Of all the day trips you can do in Sydney, this would be among the best, if not the pick of the bunch. Pittwater is fairly easily reached. It offers some breathtaking views, relaxing times on near remote beaches and great walking tracks.

Take the L90 bus from City Railway Square via Military Rd to Palm Beach Public Wharf. From here ferries can take you to a variety of places including picturesque Broken Bay, Ettalong and Wagstaff.

Or, you can catch a ferry to three car-free destinations - The Basin, Currawong Beach and Great Mackerel Beach all of which are set in the Kuringai-Chase National Park. The Basin has a lagoon and a great picnic spot. Entry fees apply to all visitors. It’s approx $3 per person. You may consider combining the beach trip with a hike. If you get off at The Basin, you can do The Basin Track (2.8km one way).

If you get off at the other two beaches, you can do the Mackerel Track walk. The Mackeral track begins half way between the two beaches along the coast. Or if you are at Great Mackerel Beach, walk up Monash Ave, turn left at the road’s end. A small path will take you to the track. The Mackerel Track joins on to The Basin Track. Mackerel Beach has a few dozen houses and is home to arty types or rich types.

Eat:

Barrenjoey House - 1108 Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach. A cafe, bar, restaurant and guesthouse. This is a good place to go to if you want to chill out. The decor is colonial tropical and the service is friendly.

Ph: (02) 9974 4001

GETTING THERE

L90 bus from City Railway Square and get off at Palm Beach Public Wharf. The trip takes 90 – 120 minutes depending on traffic.

Pittwater ferries depart from Palm Beach public wharf every hour on the hour. First ferries leave at 9am, (8am during school holidays). Finishing times vary according to the day of the week. Mon – Thurs the last ferry leaves Palm Beach public wharf at 5pm, Fridays it’s 8pm, weekends it’s 6pm.

Tickets to  Ettalong and Wagstaff are - adults single/return $9/$18. Tickets for children, pensioners, seniors and the unemployed are single/return $4.50/$9.

Tickets to the Basin and Mackerel Beach are – adult single/return  $6.20/$12.40. Tickets for children, pensioners, seniors and the unemployed are single/return $3.10/$6.20. ( Palm Beach Ferries  (02 9974 2411) www.palmbeachferry.com.au

For directions, go to: www.whereis.com/whereis/directions.do