Thousands of backpackers have flocked to Sydney’s beaches to celebrate Christmas as celebrations and smiles return to the location of a horror terror attack less than a fortnight ago.
Travellers dressed in red bikinis, board shorts and Santa hats usually descend in the thousands on Sydney’s Bronte beach for the annual non-sanctioned Christmas party, often leaving a trail of trash in their wake.
Last year, 15,000 were backpackers packed out Bronte “with anti-social behaviour, excessive noise and a mammoth mess frustrating local residents and sparking a lengthy and costly clean-up effort”, the local council said.
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WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: See the celebrations at Sydney beaches in the wake of the terror attack.
This year those backpackers heeded the warnings from the local council to stay away as big crowds were discouraged in the wake of the nearby Bondi terror attack left 15 people dead and 40 injured.
“Council undertook a comprehensive strategic communications campaign to reach those who might have been considering going to explain why it was not a good idea,” Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said.
“But our warnings were heard, and it was a peaceful day at Bronte. I am pleased we did not see a repeat of the chaotic scenes of 2024, and I am sure locals are relieved too.”
Backpackers at Coogee Beach for Christmas. Credit: Randwick Council
Council staff, contractors and police were on the ground at Bronte throughout the day and reported low and manageable crowd numbers.
“By dusk, the park was nice and clean, and the beach area looked as it does every other day of the year – beautiful and pristine,” the mayor said.
“Thank you to those who heard our request to not party at Bronte and listened. We are grateful.”
Instead, the backpacker population decided to gather at Coogee Beach where Waverley Council helped its neighbouring Randwick Council.
Masses of crowds were captured dancing at Coogee beach with a 7NEWS reporter swarmed by the rowdy bunch.
Photos later showed a trail of litter on the grass at the beach, with council staff called in for the clean up.
The litter after the Coogee Beach Christmas party. Credit: Randwick Council
“Council staff have commenced the cleanup of Coogee Beach after a large backpacker Christmas party,” Randwick City Council posted on Facebook.
“A big thank you to all our lifeguards, rangers and waste and cleansing staff for all your hard work under difficult circumstances on Christmas Day.”
Crowds also returned to Bondi Beach, the scene of the terror attack, to enjoy the sun and a barbecue as the popular location returns to life in the wake of the attack.
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