Located on a peninsula 40mins to 1 hour drive time north of Sydney and 5 minutes drive south of Palm Beach, it is regarded as a 'village' but is still very residential. There is not a lot in the centre of the village itself except a load of cafes (total coffee culture), a pretty nice beach and some very laid back attitudes.
Being on a peninsula it has the Pacific Ocean on the eastern side and Pittwater to the west, the bay of water that forms the peninsula before leading into the Hawkesbury River.
Avalon its self is a very green place but beyond the residential area and waterway it is surrounded by bushland and the Kur-Ring-Gai National Park.
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Some great places to be are for obvious reasons the beach, Cafe Ibiza which is located on the crossroads at the very heart of Avalon Village and a great place for a coffee and people watching, Av arrie (Avalon RSL Club), just about the only watering hole in Avalon - RSL stands for 'Returned and Services League' and eveolved as a direct result of the camaraderie, concern and mateship shown by the "Diggers" for the welfare of their mates during and after the 1914 - 1918 War. You'll find one in just about every suburb of Australia and although popular with the older generations, they have become just as popular with the youth due to lack of other alternatives and they are very reasonably priced any RSL club is 'the' place to be on ANZAC day. Walking Through any of the bushland in the surrounding area where you can also find evidence of aboriginals living there prior to white mans arrival.
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It is an amazing part of Sydney/Australia/the world and if you've been you'd understand why people are proud of being from there. Although renowned in Sydney for its fantastic beaches it gets perhaps a little too crowded in summer but in saying that it is rarely ventured to by international travellers. It also also one of the cleanest and safest places you would ever come across.
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Walking up to the Lighthouse located on the very tip of the peninsular at the northern end of Palm Beach. Heading across Pittwater to the Basin, a camping area on Pittwater located at the base of Ku-Ring-Gai National Park where you can take a walking trail into the National Park and view some amazing aboriginal rock engravings.
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Avalon Backpackers Hostel for budget accommodation located in the centre of Avalon I havent actually needed to stay hear before myself so I couldnt tell you what its like in comaprison to other hostels. Otherwise Newport Arms, located in Newport which is a 5 minute drive from Avalon has motel style rooms but is pricey due to its location (right on Pittwater) and is also home to of one of the best pubs ever with a HUGE beer garden that has views over Pittwater. Absloute bliss!!
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Avalon RSL Club is the only place to go in Avalon, not somewhere you'd go for a big night out, the closest club for a half decent night out is Mona Vale hotel in Mona Vale about 10 mins drive south otherwise Manly or the Sydney are the place to be. There is actually a bus between Sydney and Palm Beach thats stops outside if not very close to all of these places.
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Avalon RSL Club...well it is the only one!
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Munchca (take away), located in north Avalon serves japanese sushi/hamburgers/fish and chips...strange combination but it more than works! The best places (and they are worth a visit) for your international tastes are Sky Thai, Avalon Chinese Restaurant, Road to Goa (Newport), on a budget though you cant go past the good old Arrie. There are a I said though loads of restaurants and cafes to choose from. One of the best things you can do though is buy some fresh seafood and have yourself a proper BBQ at the beach (BBQ's are provided). You are in Australia!
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Published on Sunday October 16th, 2005 by etelka610
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Read comments (7)
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18 votes