By Maddie Adams
More than just stripy t-shirts, Range Rover mums and potholed roads, here are 10 of Avalon’s must-sees, must-eats and must-dos from the eyes, mouth and heart of a local (who privileges family-owned businesses).
No.1: Classic Coffee Truck
Open every day from 6am-11am, the Classic Coffee truck located on Avalon Headland is the best place to start your day. Loved by locals and visitors alike, the truck is always pumping with energy and the service is quick and quality – grab a coffee and a quick bite while you watch the waves roll in.
Where: South Avalon Headland, Surfside Ave
No.2: Bangalley Headland Walk
A relatively short walk (45-minute loop track) that will absolutely get you sweating, Bangalley headland is one of the largest bushland reserves in Pittwater and is also the highest point on Sydney’s northern coastline. The abundance of native plants and wildlife as well as the incredible view from the top all make it well worth the trek.
Where: Corner of North Avalon Road and Marine Parade
No.3: La Banette
After your headland walk, it’s time for a sweet treat! An institution in Avalon, La Banette has long served the community everything from perfectly crusty baguettes to fluffy cinnamon cronuts. It can be busy on Saturday morning, but you’ll want to get here early enough to see the full selection available. As all locals know, La Banette is open every day except Mondays, so get your French bread over the weekend like a true local.
Where: 26 Avalon Parade
No.4: Bookoccino
By midday, it’s time for a second coffee at Bookoccino. One of Avalon’s longest-running businesses (est. in 1992) now owned by Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent and author Raymond Bonner and local bibliophile Sally Tabner. It’s a spacious cafe and curated bookshop with laptop space up the back for students and perusers alike. The staff (who are skillfully multi-tasking cafe and bookseller duties) are incredibly knowledgeable and are always up for a chat or a reading recommendation. Plus, they use Lindt chocolate flakes on their cappuccinos.
Where: 66 Old Barrenjoey Road
No.5: Bassike
Fancy a bit of shopping? Look no further than Bassike. Although their first collection was designed in Palm Beach in 2006, most of us consider the sustainable female-owned brand and their iconic stripy t-shirts an Avalon staple (yes, most of us do unironically wear stripes). Out of your price range? Honestly, fair enough, if you visit the Red Cross around the corner, there’s a high chance you’ll find a second-hand Bassike tee there (and it’ll probably be striped too).
Where: 41 Avalon Parade
No.6: Oceana Traders
A local gem, Oceana Traders has the best fish and chips in Sydney (there, I said it). Ranging in prices from $20 (for your choice of fish and chips) to $40 (for a seafood feast), the fish is freshly caught, and the chips are hand-cut and very English (fat and fluffy). Owned and operated by the fishmonger Frazer family, this is not just your average fish and chip shop.
Where: 31 Old Barrenjoey Road
No.7: Clareville Beach
The best spot for an afternoon picnic and swim (extra points if you bring your Oceana Traders fish and chips to eat here). There’s lots of grassy space shaded by beautiful gums for you to enjoy while you digest lunch and get ready for a swim. On that note, swimming here is calm and peaceful due to the flat water of Pittwater foreshore, and many locals enjoy using their dinghies or stand-up paddleboards and practicing their flipper in a game of beach cricket (with a stubby in hand).
Where: Delecta Avenue, Clareville
No.8: Avalon Brewery or Randy’s Wine Bar
Depending on your preferred poison, these are two places to spend a late sunny afternoon and early evening post-beach. Both venues have the laid-back village charm you’re looking for, so grab a local brew or a fancy wine from either and you’ll be a happy chap. You might still be full from the fish and chip picnic, in which case, stick with the nibbles and save room for dinner.
Where: 30 Rear/26 Avalon Parade and 1/50 Old Barrenjoey Road
No.9: Avalon Bowling Club and Alfonso’s Woodfired Pizza
If you time your visit right (and check Facebook), you can stroll on down to the local bowling club and find woodfired pizzas and live music (anything from jazz to surf rock). It’s definitely worth playing a cheap game of barefoot lawn bowls while you enjoy the unpretentious ambience and the reasonably priced drinks. Alfonso, the culinary expert behind the pizza and paella, is vibrant, always down for a laugh and, if you’re lucky, he might even give you a musical performance.
Where: 4 Bowling Green Lane
No.10: United Cinema
If you aren’t too knackered, catch a film at the local flicks. Built in 1955 and currently owned by Northern Beaches legend Roy Mustaca, the United Cinema in Avalon has long been a community hub. Although not the fanciest or most modern cinema, it shows anything from indie to blockbuster films and is normally pretty quiet (except during huge releases like Avengers Endgame or Minecraft) so take your pick of the best seats and enjoy Roy’s warm operatic welcome (oh and the movie you came to see).
Where: 39 Old Barrenjoey Road
How to get here:
Avalon Beach is 24km from Manly and 37km from Sydney’s CBD. Parking can be a real nightmare (especially on weekends) and if you don’t have a Northern Beaches parking sticker (and even if you do), Avalon is notorious for its roaming rangers, short free parking hours and absolutely insane local drivers (be careful through the main intersection).
While visiting, I would recommend parking in the RSL car park (2P & 3P spots) or further along Avalon Parade to avoid any issues as most spots in the village are 1P or less and you’ll need a ticket to stay in the surf car park.
Alternatively, all the recommendations mentioned in this article can be reached on foot, so you can catch public transport. You can get the 199 bus from Stand B in Manly or the B1 bus from Wynyard to Mona Vale and then switch to a 199 bus or book a Keo Ride (on app) to Avalon.
Featured image: The view of Avalon Beach and Bangalley Headland from South Avalon. Photo: Jean-Jacques Halans/CC/Google Images
