Ask a Bondi local where they go when Bondi itself feels too busy, and there is a good chance the answer is a little further south. Bronte and Clovelly sit along the same stretch of coastline, a short walk or a shorter drive from our shop on Hall Street, and they have a very different pace. Fewer crowds, more locals, more rock pools and a feeling that the weekend is stretching out in front of you.
This is our guide to Bronte and Clovelly, the way we would spend a slow day there, and what we would wear to do it. Tuchuzy has been part of this corner of the Eastern Suburbs since 1995, and we ship worldwide, including to the United States, for anyone who wants to borrow a little of the coastline from afar.
Starting at Bronte Beach
Bronte is the natural place to begin. The beach is compact and sheltered, backed by a grassy park that fills with families and friends on warm weekends. It is a wonderful place to arrive early, when the light is soft and the sand is nearly empty, and to stay long enough that the day changes character around you.
The easiest way to arrive is on foot along the coastal path from Bondi. If you are doing that walk, our guide to the Bondi to Bronte walk covers the route in detail. For the walking itself, we would choose something light and forgiving: the Chosen by Tuchuzy Deconstructed Linen Pant in White with a simple tank moves easily, and you can browse the wider Chosen by Tuchuzy pants collection for other shapes if white is not your colour.
Bronte Baths
At the southern end of the beach, the rock pool known as Bronte Baths is one of the most loved swimming spots on this coast. It is a sea pool cut into the rocks, so the water rises and falls with the ocean, and it has a particular feeling: half beach, half bathhouse, entirely Sydney. Locals swim laps here in the morning, and everyone else lies on the rocks afterwards trying to look like they meant to be there all along.
A swim here calls for the right piece of swimwear, something you can move in that also looks good on the rocks. The Hunza G collection is a favourite for exactly this kind of day, because the fabric holds its shape and dries quickly. For a more sustainable take on the bikini, Fae Swim is worth a look, and Montce Swim brings a sharper, more graphic cut. Browse the full swimwear edit to compare, and add a towel or a robe from our beach towels selection so you are not shivering on the walk back to the grass.
The Walk Down to Clovelly
From Bronte, the coastal path continues south towards Clovelly, tracing the edge of the cliffs and passing a few quiet lookouts on the way. It is a gentle stretch, and one of the loveliest parts of the whole Bondi to Coogee walk. Bring a hat, because there is not a lot of shade, and bring water, because you will want it. A hat from our hats collection and a pair of designer sunglasses make the walk far more pleasant.
What you wear on a walk like this should feel like a small holiday. A short linen dress is perfect. The Chosen by Tuchuzy Linen Resin Halter Mini Dress in White is light enough for the heat and easy to layer a swimsuit under. If you prefer separates, the Linen Wrap Mini Skirt in Black works with a tee or a bikini top, and both live within the wider Chosen by Tuchuzy dresses and Chosen by Tuchuzy skirts collections.
Clovelly: The Ocean Made Calm
Clovelly is unlike anywhere else in the Eastern Suburbs. The beach sits in a long, narrow inlet, so the water is unusually calm and protected, and it is a favourite for swimming and snorkelling. The concrete platforms that line the bay give it a distinctive look, and there is a relaxed, unhurried feel that suits a long afternoon. Locals tend to arrive with a book, a snack and no plans.
The right bag makes all the difference on a day like this. A roomy tote from the beach bags edit will hold a towel, a book and a change of clothes, and it should be easy to carry over the shoulder for the walk. Keep everything else minimal: sunscreen, a hat and a good pair of sunglasses.
Gordons Bay and Beyond
If you still have energy, the coastal path continues on to Gordons Bay, a small, sheltered cove between Clovelly and Coogee that is known for its underwater nature trail. It is a good place to pause before deciding whether to keep walking towards Coogee or turn back. Either way, the day is already a good one.
If you do keep going, our guide to Coogee and Wylie's Baths picks up where this one leaves off, and covers the last great swim of the cliff walk.
Dressing the Day, From Sunrise to Sunset
The great thing about this stretch of coast is that the day evolves. You might start with a swim at Bronte Baths, walk south to Clovelly for lunch, and finish with a drink as the light goes gold. One outfit can carry all of it if you plan around a few key pieces: a linen dress or separates for the daytime, swimwear underneath, a hat, and a lightweight layer for when the breeze picks up in the late afternoon.
For that layer, the jackets collection includes light options that fold small enough for a beach bag, and the knitwear edit is worth a look on cooler days. If the evening turns into a proper dinner, swap the swimwear for a satin top and carry on, since the linen will look just as good with a little jewellery from the jewellery collection.
A Few Tips for the Day
Go early on a warm weekend, because the best parking and the emptiest sand belong to the people who arrive first. Wear shoes you can walk in, since the coastal path has steps and uneven sections, and pack a light bag rather than a heavy one. Take your swimwear on the way down rather than the way back, so you can swim when the mood strikes rather than when the schedule allows. And leave a little room in the plan, because the best part of a day at Bronte or Clovelly is usually the hour you did not plan for.
Why We Love It
Bondi has its energy, and we love it dearly. But Bronte and Clovelly are where the coast feels like it belongs to the people who live near it. The pace is slower, the water is clearer, and the walk between them is one of the best you can do on a weekend morning. You leave feeling as though you have been somewhere, even though you never left the postcode.
When you are next in the area, come and say hello. Our shop on Hall Street is a short drive or a good walk away, and we would love to hear where you have been swimming. Visit us in Bondi Beach, or shop the edit online from wherever you are. Tuchuzy ships worldwide, including to the United States, so a little of this coastline can travel with you.