Sydney's northernmost harbour and ocean beach, flanked by Barrenjoey Headland lighthouse and popular as the filming location for the TV series 'Home and Away'.
Palm Beach's sand is soft and pale, running the length of a narrow peninsula at the very northern tip of Sydney's Northern Beaches, with the ocean beach on one side and calmer Pittwater harbour waters on the other. The ocean side is fully exposed and can produce solid surf, while the harbour side near Governor Phillip Park is sheltered and much calmer, giving visitors a choice depending on conditions and preference. The beach is flanked at its northern end by Barrenjoey Headland, topped by the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse, reached via a walking track that climbs through bushland to sweeping views over Pittwater and Broken Bay. Palm Beach has a relaxed, affluent, semi-rural character quite different from the eastern suburbs beaches, well known as the filming location for the long-running television series 'Home and Away'. Amenities include seasonal lifeguard patrol, a strip of cafes and restaurants near the surf club, and toilets and showers at both the ocean and harbour ends. There are no netted swimming areas. A passenger ferry crosses Pittwater from Palm Beach to The Basin in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, a popular day-trip extension. Being the northernmost beach in the Sydney metropolitan area, it is a longer trip from the CBD, around 40 kilometres and roughly an hour by car, or 75 to 90 minutes on Bus L90 from Wynyard.
| Distance | 40km north of the CBD, about 1 hour by car or bus |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Bus L90 from Wynyard (CBD), about 75-90 minutes; or ferry from Palm Beach to The Basin (Ku-ring-gai Chase) |
| Best season | November-March |
| Address | Ocean Rd, Palm Beach NSW 2108 |
Amenities
- Lifeguard patrol (summer)
- Cafes and restaurants
- Barrenjoey lighthouse walking track
Good to know
- Best for
- couples, photographers, swimmers, families
Location
Ocean Rd, Palm Beach NSW 2108
-33.5977, 151.3242 View on map
Highlights
- Barrenjoey Lighthouse walking track with harbour views
- Two beach faces -- exposed ocean side and calm Pittwater side
- Home and Away filming location
- Ferry connection to The Basin in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- Upscale cafes and restaurants near the surf club
Tips for visiting
- Allow at least an hour each way if travelling by bus, since Palm Beach is the northernmost Sydney beach
- Choose the Pittwater side near Governor Phillip Park for calmer swimming than the exposed ocean side
- Walk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse in the late afternoon for the best light over Broken Bay
- Check ferry timetables in advance if planning a day trip across to The Basin
- Weekdays are far quieter than weekends, when day-trippers from the CBD arrive in numbers
When to visit
November to March for swimming and the ferry to The Basin; late afternoon is best for the lighthouse walk.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palm Beach the same location used in Home and Away?
Yes, Palm Beach and its surf club are the primary filming location for the Australian television series 'Home and Away'.
How far is Palm Beach from central Sydney?
It is about 40 kilometres north of the CBD, roughly an hour by car or 75 to 90 minutes on Bus L90 from Wynyard.
Can I walk to a lighthouse from Palm Beach?
Yes, a walking track climbs Barrenjoey Headland at the northern end of the beach to the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
Is Palm Beach patrolled by lifeguards?
Lifeguards patrol Palm Beach seasonally, mainly over the summer months, rather than year-round.