Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi

Springtime in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs is marked every year by the heady scent of jasmine lacing the air, and gridlock on the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. The reason for the uptick in coastal walkers? Sculpture by the Sea: the world’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition, which will light up the iconic coastal corner of the city until Monday, November 3.

Stretching along the clifftop path from Bondi to Tamarama, the 27th edition features more than 90 sculptures from artists across 13 countries – including Japan, Denmark, China and India – and promises a spectacle of creativity set against those unbeatable ocean views.

This year, 36 artists are exhibiting for the first time, with 64 Aussie artists on the line-up – reaffirming the event’s reputation as both a global showcase and a proud celebration of homegrown talent. The standout pieces this year include Siren’s Song by James Rogers (a conceptual piece which won the $70,000 Aqualand Sculpture Award), i by WA artist Jina Lee (which won the Waverley Council Mayor’s Award) and Splotcher by Archibald-winning artist Tim Storried AM.

In a special milestone, Japanese artist Keizo Ushio is celebrating his 25th consecutive Sculpture by the Sea exhibition – a feat that places him firmly in the event’s Double Decade Club, alongside six other long-serving artists including Ron Gomboc, Stephen King and Philip Spelman. Two more Japanese artists, Koichi Ogino and Haruyuki Uchida, join the 'Decade Club' this year for their tenth showing.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s event, David Handley, Founding CEO and Artistic Director, reflected on the challenges of staging the event without federal arts funding over the past two years: “It’s wonderful to stage this year’s exhibition for over 90 artists from around the world. That the artists return year after year is a testament to how important this exhibition is to them.”

Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2025 has been made possible through the support of its principal sponsor Aqualand, the NSW Government through Create NSW and Destination NSW, and countless donations from the Sydney community and a huge $200,000 from the NRMA.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time devotee, it’s worth braving the crowds to check out this year’s display. The event is totally free (though donations are welcomed) and open to the public until Monday, November 3.

Looking for somewhere special for lunch post-browse? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Bondi, or keep walking along the coastpath to Bronte for a very special meal at the (relatively) new neighbourhood fave, Table Manners. 

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RECOMMENDED: Check out the best exhibitions to see in Sydney this month.