Bondi Road was once serviced by electric trams. From 1902 to 1960, services to Bondi, Bondi Beach and North Bondi ran via Bondi Road or Bellevue Hill. Services from the CBD commenced at Circular Quay or Railway Square. From Oxford St, the line travelled through to Bondi Junction, where it joined Bondi Road. On the descent to Bondi Beach, trams entered Campbell Parade via an under pass at a point where Bondi Road was too steep, first by turning right into Denham Street, then left into Fletcher Street and Rowland Avenue, where the under pass was once located. A feature of this line was the large three-track terminus cut into a hillside at North Bondi, which opened in 1946. The under pass and cutting have now been filled in; part of it is now public reserve and apartments. The tunnel entrance is still visible at this location.
In the first two hundred metres from Oxford Street, there are several examples of the Federation cottage. This was the Australian version of the Queen Anne architectural style, and was the most popular housing style in Australia between 1900 and 1910.
Terraced homes
On the north side of the road there is a strip of terraced houses in the Victorian style, with characteristic wrought iron balconies. This contrasted with the woodwork that was preferred in the Federation era.
Waverley Council Chambers
On the south side of Bondi Road are the Waverley Council Chambers, the headquarters of the Waverley Municipality. The present building incorporates the earlier building designed in the Federation Free Classical style. The first chambers—a smaller building in Gothic Revival style—were demolished.
Immediately behind the Council Chambers is Waverley Park, which includes a war memorial, play area, tennis courts and oval. The war memorial commemorates the men and women of the Waverley area who served in World War Two. It was dedicated on Anzac Sunday, 1956.
This building is situated on the north side of the road and was built in 1914. Run by Waverley Council, it functions as a community centre and is also used by the Waverley Woollahra Arts School. It is an example of Victorian influence in architecture and has a state heritage listing.
Shopping Strip
East of Bennett Street is a shopping strip that includes older shops and dwellings in a mixture of Federation and Victorian styles, plus conspicuous influence of the Arts and Crafts style. There is also a group of three Federation cottages.
Post Office
On the corner of Bondi Road and Ocean Street is the post office, which dates back to circa 1907. The building was constructed in the Arts and Crafts style that was popular in the Federation period and has a state heritage listing.
St Patrick's Catholic Church
Located on the corner of Bondi Road and Wellington Street, this church was built in 1929-30. The site was originally occupied by a cottage that was used by Sisters of St Joseph from 1896. Later, a new convent, church and school were built on adjoining land. The church is heritage-listed.
Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel is located on the corner of Bondi Road and Denham Street. It was built in 1901-02. In February 1907, the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club was formed at a meeting in this hotel, making it the oldest surf life-saving club in the world.
