Collaroy

Located on a peninsula bordered by Dee Why Lagoon to the south and culminating at Long Reef Headland to the east, Collaroy is a laidback Northern Beaches suburb loved for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, quiet streets and large family homes. The area was originally part of Narrabeen but was renamed after the S.S. Collaroy ran aground on the beach in 1881, just one of many ships wrecked off this stretch of coastline.

Collaroy has three separate beaches, including Long Reef Beach to the south, which is patrolled by the Long Reef Surf Lifesaving Club, as well as Fishermans Beach, home to the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve, a designated nature preserve. The largest stretch of sand is Collaroy Beach which joins Narrabeen Beach to make one continuous 3.4km golden arc of beachfront, with Collaroy Surf Lifesaving Club based here. Collaroy is frequented by diverse bird and aquatic animal life including sea eagles, pelicans and ducks, with dolphins and whales spotted during migrating season.

The majority of the headland is devoted to the Long Reef Golf Club, where you can practice your swing or host a function in the clubhouse while taking in some pretty spectacular coastal views. Adjacent to the fairways, Griffith Park and Griffith Playing Field are popular with local families, with an enclosed playground and a Sports Facility for hire. The Bicentennial Coastal Walk meanders its way around the lagoon and headland past Long Reef Point Lookout, a perfect spot for stopping a while and soaking up the panoramic vista.

Collaroy is rare in that it has a number of residences, both houses and apartment buildings, set directly on the beachfront. Over the years many of the area's older beach houses and more modest brick homes have been replaced with substantial multi-million dollar contemporary residences. Many enjoy an elevated setting affording them sensational ocean views, especially those set up on Collaroy Plateau, which is a suburb in its own right. Plenty of older-style and more modern apartment buildings are clustered around the main artery of Pittwater Road and around the beachfront.

Collaroy's shopping precinct is also focused along Pittwater Road, where you'll find a selection of local businesses, a host of trendy cafes and restaurants, a YHA youth hostel and the historic United Cinemas Collaroy, housed in an iconic Art Deco building. The Beach Club (AKA The Collaroy Services Club) is a great spot to enjoy a casual drink, live music or private functions right on the water with a billion dollar view. Just a little further up the beach, hotelier Justin Hemmes has taken over The Collaroy and given it the signature Merivale revamp, transforming it into a thriving all-day eatery with a backdrop that's hard to beat.

Collaroy is also home to one of the Salvation Army's largest conference and outdoor education centres in the area. Local schools include Collaroy Plateau Public School and the private Pittwater House, which fuses a single-sex and co-ed approach to learning in a unique twin school environment.

Located 22km from the city, Collaroy's public transport consists of buses operated by State Transit south through to the CBD, Manly and North Sydney and north to the suburbs from Narrabeen to Palm Beach.