Bondi might be the most photographed beach but there is a neighbouring spot making even bigger waves on social media right now. The normally rocky ledges of Mackenzies Bay have undergone a natural transformation this summer. This change is so striking that it has drawn attention from Tik-Tokkers and a safety warning was be issued from life guards.
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00:00 Whether you're peering down from Bondi or looking up from Bronte, it can be easy to
00:08 overlook the rocky stretch that lies in between.
00:12 But once in a while, when the tides and weather are just right, Mackenzie's Bay becomes a
00:17 picturesque beach.
00:20 It's infrequent, but it happens.
00:22 And when it does, it can be dangerous.
00:25 It isn't safe.
00:26 The access to the area is always rocky and slippy.
00:29 The pull of a pop-up beach has gone viral on social media, bringing an influx of inexperienced
00:35 swimmers.
00:36 Lifesavers have been forced to redirect their operations to the usually unpatrolled stretch.
00:41 It's very small and a lot of water comes in and that water coming in has to go out, so
00:45 there's really strong currents.
00:48 The beach only appears during fair weather, when waves gently push sand onto the shore.
00:54 Rough waves then strip it away.
00:57 For us beach nerds, Mackenzie's like this mythical beach that is like, "Oh, it's not
01:04 on this year."
01:05 Or, "Yes, look, it is on."
01:07 It's impossible to predict when these sand dumps will occur.
01:10 Locals say the largest was in 1997, when you could walk all the way over to Bondi.
01:15 During El Niño, we have fewer storms, we have less wave energy, and so there is a larger
01:22 opportunity for the waves to bring the sand gently onto the shore.
01:29 So if the weather changes, this temporary stretch of sand might not last long.
01:35 While it's here, lifeguards insist the best way to enjoy the view is from afar.
01:40 [BLANK_AUDIO]