The southern region of Sydney is home to many iconic beaches. If you want a slightly slower pace and an entirely different view, take a road trip out of the city to discover the spectacular Northern Beaches. You will not only find great surf spots and beautiful coastal walks, but also spots for snorkeling and diving.

Here are six Northern Beaches to visit with your family or friends:

Manly and Queenscliff Beach

Due to the ‘manly behaviour’ of the local Aboriginals, Captain Arthur Phillip gave the beach its ‘manly’ name. Sydney’s family-friendly Manly Beach has open ocean spaces ideal for water sports on one side and quiet sandy coves for fishing, walking and relaxing on the harbour side, right next to the wharf.

If you head on to the northern most part of Manly beach, you’ll reach Queenscliff beach. This beach has an offshore bombora, beach brakes and many cafés for avid surfers and tourists to enjoy.

Narrabeen Beach

Another beach with great surf breaks is Narrabeen beach. This three-kilometre beach is perfect for anyone looking for a spot to swim and surf safely. Narrabeen boasts four surf lifesaving clubs between Long Reef in the south all the way to the Narrabeen Lagoon entrance in the north. The beach also has the Narrabeen Surf Club, a popular venue for weddings and social events.

Avalon Beach

Located in Pittwater between Whale Beach and Bilgoa, Avalon beach has great surfing conditions due to a well-formed right break. This beach is where current and former surfing world champions trained, so if you want to learn some advanced surfing techniques, head on to Avalon.

Not only popular for its surf breaks, Avalon also has a family-friendly saltwater rock pool at the southern end of the beach. It’s a perfect seaside swimming pool for children and a great place to enjoy a quiet picnic with the entire family.

Long Reef Beach

Long Reef beach, located in Dee Why, is one of Sydney’s most picturesque Northern Beaches. It is accessible from Pittwater road and has convenient nearby parking. The offshore Long Reef bombora, locally known as the ‘butter box’, offers longer rides and safer wipeouts. The beach has 1.6 kilometres of beach breaks which gives you a chance to catch the perfect wave.

As for non-surfers, they can enjoy rock hopping at the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve or a game of golf or whale watching on the headland.

Palm Beach

Named after its Cabbage Palms, Palm Beach is known as ‘the jewel of the Northern Beaches’. Although it is better known by some as ‘summer bay’, due to its appearance in the long-running television series Home and Away. Palm Beach is also famous for its burnt orange sands. This patch of haven retains a relaxed, affluent environment that makes it an ideal day trip to the northern area of Sydney.

Take a Mona Vale Chartered Coach

Looking for the right transportation for your Northern Beach trip? Mona Vale Coaches offers coach charter services in Sydney that can take you and your family or friends to the Northern Beaches. With our wide fleet, we cater to groups of all sizes. Our vehicles are maintained to the highest standards and provide the highest level of safety and comfort.

Our professional bus drivers are screened under the Working with Children Act and are dedicated to making your journey hassle-free. Request a quote today.