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Overview
We're all guilty of visiting the same old haunts week in, week out. Given that Sydney is teeming with new places to while away a summer's day, it's time to get out and explore. Next destination: Coogee. Even if Coogee Beach is your local, when's the last time you've paid a visit to some different spots from your norm? To help you out, we've curated a sunrise to sunset itinerary to show you how to pack the most into a day-long Coogee frolic.
From sunrise boxing on the beach to lounging on the rooftop at Coogee Pavilion, outdoor yoga at the Baths to dog-spotting on the foreshore, you can have an active, ocean-drenched, food-filled (and sun-safe) day all at once down at one of Sydney's most laid-back eastern suburbs beaches. Grab your sunnies, slip into some clothes that'll protect that delicate skin of yours, slap a hat on your head and slop some SPF 30+ sunscreen all over — it's time to explore.
6AM: GO BOXING ON THE BEACH
Book one of Beachfit and Wellbeing's outdoor boxing classes to kick-start your day with the zest of a lifestyle blogger. Coogee Beach itself gets fairly packed on your average summer's day, so the best way to enjoy the sand between your toes is to get down there early. Like, sunrise early. Meet at the centre of Coogee Beach, watch the sun come up and smash out a workout before most of Sydney has even registered that it's a new day.
7AM: GRAB COFFEE AND BREKKIE AT THE LITTLE KITCHEN
Rinse off the sunrise sweat at one of the council's outdoor showers, and walk towards the south end of Coogee to The Little Kitchen. A family-run cafe open from 7am daily, you'll find modern Aussie cafe food in a relaxed, freshly refurbished setting. Pick a seat at one of the long tables inside away from the sun. Double Roasters coffee or cold drip takes care of all your caffeine needs. Keep brekkie simple with a humble order of fruit toast and ricotta, or have the grilled chorizo with roasted peppers, herb salad, hummus and labne for a more substantial feed. Don't forget to bring a book or the paper — anyone who gets up before 8am truly earns the right to savour that morning coffee.
8.30AM: ENJOY SOME PRIME DOG-SPOTTING
Scientific fact: dogs are freaking cute. But you can test this hypothesis for yourself if you must. Grab a coffee to go, meander along the boardwalk towards Trenerry Reserve and you'll be in the heartland of peak dog-spotting action. Remember to wear a hat, some SPF 30+ sunscreen and sunnies as those UV rays start to strengthen.
9.30AM: PRACTICE YOUR SUN SALUTATION AT OUTDOOR YOGA
Keep the active-wear on for a relaxing outdoor yoga session. From the dog park, just wander 100 metres back towards Coogee Beach to the historic Wylie's Baths for a wholesome al fresco Hatha Flow. Run by Wylie's Wellness, classes take place in the shade of a marquee overlooking the sea. But even so, remember to reapply sunscreen before practising.
12PM: FISH AND CHIPS AT CHISH N FIPS
After an active morning, it's time to chill. Lunch from Chish N Fips is a local favourite. It's a reasonably priced, no-frills joint reminiscent of grabbing a feed on a South Coast camping car trip with the family circa 1998, but, more importantly, it's very tasty. Order calamari and chips to take away and find a seat in the shade.
2PM: COOGEE PAVILION
Unequivocally the best place to scout a prime view overlooking the whole of Coogee Beach is from the rooftop balcony of Coogee Pavilion. With UV radiation still very strong at this time of day, under one of their balcony umbrellas is also a good place for enjoying a summer afternoon wind down overlooking the beach — without the sun damage.
4PM: SNORKELLING AT GORDONS BAY
You don't have to travel to the Great Barrier Reef to live out your marine biologist dreams — check out the teeming aquatic life down at Gordons Bay, the coastal inlet just north of Coogee Beach. The word that comes to mind when describing the bay is 'magical'. This might sound like the overzealous puffery of a high-end Maldivian resort guidebook write-up, but when you're floating in the water looking up at the surrounding cliffs, you will second this assessment. Wear some kind of rash vest and reapply the SPF 30+ sunscreen — the water reflects those UV rays, even in the afternoon.
6PM: DINNER AT SUGARCANE RESTAURANT
Conclude your Coogee adventure with dinner and drinks at Sugarcane. It's a contemporary Asian dining experience with Japanese, Malay, Thai and Chinese cuisines all featuring on the menu. The decor has Balinese Seminyak vibes, but the ocean view from the restaurant's balcony tables is pure Sydney.
As you explore Coogee Beach this summer, make sure to stay sun safe — slip, slop, slap, slide on some sunnies, don't forget to reapply and seek out that shade. For more information on how to protect your skin from the sun visit Pretty Shady and join the generation that's putting an end to skin cancer.