Newport

Surf one side, harbour the other, with the ferry in between. The beaches' big star — salty, lively and made for a coastal wander.

Manly's leafy neighbour, with the bushland of Manly Dam close and a village that ticks every errand. Family-paced, green and easy-going with a dog.

A leafy harbour pocket with the Manly-to-Spit walk on the doorstep. Quiet, scenic and made for an easy foreshore stroll.

Bush-edged northern-beaches suburbia, with reserves and quiet streets. Leafy, family-paced and good for a walk.

Bushland-edged and easy-going on Garigal's doorstep, with reserves and trails close by. Northern-beaches hinterland calm, green and built for a walk.

Bush-edged and easy-going on Garigal's doorstep, with reserves and trails close by. Leafy, roomy and built for a proper walk.

Surf, lagoon and a headland walk between the beaches. Low-key, salty and made for a barefoot kind of day with the dog.

Pittwater's tucked-away edge, where ferries leave for the offshore bays. Leafy, waterside and made for a slow, scenic stroll.

Surf, lagoon and a long sandy stretch at the beaches' north end. Salty, relaxed and made for a barefoot day out.

A ferry-only beach hamlet wrapped in bush and Pittwater calm. Remote, wild and made for a true off-grid wander.