What you need about Coogee Beach, Sydney Australia

Coogee Beach is 20 mins drive from Sydney city center, located at Randwick at the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. Coogee may not be as famous as Bondi due to its international reputation but you will be surprised to find out that Coogee ranked higher than Bondi because it was less crowded and has calmer water. The calmer water in Coogee is more suitable for swimming. If you are into surfing activities, then go, Bondi, as it has stronger waves there.  Coogee is only 5 km away from Bondi, just 10 mins drive.  If you have extra time, please include Coogee beach too.

1. What does Coogee Means?

The name Coogee is taken from an Aboriginal word “koojah” which means “smelly place”, probably due to the smell of decaying kelp washed up on the beach.

2. Dunningham Park

Coogee Beach is clean and you will be impressed by the picturesque view when you walk the cliff-hugging trail along the coastline. Dunningham Park is located on the northern headland of Coogee Beach. If you walk up, you will be rewarded with spectacular ocean and coastline views. Great spot for photographers.

3. Giles Gym and Baths

The bath was a prominent feature in Dunningham Park; built-in 1928 which was once used as the entrance for hot bath and fitness center under the management of Oscar Giles. Due to the deterioration of the buildings, the complex was demolished in 2000. The entry portico has been left standing as a landmark in the area.

4. Virgin Mary Apparition @ Coogee

In December 2002, a local noticed what appeared to be an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the fence near Dolphin Point in Coogee, it appeared to her again the next day at the same time when the sun’s rays hit the fence. She then reported to the local new.  Since then, believers swarmed the site to catch a glimpse of the blessed mother.

5. Rock Pool Swimming

A kind man told us to go to have a look at the rock pool, he told us the water was unusually strong and waves hit super hard at the rock.  He usually swims there and he has seen nothing like this.

You will see the dramatic rock formation on both sides when you walk down to the rock pool.  When we went down, we could not spot the rock pool because the water splashing is so huge, all we saw was just splashes of water.  The pool was drowned.

6. Dolphin Point

A sobering shrine commemorates the 2002 Bali bombing that killed many locals. The park’s name was changed to honor the 6 members of the Coogee Dolphins rugby league team who died in the blast.

7. Bali Memorial

The towering bronze statue honors to those who died in the Bali Bombing. The three linked figures in this sculpture signify family, friends, and community.

8. Stunning Rock Formation

Do check out the scenic view of the blue Pacific ocean and Australian coast with waves crashing on rocks.

9. Dining in Coogee

There are a number of restaurants to dine in Coogee but I would like to mention Coogee Pavilion.  It is a friendly marketplace with a collection of different, defined and subtly themed section. The building was used to be the Palace Hotel.  The best part is you can go to the top floor or rooftop bar with a nice view overseeing Coogee Beach.

Final thoughts:

Coogee Beach has less overseas tourists as compared to Bondi but it is so lovely to spend your day here.  The coastal walk is so serene and beautiful with the turquoise color sea.  If you love trekking, you may want to try the Bondi Coogee coastal walk which takes about 2 hours to complete.