Bondi and Watson's Bay by Bike

The eastern suburbs are great to visit by bike, despite some steep hills and frequent traffic snarls on the main roads. Cyclists can avoid most of the traffic by taking back street or quieter routes. The hills are a little harder to avoid but are worth the effort. This route is about 40 km return to Leichhardt. See Bikely map here.

From Leichhardt, follow the Bikely map or the route in the La Perouse ride through Sydney Uni, Redfern and Surry Hills, to cross South Dowling St on the footbridge into Moore Park. Follow the cycle path to Cleveland St and ride along to Anzac Pde. Cross at the lights, watching for buses on the busway, and follow the treelined pedestrian boulevard (Grand Drive) to Robertson Rd and the entrance to Centennial Park. Go round Centennial Park about half way to the exit at Musgrave St, which comes out at Darley Rd. Follow Darley Rd eastwards uphill to Carington St.

If you want to visit Bronte Beach, a lovely small beach with a picnic park, follow straight ahead on Macpherson St (has bike lanes) past the Bronte shops and then a steep descent to the beach. There are some good cafes there. Cross the Park and take the path up to Bayview St and a right on to Hewlett St which takes you to Tamarama Marine Drive above Tamarama Beach. Follow around to Bondi via Dellview, Gaerloch, Alexander and Sandridge Sts, with a very steep short section on Gaerloch St.

The headland off Fletcher St is worth a visit, particularly in November when the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is on.

If you want to head for Bondi more directly, turn left on Carrington and head north for a while before a right onto Birrell St. Follow eastward to the last left turn at Tamarama St and follow the one way system to Fletcher St. Turn left at Dudley St and then right onto Bondi Rd, which brings you to Campbell Pde, the main street in Bondi Beach.

There are bike lanes along Campbell Pde or you can turn right into Queen Elizabeth Drive to go past the Bondi Pavilion, where there are cafes and restaurants.

After a break it is time to tackle Military Rd, a 2-3 km moderate climb out of the northeast end of Bondi Beach up to Dover Heights. The road is flat through Dover Heights and there is a great view of the City from Dudley Page reserve on the left just past no 250 Military Rd. Well worth a stop.

Shortly after the Reserve Military Rd turns left and then right. After the first turn keep going straight ahead on Kobada Rd. Turn right onto Elvina St (look for a blue bike route sign) and then left on Oceanview Av to come out on Old South Head Rd. Turn right and follow along through Vaucluse past South Head Cemetery to a roundabout where New South Head Road comes in from the left. Follow straight ahead past the Macquarie Lighthouse on the right and then as the road swings left prepare for a steep downhill to Watson's Bay. At the bottom of Old South head Rd, turn right for The Gap on the ocean side or left then right into Marine Pde for Watson's Bay beach. There is a pub and also a fish'n chip shop as well as restaurants. Ferries run regularly- check times with Sydney Ferries. You can explore further around to Camp Cove and South Head (the latter requires some bike carrying on steps past Camp Cove) or ride to Green Point on Pacific St.

After lunch or a break the route back can take various forms. You might take the ferry back to Circular Quay or chose to ride back via Bondi or Rose Bay. To avoid the steep climb on Old South Head Rd you can take Hopetoun Av, which winds more moderately up to New South Head Rd. From here you can cut across to Old South Head Rd via Captain Pipers Rd and Clarendon St and then follow Military Rd back to Bondi and retrace your steps up Bondi Rd and Birrell St to Centennial Park.

Alternatively from Hopetoun Av you can follow New South Head Rd to Rose Bay and then make a left at Beresford or Cranbrook Rds and climb Bellevue Hill (2 km, steep in places) up to Drumalbyn Av or Victoria Rd and on to Bondi Junction, rejoining Old South Head Rd. To avoid Bondi Junction turn left on Paul St, cross Bondi Rd at the pedestrian lights and keep on Paul St up to the reservoir. Skirt the reservoir on a path on the left and come out on Goldie Av and finally Birrell St. Turn right on Birrell and head west for about 2.5 km until you hit York St running around Centennial Park. Turn left then right into the park. Exit the park at the Robertson Rd exit and retrace outward route along Grand Drive, Cleveland, and Surry Hills to Redfern.

An alternative from Surry Hills would be to follow Bourke St to Devonshire St then Riley St to get to Oxford St, and return to Leichhardt via Darling Harbour and Anzac Bridge.

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