Hanging out in Bondi Beach

Just a short drive outside Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, Australia, you'll find the vibrant community of Bondi Beach. Pronounced "Bon-die," with a long I, this beach is a center for surfing and sunbathing all summer long.

Dating back to the Sydney's suburban expansion in the 1850s, Bondi Beach's unique name is derived from the Aboriginal term for "sound of waves crashing on rocks."

With nearly one kilometer of white sand, Bondi Beach is a great place to get away from the populous Sydney and enjoy South Wales' beautiful beaches. In their migratory months, schools of dolphins and even whales can be seen off the coast. The rare fairy penguin has even been known to make the occasional appearance.

As a starting point, there is no better place than the Bondi Pavilion. Stop by the Community Center for some visitors information, get ready for your beach day in the showers and changing rooms, or see the outdoor amphitheater.

Hitting the beach, stroll along the sandy coast and sunbathe with the bronzed locals, or take a swim in the clear blue waters on the northern side of Bondi Beach. For more challenging waves, surfers can head south, where the water can be perilous for a swim but heaven for a surf session. In the summer months, lifeguard patrols are all over the beach and shark nets are laid out for further protection.

For a scenic and energizing afternoon, try one of Bondi Beach's nature walks. Starting out at the Pavilion which dates back to 1928, make your way to Bronte's cliffs. Along the way, see some of nature's oldest phenomena in the Hawkesbury sandstone belt which can be traced back nearly 225 million years. On another route, pass the Bronte bath houses before arriving at Waverley Cemetery.

For a look at Bondi's bikini culture, don't miss the vibes on the southern beaches, where topless sunbathers thumb their noses to convention on a daily basis. Bondi hold the title in the Guinness Book of World Records: Largest Swimsuit Issue Photo Shoot in history.

Get into the groove of the wild City to Surf Fun Run which takes place every August. Participants make their way to Bondi Beach from Sydney's center. Or go fly a kite in the annual Festival of the Winds in September.

Bondi Beach has many options when you get hungry, from four-star restaurants to tiny cafes in sight of the water's edge. Mix with the locals and share a toast in one of the many pubs.

Bondi's stunning beach has caught the eye of the entertainment industry, as it serves as the location for Bondi Rescue (about beach patrols) and Breakers.

Bondi Beach's stature grew even more in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, when the beach volleyball competition took place here.

Visitors looking to spend a night or weeks in Bondi Beach will find accommodations in any price range. Backpacker hostels, small upscale hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts are all options.

Only a thirty minute drive from downtown Sydney, take Oxford street from the capital and follow it as it turns into Enfield Drive and finally Bondi Road. Because parking can be so difficult, locals suggest arriving via public transportation to avoid the hassle. Numerous buses arrive from Sydney everyday.

If you are looking for surfboard hire in Sydney's south coast beaches, contact Brad Peterson from Sydney Surfboard Rentals