Pittwater Life January 2024 Issue

193
Things
Summer Guide
To Do *
GETTING AROUND
The roads and ferry wharves
get very busy at this time
of year so make sure you
leave plenty of time before
heading out. While cycling
is encouraged, the area’s
typography and the state of the
roads mean peddle power isn’t
always the preferred option
to get from A to B; however
the uptake of electric bikes is
helping to change that. Use
transportnsw.info to plan your
bus and/or ferry trips and tap
into apps and social media
pages for real-time updates.
(*At Least!)
Welcome to our 2024 Summer Guide to Pittwater and
its surrounds; even long-time locals will find something
new to experience. Compiled by Lisa Offord
there are around 30 JOLT
electric vehicle (EV) charging
locations across the Northern
Beaches where anyone can
charge vehicles for up to 15
minutes for free. In our area
you’ll find them in Ocean
Street and in the Lagoon Street
Carpark in Narrabeen, near
the library in Park Street and
Bungan Street Mona Vale… and
there are more to come.
Buses
You can take a yellow doubledecker
B-Line bus for a birdseye
view. The high-frequency
buses operate every 30 minutes
between Mona Vale and the
CBD stopping at Warriewood,
Narrabeen, Collaroy, Dee Why,
Brookvale, Manly Vale, Spit
Junction (Mosman), Neutral Bay
and Wynyard. If you are north
of Mona Vale, you can use the
199 service which operates
every 10 minutes across the day
between Palm Beach and Manly
to link to the B-Line. Locals’
Tip: Get a lift to and from your
place to the nearest B-Line bus
stop through the on-demand
transport service Keoride,
covering North Narrabeen
Vale, Bayview, Newport
Clareville, Bilgola Beach, Avalon
Beach, Whale Beach and Palm
Beach.
Ferries
Fantasea Cruising runs two
passenger services – the iconic
Palm Beach ferry Myra services
Northern Pittwater and a highspeed
ferry from Palm Beach to
the Central Coast.
Myra runs on the Palm Beach
to The Basin, Coasters Retreat
run. The first two stops – at
Bennetts Wharf and Bonnie
Doon – are the gateway to
Coasters Retreat. She then
stops at The Basin then
Currawong Beach and Mackerel
Beach. The ferry departs Palm
Beach hourly seven days a
week. The round trip takes
approximately 45 minutes.
The high-speed scenic
service between Palm Beach
and Ettalong on the Central
Coast takes around 30 minutes
and spans four waterways
from Pittwater, Broken Bay, the
entrance to the Hawkesbury
River and Brisbane Waters. It’s
a great way to take in the sites
passing Lion Island between
the heads of Barrenjoey
Headland and Box Head.
Locals’ Tip: New for summer
is the Palm Beach Hopper Pass
where you can hop on and off
at each destination serviced
by Palm Beach Ferries as often
as you like within either a
24-hour or 48-hour window.
palmbeachferries.com.au
The Boathouse Ferry Co
operates the 50-foot timber
passenger ferry ‘Merinda
II’ between Palm Beach and
Patonga.
The Church Point Ferry
Service which departs Church
Point hourly on the half hour
will take you to Scotland Island
and the western foreshores
stopping at Elvina Bay, Halls
Wharf (access to Morning Bay)
and Lovett Bay.
Parking
You will need to pay for parking
at beach and reserve carparks
across the Northern Beaches.
If you’re visiting Palm Beach or
catching a ferry during summer,
Boat hire
you can leave your car in the
Church Point Charter based at
seasonal car park at Careel Bay
Princes Street Marina Newport,
playing fields and take the 199
boasts a fleet of clean and
bus to Palm Beach. Or if you’re
well-maintained 4- to 10-berth
heading towards the city and
power or sail boats to hire from
don’t want to drive all the way,
one day to a week; no licence
the Park&Ride stations at Mona
needed and you’ll be surprised
Vale, Warriewood or Narrabeen
at just how little it can cost.
are good options – park your
Don’t want to steer? Four- to
car and hop straight onto the
five-hour skippered charters for
B-Line. Locals’ Tip: Currently Warriewood, Ingleside, Mona
up to 18 people with a Captain
38 JANUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991