Sydney's most northern, and arguably sleepiest, suburb is also one of its most exclusive, where Sydney's rich come to escape the spotlight and feel the sand between their toes. Situated on a narrow peninsula, Palm Beach is 40km from the centre of Sydney, with the Pacific on one side and the idyllic sailing haven of Pittwater on the other. Old money, new money, lots of money. While a small population lives here all year round, for most homeowners, it's all about the weekend. Come Christmas, most of those rich enough to own property here head overseas, renting out their homes to visitors with money to burn. How does AU$30,000 (€18,200) a week sound? If you've got any loose change, use it to join the members-only Cabbage Tree Club, right on the ocean. Think boat shoes, yachts, swimsuits and Amex Black Cards. Locals pop to nearby Avalon when the truffle oil runs out.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
It's all about the view. The higher up the hill your house is, the better. No infinity-edged pool? What a shame. |
| 02 |
You can't beat the surf and sand. |
| 03 |
Who's renting what house and when is all-important. |
| 04 |
The beach is made for running - pack your trainers. If you don't want to be photographed, pack a personal trainer and work out on your terrace. |
| 05 |
The surf is made for, well, surfing. Pack a surfboard. |
| 06 |
The Pacific is made for swimming in, but make sure you stay between the flags. |
| 07 |
You can walk everywhere, but the town is very hilly. And really, there's not much point having the Cayenne on the drive if you're not going to use it, is there? |
| 08 |
Take the seaplane to Sydney. |
| 09 |
Don't do as the locals. Make use of the beach. |
| 10 |
Do as the locals. Call in the caterers for your exclusive Saturday-night dinner party. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Jonah's
69 Bynya Road
+ 61 2 9974 5599
jonahs.com.au
Rental accomodation
Other than Jonah's, Palm Beach is all beach houses, B&Bs or rental apartments. Local agents can sort you out with somewhere to stay:
Ray White Prestige
+ 61 2 9974 2300
rwprestige.com.au
stayz.com.au/
accommodation/
nsw/sydney/palm-beach
03
Dining
Breakfast
Dunes
1193 Barrenjoey Road
+ 61 2 9974 3332
Mid-morning coffee
The Cooks Larder
Shop 1, 21-23 Old Barrenjoey Road
Avalon
+ 61 2 9973 4370
cookslarder.com
Lunch on your own
Palm Beach Art Café
1105 Barrenjoey Road
+ 61 2 9974 5724
Lunch with friends
Moby's Whale Beach
227 Whale Beach Road
+ 61 2 9974 2727
Picnic supplies
Palm Beach Wine Co
1109 Barrenjoey Road
+ 61 2 9974 4304
palmbeachwineco.com
Picnic spot
Hop on a ferry across Pittwater to Mackerel Beach.
Sunset drinks
Take a bottle of wine up to the lighthouse for magnificent views of Pittwater, Hawksbury River and Palm Beach
Dinner with friends
Barrenjoey House
108 Barrenjoey Road
+ 61 2 9974 4001
barrenjoeyhouse.com.au
Big dinner with friends
Jonah's
69 Bynya Road
+ 61 2 9974 5599
jonahs.com.au
Late drinks
Palm Beach Golf Club bar
2 Beach Road
+ 61 2 9974 4079
palmbeachgolf.com.au
On the tiles
Head into central Sydney to party.
04
Reading
Newsstand
Palm Beach Newsstand
22 Ocean Road
+ 61 2 9974 4048
Bookstore
Bookoccino
37a Old Barrenjoey Road
Avalon
+ 61 2 9973 1244
05
Basics
Palm Beach General Store
1118 Barrenjoey Road
+ 61 2 9974 1016
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Property by L.J. Hooker
1073 Barrenjoey Road
+ 61 2 9974 5999
ljhooker.com
Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Pitt Street Mall
Pitt Street, city centre
Something for the kids
Avalon Toy Shop
33 Old Barrenjoey Road
Avalon
+ 61 2 9918 9106
Something for someone you love
Homewares from Palm Beach Home
Shops 1 & 2, 1105 Barrenjoey Road
+ 61 2 9974 2117
palmbeachhome.com.au
Something for yourself
Bruce Gold Fabarics from Bow Wow
1093 Barrenjoey Road
+ 61 2 9974 1762
07
Two hour tour
| 01 |
See Aboriginal cave paintings at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. |
02 |
Take a healthy walk to visit Barrenjoey Lighthouse. |
03 |
Cross the bay to one of the central coast enclaves. |
08
Limousine/car
Silver Service taxis
+ 61 2 901 33100
silverservice.com.au
09
Transport
Bus
sydneybuses.info
Seaplane
Sydney Seaplanes
+ 61 2 9388 1978/1300 732 752
seaplanes.com.au
10
Fitness
Good running route
The length of the main beach or up to the lighthouse and back.
Bes swimming spot
That'll be the Pacific, then.