The Boathouse at Palm Beach has become an icon for Sydneysiders, a gorgeous venue on the shores of Pittwater, where you can watch seaplanes take off and land as you eat.
NB The Boathouse is currently closed and will re-open in 2023, check the website for exact opening date.
Whet your appetite in every way with these glorious photos and essential information from Desire Empire’s Carolyn Darragh – many thanks Carolyn.
The Boathouse, nestled under Barrenjoey Headland, is located in one of the most beautiful spots on the planet….. Sydney’s Palm Beach, home to the jet set in summer and to us mere mortals year round. F
The Boathouse at Palm Beach, specialises in beautiful flowers, delicious and reasonably priced food, with stellar views, that can only be described as world-class or kick-ass, depending on your perspective.
Take a look around and meet me at the bottom, for all the things you will need to know, for a great day out in paradise.
The Boathouse Palm Beach
So here’s what you’ll need to know:
Location: Northern end of Governor Phillip Park 1193 Barrenjoey Rd Palm Beach
Distance from Sydney CBD: 45.4km and about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car.
Phone: 02 9974 3868. No table reservations taken.
Website: The Boathouse Palm Beach website is here
Open: Daily 7.30am-4pm
Breakfast: 7.30am-12 noon
Lunch: 12pm-3pm
Closed: Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Cafe and Bar: Offering an excellent range of modern Australian cuisine for breakfast and lunch at modest prices. The Boat House is licensed and BYO, wine only. You can check out the menus on the website, see above.
Also available at the Boathouse are market fresh flowers, bread, milk, deli items, daily newspapers and great coffee, which is of particular convenience, if you are boating in Pittwater.
Function Hire: The Boathouse is available for function hire and offers a beautifully private setting for weddings, parties and dinner functions.
Parking: Plenty of parking, which is ticketed. Cars bearing a Pittwater parking sticker, park for free.
Public Transport: Yes, take the L90 bus from Wynyard, which stops on Barrenjoey Road at the entrance to Governor Phillip Park. It is about a 400m walk through the park from there.
Seaplane: Sydney Sea Planes flies to The Boat House in Palm Beach, from Rose Bay in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
Boat Hire: Barrenjoey Boat Hire operates out of the same building. You can hire kayaks, stand up paddle boards and small fishing boats daily.
Toilets: Yes
Shade: Yes there is an indoor dining area and more dining outside on the undercover balcony. Large umbrellas also provide ample shade on the deck and in the front garden.
Safety for Toddlers: The Boat House is built over Station Beach at Palm Beach. Accordingly, there is a wharf which is open to the ocean. Toddlers need to be watched. I never dine out on the back deck, with toddlers, or children who cannot swim, but rather take a table inside, or in the front garden and never let the kids out of my sight.
Childrens’ Playground: Yes, there is a good unenclosed one, just near the entrance to Governor Phillip Park (400m), which has recently been renovated and is fabulous for toddlers to tweens. Full details here.
Views: Spectacular ocean views are in abundance from the Boat House, in all directions.
Other attractions: Palm Beach Golf links, which are adjacent to The Boat House. You can also walk up to Barrenjoey Light House and take a guided tour inside the light house and heritage buildings on Sundays, via NSW National Parks. Read all about the walk up to the Lighthouse and about Governor Phillip Park here.
In general: I absolutely love the Boat House, for its food, its colour, and its beachside vibe. Unfortunately, so does everybody else. Expect to queue to order food and wait a short while for its delivery on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Boathouse continues to be very popular midweek, but is slightly calmer Monday to Thursday.
Thank you Carolyn, and thanks for letting us all see your photos. I feel like jumping in the car and dashing straight up there.
Have you had a lovely lunch recently?
In Sydney or elsewhere?
Do you have a dream lunch location?
Take it easy
Gorgeous photos! How about we nip up there for lunch next week?
I’d be in! Seriously I could do Friday, as could our mutual chum Amy B… shall we suggest it, and obviously solve all the problems of the world whilst there??
You won’t go wrong up here guys. It’s ab fab.
Carolyn
Looks like a top spot and I’d definitely like to try arriving by sea plane 🙂
I’ll hitch a ride with you Annabel!
Beautiful place and lovely photos 🙂
My brother lives in Clareville and every time I visit, I always insist we go here. Nothing beats sitting outside, overlooking the water and eating their fabulous food! It’s easily one of my favourite cafes in Sydney!
I can’t think of a better place to spend an afternoon. Beautiful.
Everything about this place looks delicious. I want one of those chocolate things that I spied in one of the photos! 🙂
Wow, I can see why this place draws people – rich and not-so-rich. Such stunning views.
You’re so fortunate to live near enough to this gorgeous restaurant that you can dash in for lunch before school pickup. You’re far luckier than the jet set crowd.
Looks like a great place to stop for lunch!