Sydney/Northern Beaches – September 1999

I’ll start with my favourite beach for this month.

North Narrabeen Beach

It lies at the northern end of a 10m high sand barrier. Backed by the eastern channels of Narrabeen Lagoon, with the shallow mouth flowing over rocks and sand to enter the ocean.

If you visit Sydney, The Northern beaches are a must see. Narrabeen beach pictured here is one of our more famous beaches.

What to Do?

Surfing

If you surf at all, you must take a visit to Narrabeen, although I wouldn’t recommend learning there. I donÂ’t think the locals will take to kindly to some Pom trying to become an Aussie. Sad, but true.

Fishing

The tranquillity of Narrabeen Lakes fishing from the ocean beaches or in the Pittwater is a favourite pasttime for the more quiet people; wind surfing, kayaking and boating on Narrabeen Lakes is always an option.

Where to Stay in Narrabeen

Lakeside Caravan Park – Located on the northern lakeshore of beautiful Narrabeen Lagoon and just a stones throw away from Narrabeen Beach.

Perfect for the beach lover. Individually serviced sites, modern amenities blocks including laundry facilities with washing

machines, dryers and irons. Barbeques and a children’s playground. Facilities for people with disabilities. Bicycle and

boat hire nearby.

Where to Shop?

Narrabeen Lakes Markets are held twice each month. These markets allow you to browse through stalls offering great merchandise at bargain prices including crafts, clothes, gifts, jewellery, food and much, much more.

Each month, 120 stallholders display their wares from the bridge to the Kayak Club and beyond. More and more visitors are turning up each month.

First Saturday of every month – Narrabeen Lakes Primary School.

Third Saturday of every month – Berry Reserve.

Night Life?

For those of us that venture out at night and stick around the beaches, most people will migrate to manly for the variety of pubs offered on The Corso.

The Steyne seems to be a favourite for locals and travellers alike. Whilst the Ivanhoe attracts those that like the city pace, but in a sense probably couldn’t be bothered to go into the city.

Dee Why Hotel is at its biggest on Thursday night when we offer drinks for $2.00 a pop. But, a tip from an insider who works there…when buying a bourbon always ask specifically for a Jim Beam, not just a bourbon, as the bourbon used is a cheaper version of Jim Beam, but both are the same price, even if itÂ’s not Thursday. Saturday nights are also big where, especially in summer, the locals will come down from Newport Arms which closes at twelve.

If we do venture away from the beaches, it’s into the city where we’ll go to places like The SOHO or The Slip Inn or the Basement and the list goes on. This month though there is nothing particularly special going on; most people won’t venture from the beaches unless it’s worth their while.

Events in September

September 11th, Saturday

Freedom ‘99 Amnesty International’s dance party

Location: The Metro

Address: 624 George St, Sydney, 2000

Time: 10:00pm

Prices: $25 plus booking fee or $30 at the door.

Freedom is in its third year and going strong. Donating their services this year are: Phil Smart, Sugar Ray, Nervous, Ken Cloud and Ajax, with live PA’s from Friendly and Infusion. DJs in the Freedom Lounge are Bill Morley, Thomas Crown, JD Walker, Mark Wells, Robert Herbert, Pollen and Goodwill.

Visual accoutrements include African drummers and dancers, chainsaw juggling and fire breathing, bellydancers and breakers, plus Tim Gruchy visuals.

September 19th, Sunday

Big Busking Competition and Chalkfest

Location: The Corso Amphitheatre and beachfront Manly

Time: 10am onwards

This is always a fun day and a good laugh for the traveller. Just imagine, Australians with their “I can’t sing but I’ll give it a dig. Anything to get some money given to us for nothing” attitude. So you’ll come across a lot of very untalented people but in the midst you will find a few who really do have talent.

September 25th, Saturday

The Living End

Location: Enmore Theatre

Alternative music, Punk/ska

General admission: $23.20

Time: 7:00pm

A night of tongue-in-cheek, psychobilly and playful punk.

As you can see from the photo, Living End is a very popular Australian band. I would recommend seeing them live if you’re into punk. Simply because they Rock!

September 26th, Sunday

Contagious Carnivale

Location: The Corso Amphitheatre and beachfront Manly

Time: 12 Noon – 4pm

I’ve never been to this but, it sounds fun. And well why not, what else have you got to do.

General Info Section

Quirky Facts

Narrabeen was the name of the daughter of the aboriginal chief at the time of early white settlement in the 1840’s. Supposedly that’s how it got its name, but stories do vary.

My beach! — As you can see not overly crowded.

Accommodation

Lakeside Caravan park

Lake Park Rd

North Narrabeen 2101

Ph (61+2) 9913 7845

Price Range: A$15.50-64/night

Collaroy Beach House (YHA)

4 Collaroy Street

Collaroy 2097

Ph (61+2) 9981 1177

Price range: A$18-50/night

Various Hostels in Manly

Transport

Bus: Catch the Airport Express to Central and the L9O from there to anywhere on the Northern Beaches.

Money

Australia uses decimal currency – 100 cents = $1.00 (No pennies!).

Notes presently in use are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 dollar bills. Coins are 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1 and $2.

A reasonable budget for a day in Narrabeen and its surrounding areas is around $30 a day. Although admittedly, I would do it on less, but I am cheap.

Best Eats

Gourmet Pizza Cafe

1423 Pittwater Road

Tony is the pizza king, with 25 years of giving customers the very best that can come out of his home-built wood fired oven. Brother John runs the front-of-shop.

Northern Beaches Pubs

The Steyne Hotel, Manly

The New Brighton Hotel, Shark Bar, Manly — Mon: Free pool, Tuesdays 1/2 Price cocktails for girls

The Ivanhoe, Manly

These can all be found on Manly’s Corso:

Dee Why Hotel, Dee Why

The Sands, Narrabeen

Newport Arms, Newport

Internet Cafés

Manly has its own Internet café, whilst the Shark Bar also has an Internet service.

The Author

I am an 18 yr old female, planning on travelling the world.

This is where I grew up, so I know it rather well and it seems that the northern beaches are often missed by travellers who believe that once they have seen Bondi and Manly, they have seen them all. Hopefully, you will find there is more to it than that.

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