Postcard from Bondi Beach - what I'm loving so far

Hello Reader

I'm currently in Sydney, Australia visiting family, so this newsletter is a chance for some Aussie updates. We came through the 26 hour flight from the UK relatively unscathed - I'm almost over the cricked back and jet lag!

So far I'm loving the early morning swims on Bondi beach followed by the essential cappuccino. We couldn't quite believe how busy a beach can be at 6.30am, when everyone in Bondi is out swimming, jogging, kayaking and generally hanging out.

The brunch scene here is Sydney is also next level, and I'm enjoying revisiting some of my favourite cafes in Bondi.

In this newsletter I'm sharing some things I've enjoyed since we got here. But if Australia's not your thing, you can also read my latest article on our train trip from Madrid to Malaga and there's plenty more over on the blog.

I'm also sharing my favourite travel resources and a couple of recent travel purchases - the bluetooth headphones and adapter that made the long flight a bit more bearable.

Wishing you sunshine and beach vibes from Down Under

Heather x

PS. For a taste of our last trip to Sydney, read my articles about the best things to do in Sydney and our hike from Bondi to Coogee along the coastal trail.

Chilling on Bondi Beach, Sydney Australia

Travelling soon?

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Hotels: I use Booking but Expedia is also good for flight + hotel packages.

Tours: For top end food tours, we recommend Devour Tours and small group tours with Take Walks. Both Get Your Guide and Viator are also great for tours and experiences.

Trains: For train bookings in Europe use Rail Europe. Byway Travel also offer great no-fly itineraries in Europe and beyond.

Car Hire: For car hire I use the car rental arm of Booking.com (but always check the scores and reviews of each provider).

Villas & Cottages: VRBO for villas and holiday rentals worldwide and Sykes Cottages for UK cottages.

Useful tech for longhaul flights

Here are a couple of things that earned their keep on my long flight from the UK to Australia.

Soundcore Sport X20 bluetooth earphones by Anker - (UK link / USA link) Last time I flew to Australia, I could barely hear the movies for all the background flight noise. So this time I invested in some Soundcore noise cancelling earphones to make the long flight a bit more bearable. The soft ear-hooks are great for extra security and comfort.

Ugreen Bluetooth transmitter - (UK link / USA link) To accompany my bluetooth earphones I bought a bluetooth adapter for the plane. Some aircraft let you connect bluetooth earphones in their entertainment settings, but not all - in which case you'll need an adapter. If you are on a long flight, choose one with long battery life and keep the charging cable with you on the plane.

Sydney - what we've enjoyed so far

Because I explored a lot of Sydney last year, our first few days on this visit were less about sightseeing and more about chilling with family and doing some local things.

Early morning swims on Bondi beach - 6-7am is the golden hour that finds the beach packed with locals taking a dip and hanging out with friends. Of course there's the obligatory perfectly made coffee after the morning swim.

Early morning swims on Bondi Beach, Sydney

Brunch overlooking Bondi - the quality and presentation of food in Sydney is next level, and the cafes around Bondi make brunch into an art form. None more so than Speedos, a small and trendy cafe in north Bondi. Yes, it's an instagram magnet, but the service is swift and friendly and the dishes look beautiful.

Sydney Cricket and Rugby League - Sporting events are a big draw for travellers these days and my boys wanted nothing more than to see some Australian cricket and rugby. So I tagged along to watch the Sheffield Shield at Sydney Cricket ground and the NRL rugby match at Cronulla for Bulldogs v Cowboys. While sport's not really my thing, it was fun to see the famous Aussie passion for sport first hand.

Watson's Bay and Camp Cove - we took the bus from Bondi to Watson's Bay - famous for its fish and chips at Doyle's. No chip and fish for us this time, but we did watch the waves crashing on the ocean side, then walked to Camp Cove for a smoothie and home-made pistachio ice cream at the charmingly photogenic beach cafe.

Australia - tales from my previous trip

Read about some of the things we enjoyed on our previous trip to Australia

1 day in Sydney - an itinerary for first time visitors

My 1 day Sydney itinerary covers all the city highlights if you are short of time or are visiting on a cruise.

Explore Sydney's history, enjoy waterfront views at the Sydney Opera House, dip into some art and culture and enjoy the relaxing green space of the Botanic Garden.

Read: One day in Sydney - an itinerary for first time visitors

There's also a FREE printable walking guide and custom Google Map to accompany this article.

Click to read our 1 day Sydney itinerary

Bondi to Coogee walk - a scenic coastal trail in Sydney

The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk starts at Bondi beach, where you can watch the surfers, grab brunch or swim at the Icebergs sea pool.

Between May and July keep an eye out for whales that swim close to shore on their northern migration, then continue to Bronte beach with its lovely rock pool for a cooling dip.

Passing Waverley cemetery, where the residents of Sydney enjoy a clifftop view for eternity, you'll end at Coogee, a broad sandy beach with a number of seawater rock pools.

Read: The Bondi to Coogee walk - a scenic coastal trail in Sydney Australia