Palm Beach, 40 kilometers north of Sydney’s central business district, has a distinctive ambiance that makes it seem like a tiny tropical paradise. We’ve put up a comprehensive directory of things to do in Palm Beach, complete with lovely sightseeing locations and thrilling water sports.
1. Things to do in Palm Beach, Sydney
Mount Barrenjoey Lighthouse via a hike
One of Sydney’s top walks is the ascent to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse at the summit of the Barrenjoey Headland.
The Barrrenjoey Lighthouse walking circuit is an absolute must because it has coastal and bush walk features along with gorgeous panoramic views. It’s not the most difficult climb, but it is not the easiest.
At 113 meters above sea level, on the highest point of Barrenjoey Headland, the northernmost extremity of the Palm Beach Peninsula, lies the heritage-listed Barrenjoey Lighthouse, built in 1881.
The ascent up the hill is particularly rewarding because of the breathtaking views it offers of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the west, Broken Bay in the north, and the coastline north of Sydney in the east.
Visit the Bible Garden
Wait till you visit the Bible Garden on the southern side of the Palm Beach peninsula if you think the views from the Barrenjoey Lighthouse are impressive.
The Bible Garden, which is situated at 6a Mitchell Road (map), is a wonderful hidden gem that is frequently disregarded by visitors and day trippers to Palm Beach.
A series of grassy terraces that descend to a viewing platform that offers breathtaking views of the beach and the headland make up the tranquil and quiet Christian garden known as the Bible Garden.
The Friends of the Bible Garden, a local nonprofit organization, is in charge of running the garden, which is now owned by Pittwater Council.
Visit Clareville Beach and practice stand-up paddling
Just south of Palm Beach, there is a tranquil and isolated stretch of beach called Clareville Beach. The beach is the ideal starting point for a stand-up paddleboarding excursion over Pittwater because of its protected waters.
Tony Henry’s Avalon Stand Up Paddle, an accredited SUP school devoted to promoting this thrilling sport on the stunning Northern Beaches, is located on the beach. You can enroll in lessons, sign up for a daily paddle group, or rent a board and go it alone.
Want to purchase your own board? For a list of reviews of boards that are simple to transport, see our guide to the best inflatable stand-up paddleboards.
Take a Ferry to Resolute Beach
Resolute Beach, situated in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on the other side of Pittwater, is another must-see quiet beach adjacent to the Palm Beach peninsula.
Swimming at Resolute Beach is quite a special experience because of the Barrenjoey Headland as a backdrop, the gorgeous emerald green ocean, and frequently few tourists there. Make sure to take the very short hiking track leading north from Resolute Beach to the West Head overlook, one of the greatest in the greater Sydney area, if you’re there.
Take a Kayak Tour of Pittwater
Paddling around in a kayak is the ideal way to take in Pittwater’s and its environs’ natural beauty. You can embark on an official kayak tour with a guide, rent a kayak, or bring your own equipment.
For instance, Pittwater Kayak Experiences offers daily kayak tours that include swimming at uninhabited beaches and led bushwalking. You may enjoy the best of Pittwater and the Palm Beach peninsula on this thrilling adventure.
Travel to Ettalong by ferry
Why not take a ferry to Ettalong Beach on the Central Coast if you have a few days to spend in Palm Beach? Before reaching picturesque Ettalong Beach, this ferry journey navigates via the Barrenjoey Headland and over Broken Bay.
Ettalong is a great beach for swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddling because the water is typically calm and shallow. Recent improvements have added playgrounds, BBQ pits, and eateries with beach views to the Ettalong Beach frontage.
Dine in Style at Jonah’s
Contemporary Australian cuisine featuring some remarkable Australian and foreign ingredients is served at Jonah’s restaurant, which has a stunning view of Whale Beach. Their broad wine list features a wide selection of vintage wines from around the world, including Australia.
You would undoubtedly be in excellent company if you choose to eat at Jonah’s since, over the years, Jonah’s has welcomed a number of famous people from the worlds of entertainment, politics, business, and royalty.
For a fine-dining lunch, you may take a Sydney Seaplanes flight from Rose Bay to Jonah’s. The return flights, transportation to and from the restaurant, and a 3-course lunch are all included in this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Travel to Patonga by ferry
The ferry to Patonga on the Central Coast is another worthwhile ferry ride if you’re spending a few days in Palm Beach.
The “Merinda II,” a 50-foot-long timber passenger ferry that was constructed in 1983, is the boat that provides this service. The Merinda was initially employed for the Palm Beach–Bobbin Head ferry service.
Currently, there is a ferry service that travels between Palm Beach and Patonga, passing through West Head and Barrenjoey Head on its way to the Central Coast.
The Boathouse Group offers this service, which is available seven days a week, with three services on Monday through Thursday and six on Friday through Sunday. See their schedule for additional information.
Check out Whale Beach
Whale Beach, 600 meters long and faces Dolphin Bay just south of Palm Beach, is a gorgeous stretch of sand with a calm and invitingly secluded ambiance. Careel Head at the beach’s southern end and Little Head at its northern end are two extremely tall sandstone headlands surrounding Whale Beach.
A recognizable clubhouse with a BBQ deck, function room, gym, changing rooms, first aid room, and gear sheds is owned and operated by Whale Beach’s own life-saving surf organization, which was established in 1937.
Always swim between the flags because powerful rip currents on the beach can be rather dangerous at times.
Swim in Palm Beach Rockpool
The beach in Palm Beach has its own rock pool, just like many other beaches in Australia and New South Wales.
The 50-meter-long Palm Beach Rockpool is in excellent shape and has restrooms and change rooms accessible. It is nestled away in a quiet area on the eastern side of Palm Beach toward the southern end.
Visit Governor Phillip Park for a Picnic
Governor Phillip Park in Palm Beach is a very well-liked green space that tends to fill up rapidly on the weekends. It is located between the two strips of sand. Most tourists to Palm Beach also leave their cars here, and Park Road near the Barrenjoey Headland is lined with metered parking spaces.
Governor Phillip Park is a lovely green space with a number of playgrounds, picnic spots, and BBQ pits. Additionally, it offers simple access to both the eastern and western beaches on the Palm Beach Peninsula.
Visit Palm Beach and go surfing
Without engaging in a quality surf session, a trip to Palm Beach would be incomplete.
Excellent surf conditions may be found in Palm Beach, with expert surfers often congregating in North Palm Beach and novice surfers congregating in the southern, sheltered area.
The surf cam in Palm Beach, which features a live camera and a thorough forecast for the day, can be used to learn more about the current surf conditions there.
At the Palm Beach Golf Club, practice your swing
For the golf fans among us, there is one more activity on this list of things to do in Palm Beach. If you do occasionally play golf, a trip to the neighborhood Palm Beach Golf Club is a no-brainer because it has a stunning 9-hole course.
However, there is much more to the Palm Beach Golf Club than just golf. You can rent out a venue space for business gatherings, weddings, and informal dining, as well as for birthday parties and other celebrations.
2. Getting to Palm Beach
Bus
Although it can take a while, getting from Miami to Palm Beach by bus is rather simple. With numerous stops along the way, the L90 bus travels directly to Palm Beach from Wynyard in Sydney’s central business district.
Otherwise, you can easily get to Palm Beach by transferring to the B1 bus in Mona Vale. To assist in planning your vacation, consult the helpful NSW trip planner.
Even though it could be a lengthy trip, using an air-conditioned bus is incredibly comfortable. You might even be able to plan a quick snooze just for safety.
Car
Although the travel from Sydney to Palm Beach is fairly scenic, be aware that it is very congested on weekends. Driving to Palm Beach takes roughly an hour, but on a bright, sunny Saturday or Sunday, it can easily take 90 minutes or longer.
Also, take note that time limits and metered parking are the norms in and around Palm Beach. And on such crowded days, finding a parking space can be really difficult unless you get there early.
Beginning in Mona Vale, Barrenjoey Road enters Palm Beach without a detour, passing the ferry dock, the golf club, Governor Phillip Park, and the main beach. Governor Phillip Park has the most parking spaces available.
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