Sydney Beaches Shut Down After Huge Swells Wreck Bondi Icebergs and Walkways
Sydney’s eastern coastline woke up to devastation on Wednesday morning after powerful overnight swells wreaked havoc on some of the city’s most iconic beaches and coastal walkways.
Beaches including Bondi Icebergs, Bronte, Clovelly, and Cronulla were hit by massive 5.5-metre waves, causing significant damage to infrastructure and public spaces.
Bondi Icebergs Pool and Coastal Destruction
Bondi’s world-famous Icebergs pool took the brunt of the violent surf, with glass fences smashed and railings bent by the power of the waves. A big water tank was swept onto the beach nearby, adding to the debris that already existed.
A Waverley Council representative stated that infrastructure at many beaches was damaged overnight. As a result, Bondi, Bronte, and Clovelly beaches were closed on Wednesday as personnel cleared debris and assessed structure integrity.
Randwick City Council reported comparable damage along its coastal districts, with Coogee Beach and the iconic coastal boardwalk requiring immediate examination.
The force of the waves breached Coogee Surf Club’s doors, destroyed handrails at South Coogee, and deposited large amounts of sand onto the rainbow walkway and nearby steps.
Wylie’s Baths in Coogee, located just south of Bondi, suffered minor damage in comparison. Operations manager Sam Bebb noted that broken seating and potential fence line damage were the main concerns. Wylie’s had been closed for swimming since Sunday and remained shut on Wednesday.
Authorities Warn Against Water Activities
“These conditions are dangerous even for experienced surfers,” said Paul Moffatt, a veteran Randwick City Council lifeguard and well-known local surfer. He emphasized the additional risk posed by large debris in the water, following days of flooding in Queensland. Moffatt strongly advised the public to stay out of the water, especially as another surge of large swells was predicted for Wednesday evening.
At Cronulla, sections of the esplanade were cordoned off due to 4-metre waves causing parts of the concrete walkway to crater. Civil crews inspected the damage while nearby brick walls at Bronte buckled under the relentless pressure of the ocean.
In Sydney’s south, Bayside Council released images showing extensive damage to footpaths, bike lanes, and fallen debris at Dolls Point, where around 20 properties experienced flooding.
Northern Sydney’s beaches, including the tourist hotspot Dee Why, were also impacted, with closures remaining in place.
Swimmers and Officials React
Despite the chaos, some adventurous swimmers defied warnings and took a dip in an ocean pool overlooking Cronulla Beach early Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology reported that the immediate threat of coastal hazards had eased, though hazardous surf warnings remained active along the entire New South Wales coastline. Authorities strongly discouraged swimming, rock fishing, and boating in affected areas.
NSW Police urged people to stay away from the water and avoid walking in surf-exposed zones. The NSW State Emergency Services (SES) reported at least 17 cases of coastal erosion on the Central Coast and warned that Wednesday night’s high tide could worsen conditions.
Forecast: More Wild Weather to Come
Forecasters predict that large swells will persist throughout the week along the NSW and southern Queensland coasts. On Tuesday, waves as high as 6.3 metres were recorded at the Eden wave buoy, with 5.1-metre waves at Batemans Bay in the afternoon. By early Wednesday, Port Kembla’s buoy registered a staggering 5.9-metre wave.
As authorities continue damage assessments, Sydney’s coastal communities brace for further potential impacts from the ongoing extreme weather.
