One of Australia's most iconic shorelines was transformed into a sea of crimson on Christmas Day as huge crowds descended to celebrate, undeterred by grey skies and a distinct chill in the air.
A Festive Spectacle Defies the Weather
Despite cloudy conditions and temperatures feeling as low as 17°C, thousands of revellers swarmed Coogee Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The shoreline was barely visible beneath a mass of holidaymakers, most dressed in a festive uniform of Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and, overwhelmingly, red swimwear and bikinis. The scene was one of vibrant celebration, with groups laughing, posing for photos on each other's shoulders, and embracing the communal holiday spirit.
The turnout was particularly striking given the unseasonable cool snap. After a week of highs in the 30s, temperatures across Sydney had plunged by about 10°C. Although the mercury reached a moderate 24°C on Thursday, the lack of sunshine made it feel significantly cooler, with forecasts predicting the low 20s and possible showers to continue over the weekend.
Contrasting Scenes Along the Coastline
The remarkable sight at Coogee, a famous haunt for British and Irish tourists, presented a stark contrast to other well-known beaches. Bondi and Bronte beaches saw smaller-than-usual crowds. At Bondi, some dedicated beachgoers embraced the festive theme fully, dressing as Father Christmas in complete red suits and fake white beards, while others opted for simple red speedos.
The subdued atmosphere at Bondi this year was also attributed to the nation continuing to mourn the horrific Bondi Junction stabbing attack on April 13th. A small memorial of flowers and candles remained on the footbridge, and a visible police presence patrolled the promenade.
The quietest scenes were further south at Bronte Beach. This followed a direct plea from Waverley Council for visitors to stay away due to major safety concerns. Ongoing construction work for the new Bronte Surf Club has cordoned off roughly half of Bronte Park, drastically reducing open space and creating potential crowd flow hazards.
Council Crackdown After Previous Chaos
The council's warning came in the wake of destructive parties in recent years. In 2024, an unauthorised 'Backpacker Christmas' event at Bronte attracted over 15,000 people, leaving the shoreline littered with debris and broken glass. The council stated that crowds of that size are "hugely challenging at the best of times" and have invested more than $250,000 in enhanced measures for future events.
These measures, announced for 2025, include increased crowd management, bolstered supervision, and a greater presence of police and security. The council adopted a zero-tolerance stance, warning that anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated and that alcohol and glass would be confiscated. Their message was unequivocal: "Bronte is not a good option and brings significant personal risk. Do not come."
This year, the message appeared to have been heeded, with very few people seen at Bronte on Christmas Day, marking a dramatic shift from the chaotic scenes of the previous year and allowing the festive focus to settle firmly on the red-hued shores of Coogee.
