Palm Beach, New South Wales

The suburb of Palm Beach also contains the following localities: Barrenjoey, Sand Point, Careel Bay, Paradise Beach, and North Avalon.

Along the cliffs and sanddunes there is much remnant bushland vegetation, located in reserves and national parks, with Barrenjoey headland being part of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.[12] These reserves often contain endangered ecological communities, such as Littoral Rainforest, and Pittwater spotted gum forest. See, for example, the articles, McKay Reserve, and Barrenjoey.

Barrenjoey Headland and Station Beach viewed from West Head

Landmarks include the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Palm Beach-Boanbong Water Reservoir, Palm Beach-McKay Water Reservoir, Palm Beach-Squaters Lodge, Blueberry Ash, and Iluka Resort Apartments.

The 2.3-kilometre (1.4 mi) long east-facing eponymous beach curves in a gentle arc between the prominent 100-metre (330 ft) high, lighthouse capped, Barrenjoey Head to the sandstone rocks of Little Head in the south, beach linking Barrenjoey to the mainland. North Palm Beach extends 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi) south from Barrenjoey, with the northern 600 metres (2,000 ft) backed by a 200-metre (660 ft) wide densely vegetated foredune. The southern Palm Beach section includes the southern 600 metres (2,000 ft) of beach, which curves to the southeast in the southern Kiddies Corner. It receives increasing protection from Little Head with waves decreasing in height down the beach. Rips usually extend all the way to the head, though usually smaller in size, with a weak permanent rip against the southern rocks.[13]

The southern end of the Palm Beach is marked as Cabbage Tree Boat Harbour on a map of 1832. Palm Beach was later named after the Cabbage Tree palms Livistona australis that were near Cabbage Tree Boat Harbour. The plant's species name gave origin to Livistona Lane, off Palm Beach Road.[14]

Governor Philip explored the area in 1788, and named the headland 'Barrenjuee', which was an indigenous word apparently meaning 'young kangaroo'.[15] In 1816, Palm Beach, Barrenjoey and most of Whale Beach (160 hectares (400 acres)) was granted to James Napper. During the 19th century, a few Europeans and Chinese lived at Snapperman Beach catching and drying fish.[16] The Southern end of the ocean beach is marked as Cabbage Tree Boat Harbour on a map of 1832. Palm Beach was later named after the Cabbage Tree palms Livistona australis.

In 1900 all land, except Barrenjoey Headland, which had been purchased by the government in 1881, was divided into 18 large blocks, listed as good grazing land, and offered for sale. None sold. In 1912, the land was offered again in smaller residential blocks, offering fishing, sailing, golf and rowing. Most houses were built from local sandstone, other materials were shipped in. Some were guest houses but most were second homes for those who could afford them.

Palm Beach wharf was the terminus reached by boat from Newport or Bayview. Hordern and Wiltshire Parks and Mackay Reserve were donated by RJ Hordern, who lived at Kalua, opposite the beach. Since World War II the area has become more residential but still remains a secluded peninsula at the northern point of Pittwater.

• Aboriginal inhabitants in area – Garigal clan of Guringai speaking people. Lands extended from Broken Bay to Port Jackson and to Lane Cove.
• 1770 – Captain Cook names Broken Bay.
• 1788–1789 – Area explored by Governor Arthur Phillip and Captain John Hunter
• 1788 – Arthur Phillip (1738–1814) 2 March 1788, named "Barrenjuee" (Little Kangaroo or Wallaby). Barrenjoey has had at least 9 different names.
• 1806 – A sole ship wreck survivor is rescued by Aboriginals in Broken Bay.
• 1816 Land grant 400 acres (1.6 km²) to Surgeon James Napper RN by Governor Macquarie (1761–1824) – Headland to Whale Beach, 8/- pa.
• 1804 – Pat Flynn had a large garden below Observation Pt (facing Pittwater south of golf course) to supply passing ships.
• 1825 – John Howard, an emancipist who arrived on the first fleet in 1788 lives at Barrenjoey in a cottage with two other fishermen.
• 1843 – Customs Station set up under John B Howard. Near ranger's cottage. Constructed Smugglers Track. Smuggling of rum, brandy, tobacco. Today drugs & narcotics.
• 1840 – Albert Black (1840–1890) becomes customs officer and adopted grandson of merchant Simeon Lord famous in early Sydney.
• 1842 – Four Convicts build a Customs house at Barrenjoey and build a track to the headland.
• 1855 – A navigation light is established on the headland.
• 1863 – A Chinese fishing settlement is established at Snappermans Beach.
• 1881 – Government repurchased headland for £1250 from the Wentworth family.
• 1881 – A stone lighthouse and three cottages are built according to the designs of Colonial Architect James Barnet.
• 1893 – A school is established at Palm Beach.
• 1911 – Palm Beach is subdivided and an extension to Customs house is built.
• 1912 – Telephone is connected to Palm Beach.
• 1916–1919 The oldest bungalows were built at Palm Beach during this period.
• 1921 – Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club is established.
• 1976 – Customs House burnt down.
• 1978 – Mel Gibson stars in the movie "Tim" filmed mostly at Barrenjoey Customs House (1911)
• 1988–present – Palm Beach is the location of exterior scenes for Summer Bay, the fictional coastal town featured in the long-running soap opera Home and Away.
• 2004–2005 – Construction of a Museum and a Public Toilet next to the lighthouse.
• 2013 – A fire engulfs the Barrenjoey headland 28 September 2013, threatening to destroy the heritage listed headland. It is contained by local firefighters and no damage to infrastructure was sustained. The bush has slowly recovered.

The view south from Barrenjoey Headland

Many historic images of Pittwater and Palm Beach may be found at Pittwater online news: Historic Record of Pittwater

• Avalon Soccer Club
• Avalon Rugby League Club
• Cabbage Tree Club
• Careel Bay Tennis Club
• North Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club
• Pacific Club
• Palm Beach Golf Club
• Palm Beach Sailing Club
• Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club