Private Sydney Northern Beaches Tour
Manly to Palm Beach, at your own pace.
See the Northern Beaches at a relaxed pace
I'm Dave, and I've been guiding private groups along Sydney's Northern Beaches since 2009. In one day, in one private vehicle, I'll take you the full length of this coastline — past Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Narrabeen and Newport, all the way to Avalon, Whale Beach and Palm Beach — stopping wherever you want to stop, for as long as you want to stay.
The Northern Beaches deserve more than a ferry ride
A day trip to Manly shows you one beach. The coastline itself — the lookouts, the headlands, the quieter spots locals actually go to — stays out of reach without a car and a reason to stop. I bring both.
How it works
Choose your date, book online, and I'll collect you from your Sydney hotel or address between 8am and 12pm. From there, the day is yours — I know the coastline, you set the pace.
What you can count on
I won't rush you through a lookout because it's on a schedule. If a stop's worth twenty extra minutes, we take them. Every itinerary is flexible, built around what your group wants to see — not a fixed route with fixed stops.
Northern Beaches, NSW
Thirty kilometres of coastline running from Manly to Palm Beach — explored beyond the usual ferry-and-back day trip most visitors settle for.
Book your private tour
Tours run year-round. Check the live calendar below to secure your date, or get in touch to customise your itinerary.
Can't see the date you want?
Contact Me Directly and I'll do my best to make it work.
Along the way
We start north across the Harbour Bridge, through the lower North Shore's harbourside suburbs, out to North Head — the entrance to Sydney Harbour, with sweeping views back across the city. From there it's Manly, where the first world surfboard championship was held in 1964, and the Duke Kahanamoku monument marking where surfing was first demonstrated in Australia, back in 1915.
Then north along the coast — Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Newport, Bilgola, Avalon, Whale Beach — each with its own character, before finishing at Palm Beach, where Sydney's harbour meets the ocean at the northern tip. From West Head, you'll get panoramic views across Pittwater to the Central Coast — a lookout most visitors never find on their own.
If you'd like, we can factor in a return to the city by Manly Ferry to Circular Quay — because a trip to Sydney isn't complete without time on the harbour.
Information
Northern Beaches
Thirty kilometres of coastline running from Manly to Palm Beach. The route takes in national parks, headlands and hidden lookouts most visitors never find on their own.
Times
Departure times range from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM daily. Tour duration is approximately 9 hours including door-to-door transfers.
Ideal For
This tour suits families and couples who want a full day without the hassle of managing other guests, a group schedule, or a fixed stop list. You tell me what matters most, and I build the day around it.
Includes
Door-to-door hotel transfers from Sydney, luxury Mercedes-Benz V300 V-Class, expert driver-guide, total itinerary flexibility, refreshments.
Does Not Include
Lunch, attractions, Sydney Harbour ferry (optional add-on available on request).
Bring
Swimwear in summer — warm layers are recommended in cooler months. Comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and a hat.
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Frequently asked Questions
How long does the Northern Beaches tour take?
The tour runs approximately nine hours door-to-door, with departures between 8am and 12pm daily. I collect you from your Sydney hotel or address and return you there at the end of the day — no need to find your own way to a start point.
Is the tour really private?
Yes — every Escape Scenes tour is completely private. Your group only, no other passengers, ever. Groups of up to seven can be accommodated, or four to five with luggage, in a 2023 Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
Can I choose which beaches we stop at?
Yes — the itinerary is fully flexible. I'll discuss your priorities before and during the day, and we build the stops around what interests your group most. Please note flexibility may affect how many of the discussed attractions we reach.
What's included in the tour?
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Sydney, a private vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, and snacks, water and refreshments including morning tea or coffee are all included. Lunch, attractions and the Sydney Harbour ferry are not included.
Can we return to the city by ferry?
Yes — many guests choose to finish the day with an optional return via Manly Ferry to Circular Quay, taking in Sydney Harbour from the water before heading back to your hotel.
What should I bring?
Swimmers in summer and warm layers in the cooler months, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and a hat. Some stops involve short walks on uneven terrain, so footwear is worth getting right.