You drive north. Past the manicured lawns of Avalon and the winding bends of Whale Beach, the road eventually just... stops. This is Palm Beach New South Wales. Or "Palmy" if you’ve spent more than five minutes here. It sits at the very tip of a narrow peninsula, trapped between the wild Tasman Sea and the glassy, silent waters of Pittwater.
Honestly, most people come here for one of two things: a fictional soap opera or a very steep hill. But there is a weird, quiet magic to this place that has nothing to do with TV cameras.
The Barrenjoey Lighthouse Hike (And the Smuggler’s Secret)
If you don't climb to the lighthouse, did you even go to Palm Beach? Probably not. The Barrenjoey Lighthouse has been standing guard since 1881. It's built from local sandstone and looks like something out of a period drama.
You have two choices at the base. The Access Trail is the "I want to breathe while I walk" route. It's a winding, paved path that takes about 20-30 minutes. Then there’s the Smugglers Track. It's shorter, sure. But it’s basically a vertical staircase made of rocks. Customs officers used to use it in the 1800s to intercept smugglers bringing contraband into Broken Bay.
✨ Don't miss: Finding Buffets in Palm Springs CA: What Most People Get Wrong
Stand at the top. You get this famous "double-sided" view. To your left, the calm blue of Pittwater. To your right, the crashing surf of the Pacific.
Why Summer Bay Still Matters
Palm Beach New South Wales is world-famous as the filming location for Home and Away. Since 1988, this stretch of sand has been Summer Bay. You’ll see the North Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which doubles as the Summer Bay Surf Club.
- Pro tip: Filming usually happens Monday through Wednesday.
- The Diner: The Boathouse Palm Beach (recently rebranded/renovated) is the real-life version of the Pier Diner.
- The Bait Shop: You can still see the exterior of Alf’s Bait Shop.
It’s kinda surreal. One minute you’re looking for a parking spot, and the next, you’re walking past a film crew and someone who looks suspiciously like Alf Stewart. Even if you’ve never seen the show, the energy during filming is infectious.
The Two Sides of the Sand
Palm Beach isn't just one beach. It’s a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde situation. The ocean side—the "Palm Beach" side—is 2.3 kilometers of golden sand. The northern end is where the surfers hang out. The waves there can get pretty beefy.
If you have kids or just want a lazy float, head to the southern end. There’s a 35-meter ocean pool that’s protected from the swell.
👉 See also: Salamonie River State Forest: Why This Indiana Spot Beats the Better-Known Parks
Then there’s the Pittwater side. Station Beach and Snapperman Beach have almost no waves. It’s where people go to paddleboard, kayak, or just sit in the shallow water with a beer (discreetly, of course). The water is so still it’s basically a giant swimming pool.
Where to Eat Without Remortgaging Your House
Palm Beach has a reputation for being fancy. It's where Sydney’s billionaires have their "weekenders." But you don't have to be a CEO to eat here.
The Joey (formerly the Barrenjoey House) is the spot for a proper sit-down meal. It’s got that heritage vibe. If you want something more low-key, Dunes Palm Beach is tucked away in the trees near the dunes. It’s casual but still feels "Palmy."
For a quick coffee or a bacon and egg roll, Pronto Creative Foods on Barrenjoey Road is a local staple. No fuss. Just good food.
Getting There (The Long Way is Better)
Driving from the Sydney CBD takes about an hour, but on a sunny Saturday? Double it. Parking is the biggest nightmare in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s expensive and competitive.
📖 Related: Weather in Washington DC: What Most People Get Wrong
If you want a better experience, take the B-Line bus to Mona Vale and then the 199 to the end of the line. Or, for the actual "Main Character" experience, catch a seaplane from Rose Bay. It’s expensive, but landing on the water in Pittwater is something you won't forget.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Palm Beach is just a summer destination. It’s actually better in winter. Between May and November, the Barrenjoey Headland becomes one of the best whale-watching spots in the state. The crowds thin out. The air is crisp. You can actually find a park.
Also, don't ignore the ferries. The Palm Beach Ferry runs across to Ettalong or over to The Basin. The Basin is a massive lagoon in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park where wallabies just wander around the campsite. It's a 20-minute boat ride that feels like a trip to another planet.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Arrive before 8:00 AM. If you get there at 11:00 AM on a weekend, you will spend forty minutes circling for a park and your blood pressure will skyrocket.
- Check the tides. If you're planning to walk around the rocks to some of the hidden coves, high tide will trap you.
- Pack sneakers. Don't do the Lighthouse walk in flip-flops (thongs). The Smugglers Track is slippery and your ankles will thank you later.
- Bring a reusable bottle. There is a water refill station at the top of the Barrenjoey Lighthouse trail near the toilets.
- Download the EasyPark app. Most of the parking in Palm Beach is metered and the machines can be finicky.
- Visit the Bible Garden. It's a tiny, hidden park on a hill overlooking the beach. Most tourists walk right past it. It has the best sunset views in the suburb.