Driving to this location exposes you to some beautiful water views, scenery and landscapes as it is perched on the water’s edge, in the heart of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The eateries here have also developed an enviable reputation and are visited by motorists, passing sailors and float planes alike.

Cottage Point is located at the junction of Cowan Creek and Coal and Candle Creek, idyllically located in the middle of beautiful waterside bushland. Cottage Point was only reached by boat until 1934 when a bridle track to Akuna Bay was formed.

Set within the exclusive enclave of Cottage Point is Sydney’s smallest locality of only 52 homes which residents and holidaymakers have enjoyed for over 100 years. One of Sydney’s most scenic and unspoilt suburbs, Cottage Point is listed as a heritage conservation area supporting a wide variety of native flora and fauna.

Enjoy incredible views from West Head lookout, regarded as one of Sydney’s best in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Photograph Pittwater and Barrenjoey Head, or take a short walk from here.

Prepare to be impressed – the views from West Head lookout are some of the best. On your visit, you’ll be greeted with a real visual feast. From the West Head lookout, you can see Broken Bay on your left, Pittwater on your right and Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse in front.

You can also enjoy amazing vistas across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island Nature Reserve and the beaches of the Central Coast, including Patonga and Umina Beach.

The lookout itself is a large sandstone viewing area with a number of informative interpretive signs. Rest on one of the benches and absorb the sounds of the birds and waves below before heading to nearby Resolute picnic area for lunch or taking a walk on a Aboriginal Heritage walk.

The Barrenjoey lighthouse stands at the entrance to Broken Bay. The current lighthouse is the third to be built on the headland and was completed in 1881.

A customs station was established at the headland in 1843 to prevent smugglers bringing goods into Sydney through Broken Bay and Pittwater. The bay was also used by ships carrying coal from Newcastle to Sydney as a safe haven during storms, so a beacon to assist mariners during bad weather was established there. In 1868, two wooden lighthouses, known as the Stewart Towers, were built at either end of the headland.

The need for a more permanent light led to the construction of the current lighthouse, which commenced operations in 1881. The unpainted tower is built from stone quarried from the headland.

The first light was kerosene-fuelled. In 1932, acetylene gas apparatus was installed, converting the lighthouse to automatic operation, and in 1972 the light was converted to electric operation.

The trip up to the top isn’t too bad and requires moderate fitness and will take about 30 minutes each way from Governor Phillip parking area. The views are spectacular.

It is assumed the beach was thus named because of the extensive cabbage palm trees which were common here among the native vegetation. Fishermen and market gardeners occupied the area since the turn of the 19th Century and it is probably after an unsociable one of these that the original name for the area – Cranky Alice Beach – came into common use. Farming and maritime activities practised here such as whaling, boatbuilding and fish drying by Chinese settlers continued well into the 20th Century when subdivision and land sales saw a change away from industry towards residential.

Palm Beach, is home to one of Australia’s most spectacular beaches, this secluded, private and exclusive area has long been a holiday spot for the rich and famous. The beach is beautiful to walk around & the surrounding cliffs are breathtaking.

The Australian television soap opera “Home & Away” which has the fictional coastal town name of Summer Bay is actually Palm Beach. You can never be guaranteed you will see filming at Palm Beach (Summer Bay) as the filming schedule is a closely guarded secret. Who knows you may be lucky during a weekday.