Where to stay at Tamarama Beach
One of the smallest beaches in Sydney, tucked between Bondi and Bronte on the coastal walk. One place to stay right above the sand; everything else is a walk.
Tamarama has one accommodation business: Tamarama Apartments, on Gaerloch Avenue right above the sand, a 1-minute walk. Everything else is a walk: the south-Bondi apartments and guesthouse are 10–13 minutes along the coastal path, with a 40–45 m climb home, and the hotels in Waverley are 22–25 minutes, with a 110 m climb.
At a glance
- 6 km east of the CBD
- on the Bondi to Coogee walk
- strong rips · surf club since 1906
- Sculpture by the Sea, late spring
A tiny beach with big surf, and one place to stay.
Tamarama is a short, steep-sided cove between Bondi and Bronte, with a small park behind the sand and houses climbing the cliffs. It’s sometimes called “Glamarama”, and it’s one of the smallest sandy beaches in the state.
When we checked, the only accommodation business at Tamarama itself was Tamarama Apartments, just above the sand. The other places to stay nearby are at the south end of Bondi, along the coastal walk, and two hotels up in Waverley, over the ridge.
Where to stay
Every place on the map, closest first. Real businesses; nobody paid to be here.
| Map number | Place | Price a night | Walk to the sand | Climb home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamarama ApartmentsApartments, north end | Not checked | 1 min walk · 55 m | flat |
| 2 | Sydney Dreams Serviced Apartments Bondi BeachApartments, north end | Not checked | 10 min walk · 805 m | 40 m |
| Further back: a bus, or a climb | ||||
| 3 | Bondi 38 Serviced ApartmentsApartments | $200–350 | 13 min walk · 1,027 m | 45 m |
| 4 | Bondi Beach HouseGuesthouse | Not checked | 13 min walk · 1,079 m | 45 m |
| 5 | Zarita Private HotelGuesthouse | Not checked | 22 min walk · 1,738 m | 110 m |
| 6 | Charing Cross HotelHotel | Not checked | 25 min walk · 2,025 m | 110 m |
How we measure. Times are walking times, not driving: the walking route from each property to the nearest edge of the sand, at an easy 4.8 km/h. Climb is the uphill on the walk home, rounded to 5 m. Prices are bands from one nightly rate on Google Maps on 9 October 2026.
Which end of the beach?
The beach
A small curve of sand between two rocky headlands. It fills fast on a summer day, and the surf here is stronger than it looks.
MDRX / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia
The park and the surf club
Behind the sand is a small park with an outdoor gym. Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club was founded in 1906, and says it has not lost a swimmer in more than a century of patrols.
MDRX / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia
The coastal walk
The Bondi to Coogee walk runs over both headlands, past Mackenzies Bay to the north. In late spring it becomes the route of Sculpture by the Sea, a free outdoor exhibition.
MDRX / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia
Tamarama has more rescues per thousand swimmers than any other Sydney beach. Swim between the flags.
Sardaka / CC BY-SA 4.0, WikimediaKnow before you go
How do you get to Tamarama?
From Bondi. Walk the coastal path south from the Icebergs end of Bondi, past Mackenzies Bay. Tamarama is the first beach.1,2
From the city. There’s no train. Take the T4 to Bondi Junction and a bus towards Bondi or Bronte, then walk down. Plan the trip on the Transport NSW trip planner.3
From the airport. About 16 km by road. Most people with luggage take a taxi or rideshare.
Is Tamarama Beach safe?
Is Tamarama safe to swim? Treat it with respect. Tamarama is described as the most dangerous patrolled beach in NSW, with more rescues per thousand bathers than any other Sydney beach, and its rips can run at 2 metres a second. Swim only between the flags.1
Is Tamarama patrolled? Yes. Waverley Council lifeguards patrol Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama, and volunteers from Tamarama SLSC patrol too. If there are no flags, don’t swim.4,1
Water quality after rain Stormwater runs onto the beach after heavy rain. Check Beachwatch for the daily pollution forecast before you swim.5
With kids
The surf is strong. For a calmer swim, Bronte Baths and the Bogey Hole are a short walk south. The park behind the sand has room to sit out of the sun. The coastal path has steps and steep sections; with a pram, use the streets.
The catch
- The rips. Tamarama has more rescues per swimmer than any other Sydney beach.
- One place to stay. Everything else is a 10–25 minute walk, uphill on the way home.
- Small and busy. On a summer weekend there isn’t much sand to go round.
Quick answers
Is Tamarama Beach dangerous?
- It has strong rips and more rescues per thousand bathers than any other Sydney beach. It is patrolled; swim between the flags.1
Where can I stay at Tamarama?
- When we checked, Tamarama Apartments, right above the sand, was the only accommodation business. The south-Bondi apartments are 10–13 minutes away on the coastal walk.
How far is Tamarama from Sydney CBD?
- About 6 km east of the CBD.1
Why is Tamarama called Glamarama?
- The nickname comes from its reputation for glamorous sunbathers on one of the smallest beaches in the state.1
When is Sculpture by the Sea?
- Every year in late spring, along the coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama. It’s free.1
Nearby beaches
Also close: Coogee (south, end of the coastal walk).