Perched above the ocean between Bronte and Clovelly, Waverley Cemetery is one of Sydney’s most recognisable landmarks — a heritage-listed burial ground known as much for its dramatic coastal views as its historical significance.
Established in 1877, the sprawling clifftop cemetery has become both a major tourist attraction and an important part of Sydney’s history, with more than 50,000 graves spread across 17 hectares overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
For many Clovelly locals, the cemetery is a familiar sight along the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, but visitors regularly travel from interstate and overseas to explore its Victorian and Edwardian monuments, family vaults and notable gravesites.
Weekly Tours Explore History and Famous Residents
Every Saturday morning, Waverley Council and volunteers from Friends of Waverley Cemetery run guided tours through the grounds from 9am to 10.30am.
The tours focus on different themes, allowing repeat visitors to experience different parts of the cemetery’s history across multiple visits.
Tour tickets are purchased online, with proceeds helping fund restoration and maintenance work across the cemetery grounds and memorials.
Visitors begin at the Cemetery Office Entry Porch off Trafalgar Street before setting out through winding pathways and cliffside sections overlooking Bronte and Clovelly beaches.
Built as Sydney’s Burial Needs Expanded
Waverley Cemetery was established after Sydney’s older burial grounds at Brickfield Hill — now the site of Central Station — began running out of space during the 19th century.
Waverley Council spent more than a decade acquiring land and developing the cemetery grounds, including roads, drainage systems and stonework, before the first burial took place in 1877.
That first interment was Ruth Allen, aged 85.
Today, the cemetery remains active, meaning funeral services and burials may still be taking place during public tours.
Prime Ministers, Sporting Heroes and Writers Buried There
The cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent Australians, including former NSW Governor Sir Roden Cutler, poet Henry Lawson, Olympic swimmer Fanny Durack and aviator Lawrence Hargrave.
Cricketer John Fingleton, who played during the infamous Bodyline era, is also buried there, alongside media figures, politicians, actors and business leaders from across Australia’s history.
More than 200 veterans from World War I and World War II are also buried within the cemetery grounds.
Many memorials feature elaborate carvings and statues, ranging from angels and Celtic crosses to more unusual Gothic-inspired monuments that continue to attract photographers and history enthusiasts.
Steep Paths and Ocean Views
Because the cemetery sits along a coastal ridge, much of the terrain is uneven and steep in places.
Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable footwear and bring water, particularly during warmer months, as tours involve significant walking across sloping pathways and stair sections.
For many visitors though, the combination of history, architecture and uninterrupted ocean views toward Clovelly and the wider eastern suburbs coastline makes the experience unlike any other cemetery in Australia.
Published 17-May-2026
