Australia · Sydney's northern waters
Pittwater yacht charter: away from the city, an hour from home
Pittwater is the weekend Sydney does best: a national park on the water an hour north of the Heads, with the Hawkesbury River, Cottage Point, Palm Beach and Barrenjoey Lighthouse all within a short run. You feel like you are away, and you are still only an hour from the city. Most of our long weekends go here, and it is the first stop on the week north to Port Stephens. It is at its best from October to April, and you can charter it all year.
Where
An hour north of Sydney, between Palm Beach and Broken Bay, with the Hawkesbury River just beyond
Fly to
Sydney (SYD). Pittwater is an hour by car or fifteen minutes by seaplane
Best months
October to April, and you can charter all year
Give it
A weekend, or two nights on the way to Port Stephens
Known for
The Hawkesbury, oyster shucking, Cottage Point, Palm Beach, Barrenjoey Lighthouse and Bert's
Water
Sheltered and calm inside, with the open coast outside Broken Bay
Why go
Pittwater, honestly
Epic weekends in Pittwater are the best. You feel like you are away, and you are still only an hour from the city. We normally go to Bert's first, then head down the Hawkesbury River for some calm.
The days fill themselves from there: the oyster shucking experience on the Hawkesbury, hikes in Ku-ring-gai Chase, the water toys, and Cottage Point for a quiet night at anchor. The walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse from Palm Beach gives you the view of the whole coast, and Jonah's at Whale Beach is where we go for sunset drinks.
A weekend is perfect, two nights on the way up to Port Stephens works too, and a week from Sydney gives it the middle of the trip. It is the water Sydneysiders escape to when they want to exhale, and the one we recommend most for a first night away.
Where we anchor
The anchorages, in the order we use them
- The Hawkesbury RiverDay and overnightCalm water for the oyster shucking experience, hikes and the water toys. A bit like Sugarloaf in Sydney, only with the bush closer.
- Cottage PointAnchorage, overnightA quiet stop off the Hawkesbury with calm water and a great night at anchor.
- The BasinLunch anchorageA beach picnic, and the wallabies on the grass behind the sand.
Palm BeachAnchorage, lunchThe Boathouse on the beach, and the walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
Ashore
Pittwater off the boat
Not a directory. If it is here, we have sat at the table or stood at the bar.
Eat
Bert's first, then the beach.
Bert's Bar & BrasserieElegant, Hamptons-inspired dining with panoramic views. The one we go to first.
The Boathouse Palm BeachFresh seafood and relaxed luxury at the water's edge.
PasadenaAn iconic 1940s-era venue revived for long lunches by the bay.
Drink
Sunset, on the cliff or on deck.
Jonah's Whale BeachSunset drinks at Jonah's, one of Australia's most scenic coastal bars.
Champagne on deckLong, lazy afternoons on deck: champagne, sunshine and still water.
Do
Water, bush and a lighthouse.
- Oyster shucking on the HawkesburyThe oyster shucking experience, straight from the river to the back deck.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse hikeHike to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for sweeping ocean views.
Kayaking and paddleboardingKayak or paddleboard to hidden coves.
Anchor and escapeSpend a night at anchor. Pittwater is where Sydneysiders escape to exhale.
Where it sits
Pittwater on the chart
Pittwater is an hour north of the Heads. Sydney Harbour is the start of most trips, and Port Stephens is a day's run further up the coast.
Drag to move. Double-click or ctrl-scroll to zoom.Zoom with the buttons, then drag to move.
When
When to be in Pittwater
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- October to April: the season. Warm water, long evenings and the weekend boats out.
- January: school holidays and the busiest weekends. Book early, or go midweek.
- May to September: quieter and better value, with cool clear days. Many weekends are still the best of the year.
- The Hawkesbury is calm in almost any weather, which is why it is the first place we look when the coast is up.
Itineraries
Itineraries that call at Pittwater
Full plans, day by day, with the boat each one runs on. Send one to the people coming with you; we reshape it around your yacht and dates.
Pittwater escape
Pittwater
Sydney's national park on the water: Refuge Bay, The Basin and Palm Beach, an hour from the city.
Open
Sydney to Pittwater, seven nights
Sydney
Board on the Harbour, round the Heads, and spend the week between the northern beaches and Broken Bay.
Open
Rose Bay to Pittwater, extended
Pittwater
The long version: Harbour, Hawkesbury River and every beach in between.
Open
A long weekend on the Harbour and Pittwater
Sydney Harbour4 stopsSydney Harbour
Board at Rose Bay on Friday, a night inside the Heads, Cottage Point and Palm Beach over the weekend, home on Monday. The staycation Sydneysiders do.
Open
Sydney to Port Stephens in a week
Sydney Harbour6 stopsSydney Harbour
Two nights on the Harbour, a night in Pittwater, a night up the Hawkesbury River, three in Port Stephens for the dolphins, the dunes and Rick Stein, and a long day home. The best week within a day of Sydney.
OpenYachts
Yachts in Sydney now
Pittwater is part of the Sydney fleet's patch. Tell us the weekend and the group and we find the boat.
MISCHIEF
Baglietto · 54m · 2006, refit 2024
12 guests | 6 cabins | 14 crew
A$295k – 420k
CHAOS
Sunseeker · 30m · 2010, refit 2024
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
A$110k
BLUESTONE
Gulf Craft · 31m · 2023
10 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
$110k
GINGER
ILIAD · 19m · 2024
6 guests | 3 cabins | 4 crew
A$55k – 60k
LEGACY
Gulf Craft · 32m · 2017
12 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
A$150k
SHORE THING
Lloyds Ships Holdings · 35m · 1986, refit 2025
8 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
$62k
LANCE
Sanlorenzo · 38m · 2023
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
A$220k – 250k
PAZIENZA
Cantiere delle Marche · 35m · 2024
11 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
$150k
MASTEKA 2
37m · 2009, refit 2021
12 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
$99k – 125k
4A
Sanlorenzo · 39m · 2007, refit 2008
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
$120k
ORRAIA
Horizon · 28m · 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
A$132k
FENG
Sunreef · 22m · 2013, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
$45k
LUMIR
Heesen · 37m · 2005, refit 2013
10 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
A$140k
ORRAIA
Horizon · 27m · 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
A$110k – 132k
SOLACE
Jeanneau · 12m · 2011
6 guests | 3 cabins | 1 crew
A$15k
MASTEKA 2
MonteFino · 38m · 2009, refit 2022
12 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
$125k
S/Y FENG
Sunreef Yachts · 22m · 2013, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
€45k – 60k
Little Perle
30m · 2008, refit 2023
9 guests | 4 cabins
A$88k – 110k
ENCORE
Horizon · 30m · 2011, refit 2021
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
A$90k
TRUE NORTH
null · 50m · 2005, refit 2020
36 guests | 18 cabins | 22 crew
A$645k
TELEOST
Feadship · 49m · 1998, refit 2023
12 guests | 5 cabins | 10 crew
$195k
LUMIR
Heesen · 37m · 2005, refit 2026
10 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
A$120k – 144k
PARADISE
Horizon · 35m · 2014
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
A$210k
23 yachts in rotation. The order changes with every visit so no boat is always last.
Questions we get asked
Pittwater, answered
Common questions
How far is Pittwater from Sydney?
About an hour north of Sydney by road, or fifteen minutes by seaplane from Rose Bay. By water it is a morning's run out through the Heads and up the northern beaches.
Can we do Pittwater as a weekend?
Yes, and it is the trip we recommend most to Sydneysiders. Board on Friday, a night on the Harbour or straight out through the Heads, Pittwater and the Hawkesbury River on Saturday, and home on Sunday or Monday.
What is there to do in Pittwater and on the Hawkesbury?
Dinner at Bert's, the oyster shucking experience on the Hawkesbury, hikes in Ku-ring-gai Chase, lunch at The Boathouse on Palm Beach, the walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse, sunset drinks at Jonah's and the water toys off the back of the yacht.
Can we charter in Pittwater in winter?
Yes. Pittwater is at its best from October to April, but the water is calm and quiet in winter and the yachts are here to book. Many of the best weekends of the year are the cool clear ones.
Want Pittwater in your week?
Tell us the dates and who is coming. We will say which nights to give it, which berth to hold, and whether the week you want is still open.