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Often referred to as ‘God’s country’ by its residents, the Northern Beaches is a 30-kilometre strip of Sydney coastline stretching from Manly on the Harbour’s northern side up to Palm Beach.
There are more than 20 pristine beaches in between, but despite their exquisite beauty you’ll find them far less crowded than those closer to the city. And with a raft of other outdoor and indoor adventures on offer, it won’t take you long to fall for this heavenly corner of the Harbour City.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in the Northern Beaches.
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10 Top Things to Do in SYDNEY, Australia in 2024 | Ultimate Travel Guide & To-Do List
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1. Circumnavigate Narrabeen Lagoon
Narrabeen Lagoon (also known as Narrabeen Lake) is the largest coastal lagoon in the Northern Beaches and one of Sydney’s most beautiful natural environments. Walk, jog, or cycle the 8.4-kilometre trail that loops around this serene stretch of water and traverses diverse landscapes teeming with wildlife. You’ll also travel past sites of historical and cultural significance to the First People. The trail has no stairs and is perfect for people of all physical abilities.
If you’re up for a self-guided adventure on, rather than around the Lagoon, rent a stand-up paddle board or kayak from Pro Kayaks or a motorised dinghy and fishing gear from Narrabeen Boat Hire.
2. Step back in time at the Quarantine Station
Between 1832 and 1984, ships headed to Australia that were suspected of harbouring infectious diseases were diverted to the Quarantine Station at North Head, where passengers were confined until they were deemed healthy enough for release into the general population (or perished during their stay). This heritage-listed site has since morphed into a tourist attraction known as Q Station, which hosts various accommodation options, a conference centre, and a restaurant.
You can join a history tour to explore the meticulously preserved buildings and learn fascinating insights about the often-harsh realities of life for those early migrants. The site is reputed to be one of the nation’s most haunted, so the after-dark ghost tour is not for the faint-hearted!
3. Go on location at Palm Beach
Discover the home of Home and Away — one of Australia’s most loved and longest running drama series. Palm Beach is the real-life ‘Summer Bay’ featured in the TV show, and many scenes are shot on its golden sands, as well as at the local surf club and in nearby homes. Join a location tour for the chance to spot cast members and maybe even watch the cameras roll!
4. Learn to hang ten
Surfing is a way of life in the Northern Beaches, so you can’t visit and not attempt to get upright on a board! Beginners can learn to ride a longboard with professional instructors at surf schools in Manly, Freshwater, and Dee Why. Intermediate and advanced surfers may want to tackle the tougher breaks at Avalon Beach and Whale Beach.
5. Swim or snorkel in sheltered waters
If braving the waves isn’t your thing, try snorkelling in a protected cove instead. The usually calm waters of Shelly Beach — just a stone’s throw from big brother Manly Beach — are a haven for marine life. Alternatively, do laps in one of the lovely ocean pools at Dee Why, South Curl Curl, or Fairy Bower.
6. Take a hike
The Northern Beaches boasts multiple walking tracks of varying distances and difficulty, so lace up and leg it! The Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk is short but steep and offers panoramic views of Palm Beach (and whale-spotting opportunities in the spring months). Further south, the stunning Dee Why to Manly foreshore track takes about two hours to complete, but you can make a day of it by stopping at beaches en route (do take the brief detour to check out the Manly wormhole). There’s plenty of parking for drivers at the starting point.
Easier ambles include the newly upgraded Fairfax Walk at North Head (which showcases two different lookouts) and the popular Manly Beach to Shelly Beach path (only one kilometre each way), where you may spot eastern water dragons.
7. Sample local craft brews and spirits
Nothing beats a cold bevvy after a day in the surf and sun, and luckily, the Northern Beaches is a thriving hub for craft breweries and distilleries. Terrific taprooms include Bucketty’s Brewing Co (where the team grow their own hop vines in the Hunter Valley) and Nomad, which uses native ingredients like finger lime, lemon myrtle, and even salt water from Freshwater Beach in some of their beers!
Situated in the suburb of Brookvale, Manly Spirits Co make gins, vodkas, and whiskies that are inspired by the New South Wales coast and marine environment. Their Lilly Pilly Pink Gin is a must-try! Book a fun experience like a distillery tour, gin class, or cocktail masterclass!
8. Dine/dance by the water
There’s certainly no shortage of buzzy beachfront bars and eateries to check out in the Northern Beaches, and here are a couple of recommendation to get the ball rolling. The Collaroy is a bar-and-restaurant-in-one with spectacular views and salsa dancing on Friday nights. Iconic Hugo’s Manly offers delicious food and cocktails in an enviable location (right next to where the ferries pull up at Manly wharf), while The Newport is a day-to-night destination in itself. It features an alfresco ‘marketplace’ of food outlets (serving everything from pastries and pizzas to seafood platters), a sports bar, an upscale French restaurant, live entertainment, and sunset DJ sessions.
9. Shop ’til you drop
Warringah Mall, located in Brookvale, is the third largest shopping centre in New South Wales and a must-visit for retail fiends. With over 350 stores and a cinema complex, it’s easy to while away a day here watching the latest blockbuster movie or browsing in the bustling boutiques. There are even multiple kids’ play zones scattered throughout the centre to entertain little ones.
Worn out from all that window shopping? Flop into a striped deck chair in one of the sundrenched open-air sections and soak up the relaxed ambience so fitting of this Northern Beaches locale.
10. Scale new heights
Rock climbing (or sport climbing) was officially introduced as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo 2020 Games and continues to grow in popularity due to its social, physical, and mental benefits — as well as its inclusiveness (most people, regardless of age, size, or fitness level can participate). Give it a try at the Rockhouse — the go-to for indoor rock climbing in the Northern Beaches for over 20 years. It offers climbers 92 possible routes across 37 different walls.
This post was published thanks to Spacer.
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Cover image: Destination NSW. Additional images: Depositphotos, Bigstock, and Envato
About the writer
Cindy Bingley-Pullin is a Sydney-based freelance writer, wanderluster, corporate bee, and happy homemaker. In between analysing spreadsheets in the office, she pursues her combined passions of travel and writing. Cindy’s work has appeared in Virgin Australia’s Voyeur magazine, International Traveller, Fitness First magazine, and the Sydney Morning Herald.
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