Sculpture by the Sea is making a comeback from October 17 – November 3, 2025.
This will be the 27th year for the two-week festival, pitched as a the largest free outdoor sculpture exhibition in the world.
A rock fall on the Bondi side of the coastal walk may mean that the route is very different this year.

Sculpture by the Sea is one of Sydney’s premier springtime activities, turning the iconic Bondi to Tamarama cliff walk into a string of site-specific art installations. It’s one of the world’s most unique and picturesque outdoor galleries, bringing together art from around the world and representing dozens of countries. In 2025, the world’s largest free outdoor sculpture exhibition will run from Friday, October 17 to Monday, November 3.

The 2km long sculpture walk will feature around 100 works by artists from across the world, all postured against one of Sydney’s prettiest pockets for a fusion of art and nature that’s only propped up for two weeks each year. And while we won’t know what specific artworks Sculpture by the Sea has wrangled for its 27th annual edition, we do know enough about current conditions to put together guide so you can pre-plan your visit.

Sculpture by the Sea has kicked off for another year — *Last year’s Sharknana was a hit for Sculpture by the Sea (photo: Chris Singh).*

The best Sculpture by the Sea route

Issues in the past almost always revolve around how the cliffs have been shaped by weather conditions in the month’s prior. Earlier this year, the coastal walk suffered from a rock fall which may have slightly changed the Sculpture by the Walk route, so it’s safe to expect one or two reroutes this year. You can find the recommended route on the Sculpture by the Sea website.

Pre-planning your route is important for Sculpture by the Sea because the crowds can be thick, the weather can be sweaty, and the prams can be plentiful. You want your walk to be enjoyable, not feel like a New Yorker trying to dodge the crowds at Times Square while the sun scorches down on you.

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 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.

sculpturebythesea buddha — *Sculpture by the Sea has an interesting back catalogue of sculptures (photo supplied).*

How to do 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.

As to what sculptures are on display this year, you’ll have to wait for more information to be released in the coming weeks. Sydney Travel Guide will be updating this piece when more is known.