Bondi picture archive: Prince Charles and Rolling Stones hit the beach

These days a visit to Bondi involves hours in a queue for a Covid test. But back in simpler times future kings caught waves and Jagger and Richards ran riot. See the stunning photos.

Celebrities sunbaking next to families paddling in the shallows, the scene of historical events and our favourite source of salt water and sunshine – this is our Bondi.

We take a look back at the incredible moments in history which took place on our hallowed stretch of sand.

Prince Charles catches a wave at Bondi on November 5, 1977 during his Australian Tour. Photo: Barrie Stark.

That handsome young man on a surf board is none other than our future king, Prince Charles.

His Majesty couldn’t resist a surf, to the delight of locals, during his 1977 royal tour of Australia to commemorate his mother Queen Elizabeth’s silver jubilee.

Members of the Rolling Stones Mick Taylor, Nicky Hopkins, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Bill Wyman conduct press conference from an inside an old Bondi tram during their 1973 tour. Pic Milton Wordley.

The Prince was not the only famous face to visit Bondi during the ‘70s.

The Rolling Stones posed for a photo in one of the old Bondi trams on February 9, 1973 during a press conference to promote their Australian tour.

It’s believed the photo was likely taken in the Bondi Tram Disco at the Bondi Hotel.

Michael Hutchence and Jimmy Barnes at Bondi Pavilion in 1986. Pic Simon Bullard.

Bondi continued to be a magnet for celebrities throughout the ‘80s with the likes of INXS legend Michael Hutchence and Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes photographed at the iconic Bondi Pavilion, which is currently undergoing a significant restoration.

Beloved Aussie character Sir Les Patterson, played by comedian Barry Humphries, made an appearance at the beach in 1984 surrounded by a bevy of bikini clad beauties.

Waverley Council public domain officer Lawrie Williams said Bondi was a must visit destination for celebrities.

Photo of children "Frolicking In The Surf" on Bondi Beach, by Sam Hood, taken in 1932. General Historical New South Wales (NSW) / Beaches People / Children Photography

It could be a photo from today but was in fact Bondi Icebergs on 10 August 1946. Picture: NSW State Library

Bondi Icebergs from 1946. Picture: NSW State Library

“From about the 1920s onwards anyone who was famous would come to Bondi and that’s where they’d do their promo shot,” Mr Williams said.

“Bondi Beach was where you showcased yourself – it’s been a billboard for some time.

“The place grew in popularity exponentially. You had this beautiful golden crescent of a beach that was the place to come to and place to be seen.”

Barry Humphries, in character as Sir Les Patterson, with his assistants on Bondi Beach in 1984.

Actor Victoria Nicholls, rugby league legend Johnny Raper, cookbook writer Margaret Fulton, swimming legend Dawn Fraser, actors Norm Erskine and Pat McDonald, tuck into Sargents pies at Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club in 1989.

The beach has also long been a favoured backdrop for advertising campaigns with brands no doubt hoping some of the glamour would rub off on their products.

Mr Williams said the trend began early on.

“In 1930s if they launched a movie in one of the many cinemas they’d use a kite with the name of the movie and they’d fly it one of the north or south headlands,” he said.

As popular as Bondi has been with famous faces, there’s no doubt the connection generations of everyday Australians have with the beach is equally as powerful.

Campbell Parade in 1930s. Pic: Handout. New South Wales (NSW) / Streets / Roads Historical

An undated historical photo of the Bondi Pavilion. Note the number of cars parked along the front.

One of the oldest photographs on record proves our obsession with Bondi runs deep.

A rare image sourced from the State Library of NSW shows crowds flocking to the water in 1894 – at a time when Australia was still seven years from Federation.

Mr Williams said what was even more curious about the image was swimming was actually banned during daylight hours at the time.

Ocean Beach Tea Rooms with ‘crockery for hire’ c. 1910. Historic Photos of Waverley.

“Local lads started swimming down there unofficially in the 1880s but swimming during daylight hours of 8am to 8pm was banned until 1903,” he said.

“It wasn’t a good idea. People didn’t know how to swim back then and those after dark hours were the favourite feeding hours of sharks.”

Bondi Beach in 1894. Photo courtesy of Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW.

The oldest known photograph of surf life savers at Bondi. Lyster Ormsby is seen in the back row far left.

Black Sunday February 6, 1938.

With swimmers coming to the beach in large numbers, it wasn’t long before Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club stepped up to the plate in 1907 and began patrolling the beach.

Mr Williams confirmed the early photo of Bondi Surf Bathers lifesavers featured a number of foundation members including Lyster Ormsby.

“He is famous not just for being a foundation member of the club but he was also instrumental in the invention of the surf lifesaving reel which you can see to the right,” Mr Williams said.

The reel and the lifesavers would face their greatest test on Black Sunday – February 6, 1938.

Three freak waves caused mass hysteria washing scores of swimmers out to sea.

Five men died, 20 were resuscitated and three hundred were rescued by members of North Bondi and Bondi Surf Bathers clubs.

“It was unparalleled in terms of the number of people drowning in one day on a beach,” Mr Williams said.

“ The number of people being rescued was incredible – there were lots and lots of heroics on that day.”

Guido’s Famous Gelato

In preparing for the reopening of the iconic pavilion following its restoration, Waverley council is asking for submission for the Bondi Story Room initiative which will celebrate the rich history and culture of the area.

Among the stories featured will be that of Guido and Giani Pellicciari who operated four Italian eateries at the beach including the first cafe in Australia to sell authentic gelato.

To learn more about the Bondi Story Room or make a submission visit HERE