So Long Summer Time: What to do on the Northern Beaches When Beach Season Swims Away
While the beaches are stunning in the sun, Sydney's northern suburbs also have plenty to offer in the colder months.
in partnership with 
Sydney's Northern Beaches are something special. Even if you've got to cross every bridge in town to get there or enjoy the rollercoaster B Line bus route, residents and visitors alike sing its praises. The beautiful beaches and the communities that call them home are a big attraction to the area.
Hardcore ocean swimmers might brave the waters on a rainy winter day, but we're not all made for those conditions. Rest assured, the residents of the beaches are happy to welcome you rain or shine, and there are plenty of draw cards to visit on any day.
MEET AND BUY FROM LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND MAKERS
The Northern Beaches are famous for their bustling hospitality scene, so it should be no surprise that locals congregate over hot and fresh food. Plus, there are makers by the dozen across the area, with creatives and artisans designing all sorts of homewares and products to delight and inspire. All those lovely people are gathering on Sunday, June 4th (from 10am to 3pm) for the Pittwater Autumn Market, a huge celebration of the best food and makers around.
This beloved local event was cancelled last year, so it's bringing out all the stops for its grand return to Winnererremy Bay Park in Mona Vale. There'll be 150 stalls, selling everything edible and giftable, plus live music and activities for any kiddos in tow. It's part of the Cambridge Markets family, which also runs regular markets in Ryde, Circular Quay, The Entertainment Quarter and Wentworth Point.
Khai Chu via iStock
SURROUND YOURSELF IN THE PEACE OF KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK
Covering the northwestern border of the Beaches district is the huge Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, which stretches from Hornsby northeast over to Bayview, then along the western coast of the Pittwater inlet to Broken Bay. Not only is the park stunning, it's packed with secrets. Over 800 First Nations sites lie within its borders.
As well as the local history, you can find some stunning views and walks. Highlights include the West Head Lookout, the America Bay track and the Jerusalem Bay walk. You can also camp at The Basin and swim at Resolute Beach or Flint and Steel Beach.
Veronica Eastell
PLAY WITH — OR MAKE — SOMETHING SHARP
Further south, the rolling bushland gives way to suburbia and the bustling industrial hub of Brookvale. Look past the shopfronts, and you'll find an axe to grind or throw at Lumber Punks. There, you and your mates can compete to bury hatches at high speed into wooden targets. With 90 minutes to your session, there's plenty of time to hit some bullseyes. Find them at 509 Pittwater Road, above Total Tools.
If axes are a little dramatic, why not take a more artistic approach? Just down the road is Nordic Edge, a workshop in both senses, where you can buy a handmade knife or forge your own. It hosts an all-day (8am to 4pm) workshop that takes you through the entire forging process, starting with a wedge of steel and leaving with a handmade chef's knife. Find it at 4/13 Mitchell Road.
Jayne Papalia
CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL WITH YOUR FRIENDS
If weapons aren't your thing, there are other ways to get a creative fix on the beaches. Enter Batch Workshops, an independent jewellery studio in Freshwater that hosts regular classes in ring-making with sterling silver. If you want to take those skills to the next level, you can also use the open studio time to work on ongoing projects. Find it at 87 Harbord Road.
Alternatively, you could take on a pottery class with your friends at The Sunshine Collective. This Balgowlah studio runs several workshops to help visitors create their pottery pieces. Hand workshops run weekly and require multiple sessions to complete your piece, or wheel workshops take place over six weeks for you to choose a glaze and prepare them for firing. It's also preparing to open a larger creative space in April, so now is the time to visit. Find it at 1/294 Sydney Road.
DO SOMETHING THAT'LL RAISE YOUR HEART RATE
Once your creative needs are met, let's get physical. With two studios on the beaches, one just north of the Narrabeen Bridge and the other by Avalon beach, Feels Pilates is a local hit for exercise and wellness. Its talented team welcomes anyone who's on the hunt for a workout. Six different classes are offered for all fitness levels, each focusing on particular tenets like cardio, stretching or circuit training. Find the studios at 46 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon, or 1473 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen.
Further south in Manly is a place that's been raising heart rates for years, but not with exercise. The Quarantine Station on North Head can make for a thrilling night out, as it's one of the most haunted locations in Australia. Over 150 years of tragedy and death have packed the site with paranormal residents, and you can join in on nightly ghost tours, hunts and in-depth paranormal investigations to get you creeped out and up close with the former residents of the station. You can find the station at 1 N Head Scenic Drive.
For more information on the Pittwater Autumn Market, or any other Cambridge Market across Sydney, visit the website. And for more things to do in Sydney, keep it right here on Concrete Playground.
Top image: Rweisswald via iStock
