Pittwater Life January 2019 Issue

Ettalong Beach
Known for its kid-friendly
beach, Ettalong is a quiet
yet humming village by the
sea which hosts great little
shops, art galleries, cafes
(and an art gallery café!), oldworld-charm
village markets,
a supermarket, fresh food
options, restaurants for all
tastes, The Ettalong Diggers
RSL Club (sample the clubs a
brand new summer menu), a
quaint independent cinema
and plenty of accommodation
options including resorts within
a short distance of the ferry
wharf. Pop into the Ettalong
Diggers Visitor Info Centre
where the friendly staff can
assist you with the best things
to do and see in the region, or
check out their Facebook page
to see what’s on before you
head off.
Patonga
Patonga Beach is a tranquil
seaside village at the southern
end of the Central Coast.
The calm bay is perfect for
swimming, kayaking and
SUPs. Arrive by ferry from
Palm Beach and head to the
new Boathouse Hotel Patonga
for lunch, dinner and/or
drinks. This summer Fantasea
Ferries are operating a special
weekend lunchtime service to
Patonga which will depart Palm
Beach at 12pm for lunch time
guests and depart Patonga
for breakfast guests wishing
to return to Palm Beach. The
journey takes 20 minutes each
way. For afternoon return trips
talk to Boathouse staff for a
courtesy bus to Ettalong for
the ferry back to Palm Beach.
Akuna Bay
Head to d’Albora Marinas
nestled in the heart of Ku-ringgai
Chase National Park on
the Cowan/Hawkesbury River
system. Here you can hire a
boat or cast off on a kayak. If
have our own boat there are
wet berths, hardstand and
a public boat ramp. There’s
some picturesque fishing,
barbeque and picnic spots
plus some fabulous, new and
exciting dining options. See
page 63 for more info or go to
dalboramarinas.com.au.
NO FUSS
HOLIDAY SPOTS
Pittwater boasts some extra
special places for those wanting
to disconnect and enjoy a
NEW ARRIVAL: The Patonga Boathouse Hotel.
simple holiday in a peaceful
natural environment – we’re
taking camping and or basic
rustic accommodation, sketchy
(if any) phone reception, no
shops, cars or TVs. Locals’ Tip: If
you are planning to camp at The
Basin or staying overnight at
Currawong or renting a cottage
at Great Mackeral Beach, for
example, drop your gear at the
ferry wharf and leave your car
in the seasonal long-term cark
park at Careel Bay.
The Basin
Take a short ferry ride from
Palm Beach to one of Sydney’s
most popular camping spots,
The Basin on the western
foreshores of Pittwater Kuring-gai
Chase National Park.
There are places to swim, good
fishing, several walking tracks
and lots of wildlife. A day trip
is a good way to suss out the
camping area for any future
overnight stays, which you will
need to book through NSW
National Parks and Wildlife
Service in advance. Locals’ Tip:
Grab a coffee from the boat
that pulls into the jetty.
Currawong
Currawong is a heritage-listed,
holiday retreat located at the
northern end of Pittwater,
opposite Palm Beach Wharf
and accessible only by ferry
or boat. There are nine small
cabins – each accommodating
a family of five – plus a fourbedroom
homestead, and a
lodge/meeting room suitable
for small groups. Apart from
swimming, fishing and reading,
there is a nine-hole golf course,
a tennis court, volleyball court,
table tennis, bushwalking
tracks, and kayaks for hire.
More info at currawong.com.
au or P: 9974 4141
Pittwater YHA
Only accessible by ferry or water
taxi from Church Point and
nestled in bushland, Ku-ring-gai
Chase National Park overlooking
Morning Bay, this hostel with
accommodation from only $33
a night is one of Sydney’s best
kept secrets. You’ll need to pack
linen and food as there are no
shops in the national park but
once you are there you can
choose to do very little or keep
busy by exploring the bush
(mountain bikes are welcome),
lookouts, aboriginal engraving
sites and coves or take to the
water on a kayak. Native animals
Summer Guide
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2019 25