The Bungan

Newport is a laid-back beachside village with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the tranquil waters of Pittwater on the other. It’s a vast water playground perfect for yachting, swimming and surfing. In fact, Newport Beach is also the home of three times world surfing champion, Tom Carroll.

If beaches are not your scene, wander through Newport village and enjoy coastal-themed shops, cafes and restaurants. Newport has so much to offer to both locals and visitors.

Take a scenic clifftop walk
The walk north from Newport Beach takes you up the hill to tiny Bilgola Beach, which if you’re lucky, may have entirely to yourself. Bilgola beach offers surf breaks great for swimming and bodysurfing plus a fantastic 50-metre rockpool and kids pool.

If you head south from Newport Beach on the Coast Walk, you will pass the medieval-style Bungan Castle towering over the ocean. The lesser-known Bungan Beach lies beneath rugged cliffs and is only accessible by a walking track. Both walks will give you fantastic views of the neighbouring beaches, dramatic headlands and the ocean.

Boutique shops
With the main shopping strip just one street back from the beach, Newport specialises in a fantastically fresh coastal vibe. Newport has some of the most sought after boutiques on the Northern Beaches. On the main road stop by Splice Boutique and Knap Store and tucked up Robertson Road you’ll find Pony Rider, an Australian company who designs and produces ethical and sustainable creations for a curated lifestyle.

If it’s a hot day and you’ve forgotten your swimmers you can’t go past Larx for a huge range of swimwear.

Bert Payne Park
If you are looking for a great playground, try Bert Payne Park, located at Newport Beach. Here, the kids will be entertained for hours by a giant interactive bus, an enormous ramp, slides, climbing ropes, a merry-go-round and swings. There are also barbeque facilities, parking and facilities for a perfect day out.

Enjoy Pittwater from the water
Across the peninsula is Pittwater, another calm body of water worth exploring by stand up paddleboard, kayak or boat. You can even escape overnight by hiring a houseboat with Omega Clipper 34 or, if a yacht is more your style, Sailing Pittwater offer bare boat and skippered day charters.

Kayak or Stand up paddle board (SUP)
For those who want to tread lightly in the environment and give back a little, Pittwater Eco Adventures offers kayak, SUP, snorkel, yoga and mindfulness, bushwalking, as well as opportunities to learn about the land and give-back by way of: clean-up, bush regeneration, native tree planting and Aboriginal culture and heritage education.

If you would like to enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful waterway, Tony from Avalon Stand Up Paddle can show you the ropes and you’ll be paddling in no time.

Sailing
If inshore sailing, or motor cruising is your thing, then you can’t go past a visit to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club or Royal Motor Yacht Club on picturesque Pittwater and the gateway to Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River. Visitors can dine in the waterfront restaurants and have a drink with some local sailors at the bar. Maybe even crew on a yacht in one of the weekly twilight or weekend races.