Rough Guide to the Northern Beaches - NSW Australia.

Where is it

Northern Beaches consists of 15 suburbs, all surprisingly on the beach and North of Sydney.

Closest to the City is Manly ( 10 kms )  and furthest  Palm Beach ( 40kms) 

Transport

From the City to Manly is easily best by ferry ( 30 mins) or Jet Cat ( 15 mins) . Word of caution, not that reliable apart from in peak hour but 1 hell of a way to travel back and forth. Best appreciated going from Manly to the City before sunset as the Opera House and Bridge look awesome as you approach them and your vessel drops you off literally in between both icons at Circular Quay. 1 other word of major major caution is the ferry's stop, people get off and they go back again. No-one checks if you are inebriated and do not get off. The current record is 6 trips.   

From the City to Palm Beach.

Plenty of buses leave from Wynyard from the L70 up to the L90. The latter is the Paris Hilton, goes all the way every time.
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Attractions

Manly

Full of tourists and backpackers but has some great bars and restaurants. The wharf bar as you get off the ferry is a good start or end to your visit. Expensive but you can sit and watch your next ferry arrive, and normally leave without you as you guzzle 1 more for the ocean. There is an aquarium where you can swim with the sharks and an ocean beach where daily surf lessons take place.
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The main drag from the ferry landing to the ocean beach is called the Corso,home to all the bars and restaurants. As well as the wharf bar there is a Bavarian beer café at the wharf . Expensive but has beers from all over Europe and served in huge glasses. Avoid peak times at weekends if possible as gets very busy. Up the Corso you have The Ivanhoe which again is a bit pricey but 4 levels of different types of bar and a good atmosphere. At the far end facing the Ocean is the infamous Steyne Hotel. An icon in Manly, the street level horseshoe bar is full of  scousers and Jocks who have lived there for 20 odd years. Up stairs are more classy bars overlooking the ocean and a great place for a beer.         

Harbord.

Boasts a great local in the Harbord Beach hotel, commonly known as the Harbord Hilton. Get your self down here on a Saturday / Sunday arvo for a splash about on Freshwater beach then retire for a few coldies to the pub. Surfing 1st took place at this beach in Australia thanks to a Hawaiian chap called the Duke. It is, in my opinion, the best beach in Sydney. Small and never attracting huge swells, you can stand up still about 75-100 metres out to sea and catch some waves either via body surfing or buy yourself a boogie board. It is a great way to spend an afternoon and that 1st 10 beers will fly down. Get a bus back to Manly and ferry home.     

Dee Why

The Dee Why RSL on Pittwater Rd ( any of the L80 and above buses pass it from the City) has a new bar/restaurant where you won’t get stung. Also has a cheap bistro with specials on nightly. However towards the beach ( 10 minute walk) and there are about 20 restaurants overlooking the sea. Sunday afternoons it is a great place to visit but I’d advise booking. 

Collaroy

2 places of note here right on the beach front. Collaroy Beach club is a small RSL which is literally on the beach and once you’ve signed in with some ID to prove you are not a local, then go upstairs, buy from the bistro not the far too fancy restaurant and eat outside overlooking the ocean. Can highly recommend late afternoon there any day of the week. For a more ritzy night out try the Surf Rock bar, 5 doors down. A lot more expensive and you should get dressed up but a great place to meet people of the opposite gender if you’re young and new to town. Turns into a disco about 11.00pm.

 Long Reef

For golfers try playing Long Reef golf course. Do NOT play when it’s windy. I have seen a putt come back at me on more than 1 occasion but absolutely spectacular views over the ocean.

Mona Vale

Home to the excellent Mona Vale Hotel. Thursday night it is the place to be with lots of young people making it a packed night. Get in before 10.30pm or you’ll be in long queues and scrupulously checked that you aren’t tipsy already. Live music and DJ’s many nights including some big bands occasionally. For the older gentry ( over 30) afternoons out the back courtyard are great with good food and live,gentler music. Also has an excellent golf course.

Newport

Another legendary icon lies here, the Newport Arms Hotel. Overlooking Pittwater, not the Ocean, it is a huge pub which is best enjoyed on a sunny weekend afternoon. Massive outdoor area and big screen so if ever a sporting event on in the evening it is a brilliant place to watch it. Either way try and get here late afternoon and watch the sun coming down over the national park opposite.      

Palm Beach

The most exclusive location on the Northern Beaches, holiday home to Billy Connolly, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. It is the last stop on the peninsula so the inland water way which eventually hits the Central Coast is opposite the ocean beach where they film Home and Away. Has a lighthouse to walk up to and an easy 9 hole course. Highly recommend the Palm Beach Golf Club for food and beer and good atmosphere. If you have a car make sure you drive back the ocean side via Whale Beach. It has awesome views as you drive around the headland. If you are feeling rich then book into Jonahs which has the best views of any restaurant I have ever been to. Lunch time they do specials for about $65 for 2 courses so not too bad.

Places to watch the game Live any time of night. 

Manly 
The Ivanhoe
The Steyne

Harbord
Harbord Diggers RSL

Collaroy
Surf Rock

Mona Vale
Mona Vale Hotel 

Housing Affordablity

Rent Cheap  $200 - $300 pw .                 Dee Why 
Rent Good area $350 -$1000                  Manly, Dee Why beach, Collaroy Narrabeen.

Buy Cheap under $300k                         Dee Why
Buy good area  $450K to $750k             Manly, Dee Why beach, Collaroy Narrabeen.