Bondi's winter magic: the sand has turned to ice

In Bondi, winter arrives with southerly currents that bring the humpback whales’ migration to the horizon. Only wetsuit-clad surfers and all-season swimmers from the Bondi Icebergs join whales in the water.

This winter has brought magic: the sands have become ice.

Real magic? Of course not.

Co-founder of the Australian winter festival, Martin Kratky, explains: “We completely leveled the sand and erected a wooden platform as a foundation. On top, we used a number of aluminum pipes that have glycol (a cooling liquid). Then we fill it with water and it freezes.”

Aha. So that’s how a 900-meter-square ice rink has sprung up on the southern end of the beach in the traditional territory of surfing gangs.

Bondi Beach has become a European-style village, equipped with an Alpine Bar and igloo-like canteens selling pancakes and waffles. Kids ice skate by day and adults disco by night.

It's part of a Winter Magic Festival aimed at bringing people to the beach in winter.

“I only come to the beach about once a year,” says Dino Krizman, 41. “I’m not much of a surfer so the ice rink is a good reason to come here.”

But for Tiarne Casey, 14, the scenery doesn’t quite make up for the surface. “It’s not that good,” she says. “It’s watery and slippery. I fell over once and now I’m very wet.”

Sydneysiders will have more of the same soon, with Cathedral Square in Hyde Park ready to take the ice rink mantle on July 28, after the beach-rink closes down.

Ice skating on Bondi Beach

The ice rink is open on Bondi Beach from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. until July 17. Entry to the area is free but ice-skating costs AU$20 for adults and AU$15 for kids for a 45-minute session. Ice skate rental is AU$7. Ice skating shows are staged regularly while ice skating pro sessions are on Friday and Saturday at 7:50 p.m. and Sunday at 6:50 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.winterfestival.com.au/bondi