Sculpture by the Sea 2025 highlights: The most impressive works so far

Sculpture by the Sea kicks off for yet another year on Friday, October 17.
Sydney Travel Guide went down to Bondi earlier this morning to see the sculptures that have been propped up so far.
Our favourites include a dolphin toaster, an artistic clown, and a giant lizard overlooking the sea.

The past few weeks must not have been easy for Sculpture by the Sea founder David Handley, who almost had to cancel his world-famous sculpture soiree due to a lack of funding.

As recently as the last week of September, it was estimated that the world’s largest, and most picturesque, free outdoor sculpture exhibition was short $200,000 in funding. Handley had just two weeks to make up the federal funding shortfall.

Fortuitously, and perhaps as a testament to how beloved the exhibition has become, Sculpture by the Sea was saved at the very last minute, raking in funds from NRMA Insurance and several private donors.

That’s one problem solved. But, as always, weather woes always seem to come and force change at Sculpture by the Sea one way or another.

sculpturebythesea net — *I’m not sure if this is a sculpture, or one waiting to be revealed (photo: Chris Singh).*

Due to a rather atrocious winter, wild winds, rockslides and mud have reshaped the famous Bondi to Tamarama walk to the point where a sizeable section of the route, the Bondi Beach side of Marks Park, is closed off.

This has forced Sculpture by the Sea to think a bit differently this year. The event has always been marred by weather, most famously in 2016 when waves of up to 13 feet high slammed Sydney’s coastline, destroying one sculpture and damaging four others. So Handley and his crew are, of course, used to this.

After visiting briefly today and watching organisers set-up for launch time tomorrow, Friday, October 17, it seems to be that the Tamarama side is going to have the lion’s share of sculptures this year. Bondi Beach is the more accessible of the two so anyone wanted to avoid pesky bottlenecks and traffic jams will likely have to walk a bit more to earn their art-viewing this year. Some staff told me the best route to take, at least for now, would be to first walk from Bondi to Tamarama without stopping to see the sculptures, and then doubling back.

Of course, you could always just start at Tamamrama Beach. Thankfully, the popular 333 bus route that heads of Bondi Beach from the city also stops by Tamarama. In addition, there’s a loop service between Bondi Junction and Tamarama Beach (route 381).

Okay, show me the sculptures already

The placards weren’t yet out on my visit down this morning, but several of the most colourful and surprising artworks have already been erected. The others were being installed, some were even enjoying a last lick of paint before the exhibition opens tomorrow.

There’s nothing like last year’s social media-baiting Sharnana, Drew McDonald’s wonderfully odd depiction of a shark bursting out of a banana, spectacularly set to a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. But there is a bandaged man in a yellow suit with a thick paintbrush in his hand and a part hat that has the word “idiot” written on it.

There’s also a pair of dolphins amusingly leaping out of a shiny red toaster, obviously meant as a dupe for a Smeg. Unsurprisingly, it’s by Drew McDonald, who’ll likely find his work plastered all over social media for the next 18 days. You can’t miss it—it’s right at the head of Marks Park.

Below you’ll find some of the sculptures that have been propped up so far, with more expected to be ready by tomorrow for the official opening event. As you’ll see, it’s very much more of the same from Sculpture by the Sea.

But that’s by no means a bad thing. Having these big, beautiful things set against the staggering beauty of the Bondi to Tamarama walk is always going to be worth the trek, and the crowds. I liken it to catching the Manly ferry whenever I’m feeling cynical about Sydney, a stark reminder that this really is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and we are more than lucky to live in such a safe, nurtured city that’s constantly blessed by nature.

What is the best route to take at Sculpture by the Sea this year?

As mentioned above, you’ll have to work around significant weather damage this year. This means most of the works will be located towards Tamarama, rather than spread out neatly across both sides of Marks Park. The best route to take would be to start from Tamarama and

You should check the online map before deciding on the best Sculpture by the Sea starting point for you. The blue line indicates the best route to take for families, beginning at the entrance of Marks Lane and scribbling through Marks Park before circling back and heading up Fletcher Street and onto Sandridge Street.

Yes. Streets. The red line indicates where the Sculpture walk will be closed this year (due to said rock fall), while the purple line indicates the best overall route for those who want to see every single sculpture. Note that you’ll need a sufficient level of fitness for this route as there are steep stairs at some points towards the Tamarama side.

The online map for Sculpture by the Sea this year indicates two different routes, easy and moderate, with only the moderate one trailing past the full exhibition (photo: Sculpture by the Sea).

The online map also indicates that most of the sculptures work will be shifted towards Tamarama this year, trailing the coastal walk as per usual, while the Bondi side moves further inland for the sake of safety. This unfortunately means that the brunt of the Tamarama side will likely be rammed with foot traffic throughout the two weeks, meaning it’s even more important to time you visit to Sculpture by the Sea strategically.

Also, don’t forget the Sculpture Inside gallery that pops up each year in Marks Park, showcasing even more artists with a preference towards smaller pieces. You’ll also find accessible toilets in the covered pavilion, nearby the usual coffee-and-pastry pop-up from Wholgreen Bakery.

How to get to Sculpture by the Sea

First and foremost, opt for public transport. If you’re coming from the city, catch the 333 bus or the 380 bus from Circular Quay, Martin Place or Town Hall. Alternatively, you can catch the T4 Eastern Suburbs train to Bondi Junction and catch a direct bus from there to the beach.

Event organisers suggest you leave the car at home, given parking in Bondi is limited and it’ll be difficult to find a parking spot in the area. There will be special event clearway parking restrictions in place along Bondi Rd to facilitate extra bus services as well. Conclusion: public transport is the only way to go. That said, you should prebook parking on side streets via Waverley Council if you absolutely must drive.

What is the best time to go to Sculpture by the Sea?

The best time to visit Sculpture by the Sea to avoid crowds is on a weekday either in the early morning. Sunrise is not as busy as sunset, so you’ll want to wake up early if you really want to avoid the crowds and enjoy your happy snaps with less people milling about the sculptures (with absolutely no situational awareness at all).

Consider arriving slightly before or after peak hours (11am – 3pm). A lot of people will hang around for golden hour during sunrise, but at least the crowds won’t be as thick with a clash of tourists and locals.

Sculpture by the Sea Audio Tours

The sculptures may look pretty set against various perspectives of the ocean, but you won’t be making the most of your visit to Sculpture by the Sea if you don’t actually know what you’re looking at. Make sure you download the free Sculpture by the Sea app before your visit. It’ll help you plan with easier navigation while also using location tracking to teach you about each and every sculpture on display.