88th birthday present Harley – Shirley 27.10.26

The 88th birthday present Harley ride was a gift to herself. Shirley wanted a way to celebrate in style and make some memories. She sure did! We picked her up from her retirement village where about 20 people came out to see what was going on, and to wave her off!

Dee Why

Firstly, they rode past the famous Dee Why Beach. It is a very popular beach and has been done up over the last decade. A park for concerts, a playground and restaurants across the road make it very popular with locals. It also has lovely clean sand and good waves.

Long Reef

Secondly, they headed north. Long Reef is a perfect stretch of white sand located on the Northern Beaches, approximately 21 km from Sydney’s CBD. There are many submerged shipwrecks off Long Reef Aquatic Reserve. In the 1970s and 80s, many vessels were purposely sunk off Long Reef Aquatic Reserve to create artificial reefs, including the Manly ferries Dee Why and Bellubera.

The offshore reef in the north (the Long Reef Bombora) starts to break at one metre or so, and in a big south swell, can produce a beautiful wave up to five metres.

Located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, it is a headland and beach area known for coastal walks, surfing, and the protected Long Reef Aquatic Reserve. The reserve features a unique marine environment with submerged shipwrecks and is used for education and research. Other features include the Long Reef Golf Club and a prominent, geologically significant headland rich in fossils.

Collaroy

Following along more beaches, they rode through Collaroy. The name Collaroy is aboriginal for “big reeds”. In 1881, the steamer “Collaroy” ran aground on Long Reef at the southern point of the suburb. Crowds came from all around the district to see the wreck that subsequently gave its name to the suburb.

Narrabeen

Then it was past Narrabeen Beach. It is one of Australia’s iconic surfing and swimming beaches. Over 3 km of sand stretches from Long Reef in the south to the Narrabeen Lagoon entrance in the north, with 4 surf lifesaving clubs along the beach.

Narrabeen Lagoon

Next, they rode via a part of Narrabeen Lagoon (also referred to as Narrabeen Lake). It is Sydney’s Northern Beaches largest estuary system located just behind the world famous surfing beach at Narrabeen. It is a haven for wildlife.

Newport

Continuing north, the 1.3 km long beach at Newport has reddish golden sands and faces east. Love it! The 88th birthday present Harley ride is already interesting and full of surprises! It’s amazing what a local (the Harley rider) can show another local. It’s such a different perspective on the back of a Harley to being in a car, surrounded by metal.

Bilgola Beach

Bilgola Beach was next. The name “Bilgola” is derived from an Aboriginal term Belgoula meaning “swirling waters”, or perhaps “a pretty beach with steep slopes, studded with cabbage palms”. The word Belgoula was noted in Surveyor James Meehan’s records of 1814. It’s another fabulous beach and is 33 km NE of the Sydney CBD.

Avalon

They had a stop at North Avalon Beach. It is a fantastic spot for surfing, swimming, or simply enjoying the coastal views. The surf here is less intense compared to some of the more famous beaches in Sydney. The sand here is a cool orange colour. This is because of iron oxide, which is like rust.

Whale Beach

Then the tour went via Bilgola Plateau, Clareville, Careel Bay and Avalon before reaching Whale Beach. Whale Beach is a 600 metres long, and one of our favourites. Between Whale Beach and Palm Beach is the Palm Beach Bible Garden. It has spectacular views over Palm Beach (next beach).

“Home and Away” – Palm Beach – Summer Bay

Palm Beach is the home of the long running TV series “Home and Away”. Home and Away has been on our TV screens since 1988 and the famous Aussie soap is set in a fictional town called Summer Bay. Did you know most of it is filmed here? Palm Beach is a beautiful location for the show and if you’re lucky, you may even spot the show being filmed!

We cannot guarantee it but many of our passengers have seen it being filmed. The narrow peninsular is surrounded by water on three sides: Pittwater, the Pacific Ocean, and Broken Bay, making it perfect for surfing, swimming, sailing and lots more.

It’s where this photo was taken. Then they headed back south because Palm Beach is as north as one can get on this peninsula.

Mona Vale

The main beach is 1 km long and very beautiful. The area was known as “Bongin Bongin” by the Aboriginals. The initial land grants in the district of Pittwater were not made until April 1813. Then they headed west.

Church Point

This led through Church Point. Aborigines had been here for 14,000 years or more and was discovered by the English in March 1788 by Sydney’s first Governor, Arthur Phillip. He was exploring its lower reaches in search or arable land. Church Point, located 32 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD, is a waterside suburb at the southern end of Pittwater in Sydney’s north. It’s a pretty area, away from the busyness of the beach suburbs but still can get very busy at times.

Akuna Bay

Which leads down as far as Akuna Bay. Akuna Bay, tucked away at the end of Coal and Candle Creek. Superb birdlife and some animals such as kangaroos, can sometimes be seen. Akuna Bay is inside Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Located in Sydney’s north, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park combines important history with scenic beauty, making it perfect for tours. Also, Bobbin Head is a great place for a family picnic, and parts of the park are ideal for cycling, fishing and bushwalking.

Pittwater

After that, they rode through a small section of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and headed along Mona Vale Road, Terry Hills. Pittwater is the name of the big bay between Barrenjoey Peninsula, where Palm Beach is situated and Kur-ing-ai Chase National Park. The 88th birthday present Harley tour has shown so many beautiful areas that most people don’t get to see.

Terrey Hills

Now it was time to head south again. Terrey Hills is a very leafy suburb and in some areas semi-rural, 25 kms north of the Sydney CBD. The area was used by Indigenous people prior to European settlement, and rock carvings exist in some places. One set of carvings depicts hunting scenes with kangaroos, human figures and footprints.

However, the 2 hours was up so the rider dropped Shirley back at home. In conclusion, the 88th birthday present Harley ride – a variation of our Beach Beauty tour – around the northern Sydney beaches, was so much fun. Memories were made! What a way to celebrate turning 88!

Feel the Freedom!

or just email trevor@trolltours.com.au and tell us what you would like to do.