Beautiful Bondi

An early silent documentary showing the attractions of Bondi Beach and the surrounding Waverley area in 1926. Beaches include Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama. Surfing, swimming, sunbaking, life savers, all the beach activities and features that are seen on these beaches today were just as popular in the 1920s. Hotels and apartment developments are seen under construction, many of which remain as Bondi heritage today.
NFSA: 8966

[@jpman9795]

It's very strange watching pictures of young people at the beach almost 100 years ago. They we're in the prime of their life and had an entire life in front of them to live. Now all of them are long gone. Everyone thinks they'll be young forever...time tells a different story.

[@senizsuunal]

Here is the comment i was looking for..Thanx

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

Until WW2 came along… probable lots of the young guys on this film never made it to 40….

[@raitisfreimanis]

There still could be a few of them still alive and well. :-)

[@tinahardman9805]

What a great piece of film. They all look so happy without mobile phones, fast food and chemicals in just about everything. Many of the girls are so naturally pretty, no huge painted on eyebrows, tattooes, fat or tight leggings. Just families and young people having a fantastic time. I know that the Wall Street Crash and World War Two were not that far away but this seems like a little piece of heaven.

[@DaveGIS123]

WW2 would be just 13 years in these peoples' future. Many of the same young men seen here, in all probability, died in the war.

[@parryyotter]

Why are the comments on this video so full of weird old people insulting youth, anyone who isn’t thin, and just being a bunch of assholes?

[@shenanigans3710]

Actually, the chemicals in products then were much worse!

[@Urbicide]

@@parryyotter Why are you bothered by facts?

[@Urbicide]

@@shenanigans3710 Some were indeed. Almost everybody smoked.

[@georgenasuta875]

Amazing not one overweight person and easy to understand why.

[@neshod6415]

What is wrong with overweight?

[@trevorjameson3213]

No fast food back then, and all the other junk food. Also they didn't lay around on their ass playing video games or watching tv.

[@Rico_Suave_]

@@neshod6415 health?

[@sydneyshinshi]

@@trevorjameson3213 Or watching KZbin clips.

[@anthonybrennan1075]

Wow what a fantastic video! So refreshing after all the photos from around that era when no one smiled in photos. Hard to believe all those people, so full of life are now mostly long gone. Thank you for posting this, NFSA.

[@KenYazici]

Anthony Brennan and not a selfie in sight

[@NFSAFilms]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed the film.

[@Agislife1960]

Thats the sad part about cool old videos with people and places, the people are mostly long gone.

[@wataboutya9310]

They are only gone from this material world. The soul that animates the physical body, lives on in eternity.

[@garylivingston9052]

@@Agislife1960 even the small children would be around 100 years old...:(

[@chalkywhite5043]

By a lot of accounts a good time in the 1920s wedged between WW1, the Depression then WW2. I also believe the 1960s, 1980s and late 1990s also good. Now it’s civil unrest, working poor and uncertain casual jobs, fast pace little time,, being easily offended, pandemics and little care.

[@ianlambden8075]

Amazing footage so well preserved. The crowds at the beach show how much the surf was and is an important part of the Australian culture and character. My Dad lived in the Eastern Suburbs all his life and Bondi Beach was his favourite haunt. He and some of his mates had a small shack on the North Bondi headland and all their weekends would be spent in the surf. He could have been there in 1926, and was a life member of North Bondi Surf Club. He was on duty on Black Sunday at Bondi in the thirties. Amazing too how the pool at Bronte in 1926 looked pretty much how it looked in the 70s and 80s, and even today.

[@durv13]

my dad was born in 1926 , but in england , we moved here to australia in 1970 he was born in december , so this video was done a month before his birth day literally . he came here with the english navy in ww2 and loved the place , he was stationed at woolamaloo . not far from there . so he decided to live here , best move ever .

[@StarsManny]

I thought it was woolloomooloo?

[@durv13]

@@StarsManny Yu more than likely correct.

[@durv13]

@@StarsManny i went there once with a group on a course . i saw his ship on the wall at the pub there . that was really cool . it was after he died , which was a shame , as i dont think he knew the photo was even there . we actually had the australian navy take his ashes out to sea and scattered them . which was also very cool .

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

Great camera work. Lighting and focus are top quality for the time. The dining sequence at about 6:35 is delightful.

[@jetpark3743]

This is my favourite Bondi rescue episode

[@captmulch1]

Thank you - my family used to own the land that is now Waverley Public School / Police Station. A wonderful insight into their lifestyle in those times.

[@MicaRayan]

It's very beautiful footages 😍 The sweeping angles made it so majestic

[@fabiogn1]

People having fun 100 years ago!!! Amazing!

[@lezzman]

10:25 These are the best dressed fishermen I have ever seen! I had no idea fishing was a formal activity back then.

[@RobB-vz2vo]

They were fishing the sewer outlet so heavy clothes were a must. If they fell in with that gear on they'd go straight to the bottom. Better to save the embarassment of floating around in the murk yelling out "Good god kill me man, kill me. Someone put me out of my misery!".

[@velocityjet1884]

It is very privileged to see photos on the wall in frames, come to life, amazing NFSA Films, cause of NFSA films we get to see the 1800's, 1900's come to life. Australia was beautiful in the day, all Europeans only,I love the old Australia, modern day Multiculturalism has failed down the toilet.

[@Elitist20]

Thank you, Anders Breivik. But aren't you in prison?

[@WiggaMachiavelli]

@@Elitist20 Go home.

[@Elitist20]

@@WiggaMachiavelli As an Australian, I am home.

[@velocityjet1884]

@@Elitist20 HA HA HA HA I ESCAPED lol

[@BTW...]

@@irenejennings7810 Most won't.

[@seanmc7128]

Great time to be alive. Unlike today.

[@PoppysGuitar]

One thing I immediately notice is that there doesn't appear to be anyone suffering obesity. I was at the beach this past summer and I was struck by the fact that there were so many people with weight issues.

[@MsPrecious61]

No fast food.

[@eyerock36]

Processed foods contribute to the extra girth nowadays, in addition to the fast food.

[@BessintheWorld]

Processed food, fast food drive thrus, and television, sedentary lifestyles have destroyed peoples health

[@PunaSquirrel]

People are lazy. They eat fast food and have unlimited access to processed foods.

[@Pitttdog]

It actually makes me sad to watch this. If these people could see what its like now they would think the world has ended.

[@kerrybarnes7289]

@@AlwaysPossible100 and where has this technology lead us to become? a Nation of snitches and a loss of Humanity towards each other. yeah Great advancements.

[@dm2781632]

@@kerrybarnes7289 on the money mate, nothing now but Greed Ego and Corruption. No caring.

[@Truth1561]

@@AlwaysPossible100 I think she’s referring to the damage to the reefs etc.

[@ilaser4064]

@@kerrybarnes7289 sadly for all the promise technology provides it still requires people to have a semblance of intelligence. A vast number of people lack the critical thinking skills to determine what is truth and lie. So yes the world is in a bad place, only because technology has amplified the asinine.

[@DaleChapman-r7y]

Well was is filmed about 5 to 6 years after the flu pandemic staring in 1918...so there's hope we will all get over this covid obsudity, learn to live with it and enjoy life one again without fear...these people prove it.

[@westnblu]

Thats a very good point but what u have to factor in is the different era . People back then had far greater resilience to things . U had the war which killed a generation of young folk coupled with the Spanish flu a double whammy of misfortune so to speak. And yet a little over 5 or 6 years as u say ppl seem to be having a carefree time @ the beach. I just cant imagine this being the case in todays society where ppl get triggered over the slightest of things.

[@neilsheppard6673]

Interesting glimpse of the past. Someone should do one of those 4k colour restorations, as the base picture quality seems quite good.

[@AlanBondFilms]

My family originated in this area. Mum's from Waverley and Dad's from Bronte. Dad would have been 3 years old when this was filmed and Mum 2...!!! Dad died in 2000 (78) and Mum (80) 2004...!! Recognised the Bogie Hole at Bronte. My Dad's family lived in Pacific St, just near there...a god awful apartment building now sits where they lived. We went to Bronte, Bondi and Tamarama in the 50,60s and 70s. Dad met Mum on a well aimed body surf by him collision at Bronte.... And dig the swimming togs of everyone!!!

[@NFSAFilms]

Thanks for sharing your memories of the area Alan.

[@velocityjet1884]

They prob were one of those little kids, you never know hey.

[@HassanAliakaMHAKhan]

And I born in 2004 sir Rip to your parents

[@thorstenbohn7304]

Amazing. Almost hard to believe that all these folks are dust and gone now. Lived through interesting and hard times. When the world was still mysterious and you had more questions than answers. Even the babies in that video must have died already by (hopefully) an high age.

[@6linx9]

Oh my God. The girl in the middle at 2:42 minutes. I think she is in her early twenties. I need a time machine to go to 1990, to put my 20 year old self into the time machine and then send her to 1926 to get to know this beautiful girl. She certainly won't want to know anything from me. But it would be worth a try. 😜

[@suomenpresidentti]

Much nicer than today. They are all clothed.

[@Ronbo710]

Man that beer looked good.

[@DavidinMiami]

Amazingly, even guys covered up their chests on the beach! Many are wearing a one-piece suit that covers lower and upper body parts. How times have changed!

[@bucksavage1221]

Each one had a story. Life is fleeting.

[@valentinius62]

Just came here to see the 1920s Australian babes. 2:59 Dayum!

[@EtonieE25]

🎼Those were the days my friend we thought they’d never end 🎼 …..as the singer Mary Hopkins once sung

[@HeleneLouise]

Magnifique!

[@PauloCesar-qp5nm]

Assim como estarmos vendo essas imagens do passado eles jamais imaginava que gente do futuro como estarmos vendo hoje ! E podemos imaginar que gente do futuro também estão olhando para nós lá na frente

[@colinniehus6806]

Beautiful

[@niccrovaix649]

Yikes! Electric wires strung out over a public swimming pool! Men walking around on the upper floor of a half finished building and not a hard hat, safety boot, hi vis vest or safety harness in sight! Clouds of smoke wafting up from cigarettes merrily combusting indoors! Those were the days.

[@lesleylight4690]

All these people gone now. Living life like we are right now.we all go down the same path.

[@KnockOffBeingFat]

95 years ago. The Roaring Twenties!! Good for all of them!

[@cyborgar15]

Sha..shaa...sharrkk!!

[@TheAjay0021]

wonderful classic video

[@michaelmallal9101]

Mum was born 1924. I went to school in Nelson St. My wife naturalized in Waverley Town Hall.

[@danielhickmott5800]

Looks like a film produced by the Chamber of commerce or Tourist Bureau for theaters worldwide.

[@tolrem]

The baby on the beach would be about 94 today!

[@wilsondassumpcao2089]

Funny thing, 50 years ago a century was a very long time, today with these footages seems like yesterday morning...

[@marknelson5929]

Note how very few people (on the beach scenes) are carrying any weight, the men especially look almost skinny by todays standards - know doubt their carrying their proper body weight/mass. No take aways and convenience junk food like we have today.

[@sandwichman100]

no mcdonalds

[@liamgross7217]

No takeaway physical work

[@generalyellor8188]

@Trepang 412 A "billion dollar industry"? You haven't got a clue. It's many, many more times than that.

[@noelroberts8199]

I see where a fella was selling Peter's ice-cream on the beach, doesn't that count as junk food?

[@bossdog1480]

@@noelroberts8199 It would have had sugar in it, but it wouldn't be full of chemicals like it is today.

[@maryfitzgerald4812]

Looks nice. Shame about it now. Thanks for posting.

[@neilmanhard1341]

If the English and Irish knew of Australia's beauty, potential and bounty; more would've arrived in passenger ships than prison ships. Absolutely stunning.

[@topologyrob]

People were more active then and leaner

[@dennisneo1608]

At 3:02 a beautiful Aussie girl. Now longggggg since gone. :(

[@samhouston1673]

Makes ya want to build theorize a time machine, build it, go back in time, just to go up to them on the beach at that moment, shoot them a wink, flash a smile and say, "Hey, what's up?"

[@petermurphy9968]

Excellent video. The babies featured would be close to 100 years old now. The crude resuscitation technique is a wonder to see. I don't think CPR was invented as a standard resuscitation technique back then in 1926.

[@Mercmad]

Back when our forebears thought the rest of the world was just like Australia . And only a couple generations removed from my Convict ancestors.

[@LordTantrums007]

Fascinating film from the 1920s well before the issues of WWII.

[@michelkoch]

All gone, killed by time.

[@17cmmittlererminenwerfer81]

When Australia was still a somewhat free nation. No longer.

[@mnrodriguez]

Sad but true!

[@author7027]

who is ruling now upon Australia?

[@dopaminedreams1122]

@@author7027 corrupt corporate interests, and american "culture"

[@danieltossounian1962]

You got something there about corporate overlords…

[@АлександрЛилов-д1у]

Все люди ведут себя очень естественно, натурально и , о боже, практически нет толстых людей.

[@alexpaar2708]

incredible to think that all this beautiful people are dead now . life is too short

[@Urbicide]

Yes it is.

[@lindaklase3821]

When Australia was free.

[@jamesb6080]

The good times.

[@76-UVB]

What a contrast to Britain of the same period,Australia was far more liberated.

[@fatcat3211]

Never thought about swimming in a wrestling singlet before seeing this.

[@lastrada52]

Some of those young girls (teenagers) are beautiful. The one with the long dark hair (3:00) next to the young man is a looker. I may add that her swimsuit is a little daring for the 1920s. Nice shape. Gorgeous smile. Makes me wonder whatever became of her. Bondi Beach is in Australia.

[@noelroberts8199]

We Aussies have always been fun loving, and have always had an attraction to the beach.......

[@bieni78]

And now you live in a dystopian hell hole. North Korea has more freedoms. This is what happens when you tell a nation they live on the best country in the world - apathy sets in.

[@noelroberts8199]

@@bieni78 Tell me seriously, which country would you really want to live in, do you think you would have the freedom to make a criticism like this in North Korea and not face a serious penalty? (Like death).....

[@janosik47]

Not a single tattoo great people .

[@ThousandShakes]

The beach sure was crowded. More crowded than other similar places and times I have seen, and growing up on an island I have a feel. People really escape the heat or what?

[@Hossak]

Smoke em if you got em. Thanks for posting!

[@americanoboist]

Hey,I think I just spotted Miss. Fisher

[@deenugent473]

When I view these old footages, I always think in my head that all, if not most, these people are probably dead by now.

[@dennisneo1608]

Well, it's 1926, nearly 100 years ago, so I'd say all dead.

[@adamnowak7232]

@@dennisneo1608 How you know? 3:07 too?

[@stoojinator]

@@adamnowak7232Maybe the babies might still be alive, but I doubt it. I agree with @dennisneo1608. They're all dead now for sure. And the people at 3:07 would probably be push 120+ so yes, they're dead too.

[@DavidHuntPHG]

I wonder if my grandmother was in that group! I like the first ever Super man undies on the outside swimming costume

[@bobeden5027]

The Holger Neilson method, haven't seen that for a while, hey?

[@bensilverstern4156]

It died out. Literally

[@stuartjohnson6476]

Whats with the Reg Grundies over the cossies? LOL!

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

13 years later most of those boys would be fighting in WW2...

[@russclark2496]

Nobody was obese whereas today it seems half the population is

[@yxhankun]

Bondi is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches.

[@canoeman1961]

I think the height of the beach was a little higher back then ... it appears the average beach-goer in 1926 was half the weight of what you would see out there today.

[@jasonb9652]

Yes!! Was just about to make the same comment. Struggled to see one overweight person....

[@majorlaff8682]

Bondi was much quieter in the 20's. Nary a peep out of anyone.

[@ceeemm1901]

Notice there were bugger all people at the Armistice Day memorial. Most were women who'd lost there husbands, sons. The majority of returned soldiers had nothing to do with Anzac Day and other war commenorations....wonder why. Maybe because when they came back, they saw that the rich folk who stayed behind and profittered had bought a bigger house.

[@vites8925]

Looks like everybody just came out of the gym. No McDonalds, no fat people!

[@stevenmitchell1229]

The blokes look ok, the women look well strange.. hehe.. love the cosies

[@janemorrow6672]

Interesting observation. My guess is the women look strange because they look natural.

[@ronaldjeffers2415]

I wonder what year this is it's wonderful to see people enjoying the the beautiful beach and the beautiful sunshine

[@donttalkcrap]

1926

[@ElizaDolittle]

1926 - it's in the description below the video...

[@Firebrand55]

15.32...the personification of feminine elegance.......lost forever when bras were burnt.

[@honeybunch5765]

Oh my how sad for you, women speaking up, how dare they!

[@alaingadbois2276]

Honeybunch Conservatives in 1926: women in bathing suits next to men, how disgraceful and scandalous!

[@jimmym3352]

women smoking? Ugh. smoking is disgusting by anyone, but I am not attracted to women who do it. And that goes doubly so for pot.

[@frankblack7801]

👤 🕶 Clean & healthy. Before all the oceanic pollution and thermonuclear bomb tests.

[@bossdog1480]

Sad, but ALL of these people in this film are no longer here.

[@mongo2022]

3:00: Woodstock´s girl in 1926?

[@michaelsinclair8018]

Half of Bondi is missing! Most of it looks like it hasn't been subdivided yet! Take me back so I can get some ocean front property!

[@xyberfunk]

Gone forever... enjoy your liberalism

[@moe5735]

What are you even talking about? Didn’t we lose a shit ton of freedoms under bush? Hmm.. let’s blame liberals and not try and figure what’s going on

[@alongsleep]

@@moe5735 He's talking about Liberalism.

[@HattieMcDanielonaMoon]

Lol nice bait

[@vchk5330]

1920s was already the era of liberalism buddy

[@AcePanno1]

bring back those bathing costumes for the Men... so I can hide my flabby belly

[@NFSAFilms]

This could be your chance to lead the resurgence ;)

[@AcePanno1]

Great idea! I will consider this ;o)

[@6edTelevision]

A unitard makes a great bathing outfit for men. I often wear one myself and they look great and stylish. Just Google "mens unitards".

[@nithinkumar5832]

0.31 cricket matche ?

[@brimech73]

And not a fat body to be seen!

[@Neil-Aspinall]

I remember my Mother wearing those togs with the little vanity curtain.

[@peterclark6290]

They were also on the men's Speedos back in the day. Cost cutting (maybe) gave us the budgie smugglers. They could come back. Probably be a market.

[@thelionsclub4912]

Did they have jellyfish and shark nets on the beaches of Australia during this time? The bite from a taipan was still a death sentence in Australia at the time.

[@vk3ase]

Interesting how the "automation" picked out the frame for the thumbnail image. Beautiful shot of young people in 1926.

[@NFSAFilms]

We custom selected this frame but yes sometimes the auto selection is interesting.

[@unicorn12345]

They have surprisingly modern hairstyles. I thought long hair worn down wasn’t fashionable at this time.

[@lameduck3630]

Is the hotel still there?

[@joaoboscovilar555]

Belo documento!!!

[@velocityjet1884]

On 1:09 minute mark, can anyone explain to me what that chimney looking object is, what's it's purpose?? Been wondering that, since i was a kid. cheers

[@NFSAFilms]

The majestic North Bondi poo pipe. Yet another of the Bondi's charms. A ventilation tower for the sewage treatment facility.

[@velocityjet1884]

@@NFSAFilms HA HA HA, Thanks for that lol you learn something new everyday.

[@tompchromedome]

@@NFSAFilms locals in the 1960s called it the "stink pot"

[@newmanoutdoors1564]

Fishing and Drinking some things never change 10:39

[@LilacDaisy2]

Never so sad to read "The End." I think this one is my favourite so far. Love their togs! (I dislike seeing people's ... crotches). Now to replay.

[@LordTantrums007]

No climate change issues!😁

[@honeybunch5765]

Those swimming trunks must have been shocking for the elders of the day

[@oldenshort1346]

WOW Look at all the grossly overweight people before the Nutritionists came along and told us what we should Eat HORRIFIC Isn't it.

[@slideryt]

The little boys you see in this would have gone off to fight in WW2.

[@oggyboggy8692]

Crazy to see how almost all the women kept their hair short haha, don't know why, it's just the uniformity of it is so shocking.

[@dwaynes5983]

Roaring 20s. Fade. I prefer very long black hair.

[@Fractalite]

Its called `the fashion '.

[@MrSubidu]

Long hair was out of fashion than. Bob hairstyles and first perm machines exploded at that momet! So when is about fashion...like today...everyone is the same:))))

[@SydneyDrums]

The Moderns

[@pearlsr1880]

Is this genuinely really in 1926???? It doesn't look that old on the 20's

[@cicada135]

I was actually wondering the same thing. It's nearly 100 years ago, but I thought they didn't show that much body back then, wondering if it's more recent.

[@AbhinavS.R.]

It sure must be the 20s. You can see how the silent films look exactly like this.

[@jeffuren6942]

3 years after this was filmed...the stock market crashed

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

3:28 he’s wearing underwear over the swimwear? 😂😂😂

[@janemorrow6672]

Superhero 😀