THOUSANDS of bikini-clad backpackers packed one of Australia’s most famous beaches on Christmas Day, turning the sand into a sea of red despite cool, grey skies.
Jaw-dropping scenes unfolded at Coogee Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs as revellers swarmed the shoreline to celebrate the public holiday.
Many were dressed in Santa hats, reindeer headbands and festive red swimwear.
Cloud cover and unseasonably cool conditions did little to dampen spirits.
After a week of sweltering heat, temperatures plunged by about 10C across the Harbour City, with Thursday peaking at 24C but feeling closer to 17C under overcast skies.
There was barely a patch of sand visible as the beach heaved with holidaymakers posing for photos, climbing onto friends’ backs and throwing their hands into the air in matching outfits.
Coogee, a long-time magnet for British and Irish tourists, bore the brunt of the Christmas rush as backpackers appeared to heed calls to stay away from nearby Bronte Beach following last year’s chaos.
The packed scenes were a stark contrast to beaches further north.
Bondi and Bronte both recorded smaller-than-usual crowds, though festive flair was still on show.
At Bondi, some beachgoers embraced the cooler weather by donning full Father Christmas suits complete with white beards, while others stripped back to red speedos.
Groups laughed as they gave piggyback rides across the sand or picnicked on the grass.
Couples posed beside Christmas decorations, including a tree erected on the beach, while tourists snapped photos with lifesavers in their iconic yellow and red uniforms.
Despite the holiday atmosphere, Bondi felt quieter than in previous years as the nation continues to mourn the horrific shooting on December 14.
A small memorial of flowers and candles remained on the footbridge, and police conducted high-visibility patrols along the promenade.
Last year, tens of thousands descended on Bondi for Christmas amid sunny skies and a top of 26C.
Further south, Bronte Beach was notably subdued after Waverley Council urged revellers to stay away due to safety concerns linked to construction work and overcrowding.
Waverley Council said earlier this month: “Roughly half of Bronte Park is currently off limits to the public while the development of the new Bronte Surf Club is underway.
“Temporary fencing has been erected in much of the area.
“This means there is a drastic reduction in open space and only narrow channels available to move around.
“The serious compromise to crowd flow is a safety concern on any day, let alone one that is prone to significant overcrowding.”
More than 15,000 people attended an unauthorised gathering dubbed Orphan’s Christmas or Backpacker Christmas at Bronte last year, leaving behind debris and broken glass.
The council said crowds of that size are “hugely challenging at the best of times” and confirmed it has invested more than $250,000 in crowd management and security measures for 2025.
“This year, that kind of crowd is simply not safe and Council’s message to those hoping to play at Bronte is clear,” it said.
“A zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour will be enforced and alcohol and glass will be confiscated when detected.
“Bronte is not a good option and brings significant personal risk.
“Do not come.”
