How do I get from Sydney to Palm Beach?

The most direct option is to take the L90 bus from the city, which travels the full length of the Northern Beaches to Palm Beach. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours from the CBD. By car, allow around 1.5 hours from the city centre via Pittwater Road, or up to 2 hours in peak-hour traffic. A popular option is to ferry to Manly first, then take connecting bus services north along the coast.

Is Palm Beach the filming location for Home and Away?

Yes. Palm Beach has been used as the primary filming location for the long-running Australian TV series Home and Away since the show began in 1988. The beach and surrounding area appear in the show as the fictional town of Summer Bay. The Palm Beach headland, surf club, and beach are all easily recognisable to fans of the show. Visitors regularly make the trip specifically to see the filming locations.

Which Northern Beaches are best for families with young children?

Dee Why Beach is one of the most family-friendly options on the Northern Beaches — it has a large lagoon, a rock pool for calm swimming, and is well patrolled. Narrabeen Beach also has a tidal lagoon and is well suited for families. Manly Beach offers full facilities and is patrolled year-round. All of these beaches have nearby cafes, playgrounds, and parking.

Can you swim at Narrabeen Lake?

Narrabeen Lake (officially Narrabeen Lagoon) is a 11 km² tidal lagoon and is a popular spot for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and cycling around the 8km lagoon path. It is calmer and more sheltered than the ocean beaches, making it a good choice for families and those wanting flat water. The lagoon connects to the sea and conditions are generally gentler than the open beach.

What is the Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk like?

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk is a 1.5km return trail that climbs the headland at the northern tip of Palm Beach. The walk takes around 30 to 45 minutes return and rewards you with sweeping views over Pittwater, Broken Bay, and the Central Coast to the north. The lighthouse was built in 1881 and is heritage listed. The trail surface is mostly gravel and sandstone steps — sturdy shoes are recommended. It is open year-round and is free to access.

When is the best time to visit the Northern Beaches?

October through April is the best period for swimming, with sea temperatures typically between 20–24°C. Summer (December–February) is peak season with the warmest weather and longest days, though beaches can be crowded on weekends. May through September is cooler but excellent for whale watching from the headlands as humpback whales migrate along the coast. Autumn (March–May) offers warm water, smaller crowds, and some of the best surf conditions of the year.

Sydney's Northern Beaches — 40km of Coastline

From the surf at Manly to the lighthouse at Palm Beach, Sydney's Northern Beaches string together more than 20 ocean beaches along one of Australia's most spectacular stretches of coastline.

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Coastline40km from Manly to Palm Beach

Beaches20+ ocean beaches

Whale WatchingMay–November migration

Family-FriendlyLagoons, rock pools & patrolled beaches

Palm Beach Sydney looking south along the peninsula towards Pittwater

Sydney's Northern Coast

Where Sydney's Coastline Runs Wild and Wild

North of Manly, Sydney's coastline abandons the city behind it and stretches 40 kilometres of headlands, bays, and open ocean beaches all the way to the sandbar at Barrenjoey. This is the Northern Beaches — more than 20 named ocean beaches strung together between Pittwater and the Pacific, backed by national park and bush reserve, and punctuated by villages that have the unhurried feel of a country town despite being less than an hour from the CBD.

Each beach along the way has its own personality. Freshwater is compact and historic — it was here in 1915 that Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku gave Australia its first surfing demonstration, effectively introducing a sport that would go on to define the country's identity. Dee Why is broad and family-friendly, sheltered by a large lagoon. Narrabeen is a surfers' beach beloved for its consistent break. Bilgola is tucked into a quiet valley, rock-pooled and unhurried. Newport and Avalon feel like country towns by the sea. And at the very end of the road, Palm Beach — used since 1988 as the filming location for the TV series Home and Away — delivers a two-sided experience: ocean surf on one side and the mirror-calm waters of Pittwater on the other.

Over 20 beaches: Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Collaroy, Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Newport, Avalon, Whale Beach, Palm Beach
Palm Beach: filming location for Home and Away (Summer Bay) since 1988
Freshwater: site of Australia's first surfing demonstration, 1915
Narrabeen Lake: 11 km² tidal lagoon for kayaking and paddleboarding
Barrenjoey Headland: 1.5km lighthouse walk with views to Broken Bay
Best swimming season: October–April; whale watching: May–November

Top Experiences

Things To Do on the Northern Beaches

Whether you are chasing surf at a legendary break, paddling a quiet lagoon, or hiking to a heritage lighthouse, the Northern Beaches offers a full season of outdoor adventures.

Palm Beach Sydney with the surf club and headland visible

Palm Beach Day Trip

At the northern tip of the Northern Beaches peninsula, Palm Beach rewards the journey with ocean surf on the eastern side and the glassy waters of Pittwater on the western shore. The beach has been used as the filming location for the Australian TV series Home and Away since 1988 — the surf club, headland, and beach are instantly recognisable to fans. Walk out to the rockpool at the southern end, take the ferry across Pittwater to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, or simply enjoy the café strip in relative peace, away from the city crowd.

Palm Beach Tours

Surfing at Freshwater

Freshwater Beach, directly north of Manly, holds a unique place in Australian surfing history: in 1915, Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku gave the first surfing demonstration ever seen in Australia on this very beach. Today Freshwater remains a popular surf spot with a consistent beach break suitable for learners and intermediates. Several surf schools operate in the area, and the beach has a beautiful ocean pool at its northern end that doubles as a scenic swimming option when the surf is up.

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Narrabeen Lagoon kayaking with blue sky and tree-lined shores

Narrabeen Lake Kayaking

Narrabeen Lagoon is an 11 km² tidal waterway set just behind Narrabeen Beach, sheltered from the ocean swell and ideal for calm-water activities. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing are all popular on the lagoon, and the flat 8-kilometre path that circles the water makes it a favourite cycling and walking route for locals. Kayak hire is available near the lagoon entrance. The combination of calm water, native bush surrounds, and easy access makes Narrabeen one of the most relaxed and family-friendly spots on the Northern Beaches.

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Barrenjoey Lighthouse on the headland above Palm Beach

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse trail climbs 1.5 kilometres return from the base of the headland at the northern tip of Palm Beach to a heritage sandstone lighthouse completed in 1881. The walk takes around 30 to 45 minutes return and rises steeply through eucalypt scrub on gravel and sandstone steps. At the summit, the views stretch in every direction: south along the full length of Palm Beach, west over Pittwater and the Hawkesbury, and north to Broken Bay and the Central Coast. On a clear day the panorama is extraordinary, and at sunrise the beach below glows gold with almost no one around.

Northern Beaches Walking Tours

Whale watching from a Northern Beaches headland

Whale Watching from Headlands

Between May and November each year, humpback whales migrate along the New South Wales coast and the Northern Beaches headlands provide some of Sydney's best free vantage points for spotting them. Barrenjoey Headland, Curl Curl Headland, Long Reef Point, and North Head at Manly are all excellent spots. For a closer encounter, dedicated whale watching cruises depart from the Northern Beaches and Sydney Harbour during peak migration months, with expert marine naturalists providing commentary on whale behaviour.

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Rock Pool Swimming

The Northern Beaches are studded with ocean rock pools that offer calm, safe swimming when the surf is too rough. Curl Curl has a large, well-maintained rock pool at the southern end of the beach. Freshwater has a beautiful ocean pool at its northern tip. Bilgola Beach — one of the quietest and most beautiful beaches on the coast, nestled in its own valley — has a sheltered rock pool that is ideal for families. Dee Why, Collaroy, and Newport also have pools. All are free to use and maintained by local councils.

Coastal Swimming Tours

Getting There

How to Get to the Northern Beaches

The Northern Beaches are accessible by bus from the city, or by ferry to Manly and then bus connection. A car gives you the most flexibility for exploring multiple beaches in a single day.

Bus from CBD

The B1 Express from the city goes to Manly. The L90 goes all the way to Palm Beach from the city and takes approximately 1.5 hours. Buses run regularly throughout the day and accept Opal cards and contactless payment. The B1 is faster to Manly (around 40 minutes), while local routes continue north to each beach in sequence.

Ferry to Manly then Bus

The classic way to start a Northern Beaches day is the 30-minute Manly Ferry from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay. From Manly Wharf, bus connections head north along the coast to Freshwater, Dee Why, Narrabeen, and beyond. This combination makes for a scenic and enjoyable start, and the ferry return to Circular Quay at the end of the day is a pleasure in itself.

Car via Pittwater Road

Driving gives the most flexibility to explore multiple beaches. Allow around 45 minutes from the CBD to Dee Why and 1.5 hours to Palm Beach. Add 30 minutes in peak hour, particularly on the Spit Bridge (B-Doubles prohibited). Pittwater Road runs the full length of the coast. Parking is available at most beaches, though it fills quickly on summer weekends — arrive early or use the bus on busy days.

Bike Hire at Manly

Bike hire is available at Manly and at several other points along the Northern Beaches. Cycling the coast path north from Manly through Freshwater, Curl Curl, and Dee Why is a popular and scenic option. The flat sections near Narrabeen Lake are particularly well suited to cycling, with the 8km lagoon path being traffic-free. Electric bike hire is available in Manly for those who want to cover more ground.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Sunrise

For a truly spectacular Northern Beaches experience with almost no crowds, drive to Palm Beach the evening before and stay overnight, then walk the Barrenjoey Lighthouse trail before dawn. The headland faces north and east, and at sunrise the light spills across the full length of Palm Beach below you, with Pittwater gleaming to the west and the Central Coast stretching away to the north. Arriving early also means you have the lighthouse, the views, and the beach completely to yourself — a rare thing anywhere on the Sydney coast in summer. The lighthouse itself dates from 1881 and the keeper's cottages beside it are heritage listed.

Plan Your Visit

Northern Beaches — Frequently Asked Questions

The most direct public transport option is the L90 bus from the city, which travels the full length of the Northern Beaches to Palm Beach and takes approximately 1.5 hours. By car, allow 1.5 hours from the CBD via Pittwater Road under normal conditions — or up to 2 hours in peak-hour traffic. A popular option is to take the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay Wharf 3 (30 minutes) then connect by bus from Manly northward, which is a more scenic start to the journey. Ferry services also run to Palm Beach from Circular Quay seasonally.

Yes. Palm Beach has been the primary filming location for the Australian TV series Home and Away since the show began in 1988. The beach, surf club, headland, and surrounding area appear in the show under the name Summer Bay. The Palm Beach surf club building is particularly recognisable to long-time viewers. Fans of the show regularly visit to see the locations in person. Filming typically takes place on weekdays, and it is not uncommon to see the production crew and equipment on the beach or headland.

Dee Why Beach is one of the most family-friendly options — it has a large sheltered lagoon ideal for small children, a well-maintained ocean rock pool, and is patrolled by surf lifesavers throughout the season. Narrabeen Beach also has a large tidal lagoon popular with families. Manly Beach offers full year-round patrolling and extensive facilities including cafes, playgrounds, and public amenities. Collaroy Beach is long, wide, and well-patrolled, making it another popular family destination. All of these beaches have nearby parking, cafes, and public facilities.

Yes — Narrabeen Lagoon (also called Narrabeen Lake) is a popular swimming, paddling, and watercraft destination. The 11 km² tidal lagoon is significantly calmer than the ocean beaches and is well suited to stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and swimming, particularly for families with young children. The water connects to the sea and quality is generally good. An 8km path circles the entire lagoon and is popular with walkers and cyclists. Kayak and paddleboard hire is available near the lagoon entrance at Narrabeen.

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse trail is a 1.5km return walk that climbs the headland at the northern tip of Palm Beach. The walk takes around 30 to 45 minutes return at a comfortable pace. The trail rises steeply in places over gravel and sandstone steps — sturdy footwear is recommended, though it is not technically difficult. At the summit, the views stretch south along the full length of Palm Beach, west over Pittwater, and north to Broken Bay and the Central Coast. The lighthouse was built in 1881 and is heritage listed. The walk is free, open year-round, and best done at sunrise or sunset for the most spectacular light.

October through April is ideal for swimming, with sea temperatures typically between 20 and 24°C and long sunny days. Summer (December to February) is peak season with the warmest weather, though ocean beaches can be crowded on weekends. Autumn (March to May) offers warm water, less crowded beaches, and often the best surf conditions of the year. May through November is excellent for whale watching from the headlands as humpback whales migrate north and south along the coast. Winter days are often clear and mild, perfect for the Barrenjoey walk or a coastal drive with fewer people around.

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