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Bondi Beach comes to London's South Bank
Bo Wilson and Terry Kirby24 Jun 2009
The surf may be non-existent and there aren't many sharks in the River Thames but the sand passed the toe-test.
Bondi Beach and the south bank of the Thames may be a long way apart but just for today a taste of the sun-soaked Australian coast, complete with surfboards, is in London as part of a week-long promotion of Australia.
Tori Walker, 29, had the chance to wiggle her toes in the warm sand - actually transported from Kent, rather than imported from Down Under - to recapture her holiday in Australia.
Gallery: Bondi Beach in London
Ms Walker, a desk assistant at Goldman Sachs, said: "I can't say it's actually like Bondi Beach here but certainly the sand seems very very nice.
"I had lovely holidays in Australia so it was nice to be reminded of it. I might come back later on in my lunch hour."
The beach is on the South Bank observation point, Queen's Walk, for the rest of the day.
It comprises 80 tonnes of pristine white sand which will be re-cycled back to its Kentish quarry tomorrow.
It has been brought to London by the New South Wales government as part of the week-long cultural event G'Day UK , and surfing clothes brand Hot Tuna.
G'Day's chairman Phil Aiken said: "What better way to say 'G'Day UK' than to build a beautiful Aussie beach in the heart of London."
Reader views (9)
R, Minto - so answer the question - if Australia is so great why are you and thousands of your fellow Australians all living in the UK if it is so terrible?
- Andrew, St. John's Wood, London, 25/06/2009 17:23
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Believe me - this aint nothing like the real thing...BUT as an Brit living in Oz this does looks amazing! A great idea....maybe we could turn Bondi beach into South Bank for a day....hmmm maybe not!
- Martin Ashton, Bondi Beach, Australia, 25/06/2009 07:39
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what a fantastic fun time i had with the children i childmind
wonderful display, great props you made our day
- Sarah Chandley, LONDON, 24/06/2009 15:50
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R Minto if what you say is true, what are you doing in London?
- Alan, Brazil, 24/06/2009 15:47
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OH MY GOD IT WAS AMAZING! JUST WHAT US OVERWORKED CITIZENS NEEDED!!
- D, UK, 24/06/2009 14:22
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Please don't insult Australia.....it doesn't need any promotion.....Paradise to holiday, Pardise to raise a family and Paradise for work !!!
- R.Minto, London, 24/06/2009 13:01
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It cheered me up to see a sunny piece of Aussie beach life in London today. I'm saving my pennies for my next trip - something to look forward to!
- L, London, 24/06/2009 12:31
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What a great idea.... shame I have only just found out about it and its only for 1 day... can't you stretch to 2 days ?
- Val, london, 24/06/2009 12:13
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It's hardly Bondi!! But of all the beaches in Australia, Bondi is the least attractive. Anyway, we don't NEED Australia promoting to us... OF COURSE we'd all rather be there, we just can't afford it at the mo / can't escape. What are they tryna do, give us all even worse depression?
- Real, London, 24/06/2009 10:57
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