Palm Beach is one of the largest of Sydney's beaches, being approximately 2-3 km long along the Pacific Ocean shore. The beachside suburb of Palm Beach backs on to Pittwater, a large southern inlet of Broken Bay, making the locality about as surrounded by water as is possible, without actually being an island. The peninsula is home to many of Sydney's wealthiest inhabitants, who appreciate the tranquil atmosphere and "convenient" isolation.
The popular Australian soap opera ''Home and Away'' (popular in Australia and the UK) is partially filmed at Palm Beach - fans of the show will easily recognise some of the local views.
Palm Beach is a good 45 mins - 1 hour drive from central Sydney - more if traffic is bad closer to town. Traffic can be bad on the journey in peak hour traffic closer to the city. Traffic can also be bad around Palm Beach, and parking can be very difficult during summer holidays.
Sydney Buses route L90 from Sydney CBD that takes about 2 hours in bad traffic 1.5 in normal traffic. You can also get the bus from Sydney/Manly.
There is a ferry service between Palm Beach an Ettalong on the Central Coast, than runs every hour or two. [http://www.palmbeachferry.com.au/]. Only useful for getting in if you are coming from the North.
Palm Beach Seaplanes or Sydney Harbour Seaplanes [http://www.seaplanes.com.au] from Rose Bay, Cottage Point and Mooney Mooney.
Beach stuff, of course! The sand at Palm Beach is particularly clean and the ocean at Palm Beach is probably at its cleanest anywhere in Sydney. There is frequently a decent swell for surfers.
Walk up onto Barrenjoey Head and see the lighthouse, an opportunity to gaze across Broken Bay to Brisbane Water, Lion Island and the Central Coast.
Surf lifeguards patrol Palm Beach daily 8am-5pm (October-April) and daily 7:30am-6pm during school holidays.