Holiday houses in Avalon Beach

Avalon Beach is an inviting seaside town on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, less than an hour north of Sydney. In a cove where the cliffs relent, the town’s eponymous beach serves as a gathering place and popular surf spot. Adjacent to Des Creagh Reserve, a community garden, and a golf course, the beach also features a grassy park with benches and picnic areas, plus a public swimming pool that juts out along the rocky shore.

A handful of charming cafes, bistros, and shops cluster around the intersection of Old Barrenjoey Road and Avalon Parade in the town centre, and parks and nature reserves like Angophora Reserve, Palmgrove Park, and Stapleton Reserve offer sanctuaries of natural beauty between the windy suburban streets. On the scenic western shoreline of town, sailboats and pleasure craft speckle the bay and, and a walking path connects Bangalley Park and Careel Headland Reserve offering lookout points with picturesque views from the coastal cliffs.

The best time to visit Avalon Beach is in the spring and autumn when the weather is mild to warm and the skies are clear. One of the most popular events of the year is Avalon Market Day, when the streets in the town centre are blocked off for dozens of vendors selling crafts, clothing, artwork, home goods, produce, and food. The event takes place on the third Sunday in November and also features live music and entertainment. During the summer months temperatures can reach quite high and many visitors flock to the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. The summer is also a great time to get out on a kayak or paddleboard, both of which are available to rent from local businesses nearby.

Bangalley Head Walk

Marvel at stunning ocean views from the coastal cliffs of Bangalley Head as you hike through one of the largest bushland reserves along the Pittwater coastline. Trailheads in Bangalley Park to the south and off Whale Beach Road to the north allow entry to a central loop that brings visitors through distinctive habitats home to native bird species like the spotted pardalote and peregrine falcon, as well as the ring-tail possum. Be warned, the trail is somewhat rugged and takes about an hour to complete.

Avalon Beach

Catch some rays on the sandy shores of Avalon Beach and enjoy the picturesque views of the surrounding rocky cliffs. Whether you’re looking to go surfing, swimming, or have a picnic in the adjoining park, this beach has it all. Avalon Rock Pool, a public swimming facility at the south end of the beach, is another noteworthy feature with its concrete foundation built into the rocks along the shore. The area around the pool includes a small skateboarding park and a playground.

Paradise Beach

Head over to the Pittwater side of town to Paradise Beach and take a swim in the calm waters of this charming cove. The beach has an enclosed swimming area, as well as a small wharf to walk out on. Nearby there’s a hub that rents paddle boards and kayaks.