The Bondi Tram. Ever heard of it? I hadn't until fairly recently. In spite of the image of old-fashioned public transport that may pop up in your mind, it's not actually referring to a means of public transport. At least, not in the strictest literal sense.
The surf lifesavers at Bondi work hard to ensure that us mere mortals have a safe swimming experience at Sydney's most visited beach. They put up the swimming flags and then they keep an eye on you. If you get sucked outside of the area, they will blow their whistles and ask you to move across. If you get into trouble, they will hurl themselves into the sea and swim, paddle or ride out to rescue you.
They patrol this beach because - althuogh beautiful - there are myriad dangers lurking beneath the surface of the water. Sharks are perhaps the romantically terrifying, but in fact what you should really be worrying about are the rip currents.
The most infamous of these is known locally as the 'Bondi Tram' (or the 'Bronte Express'). Accidently hop on the Bondi Tram and it will suck you out to open sea. Wave goodbye to Bondi , skip past petite Tamarama and, rumour has it, you will end up in neighbouring Bronte.
Which actually, now I think about it, sounds like a good way to avoid the parking nightmare around Bronte Beach.
