A UK tourist has been charged over a violent robbery at Bondi Beach less than 24 hours after arriving in Australia.

The 35-year-old man allegedly assaulted and threatened a 59-year-old man in the early hours of Saturday and continued to assault him as he attempted to run away, stealing his phone before a pedestrian alerted police.

The victim was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police arrested the younger man at the scene and later charged him with aggravated robbery involving wounding/grievous bodily harm and choking a person with the intent to commit an indictable offence.

The UK national was refused bail and is due to face Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.