The shoreline at Palm Beach, New South Wales.
Where Millionaires and Surfers Enjoy The Waves
Palm Beach is known as the jewel in the crown for the Northern Beaches, frequented by celebrities and the wealthy, usually for extended stays rather than a day visit.
The more humble may visit as long a you don’t gawk too much at the likes of Nicole Kidman, who has spent Christmas holidays there with her Australian family. Overseas celebrities often stay with rich Australian friends who live in the grand houses looking over the beach.
Palm Beach is seen regularly on television in Australia and the United Kingdom as the popular soapie Home and Away is filmed there. In other words, Palm Beach is Summer Bay.
But, for all its glittering image of Palm Beach, it is still a popular spot for ordinary folk. For the outstanding feature of Australians are their egalitarian nature. The famous and rich often rub shoulders with the mums and dads of suburbia in the level playing field of the great outdoors.
Palm Beach is on a peninsula – the Pacific Ocean on the east side and on the west, 11 kms of inland waterways known as the Pittwater, and the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
The Palm Beach peninsula flattens into a long, sandy sandbar that connects the mainland to the spectacular Barrenjoey lighthouse.
There are grassed areas, perfect for picnicking as many day visitors bring their own food and drink, especially if they have children.
But swimming and picknicking are not the only attractions of Palm Beach for this is one seaside retreat where you can experience it all – from learning to surf, scuba diving through to taking flight in a sea plane. You can hire a boat, go wind surfing or kayaking. Even people preferring the golf course to the water have an ideal option – the Palm Beach Golf Club.
Here is a selection of services to give you the full ”Palmy” experience.
Atlantis Divers: 9974 4261
Barrenjoey Boating Services: 9974 4229
Palm Beach Water Sports: 0408862000
Palm Beach Seaplanes: 1300656787
Palm Beach Surf School: 99706300
Kayak and Dive Adventures: 99184428
There is a variety of restaurants but they tend to be pricey, although it is a particular treat for suburbanites who want an experience outside the norm.
Many of these restaurants, as you would expect, have wonderful water views, either over the sea or the calmer waters of Pittwater.
The most well-known of the restaurants are Jonahs, in Bynya Rd, telephone 9974 5599 and La Palma, in Barrenjoey Rd, telephone 9974 4001.
You will find a variety of restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes, not far from each other, and there is a smattering of smart shops selling arts and crafts, clothing and souvenirs but this is not the best place to shop in Sydney – there are too many other wonderful distractions.
There is not much accommodation at Palm Beach but a couple of options are:
Barrenjoey House: 9974 4001
Jonahs: 9974 5599
Bed and breakfast: 9974 1608
There are some apartments and houses let during the holiday season but these are expensive, unless you share with a few friends. Pop into a local real estate agent for listings.
Picture Credit: Image via Wikipedia.
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