Bronte Beach is one of the most popular in Sydney – it’s relatively close to the city centre and makes a handy midway stop on the 8km Bondi to Coogee clifftop walk. It’s a family favourite, too, largely due to the big park and playground with public barbecue facilities behind it.
It may be fairly logical to assume that the beach is named after the literary Brontë sisters, but that’s not the case. There’s no link between the beach and Charlotte, Emily or Anne. Sorry, Wuthering Heights fans – you’ll have to stick to the UK, and maybe do the truncated version of the walk to Top Withens in West Yorkshire.
Five great things to do while you’re in Sydney
- Take a small group tour to the Blue Mountains – with a Parramatta River cruise thrown in.
- See the landmarks and secret beaches – on a Sydney Harbour cruise.
- Discover Sydney’s most historic neighbourhood – on a Rocks walking tour.
- Go on a whale-watching cruise – and admire migrating humpbacks.
- Learn to surf at Bondi Beach – with beginner surfing lessons.
Who Bronte Beach is really named after
But Bronte Beach is named after someone you’ve probably heard of. In 1799, the King of Naples awarded the title ‘Duke of Bronte’ to famous British admiral Horatio Nelson.
Nelson would sign his name “Nelson and Bronte”, and the bay the beach is part of was named ‘Nelson Bay’ in honour of his naval feats. Technically, it still is, but over time, the beach took on the name of the admiral’s awarded title.
More Sydney travel
Other Sydney travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to Lane Cove National Park.
- Neighbourhood guide to Surry Hills.
- What to expect at Calmsley Hill City Farm.
- Sydney’s top historic museums – including the Justice and Police Museum, Susannah Place Museum, Hyde Park Barracks and Museum of Sydney.
- 7 fantastic attractions in Sydney that most visitors overlook – including the Sirius anchor, the Macquarie Lighthouse, the Anzac Memorial, the Quarantine Station, the State Library of NSW and Elizabeth Farm.
