Harley Davidson Palm Beach – Gustavo 24.03.24

Doing the Harley Davidson Palm Beach tour was a dream come true for Gustavo. We were happy to help it happen. Our Harley rider met Gustavo at a prearranged place in Manly.

Luz the organiser wrote, “….Gustavo had a great time….”.

Manly

Firstly, they rode past the main beach of Manly. Manly has several claims to fame; it was the birthplace of surfing in Australia, the first place to legalise all-day bathing in 1903 and one of the world’s first Surf Life Saving clubs. Manly Beach was the location for the first World Surfing Championships held in 1964.

This leads past Queenscliff, which is really northern Manly.

Freshwater

Secondly, they rode through Freshwater. Swimming at Freshwater Beach started back in the early 1900s when campers would holiday close to the beach. A small creek running out the north end of the beach provided fresh water for the campers and gave the beach its name.

Freshwater’s unique claim to fame is that this is where surfboard riding was popularised in Australia by Hawaiian “Duke” Kahanamoku. Duke famously carved a board from a piece of local timber and demonstrated surfing for an enthralled crowd on 10 January 1915. A life-size statue of Duke Kahanamoku on the northern headland commemorates the historic day.

Curl Curl, Dee Why etc

Then, they rode past the beautiful beaches of Curl Curl, Dee Why and Long Reef.

Collaroy

Following those 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

They rode further north to 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. Our Harley rider stopped for her to walk to the beach for a stretch and a look.

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.

Mona Vale

Further north, is Mona Vale. The main beach is one 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.

Newport

Continuing north, the 1.3 kilometres long beach at Newport has with reddish golden sands and faces east. So far, Sydney’s Harley Davidson beaches tour was a lot of fun. So far, Gustavo has seen so many of the beautiful places on the Harley Davidson Palm Beach tour, that many visitors or locals to Sydney don’t get to see.

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.

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.

However, the time was two thirds of the way through, so Pat rode back to Manly and dropped Gustavo off. In conclusion, the Harley Davidson Palm Beach tour, a tick off the bucket list, was a success 😊. He loved the whole experience and will remember it for a long time, if not forever! Design your own ride!