This used to be my playground...and in my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I used to stay here for a total of 6 years during my university days...that's right, right in front of the beach. Contrary to the popular misconception that Bronte Beach was named after the Brontë sisters, or Bronte House, Bronte Beach was in fact named after the British military figure Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, Duke of Bronté. Horatio Nelson was awarded the title of the Duke of Bronte from the King of Naples in 1799 and from that time signed his name as "Nelson and Bronte". Originally Bronte Beach was known as Nelson Bay and continues as the name of the bay fronting the beach. There are other references to Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, Duke of Bronte in the area, specifically the naming of Trafalgar Street, Nelson Avenue and Bronte Road. In 1957 the name Bronte for the suburb was first used in advertisements for the sale of land known as the Bronte Estate. The beach is just one minute away from the house I live in. Everyday, I catch the bus to work from the bus stop at the beach. I'd take a short walk at the beach almost daily, just to look and listen to the waves. Every weekend, we'd take the dogs for a walk all the way to nearby Bondi Beach and back. The little dog had short legs and would be too tired to walk back so I had to carry her all the way back, but it's alright cos she's like a big heavy soft toy. I never swam in the pool because I found the water a bit too cold. The most beautiful part of the beach is the Bronte Rock Pool (Bronte Baths). The pool is big enough for those advanced swimmers to practise their lengths, yet shallow enough at points for families to take their youngsters. Bronte Rock Pools is always open to the public with no set times, including the shower and toilet facilities nearby, although if the waves become too dangerous, then the ocean pool can be temporarily closed. The place is a haven for photographers because the strong large waves form beautiful white patterns as they hit the rocks. Maybe I should consider doing some more aerial photography about some of Australia's costal areas. Maybe, I should move back here sometime...