Locals call it Glamarama, and once you’ve seen it you’ll understand why. Tamarama is a small, steep-sided cove in a green valley between Bondi and Bronte, with golden sand and sandstone cliffs. Surfers are in the water from first light until the sun dips behind the hills, chasing the last waves of the day. It’s often called Bondi’s cooler cousin: just as beautiful, a little more secluded, and loved by surfers, photographers and the creative crowd who call the eastern suburbs home.
We love Tamarama because it feels like a secret, even though Bondi’s cafes and boutiques are a ten-minute walk around the headland. Every Cocoon villa here is hand picked for design, comfort and location, and every stay comes with a local team who know these beaches by heart.
Tamarama has always had a flair for the dramatic. Over a century ago, the valley behind the beach was home to Wonderland City, once the largest open-air amusement park in the Southern Hemisphere. Today that land is the leafy Tamarama Park, perfect for a lazy afternoon picnic.
The beach’s name is said to come from the Aboriginal word gamma gamma, often translated as “storm”. On a big swell day, you’ll see how it earned it.
Start early, when the light is soft and the water is glassy. Grab a board or simply watch the surfers from the grass. Take your coffee with a view, then wander the clifftop path towards Bondi or Bronte. Bronte’s ocean pool is perfect if you want a calmer swim. Spend the afternoon on the lawns of Tamarama Park, and finish the day back at your villa with a drink on the balcony as the ocean turns silver.
Book 6 to 12 months ahead for Christmas, New Year and Easter. Off peak, 3 to 6 months is usually enough.
Every Tamarama home we list is a holiday rental, not a sale listing. Send us your dates and group size, and we’ll come back with available homes, rates and house rules. Want the fridge stocked before you land, a private chef for a birthday dinner, or a car waiting at the airport? Our concierge team will take care of it.
Explore more of Sydney: Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Mosman, Manly, Balmoral, Bellevue Hill, Darling Point, Vaucluse.
Most are a short walk from the sand, and several look straight onto the beach from the balcony.
Much quieter. You get the same coastal energy in a smaller, more intimate cove, with Bondi a short walk away when you want the buzz.
The beach is patrolled in season by the Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club, one of Sydney’s oldest. The surf can be powerful and rips are common, so always swim between the flags. Families with little ones often head to the Bronte ocean pool nearby.
Summer is the time for the warmest weather, the best beach days and Sydney at its most vibrant, so book well ahead. Spring and autumn are lovely too, with mild days and a quieter, more relaxed feel.
Absolutely. We can arrange airport transfers, private chefs and restaurant bookings, and share our favourite local spots.
Yes. Minimum stays vary by home and season, and are longer over Christmas and New Year.
It depends on the home, the season and your group size. Each listing shows its nightly rate, and we’re happy to send a tailored quote for your dates.