Held at Bondi Beach, this annual event (with past disruptions due to Covid) attracts sculptors from all over the World. Running from South Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach, the 2 km walk had over 100 sculptures on display. Sculptures by the Sea 2022 ran from 21 October – 7 November 2022.
Getting to Bondi Beach
Parking at Bondi can often be a problem, with limited spaces and high popularity combining to make it difficult. We were lucky and found a space in the main carpark next to the beach. From here we walked past the Bondi Icebergs Club and followed the path along the coast.
Alternatively, catch a train to Bondi Junction where a bus runs to Bondi Beach.
Be prepared for crowds because this is a very popular event. Although our photos don’t show it, there were hundreds of people moving along the walkways enjoying the sculptures.
The Sculptures
As usual there was a huge number of sculptures on display and they looked amazing with the ocean backdrop. Some of our favorites are shown below.
Next year’s event will run from 20 October – 6 November 2023.
A Wounded Land by Suzie Bleach & Andrew TownsendHeads It Is, by Paul CapornFolly Interstice by Tony DavisHorn Of Vicissitude by Marcus TattonOushi Zokei–Infinity by Keizo UshioShо̄gun by Nigel DobsonOur Love Touches The Sky by Ayad AlqaragholliSelfish by Juan Pablo Pinto & Cristian RojasWeightless 9 by Andrew RogersPivot by Donna MarcusDeep Sea Bloom by Danni BryantHotbed Twilight by Sivaan Lansdowne WalkerA Scene-Dedicated To Handels, ‘The Water Music 20-1 by Takeshi TanabeTidal Body, by April Pine
The first European to visit the area was Governor Arthur Phillip, who explored the lower river by small boat in March 1788 within weeks of the First Fleet’s arrival. He named it Mullet Island, for the abundance of fish in the local Hawkesbury River. The island was purchased in 1864 and renamed by Henry Cary Dangar, the son of Henry Dangar, a surveyor, pastoralist and parliamentarian.
Subdivided into residential plots in the 1920s while it still retains some areas for recreational use. Around 330 permanent residents call the island home.
Getting There
Dangar Island can only be accessed by water, either by ferry, private boat or water taxi. We used the ferry, which operates seven days per week. The ferry “Sun” is itself a historic boat, making the trip that little bit more interesting.
The ferry leaves from Brooklyn north of Sydney, where parking is available near the wharf. The Brooklyn train station is only a short walk from the wharf, making this a great option if you don’t want to drive. The ferry arrival and departure times coincide with the train’s timetable.
On the Island
The only vehicles on the island are the fire truck and council ute, with all other vehicles banned. Residents use wheel barrows to haul items from the wharf to their homes. As you leave the ferry, you will see a line up of wheel barrows on the side of the path. On the opposite side is a metal sculpture of a Stegosaurus.
Our first stop was the coffee shop next to the wharf. This also serves as the island’s only shop, because of the small population. Sitting outside was very relaxing, and a great way to start our visit before setting off to explore.
Walking Around
With only around 3km of roads, walking around the island does not take too long. You can download a map, to show various things to see on the island. However, we spent a lot of time at the beach, which had driftwood from recent storms washed up. Also near the beach the rocks are covered in oysters, although most have been removed by fishermen.
One small relic here dates from the Second World War when the Australian Army garrisoned the island and manned a cable boom across the river to protect the railway bridge. A small section of rusted steel embedded in the rocks is all that remains.
We visited at low tide and much of the beach was exposed. The exposed sand was covered in small mounds of sand from crabs that had burrowed down until the tide returned. From the amount of burrows, there must be a huge crab population here.
From the upper road, you get great views of the Hawkesbury and the railway bridge. A rock shelter previously used the local Guringai people before European settlement sits just off the upper road.
Returning to Brooklyn
After around three hours, we returned to the wharf where we had a cold drink while we waited for the ferry. Make sure you don’t miss the last ferry, or you will need to call the water taxi, which is much more expensive.
This was a fun relaxing morning out to somewhere that’s a little different. The locals and the atmosphere of the island is great and we had a great time, well worth a visit.
Historic Ferry the SunFishing boats tied up at BrooklynHouses and private jetties on Dangar IslandBikes left at the ferry wharfMetal stegosaurustypical Dangar Island roadThe Pavilion and Beware of the Rabbit signFence made of old surf boardsdriftwood on a beachOne of Dangar Island’s beachesPrivate jetties at low tideRusting remains of the barrage from World War TwoCrab metropolis. The piles of sand are from crab burrowsRocks and trees on a beachThe CaveHawkesbury River Railway BridgeCold Bundaberg Ginger Beer
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located above the high tide mark on Wamberal Beach is a driftwood sculpture Peace Dove by Peter Ush. Built from local driftwood and cuttlefish, it will not last long, so see it soon before nature reclaims it. Wamberal is located on the New South Wales Central Coast around a 90 minute drive north from the Sydney CBD.
We parked at Spoon Bay Road Reserve, where we were lucky to find a park. On weekend, this is a popular access to the beach and soon becomes difficult to find a park. Alternately, parking is available at the other end of the beach at Wamberal. Walking time along the beach to the sculpture is around 15 minutes from either end.
Easy to find, nestled in the dunes, the dove overlooks the Pacific Ocean, which provides a beautiful backdrop.
A great place to visit in its own right, Wamberal Beach is long and sandy, with no need for people to crowd together. Recent storms have created a lot of driftwood, some of which was washed up here. Many of the pieces were mini-sculptures themselves.
Wamberal BeachWamberal Peace Dove by Peter UshThe Peace Dove by Peter UshDriftwood on Wamberal Beach
