Australian beaches, 100 years ago

Bondi Beach, NSW (circa 1900)
Coogee Beach, NSW (circa 1880)
The Esplanade, Coogee Beach, NSW  (circa 1900)
Coogee Beach, NSW (circa 1929)
Maroubra Beach, NSW (circa 1937)
Newcastle Beach, NSW (circa 1930)
Bondi Beach, NSW (circa 1940)
Manly Beach, NSW (circa 1922)
Bondi Beach, NSW (circa 1920)
Bondi Beach, NSW (circa 1900)

Throughout the years Australians have flocked to the beach to find relief from the heat of summer. Australia’s most famous beach, Bondi is said to be named after the local aboriginal word 'boondi' meaning 'water breaking over rocks'.

Coogee Beach, NSW (circa 1880)

Coogee Beach in Sydney’s east has long been popular for its safe swimming conditions. The Coogee Aquarium seen in the background here was officially opened in 1887.

The Esplanade, Coogee Beach, NSW (circa 1900)

Despite its popularity, Coogee Beach is said to be named after the local Aboriginal word ‘koojah’ meaning ‘smelly place’, likely thanks to the smell of rotting seaweed.

Coogee Beach, NSW (circa 1929)

Coogee Beach was finally connected to Sydney City by tram in 1902. If you look carefully you can see the newly opened tram line here in the bottom left.

Maroubra Beach, NSW (circa 1937)

Maroubra is said to be named after a local Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of thunder’.

Newcastle Beach, NSW (circa 1930)

Crowded beach umbrellas and Peter's ice cream ... not much has changed on Newcastle Beach in the last 100 years!

Bondi Beach, NSW (circa 1940)

Despite becoming a public beach in 1882, it wasn't until regular bus services started in the 1930s that Bondi Beach was truly accessible to Sydney locals.

Manly Beach, NSW (circa 1922)

Even now Manly Beach remains one of the most popular of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Bondi Beach, NSW (circa 1920)

Bondi Beach is only about 1 kilometre long and welcomes approximately 2.5 million beachgoers every year.

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