Home and Away was the soapie that was prominent throughout my adolescence. Most evenings, after homework and my chores, I would sit down to watch the latest episode. I followed along to the numerous character arcs and storylines, immersed in the world of Summer Bay. However, it was only recently that I explored the locations where many of the episodes are filmed. A visit to Summer Bay and the various Home and Away locations is a great day out when you are in Sydney.
Home and Away is set in the fictional town of Summer Bay, New South Wales. Since its development in 1988. much of the exterior shots have been captured in Palm Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. On a clear day, even in winter, it is quite a picturesque area to visit. We headed there in early July to explore and follow in the footsteps of some of our favourite Home and Away characters, most notably Alf Stewart.
Visit Summer Bay : Home and Away Locations
Table of Contents
The Summer Bay Diner
For those of you who watched the earliest episodes of Home and Away, you would know that it was Ailsa Stewart who came up with the idea of creating the Diner as Summer Bay had no place for locals to go and eat other than the fish ‘n’ chip take away shop. It’s had a number of locations over the years, but is now currently situated in Palm Beach and referred to formally as the Pier Diner.
The Diner is one of the easiest locations to find in Palm Beach. Simply turn into off Beach Road towards Barrenjoey Lighthouse carpark and you’ll find it on the left on Station Beach on the Pittwater side of the Palm Beach peninsula.
The Diner is iconic and has always been a hive of activity for Summer Bay locals, particularly the young ones. Do you remember that time in the show when Marilyn ran her beauty shop in the back room? What about that time Colleen almost burned the whole place down? What’s your favourite Diner memory?
In real life, the Pier Diner is actually the Boat House Palm Beach which suffers long queues on warm, clear days but offers a plentiful, contemporary menu that is worth the wait.
Real life location: The Boat House Palm Beach
Address: Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach NSW 2108
Website: www.theboathousepb.com.au
Alf’s Bait Shop
Alf Stewart is the only original Home and Away character to still feature on the show, having survived numerous close calls, an array of natural disasters, a terrorist attack or two and a whole bunch of other weird and eye-popping storylines over the years.
Alf started the Bait shop with his grandson Ric Dalby and after Ric left for uni, he has had a number of partners over the years. It’s the place Summer Bay locals go to charter a boat, buy their bait or have a yarn with Alf.
In real life, it’s to the side of the Boat House Palm Beach. You can purchase ice-cream, merchandise, bait, cold drinks and fishing tackle here. You will also hire a boat or book a seaplane here. We settled for a t-shirt and a drink.
Real life location: Barrenjoey Boathouse
Address: Barrenjoey Boathouse, Northern End of Golf Course, Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach, NSW 2108
The Pier
Fight scenes, late night rendezvous, romantic first kisses, this pier has seen it all and has featured in Home and Away for years and years. Of course, we had to visit.
The pier is open during the day and is at the same venue as the Diner and Bait shop. Head behind the building to locate the pier.
Real life location: The Boat House Palm Beach
Address: Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach NSW 2108
Website: Sydney by Seaplane
The Summer Bay Lighthouse
Barrenjoey Lighthouse was first introduced to me in the closing credits of Home and Away and has featured in some epic moments such as the Ash and Robbo fight. It’s often seen as an area some distance from Summer Bay and only accessible by boat.
In real life, Barrenjoey Lighthouse and surrounds are part of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It is a historic site and accessible by foot. Make sure you take along your own water as fresh water is not available at the top of the walk. It is also a much-loved Whale Watching spot.
Psst… looking for more famous locations? The house that you pass as you walk along the beach and start the track up to the lighthouse featured Mel Gibson’s 1979 film ‘Tim’.
Click to read about our trip to Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Real life location: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Address: 1199D Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach NSW 2108
Website: Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Summer Bay Surf Club
When it comes to Summer Bay the Surf Club must be the most iconic location. It has featured in the show since 1989 and has featured in every season since. Do you remember the launch of the Bonza Burger at the club? What about when they built Summer Bay Fit in the back of it? I think it was also the location of a few dances over the years. What was your favourite Summer Bay Surf Club memory?
In real life, North Palm Beach SLSC is patrolled by volunteer lifesavers (in the red and yellow) from late September through to late April. The adjoining kiosk is open 7 days a week throughout the year and sells a range of hot food and drinks (the hot chips are yummy!), as well as a range of licensed Home and Away merchandise.
Real life location: North Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Address: Governer Phillip Park Palm Beach NSW 2108
Website: www.northpalmbeach.com.au
When to Visit
Of course, you want to visit Summer Bay when filming is happening so you might glimpse one of the many characters from the show. The Home and Away film schedule is a closely guarded secret BUT we have discovered that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are the most likely days to see filming in action.
We travelled to Palm Beach on a Tuesday morning and were lucky to see four of the show characters: Leah, Robbo, Jasmine and Justin. Security is on site and will let you know where you can stand to watch and which areas are to be avoided so you don’t cause any issues.
My advice, head in on a Tuesday morning from around 10.00 am to try your luck. Try the Bait Shop area first before heading to the surf shop. But of course, it will come down to luck!
Getting to Summer Bay / Palm Beach
Car
The easiest way to get to Palm Beach is by car, although the traffic can be a pain during peak hours. From Sydney CBD it is just under 50km and it will likely take an hour.
Bus
There are a range of different bus routes you can take to arrive at Palm Beach – all will take over 90 minutes, some as much as 2 hours. Use Google Maps to help find the best route.
Ferry + Bus
If you want to change things up a little, you could catch a ferry to Manly and then a bus for the final leg. It would be quite a trip, but quite interesting.
Parking Fees
If you do choose to drive to Palm Beach you will need to budget for the parking fees. Parking close to the sites listed above is paid between the hours of Mon-Sun 6:00 am – 9:00 pm every day of the week along Barrenjoey Road or at Govenor Phillip carpark (Pittwater Council). Expect to pay in excess of $20.00 if you are climbing up to the Lighthhouse and exploring the Home and Away set locations.
Where to eat in Palm Beach
Palm Beach is known for its swanky restaurants and incredible fish and chip spots. You are spoilt for choice. However, if you are looking at somewhere to eat close to the Home and Away set locations, you could choose:
The Boat House Palm Beach
The Boathouse Palm Beach offers a beachside setting, fresh modern Australian cuisine and rustic furnishings + interiors. Open daily from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm. No reservations taken.
Website: www.theboathousepb.com.au
Dune Cafe and the Kiosk
With direct access to the Governor Philip Park and the nearby playground, the Dune Cafe and the Kiosk is a relaxed spot in the midst of a green setting. Families and friends can enjoy a meal outside – from breakfast to lunch.
Website: www.dunespalmbeach.com.au
Where to stay in Palm Beach with Kids
If heading to Palm Beach and looking for a place to stay, I suggest looking at an Airbnb where you will find some of the most incredible beach properties.
We based ourselves in Manly and stayed at the Novotel Manly Pacific hotel which offered an interconnecting room so us parents could have a little privacy while the kids slept (and our own bathroom.
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Summer bay is the best and there are so much feature
heyy ive never been to summer bay befre and im a huge fan of watching home and away and whats the best time to go and vist there so i can see the home and away fans
For us, we have found visiting on a Tuesday has always been successful in seeing the cast HOWEVER we may just be lucky. I think December and most of January are holidays too.
Hi my daughter has just turned 10 and omg she loves home and away. I was told that you can make a booking to go on as an extra E.G eating in the diner or walking along the beach. Is that true at all please. Also can you stay in the caravan park at all sorry I have never been there. Thank you very much
Hi Christine, I am unsure if you can do that. My kids ended up being in a number of shots as they were swimming in the background. To the best of my knowledge, you can not stay in the Caravan Park.
Hi Leah we are heading that way in September are there any caravan parks near by that you no off thanks
I don’t know of any caravan parks in Palm Beack, but you could try NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park
Want to take the family to visit the home and away sites in palm beach where is the best place for parking close to the sites and approx fees
Hi Dave. There is parking right along the main area where the show is filmed. It is metred parking and time bound, but it is the closest If you would prefer to not pay, you can find parking further towards the main road, but you will need to walk some distance.
Hi my name is Hany how much is it
It is free.
I would like to take my family on holiday here, how do I book and where can I stay hotels?
There are some boutique hotels in the same area if you are keen to stay. Your best bet is to look at an Air BNB at Palm Beach. This would be amazing