Here’s another informative and inspiring post from Northern Beaches insider Carolyn Darragh of Desire Empire.
Who doesn’t love Palm Beach? It’s a great spot to visit with kids, and now that I know about this restaurant and the playground, I’ll be popping over to check them out before or after a swim at the famous surf beach. Thanks Carolyn. Enjoy.
Governor Phillip Park
Palm Beach Sydney
If you are looking for a great location for a day trip, one hours drive north of Sydney, you would do well to consider Palm Beach and its environs.
Governor Phillip Park has been recently renovated and her facilities for both kids and parents are fabulous. A replica of the cutter Governor Arthur Phillip sailed on, as he passed these shores in 1788, in search of fertile farming grounds, for the burgeoning settlement of Sydney, defines the lay out of the new park.
There are lots of large free BBQs for public use. A huge undercover trestle table has seen many a party, but you will need to get there early to secure that one. If you miss out, there are lots of heritage-listed smaller picnic tables (above left) dotted around the park.
Dunes Kiosk
If you don’t want to picnic at all, there is a choice of dining options. The closest being Dunes Restaurant and Kiosk. The Kiosk offers pies, burgers and salads. It has good coffee and is licensed.
Dunes Restaurant
Dunes Restaurant is next door to the kiosk and is a much more upmarket affair. Although there are no water views from the restaurant or kiosk, you do overlook the set of Home and Away and the fictional parklands of Summer Bay.
Family-Friendly Activities
If you have little kids and do not want to contend with the surf, you can go to the Pittwater side of Palm Beach for a calmer experience.
On this side of the park, at the northern end of the golf course, you can also hire kayaks, stand up paddles boards and boats
If you fancy a spot of golf, there is the public Palm Beach Golf Club, adjacent to the Park. Or if water sports are your thing, there is a learn to surf option in Kiddy’s Corner on the surf side. Just look for the Manly Surf School van and trailer.
The fabulous Palm Beach Markets are held next to Dunes, once a month between September and May (excluding January). Check here for dates.
Some more detail about Governor Phillip Park
Location 1193 Barrenjoey Road Palm Beach
The play area is not enclosed.
Good coffee is available in the dining outlets as described above.
Shade: Loads of shade created by lots of covered picnic tables and mature trees.
Toilets: Yes public toilets are located to the north of the park, near The Boat House.
Transport: The Park can be accessed by car, or the L90 bus, leaving from Wynyard station.
Parking: Parking is ticketed, but free for cars bearing a Pittwater Council parking sticker
Thank you Carolyn.
Our family has often had a yearly pilgrimage to Palm Beach on New Years Day – not this year though. It’s often terribly busy, but worth the drive and the parking hassle.
Do you have a favourite time to visit Palm Beach?
Will you be there this Australia Day?
Thanks Seana and Carolyn, I have just been ummmmmming about what to do with my three this morning and this is perfect!! We haven’t been up there for ages and you are right, it’s a gorgeous part of the world. Xxx
There’s nothing like someone who lives right in a spot to show all the best bits… hope you had a lovely time there.
This really is a gorgeous spot, we were there a few months ago, although next time I’ll be sure to check out Pittwater side, thanks Carolyn.
We used to go over to Pittwater a lot with little kiddies… I do love the beaches there, both those at Palmie and the ones further south, big contrast to the surf beaches.
I love to combine a visit to this park with the Palm Beach Markets. My husband hates to go to the markets, so he will happily entertain the children at the park while I peruse what is on offer 🙂 They are held on the 4th Sunday of the month. Not sure if they will be on this Long Weekend, but I think I will pencil in the 23rd of February!
Good plan… that would work for us too as my hubby doesn’t like markets and the kids are not really happy in crowds… thanks for the idea!
Hi Seana
Look forward to seeing you up in Paradise soon.
Carolyn
Yes, I can feel a lunch at palmie or Whale Beach coming on… a way to mark the end of the school holidays and the start of term which will feel like a holiday to me.
Looks like a beautiful spot. It would be a hike from where we live but worth the drive I think.