Tamarama

Tamarama is a pocket-sized cove between Bondi and Bronte, one of Sydney's smallest and most exclusive ocean beaches. Tucked into a narrow gully on the eastern suburbs' cliff coast, it is barely a hundred metres of sand hemmed by rocky headlands, which has earned it the local nickname 'Glamarama' for its fashionable sunbathers.

The setting is dramatic. Steep sandstone bluffs frame the beach on both sides, and the deep, funnel-shaped bay concentrates the swell, producing strong currents and a powerful shore break. It is a beautiful place to swim only with care — the rips are notorious, and it is best treated as a beach to enjoy between the flags when lifeguards are on duty rather than a gentle paddling spot.

It sits on the famous coastal walk. The Bondi to Coogee cliff path passes directly above the beach, and each spring the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition lines this stretch with large outdoor artworks, drawing big crowds through Tamarama's small park. A grassy reserve behind the sand holds a cafe and picnic lawns shaded by Norfolk pines.

Practical notes: parking is very limited on the narrow surrounding streets, so most visitors arrive on foot along the coastal walk or by bus from Bondi Junction. Beach access involves steps down from the reserve, so it is not step-free. Summer, from December to March, brings the warmest water and patrolled swimming; the shoulder seasons are quieter. There are toilets and a kiosk but few other facilities, keeping the cove low-key despite its glamorous reputation. The reserve behind the sand was once home to a Victorian-era amusement park and later an aquarium, a curious history at odds with its now-tranquil setting. Early morning, before the sunbathers arrive, is the finest time to photograph the cove framed by its sandstone bluffs.