Some of Sydney's most exceptional beaches and waterways are found north of the harbour. The 30 kilometre stretch of coastline from the entrance of Sydney Harbour to Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Palm Beach is known as the Northern Beaches.
Manly, the first of the Northern beaches was named by Captain Arthur Phillip who spotted an Aboriginie standing on the beach and noted him a 'manly specimen'. In 1903 Manly was one of the first beaches in Sydney to permit daylight swimming.
Manly has a great variety of restaurants, backpackers, bars, hotels and cafes lining the Corso. The most famous restaurant is Redgum, winning Restaurant Of The Year in 1998, for its use of Australian native foods. The Steyne hotel is where all the backpackers and locals hang out, it has a friendly and lively atmosphere though at weekends you will have to fight your way to the bar. (Travellers tip; buy your drinks form the Steyne Sports Bar, as they only charge local prices).
The Shark Bar has a veranda over looking the Corso and pool tables, so if you just want to sit and watch life go by with a beer in your hand, it's the perfect place. Every Sunday there is a fantastic little craft market running between the Steyne and the Shark Bar, and often (during the summer months) in the middle of the Corso (in the mini amphitheatre) there are musicians, fire-eaters and other performers. If you decide to stay in Manly you might feel the need to escape at the weekend when every man and his dog catches the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Warf.
Chatswood is located in the heart of the lower north shore, easily accessible by train, it offers a wide variety of major department stores, boutique stores, cafes and restaurants.
Pittwater the most northern of the Sydney beaches is a favoured sailing spot and yacht races provide a stunning spectacle on most evenings during the summer months.Separating Pittwater from the ocean lies Palm Beach on the northern tip of a narrow peninsula, beaches lie on both sides. Palm Beach attracts surfers, sailboarders and tourist trying to catch a glimpse of the Home and Away cast - though you will have to get up pretty early to catch these guys.
Located inland from Pittwater the Kur-ing-gai Chase N.P is the nations 2nd oldest National Park, it's 15,000 ha preserves sandstone cliffs, eucalypts and rainforest.The Kalkari Visitor Centre on the Ku-ring-gai Chase rd offers guided walks around the Kalkari Discovery track and has a theatrette which shows videos on Aboriginal Culture and native Australian animals. It's highly recommended that you put aside some time to visit the Koala Park, as the koalas have 4 hectares to roam free, alongside echidnas, cockatoos, dingoes, wombats and kangaroos.
