Sculpture by the Sea

By O.K. Glynn

One of the absolute best things to do in Sydney is to traipse out to fair Coogee Beach and head due North along the coast; don your sexiest active-wear and have your phone at the ready for many a spine-tingling happy snap – you’re on the coastal walk to Bondi and it never fails to disappoint.

Living in Coogee I stepped out fast to check out this famous walk and was astounded at, a. how unfit I am, b. the pod of dolphins casually chillin’ offshore like magical beings, and c. how damn beautiful Sydney actually is. I lament the fact I’m no longer surrounded by cows and horses on a farm near Byron Bay, but when I came across this walk it really hit home how Sydney celebrates these pockets of Mother Nature, and how a plethora of people delight in it.

There is a lot to see as you snake your way along the cliffs; the super-old graveyard on prime real estate ground, the absolute pristine arrow-headed cove of Gordan’s Bay, golden sand and golden people…beautiful, beautiful people…anyway, yeah, there is a lot to be marvelled at. But in true Sydney style, ‘a lot’ is not enough, every now and then you need to up the ante and give the people something to really feast their eyes on and wag their chins about – in strolls Sculpture by the Sea.

Coming in for its 20th year, this annual artistic celebration is set to draw an estimated half-a-million people from the shadowed halls of the city to the blinding natural luminescence of the coast.

Starting Thursday, October 20 through to Sunday, November 6, the walk will be transferred into a sprawling art gallery with 100+ pieces ranging from the mystical to the downright odd.

Artists have been selected from all over the world to display their best and boldest pieces between Tamarama Beach and Bondi – so technically you don’t have to start the walk all the way down South in Coogee, you can just roll in on public transport. Parking is a nightmare on any given day, but throw in artistic masterpieces and warm days and you have a tight spot.

The Sculptures by the Sea team are dear friends of ours and as such we have crafted a package that includes accommodation, breakfast, private transfers to and from the beach and an official lookbook.

Give yourself a big chunk of time; charge up your camera, clean off your sunnies, and please don’t forget to slip slop and slap. You don’t want to miss any of the weird and whacky masterpieces basking in the Bondi sun, or the absolutely STELLAR photo-opportunities of sapphire waters, jagged coastlines and, if you’re lucky, a playful pod of dolphins joining in on your summer adventures. If you’re an avid photographer, whip out your talent and splurge it all over the Gram with your Bondi sculpture snaps tagged with #sxsmoments. The winner will receive a trip to Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, as part of the official photographic team. Winner winner chicken dinner!

Sculptures by the Sea runs from October 20 to November 6.

Cover photo: katacarix / Shutterstock.com