Australia / Pittwater – The Natural Sanctuary North of Sydney
Just minutes from the busy city center in Sydney, you’ll be able to experience the outback in its rawest form – bush, rainforests and beaches. Well connected to the urban metropolis and well catered for when it comes to tourism, it’s the perfect way of discovering your wild side without venturing too far from civilization
General Info
It’s hard to imagine that such a beautiful natural paradise exists just 45 minutes of Sydney’s central business district, and yet, whoever dares venture past Sydney’s northern tip will get to see Pittwater, an area full of long stretches of beach, sandstone cliffs, bushland and rainforest, all merged into one continuous landscape.
Though regarded by many Yacht Charter regulars as a natural park, Pittwater is actually a Local Government Area or LGA for short. It’s located in the New South Wales State of Australia, 30 km north of Sydney and overlooking the Tasman Sea.
Travel & Arrival
Being so close to Sydney, almost every (if not all) Yacht Charter traveler passes through the city. Sydney airport is 50 to 60 km from the region, depending on the route you take, but the good news is that this is one of Australia’s main link to the rest of the world, one that handles millions of flyers each year.
From Sydney, it’s fairly easy to drive the 30 km to Pittwater as there are 3 roads leading in. The recommended route for any Yacht Charter lover is road 10 which hugs the coastline tightly, thus offering you some of the best views of the Pacific Ocean. From the northeast, one could travel along highway 1 which then continues on to Sydney.
Some of the Yacht Charter fans will be happy to know that ferry services do operate in the area, making runs between Palm Beach and Great Mackerel Beach. Also, there are ferries from Sydney to Manly.
Avant & Apres Sail
Long gone are the days when this settlement was a haven for bushrangers and rum smuggling. Today, Pittwater (named after the British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger) acts as a residential area for Sydney and is regarded as a haven for numerous indigenous species of plants and birds. So, it’s safe to say there are a lot of things for your Yacht Charter party to see here.
While you’re down here, why don’t you go on one of the beaches, forest areas, get to the Barrenjoey lighthouse, the Garigal National Park or Manyl Dam. In addition, there are numerous landmarks in the urban centers here. Most Yacht Charter tourists check out the Newport Arms Hotel built back in 1880 when Pittwater was still a colony.
Hotels and accommodation are anything but scarce in Pittwater, ranging from the backpackers' hostels to the luxurious hotels. Yacht Charter campers will be glad to know that there are also bed & breakfasts, guest houses and cottages, depending on your budget or preferences.
The myriad of establishments when it comes to accommodation also translates to the eating venues. You’ll find a lot of restaurants, most situated right on the beach, thus offering Yacht Charter visitors an unique dining experience. The famous beach kiosks found at any surf club (yes, Australia is all about surfing) serve food on the go, like sausage rolls, meat pies, coffees (the cappuccinos are said to be great) and other refreshing beverages.
Events & Actions
Being a residential area, this is quite the calm region, so you won’t find many events to stir up the laid back atmosphere. However, there is a new event that has the seasoned Yacht Charter sailors enthused. It’s the Pittwater Port Stephens Regatta race and preview which was started in 2008. Taking place on the 18th of April, the event hosts a multi class race, ranging from sports boats to performance crusing.