Palm Beach
Dolphins swimming at Palm Beach
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is one of the most beautiful parts of Sydney, made famous as the setting for the long-running TV show Home and Away. The narrow peninsular is surrounded by water on three sides: Pittwater, the Pacific Ocean and Broken Bay, making it perfect for surfing, swimming, sailing and lots more.
Highlights
Things to do
'Palmy', as the locals affectionately call it, is a perfect place to spend the day at the beach. Surfers will enjoy the waves at the northern end of the beach while the southern end offers a protected area for swimming in the ocean pool and pretty picnic spots under the pine trees.
Surfing, Palm Beach
Palm Beach curves 2.3km, from Little Head to Barrenjoey Head, Sydney’s northernmost seaside point. Follow the trail to heritage-listed Barrenjoey Lighthouse which boasts splendid views of the coast, Pittwater and Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park. You can get there via the Palm Beach ferry, which lands at the Basin campground or head to Ettalong on the Central Coast via Broken Bay at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, Palm Beach
Explore everything Palmy has to offer with a tour. Go kayaking with Pittwater Kayak Tours, sailing with Taylor Made Escapes, join a nature tour with EcoTreasures or discover the highlights of the Northern Beaches in one jam-packed day with Go Beyond Tours. Visit the locations where Home & Away is filmed with Celebtime, play a nine-hole game at Palm Beach Golf Course or shop the monthly Palm Beach Market.
Kayaking, Pittwater
Eat & drink
When you're surrounded by this much water, it makes sense to order seafood. The fish 'n chips at the original Boathouse Palm Beach is legendary (you can currently get your fill at the pop-up CASA by The Boathouse while the existing venue undergoes a makeover), Barrenjoey House is a slightly more upmarket affair and if you want to go on full-on fine dining, head up to nearby Whale Beach to eat at the acclaimed Jonah’s.
Barrenjoey House, Palm Beach
Getting there & where to stay
Palm Beach may look far on the map, but it's only 90 minutes by public transport from the city centre. If you want to slice that time to about 20 minutes, take a sea plane from Rose Bay. If you feel like making a weekend of it, there is a delightful range of boutique beachside accommodations, from the luxurious floating villa Lilypad to yacht stays on the water.
Lilypad Palm Beach - Credit: Ian Davidson, The Lilypad Group Pty Ltd
