Avalon, Akuna Bay

Two Sydney A-Towns this time. Avalon has proved to be a difficult one to find interesting stuff about. I had asked a few people if there new anything about the suburb.... nothing. I also decided to go to Akuna Bay which is in Ku-ring-gai National Park. Both are on Sydney Northern Beaches area and relatively close to each other. 

First stop though was Pirate Mini Golf in Narrabeen. Not an intended stop but who can pass by mini golf??? This was on Father's Day too, pretty busy at the golf course. 

Practicing my swing.

Hole In One!

Then on to Avalon which is located 35 kilometres North of Sydney CBD. Most info about Avalon concerns the beach. Fantastic beach, will probably return on a day when it is warm enough to swim in. Apparently Avalon was named after the resting place of King Arthur.

Major news about Avalon beach is that it was intended as the set of Baywatch Australia in the late 1990's. Locals kicked up a stink saying that the show would damage the beach and ruin the area, rightly so. Only one episode was filmed before the show moved on to Hawaii. 

Mel and I stop off for some fish and chips by the beach. Not grand at all. The fish itself seemed as though it was coked ages ago and only reheated. Incredible lack of salt or chicken salt. Not a good result, it was the only one we could find in the area and I forgotten to organise somewhere for lunch.

Avalon Beach. Hard to imagine the likes of David Hasselhoff running down the beach.

Avalon Surf Lifesaving Club

After a quick stop on Avalon  beach we decided to move further North and check out Sydney's other famous beach, Palm Beach. Otherwise known as Summer Bay. We stayed only a few minutes because all parking in the area is a minimum of $4 for 2 hours. No putting in a few coins for 20 mins on Alf's watch obviously. 

'Summer Bay' Surf Lifesaving Club. They go heavy on the theme at Palm Beach. Even the life guards and truck were branded 'Summer Bay'.

I only used to watch Home and Away when I was a kid because that was the only TV we were allowed to watch. I remember one episode the character Selina was bitten by a bee on the beach. I'm allergic to bees so I felt like we had a bit of a connection. So, of course I had to have a reflective moment.

The other town on today's agenda was Akuna Bay. Judging from maps this place is in the heart of the National Park and we had planned on going for a bit of a hike. Driving towards the place we realised that this may not be possible. Turns out Akuna Bay is where one can purchase or moor their boat.

There was nothing for us to do there besides looks at boats or sit down for some coffee and cakes! Mel decided to give the Lemon Slice a bit of a whirl. I was tempted by the Super Chocolate Slice, which is different from the Chocolate Slice. The difference was unknown to the cafe guy though. 

Nice place. Would I go back... never. Unless I was in the market for a boat or had a boat that needed work or mooring then I doubt I will make my way back to Akuna Bay.Shame because the views were quite lovely. [update: I have been back, check Asquith post!]

It was sunset by the time we were leaving the National Park.

I enjoyed this day a lot. I had been finding it difficult to find fantastic things about these two suburbs so I had avoided then. Having Mel along for the ride made the day a whole lot more fun. Thanks for allowing me to drag you through the Northern Beaches on a Sunday!