A luxury week on the Northern Beaches
Forget to renew your passport? Don’t panic – you don’t have to leave Australia to enjoy a luxury week away from home with an international feel.
Day 1
Sydney by Seaplane is a fantastic way to begin your luxurious “holiday abroad”. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind on a breathtaking flight with fantastic aerial views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, via Sydney Heads. Fly above the spectacular coastline of the Northern Beaches and land in the waterways of Pittwater. Here you will be met by the friendly staff from Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, who will transport you to your stunningly appointed Ocean Retreat room.
This luxury accommodation perched high on a cliff above spectacular Whale Beach is a Sydney icon and the fine dining restaurant is equally renowned. Enjoy the finest local produce served at lunch in the main dining room, with uninterrupted views of the ocean through floor to ceiling glass windows.
If you can drag yourself away from your stunning room, there are many places to explore. Just around the corner is Palm Beach, featuring heritage-listed Barrenjoey Lighthouse, which was one of the only existing structures in the area when Jonah’s first opened in 1929. A 30-minute brisk walk up Barrenjoey Headland to this iconic lighthouse, built in 1881, is a great way to spend the afternoon. At the top you’ll be rewarded with expansive views of Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Central Coast.
Enjoy dinner at Dune’s in Palm Beach, a restaurant with a Mediterranean vibe and views across the coastal green carpeting the dunes bordering the ocean. With the smell of the salt in the air it’s no wonder the menu is rich with seafood.
Day 2
For the adventurous, it’s never too late to learn a new trick or improve on an old one. Get the quintessential Aussie experience with a surfing lesson at Palm Beach. Jonah’s will organise a private lesson with a professional instructor. Learn the basics of surfing and tips on where to find the best breaks. The lessons cater for all levels of ability, fitness and age.
If you’re dreaming of Riviera vibes, Bert’s Bar & Brasserie in Newport is the lunch venue for you. This light-filled establishment with glimpses of Pittwater and its yachts takes its inspiration from the opulently decorated grand hotel dining rooms of the 1930s. Make sure you stop off at the Champagne Bar on your way to enjoying the luxe coastal menu. After lunch, return to Jonah’s for a lazy afternoon, soaking up the sun on the balcony with a great read or treating yourself to one of their in-house spa treatments from the comfort of your room.
Day 3
What could be more Zen than a sunrise yoga session on your balcony with a private instructor, arranged by your hosts at Jonah’s? With all levels catered for, as well as meditation and mindfulness practices, it’s the perfect way to start the day.
If golf is your passion, you’re in luck as there are many stunning golf courses close by. Bayview Golf Club is a lovely undulating, tree-lined course offering 18 holes of pure sporting enjoyment, while Palm Beach Golf Club boasts a beautiful 9-hole course nestled underneath Barrenjoey Headland.
If you’re not into golf, there’s always a back-up! The adjacent suburb of Avalon is a great spot to spend the morning doing some retail therapy in the unique clothing boutiques, handmade homewares stores and artisanal food shops.
For lunch, continue with the European ‘vacation at home’ theme and head to Le Petit Marche in Newport for all things French, from fromage and saucisson to boutique wines, bespoke homewares and the fruitiest of jams. Enjoy a baguette on the terrace, or if a picnic takes your fancy, they’ve got you covered for gourmet hampers.
You’ll be dreaming of the Mediterranean tonight (and maybe the next) when you board a luxury yacht on Pittwater with a fully qualified host who will skipper the boat. If you’re interested in setting the sails yourself, he can also show you the ropes. The cabins are stylish and you can either self-cater with the goodies you purchased that morning, or order a spectacular food platter of your choice. Sail to one of the many secluded bays where you’ll have the beach all to yourself.
Day 4
Waking up on the water means you won’t have far to go for your morning dip. Pure serenity! Then take the trusty rowboat provided and head ashore to find your caffeine hit and grab some breakfast. After a leisurely morning, it’s time to wave goodbye to your friendly skipper and head south to discover a new area of Pittwater – Church Point. This is the perfect spot to get back to nature. Jump on a ferry to Scotland Island or Morning Bay and enjoy bushwalking, lookouts and waterfalls.
Head back to Church Point for dinner at Pasadena Restaurant, with its sweeping Pittwater views.
Day 5
Start the day with an invigorating walk along the golden sands of Whale Beach followed by a dip in the refreshing ocean or relaxing rock pool. Soon it will be time to head further south to the glorious beachside suburb of Freshwater to celebrate the Sardinian lifestyle with a fantastic lunch at Pilu. This much-lauded restaurant is in an incredible location with fantastic ocean views. Giovanni, Marilyn and their team will ensure your experience at Pilu is a memorable one; they welcome each guest like a returning friend.
After a long, leisurely lunch, a tour of Manly Spirits will give you a behind the scenes overview of their gin/whisky production process. Their knowledgeable spirit guide will give you a history of gin and the opportunity to touch, taste and smell their raw ingredients, including their pantry of Australian botanicals.
Day 6
Head to Manly beachfront and check in to your luxurious room or apartment at The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach. Just a few steps away from the very best boutiques, restaurants and entertainment, The Sebel embodies the relaxed sophistication for which this part of the world is known.
Stroll along the promenade towards Shelly Beach. Here you’ll find beautiful Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve and its incredible underwater world. Join a snorkelling experience with EcoTreasures on a 2-hour private tour and experience Australian coastal culture with a local marine expert. Learn about the area’s wildlife, environment and heritage.
After an exhilarating morning you’re in the perfect spot to brunch or lunch at The Boathouse Shelly Beach. There are ocean vistas from wherever you choose to sit and the tables are set among fresh flowers and decorative fruit bowls.
After lunch, walk up to the headland near Shelly Beach, stopping to watch the surfers at famous Bower Break. Follow the path though the native bushland to reach North Head Sanctuary. Follow the trail to Fairfax Walk, where you can look across the magnificent harbour entrance to South Head.
Tonight, there are a myriad of fantastic dining options on offer in Manly. If you’re after a delicious seafood meal with an Italian flair, Hugo’s Manly is a great choice. Make sure you secure an outside table on their deck and watch the sun set across the water. Another option for delicious seafood is The Herring Room, in a landmark 1920’s-inspired space with an emphasis on good, old-fashioned hospitality. The menu is inspired by flavours and dishes from around the world, and they proudly list the provenance of all their produce.
When you pull back the curtains the following day, the full glory of Manly Beach and the hustle and bustle of the morning’s activity will be laid out in front of you. Choose to either go out and join the swimmers, joggers, surfers and walkers or simply enjoy the activity from the comfort of your room.
Today, sadly, it’s time to return to the real world, but you will do so relaxed, refreshed and reinvigorated, already making plans to return again.