Relaxed beachside culture and cafes mingle with the sheltered waters of Pittwater on the Hawkesbury River.

Why go there?

Pittwater cruising/ Spectacular Coastal Scenery / National Park

• Palm Beach is spectacularly situated on Barrenjoey Headland, between the serene inland waterway of Pittwater on its western side and the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean to the east. Barrenjoey Lighthouse stands high on the headland as a sentinel marking the entrance to Pittwater. The historic sandstone lighthouse has been guiding mariners for more than 120 years. This inland waterway that starts with Broken Bay stretches five miles southward, and offers calm water cruising with plenty of coves and bays to tuck into.
• The northern beach region of Sydney boasts dramatic coastal scenery, especially when viewed from seaward. With windswept luxury homes perched atop the sheer cliff faces, as thundering surf crashes below, it is an awesome sight. The beach culture is alive and kicking along this coast, with magnificent beaches, many with their own fabricated rock pools or baths, dotted between the headlands. Surfers, body boarders and swimmers all compete for waves that crash into the sandy shore. Colourful surf lifesavers flags flutter in the sea breeze, indicating to swimmers the safe zones to swim in, and providing a carnival like atmosphere.
• The Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, just across the water from Palm Beach is a wonderful haven with rainforest, creeks cascading down waterfalls and Aboriginal rock art. A daily ferry service runs from Palm Beach jetty.

Anchorage

From seaward, the approach towards Barrenjoey Head is clear of dangers from well offshore, with the exception of East and West reefs to the north. Sphinx like Lion Island makes a good lead through the 2nm wide gap between Barrenjoey Head to the south and Box Head to the north. Give Barrenjoey Head plenty of clearance and head south into Pittwater once well abeam of the headland. Pittwater is hugely popular with all sorts of craft: most anchorages will be busy from jet skis and Hobie cats to large power and sail cruisers, all vying for water.

Palm Beach anchorage, on the Pittwater side, is south of Barrenjoey Beach, which can be quite shallow some distance out. Beware of seaplanes landing in this area. South of the ferry terminal, which takes day trippers across to Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, marks the northern end of the anchorage and mooring area of Palm Beach. Anchor in approx 5mts over a sandy bottom, at the outer extremity of vessels sitting to their permanent swing moorings.

Anchorage location: Lat 33deg 35.7S Long 151deg 19.0E

Best time to go:

Pittwater is a year round destination. Summer is extremely busy with cruisers and racers. The winter season can see somewhat less frenetic racing activity. When strong onshore breezes are whipping up a nasty sea outside, Pittwater offers protected inshore waters suitable to most conditions.

How long will it take to get there?

From the mouth of Port Jackson and Sydney Harbour, Palm Beach is approx 20 nautical miles northwards.

Where to obtain fuel, water or provisions

Fuel and water is available from the Royal Motor Yacht Club at the southern end of Pittwater. Palm Beach has restaurants and cafes and is well placed for exceptional dining choices at any time of the day or night.

Information contained in this article should be used in conjunction with current nautical charts and aids. Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure all information is correct at the time of writing, the author cannot accept responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies.