Where to stay at Avalon Beach
Orange sand between two sandstone headlands, with a village of cafés and a cinema a few minutes back. One place to stay: a hostel in the village.
Avalon has one accommodation business: Avalon Beach Hostel, on Avalon Parade in the village, a 6-minute walk to the sand and almost flat. We didn’t see a nightly price on Google Maps. There’s no hotel; for one, Palm Beach and Newport are a bus ride away. The rest of Avalon’s beds are holiday homes, which we don’t list.
At a glance
- 28 km north of the CBD
- bus 199 · no train
- flags Sep – Apr
- 25 m saltwater rock pool
A village beach with one hostel.
Avalon is a surf beach known for its orange sand, between Careel Head to the north and Bangalley Head to the south. The village behind it has cafés, restaurants, shops and a cinema.
When we checked, the only accommodation business within walking distance was Avalon Beach Hostel, in the village. Everything else listed under Avalon was a holiday house or across on Pittwater.
Where to stay
Every place on the map, closest first. Real businesses; nobody paid to be here.
| Map number | Place | Price a night | Walk to the sand | Climb home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avalon Beach HostelHostel, south end | Not checked | 6 min walk · 480 m | 10 m |
How we measure. Times are walking times, not driving: the walking route from each property to the nearest edge of the sand, at an easy 4.8 km/h. Climb is the uphill on the walk home, rounded to 5 m. Prices are bands from one nightly rate on Google Maps on 9 October 2026.
Which end of the beach?
North end
The sand runs up to Careel Head. St Michael’s Cave was worn into the headland by the sea.
Adam.J.W.C. / CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia
South end
Avalon Beach SLSC and the 25-metre saltwater rock pool are at the south end, below Bangalley Head.
Maurice van Creij / CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia
The village
A few minutes back from the sand: cafés, restaurants, shops, a cinema and the RSL. The hostel is here too.
Mike funnell / CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia
Blue Water High, the Australian drama series, was set and filmed at Avalon Beach.
Maurice van Creij / CC BY 3.0, WikimediaKnow before you go
How do you get to Avalon?
From the city. There’s no train. Take the B-Line to Mona Vale and change to the 199 towards Palm Beach. Plan the trip on the Transport NSW trip planner.1,2,3
From Manly. Bus 199 runs from Manly wharf through Avalon to Palm Beach.2
From the airport. About 45 km by road. Most people with luggage take a taxi or rideshare.
Is Avalon Beach safe?
Is Avalon Beach patrolled? In the season. Northern Beaches Council lifeguards patrol most of their beaches for 32 weeks between September and April, and Avalon Beach SLSC members patrol too. Swim between the red and yellow flags.4,5
Calmer water The 25-metre saltwater rock pool at the south end is the calmer swim when the surf is up.5
Water quality after rain Stormwater runs onto the beach after heavy rain. Check Beachwatch for the daily pollution forecast before you swim.6
With kids
The rock pool at the south end is the calmer swim. The village is a few flat minutes from the sand.
The catch
- One place to stay, and it’s a hostel. No hotel within walking distance.
- A long way out: 28 km from the city, with no train.
- No flags in winter. Patrols run September to April.
Quick answers
Where can I stay at Avalon Beach?
- When we checked, Avalon Beach Hostel, on Avalon Parade, was the only accommodation business within walking distance. It’s a 6-minute walk to the sand.
How far is Avalon from Sydney CBD?
- About 28 km north of the CBD.5
Does Avalon Beach have a rock pool?
- Yes, a 25-metre saltwater rock pool at the south end.5
Was Blue Water High filmed at Avalon?
- Yes. The series was set and filmed at Avalon Beach.5
Nearby beaches
Also close: Whale Beach (north, past Careel Head).
Ranked in: the best Sydney beaches for swimming (#5), the best Sydney beaches for a cheap stay (#5).