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Visit Bondi Beach

Park & reserve

Marks Park

A grassy clifftop park on Mackenzies Point between Bondi and Tamarama, best known for ocean views, seasonal whale-watching and as the heart of the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.

Best for
Ocean views, whale-watching, a picnic on the coastal walk, and Sculpture by the Sea
Swimming
No - this is a clifftop headland with exposed edges, not a swimming spot
Toilets
Public amenities in the park (also served by Tamarama and Bondi facilities nearby)
Dogs
On-lead on the coastal walk and park lawns; check current Waverley Council signage
Public transport
Bus 333 to Bondi Beach or 381 to Tamarama, then walk in on the coastal path
Accessibility
A paved clifftop path and lookout; steep stairs link the park down to the coastal walk
Best time
May-November for whales; mid-October to early November for Sculpture by the Sea
Distance from Bondi Beach centre
About a 15–20 minute walk south along the coastal path

Why visit Marks Park

Marks Park sits on Mackenzies Point, the grassy headland that separates Bondi Beach from Tamarama on the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk. It's one of the best free vantage points on this stretch of coast - a wide, breezy lawn with big Pacific views in both directions, ringed by sandstone cliffs. We come here to watch the swell wrap around the point, to picnic between the two beaches, and, in season, to scan the horizon for whales.

Every spring the park becomes the centrepiece of Sculpture by the Sea, the free outdoor exhibition that has run along this headland since 1997. For the rest of the year it's a quieter spot: a place to catch your breath on the walk, sit on a bench above the ocean, and take in one of Sydney's most photographed coastlines. It is not a swimming spot - the appeal here is the view, the air and the walk, not the water.

Marks Park also carries a difficult history. For decades it was a gay beat, and through the 1970s, 80s and 90s men were attacked here and some were murdered, several thrown from the cliffs below the park. The Bondi Memorial, a public artwork called 'Rise', now stands in the park in their memory.

What to do at Marks Park

  • Take in the clifftop views

    The headland gives you open ocean straight ahead and beach views back towards Bondi to the north and down onto Tamarama to the south. Sunrise and early morning are especially good, when the light is soft and the crowds thin.

  • Watch for whales in season

    From roughly May to November, humpbacks migrate up and down this coast, and the elevated point is one of the better land-based spots on the eastern beaches to catch them. Bring binoculars and look for the blows and breaches on the horizon - patience pays off.

  • See Sculpture by the Sea

    For a couple of weeks from late October into November, the headland and coastal path fill with large-scale outdoor sculptures. It's free to walk through, and Marks Park is the exhibition's focal point. Go early or on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds.

  • Walk the Bondi to Bronte coastal path

    Marks Park is a natural rest stop midway between Bondi and Tamarama on the famous coastal walk. From here you can continue south to Tamarama and Bronte, or turn back north to Bondi.

  • Picnic on the headland

    The grassy lawns and scattered benches make this a fine spot to sit with a coffee or a picnic between the two beaches. There's little natural shade up top, so it's most comfortable outside the harsh midday sun.

  • Look for the Aboriginal rock engraving

    Near the cliff edge at Mackenzies Point there is a well-known Aboriginal engraving of a large sea creature (often described as a whale). It's a fragile heritage site - view it respectfully from the path and don't walk on the rock.

  • See the Bondi Memorial

    'Rise' is a memorial to the victims and survivors of homophobic and transphobic violence in Sydney and NSW from the 1970s to the 1990s - a collaboration between Waverley Council and ACON, designed by artist John Nicholson of Urban Art Projects. Its stone terraces reproduce the exact topography of the cliffs below the park, inverted so they step up towards the horizon instead of down; the six terraces stand for the six bands of the Pride flag, and the steps carry engraved plaques telling both the history of the violence and the milestones of Sydney's LGBTQ community.

Local tips

  • Come at first light for the calmest lawns and the best photography - this headland faces the sunrise and gets busy later, especially on weekends and during Sculpture by the Sea.
  • Mind the edges: the cliffs here are steep, exposed and unfenced in places. Keep well back from the drop, watch children closely and never climb beyond the marked path onto the rock platforms.
  • There's almost no shade on top and the wind can be strong - bring a hat, sunscreen and a windbreak layer even on mild days.
  • The section of coastal path below Marks Park was damaged by a cliff collapse in 2024 and reopened after remediation works in December 2025 - if in doubt about closures, check Waverley Council before you go.
  • For step-free access, the top of the park has a paved path and lookout, but the link down to the coastal walk itself involves steep stairs - plan your route accordingly.
  • During Sculpture by the Sea the whole headland gets very crowded; a weekday morning is far more pleasant than a weekend afternoon.
  • The Bondi Memorial sits in the park and is open to everyone, but it is a memorial to people who were killed in this place rather than a lookout - the engraved plaques on its steps are worth reading rather than walking over.
  • During Sculpture by the Sea an accessible drop-off and pick-up zone operates at the corner of Kenneth Street and Marks Lane, and vehicle access to Notts Avenue, Fletcher Street, Kenneth Street and Marks Lane is restricted from 9am to 6pm. The park's toilet block includes accessible toilets.

Best time to visit

For whale-watching, aim for the May to November migration season and pick a clear day with good visibility - mornings tend to be calmer. For sunrise and quiet, arrive early any time of year; this east-facing headland is at its best before the day-trippers arrive.

If you want to see Sculpture by the Sea, the exhibition runs for about two and a half weeks from the middle or end of October into early November - the 2026 edition ran from 16 October to 2 November. Check the official dates before planning, and expect large crowds, especially on weekends.

Getting to Marks Park

From Bondi Beach (about 15–20 min)
Follow the coastal walk south from the Bondi Icebergs end of the beach, up and around the cliffs to Mackenzies Point. It's the most scenic way in and needs no ticket or parking.
From Tamarama Beach (about 5–10 min)
Climb the coastal path and stairs north from Tamarama up onto the headland - a short but steep approach.
Bus to Bondi Beach (333) or Tamarama (381)
Route 333 is the main one: a 24-hour limited-stops service between Circular Quay and North Bondi via Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach, and Sydney's busiest bus route. Get off at Bondi Beach and walk south along the coastal path. For the Tamarama side, route 381 runs a loop between Bondi Junction and Tamarama, leaving a shorter but steeper climb up to the park. Route 380 runs between Watsons Bay and Bondi Junction via Military Road. Check Transport for NSW for current routes, stops and times before you travel.
Parking
There is limited, mostly metered and time-limited street parking around Bondi and Tamarama, and it fills quickly on weekends and during events. Public transport or walking in is usually easier.

Nearby places worth visiting

Where to eat nearby

There's no kiosk on the headland itself, so grab something at Bondi or Tamarama before you walk in, or picnic on the lawns.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Marks Park?

It's on Mackenzies Point, the clifftop headland between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach, directly on the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Can you swim at Marks Park?

No. Marks Park is a grassy clifftop headland with exposed edges, not a beach. For swimming, head to nearby Bondi or, with more caution, Tamarama - though Tamarama is known for strong surf and rips.

Is Marks Park where Sculpture by the Sea is held?

Yes. Marks Park is the focal point of the free Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, which has been staged along this headland and the coastal walk to Tamarama since 1997. It usually runs from late October into mid-November - check the official dates each year.

Can you see whales from Marks Park?

In season, yes. The elevated headland is one of the better land-based whale-watching spots on the eastern beaches, with humpbacks passing during the roughly May to November migration. Bring binoculars and be patient.

Is the coastal walk past Marks Park open?

Yes - the path below Marks Park was damaged by a cliff collapse in 2024 and reopened after Waverley Council remediation works completed in December 2025. If you're visiting after severe weather, it's worth checking the council for any temporary closures.

How do I get to Marks Park?

The easiest way is to walk in along the coastal path - about 15–20 minutes south from Bondi Beach or a short, steep climb up from Tamarama. Buses serve both Bondi and the Tamarama area; parking nearby is limited and fills fast.

What is the memorial at Marks Park?

It is the Bondi Memorial, a public artwork called 'Rise' by artist John Nicholson, created through a collaboration between Waverley Council and ACON. It is dedicated to the victims and survivors of homophobic and transphobic violence in Sydney and NSW between the 1970s and the 1990s, including men who were killed at this headland. Waverley Council records an estimate of as many as 88 gay men murdered across Sydney and NSW during that period, with many cases still unsolved.

Related Bondi guides

Sources & last reviewed (2026-10-18)