Guide to Palm Beach
Chill out in Palm Beach at the exclusive end of Sydney's Northern Beaches.
By Ellie Schneider
Palm Beach, or 'Palmy' as it's called by locals, lies at the end of a long peninsula, fringed by surf on one side and tranquil Pittwater on the other. Its golden sands and clear waters have inspired Sydney’s wealthy to build holiday houses on its leafy hills. But down on the ground, things still feel pretty modest when there's sand between your toes.
Don't miss
- Hike up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse
- Discover the area's beautiful beaches and parklands
- Eat at Sydney's most photogenic restaurants
How to get there
Palm Beach is 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of Sydney, a little over a one-hour drive from the city centre. Buses depart from Circular Quay and Central Station to Palm Beach via all of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. See their beauty from above on a 20-minute scenic flight with Sydney By Seaplane, which travels up the coast from the eastern suburb of Rose Bay.
Things to do and top attractions in Palm Beach
Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, Palm Beach, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Hike through forests, beaches and bays
Barrenjoey Head looms over the northern end of Palm Beach and is home to the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse and lightkeeper’s cottages. Take the easy 800-metre (0.5-mile) access trail to the top for panoramic views over Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Broken Bay and the Central Coast. In Palm Beach you can also try the Beach to Bay walk, which connects four reserves including Hordern Park, Wiltshire Park, McKay Reserve and Dark Gully Park. It's a pleasant walk with abundant native Australian animals and plants, including rare spotted gum trees. Avid walkers can also take the 100-kilometre (62-mile) trail from Barrenjoey to the Royal National Park in Sydney’s south along Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk.
The Boathouse, Palm Beach, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Dine at Palm Beach's best restaurants
Leave Sydney early to enjoy breakfast at the stunning Boathouse Palm Beach. Each weekend Sydneysiders make the pilgrimage up north to tuck into its delicious fare, served on the waterfront deck of the original Barrenjoey Boathouse. Views don’t get much better than this. The food is fresh and delicious, with fruit boards, green veggie bowls and croissant French toast. Nearby award-winning restaurant Jonah’s serves contemporary Australian cuisine with an Italian bent. The menu has a strong emphasis on seafood, complemented by a 1,500-strong wine list. Jonah’s also offers 11 well-appointed rooms should you want to stay the night.
Palm Beach, New South Wales © Destination NSW
See the sights of Home and Away
You may recognise Palm Beach as the set of iconic Australian television soap Home and Away. The Official Home and Away Tour is a great way to see the key sights of "Summer Bay", such as the Summer Bay Surf Club, Alf’s Bait Shop and the rock pool. Tours depart from Sydney and are run by an expert guide, who provides fans with interesting facts about the show. You may be lucky enough to see the soap being filmed. The tour takes the scenic route to Whale Beach, Avalon Beach and Bilgola Lookout, passing filming locations and breathtaking views along the coastline.
Kayaking, Palm Beach, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Get out on the water
Head to Go Ride a Wave, at the sheltered inlet at the north side of Currumbin Creek to rent paddleboards and kayaks, or to take a tour. Pull in to secluded beaches to enjoy a dip in its clear, turquoise waters. Or head over to The Basin, a popular camping spot offering a sheltered swimming lagoon, barbecue facilities and picnic tables. If you prefer the surf, Manly Surf School offers group and private lessons at the southern corner of Palm Beach. You can also join a whale watching cruise to see the majestic beauty of the humpback whales during their migration up and down Australia’s east coast. Whale watching season is May to November.
Pearl Beach, Ettalong, Central Coast, New South Wales © Nick Rains, Destination NSW
Ride the ferry to Ettalong
Take the historic ferry from Palm Beach to Ettalong, a pretty beach town on the New South Wales Central Coast. The ferry departs about every hour from Palm Beach Wharf and takes 25 minutes to reach Ettalong, passing between Barrenjoey Headland and Box Head. Once you've arrived, enjoy Ettalong’s sandy beaches and inland waterway, which are great for children. If you're visiting on the weekend, don’t miss Ettalong Markets, a grand undercover marketplace selling everything from fine jewellery to collectables, clothing and antiques. A number of picturesque holiday parks and hotels are dotted around the area.
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