Waverley

Waverley is one of NSW's top-performing councils, ranking =1st of 128 and strongest on community services.

"Bondi and beyond — Sydney's most iconic beachside municipality"

See where Waverley ranks: Best Councils in New South Wales 2026

New South Wales · metro council · Pop. 72,857

Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high

Overall Score

74 out of 100

#1 of 34 metro councils in NSW

#1 in New South Wales

Score Breakdown

CategoryScore
Sustainability66/100
Community Services93/100
Lifestyle & Amenity67/100
Core Operations72/100

What This Means For You

Among metropolitan councils, Waverley performs strongest in Community Services (scoring 93 out of 100 against peers). Performance in Sustainability is moderate, scoring 66 out of 100 against peers.

What Makes This Place Unique

Bondi and beyond — Sydney's most iconic beachside municipality

Waverley covers Bondi Beach, Bronte, Tamarama, and the surrounding eastern suburbs clifftop communities. Bondi is globally famous, but the quieter beaches and cliff walks between them are the real treasure.

Known For

  • Bondi Beach — Australia's most famous beach
  • Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
  • Bronte Beach and its ocean pool
  • Bondi Markets and vibrant café culture

Living Here

Waverley offers a unique blend of beach culture and inner-city proximity. It's expensive, parking is painful, and Bondi gets crowded — but the coastal lifestyle is genuinely world-class.

Hidden Gem

Tamarama Beach — locals call it 'Glamarama' — a tiny, beautiful cove between Bondi and Bronte that's far less crowded.