrobe informed by fashion and streetwear was first conceived by our founders Pip and Claire over lunch at Bondi’s iconic Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. Since launching in 2016, Bondi’s landscapes, sandstone clifftops, ocean pools and the legendary Bondi Beach have all featured in P.E photoshoots over the years.

Safe to say, we’ve got insider knowledge on the best workout spots, coastal running routes and daily exercise rituals Bondi locals and visitors love the most. Here’s the P.E playbook to Bondi’s best outdoor experiences. Our special thanks to French-born, Bondi-based photographer Amaury Treguer of the Morning Bondi blog, for sharing some of the best shots of his neighborhood to help us tell a true local’s narrative.

“People who live by the beach generally do so because they have some kind of an active life or they love to be outdoors, the sun, the ocean, and the landscape. And that's what P.E is about. Whether it's solving the world's problems with a girlfriend while walking Bondi to Bronte or doing a soft sand run sweating it out, charging up the Marks Park stairs, doing a boxing sesh at North Bondi or simply basking in the sun on the beach or at Icebergs pool, P.E is about finding what you love, and loving what you do.”
- P.E Nation Co-Founder & Creative Director, Pip Edwards

Photography: Amaury Treguer, morningbondi.com

THE BONDI BATHS

Spring, summer, fall or winter. It doesn’t matter which season you find yourself in Bondi, a dip in the ocean pool at Bondi Icebergs Club is an absolute non-negotiable. Carved into the clifftops at the southern end of Bondi Beach, Icebergs pool is a place where everyone is welcome. Originally known as the Bondi Baths, the stunning landmark is more than 100 years old, with a larger lap pool and smaller kid’s pool available to enjoy. Yes, it is officially a clubhouse requiring membership, but don’t let that dampen your excitement as a visitor - casual admission to the pools and sauna, locker hire and towel hire are all available.

"I sauna and swim regularly at Icebergs Pool – I find this helps me calm down from my frantic day. I then jump in the sea pool to shock my body, and it's completely euphoric, not only in sensation but also visually, as I’m doing all of this with the best view in the world (Bondi Beach). Not only am I completely in the moment, but I’m in the landscape and elements. I also enjoy doing my sauna time with friends and the social aspect to it as we go through the motions together.”

- Pip Edwards

PRO TIP: If you fancy a dip with views of one of the most iconic beaches in the world as a backdrop, make sure you visit Icebergs any day of the week but Thursday - when the pools are drained for their weekly clean up.

SHOP P.E SWIM

BONDI TO COOGEE COASTAL WALK

Starting on the Bondi esplanade and travelling a total distance of 6km south, the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is an absolute must to experience. Follow the signposts, or crowds, along winding pathways and many steps carved out of the natural sandstone to run, walk or amble along the trail. The coastal track takes you past several of Sydney’s beautiful Eastern Suburbs beaches, including Tamarama, Bronte and Gordon’s Bay before landing at Coogee. A beautiful experience any time of the year, the Coastal Walk is also the outdoor gallery space for the area’s annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibit - plan your trip towards the end of October and early November to catch it.

PRO TIP: This one’s for the early risers - get to Bondi in time to enjoy sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. There are plenty of spots along the Coastal Walk to take in views of the water, kayakers, early ocean swimmers, dolphins and - depending on the season - migrating humpback whales. But one of our absolute favorites is Mackenzie’s Point Lookout, featuring manmade stonework and natural cliff caves to shelter in and settle down in time for that first peek over the horizon. BYO blanket, coffee and camera.

SHOP RUNNING

BONDI BEACH OUTDOOR GYM

We can confirm, Australia definitely lives up to its reputation as a place and population that loves and lives by an active outdoor lifestyle. With community pools, playgrounds, public barbecues and outdoor gyms dotted all across the country, one of the best-equipped facilities, in our opinion, is the Bondi Beach Outdoor Gym.

Set right next to the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, the Bondi Beach Outdoor Gym is a popular workout spot among locals and tourists alike, and gets busy from 5am onwards, seven days a week. Equipped with pull-up bars, parallel bars, sit-up benches and more callisthenics equipment, you’ll be among some of the friendliest, fittest locals, gymnasts, acrobats and parkour enthusiasts in the neighborhood.

PRO TIP: We did mention the busyness a little before - and our advice is definitely to get in early to catch best use of the equipment. You’ll also be rewarded by capturing all the buzz as Bondi wakes up and comes to life with surfers, swimmers, soft sand runners, walkers, coffee-getters, bootcamps and boxing sessions happening all along the kilometre-long crescent beach.

SHOP GYM TRAINING