Brookvale, a bustling suburb located in Sydney's Northern Beaches, offers a range of exciting activities to explore in your Hertz rental car. From beaches to cultural hubs and nature escapes, there’s plenty to see and do. Spend the day soaking up some glorious sunshine, head out for a slow hike or set Brookvale as your base for exploring the New South Wales Central Coast. It’s all effortless and breezy when you have your hire car sorted.
See the best beaches in your hire car
If sunshine, warm sand and a tan sound like an ideal weekend, Brookvale and its surrounding suburbs have plenty to offer. Home to some of the most pristine beaches in Northern Sydney, find yourself sinking into a day of blissful calm and beachside charm. Just a short 10-minute drive from the centre will take you to Dee Why Beach. It’s the perfect spot for surfing enthusiasts but if you prefer to stay out of the water and enjoy the views instead, we’d suggest the gorgeous Dee Why to Curl Curl Coastal Walk. Start with fresh bakes and a hot brew at the French Basket before you head off on the path and witness spectacular views.
Drive along a little further and you’ll find Collaroy Beach, 12 minutes away from Brookvale centre. A stunning spot for a picnic, it’s also where you can begin a gentle walk to Long Reef Headland where you’ll be met with jaw-dropping views and if you’re lucky, you may just spot majestic migrating whales between the months of May to November. If a swim and sunshine is what you’re after, Freshwater Beach is the perfect place and just 7 minutes away from Brookvale.
For nature lovers
While the beaches are beautiful, there’s plenty more to be discovered near Brookvale. A short 6-minute drive in your Hertz hire car will take you to the Manly Dam. Spend the day exploring this beautiful site where you can wander through the bush, witness an abundant diversity of plants and wildlife, relax with a swim or enjoy some kayaking. There are also plenty of spots for a picnic by the water, so be sure to pack a basket and make a day of it here. Next on the list is Narrabeen Lagoon. Whether you’re up for a walk, a dip, a paddle or a day of laidback lounging with a coffee in hand, this place has it all. Spend the afternoon embarking on the 8.6km Narrabeen Lagoon trail that loops around the shore of the lagoon, offering beautiful views of the water and stop for a cuppa or two along the way.
While you have your Hertz hire car handy, make the most of your trip with a scenic drive to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This 14,928-hectare park is a haven rich with Aboriginal heritage, beautiful walks and plenty of spots for an afternoon picnic by the water. If you’re up for it, give your legs a workout with a walk up Barrenjoey Head to the lighthouse where you’ll be greeted with some of the most spectacular views in Sydney. We think the walk is well worth it but we’ll let you be the judge.
For the golf lovers, you’ll be delighted to find plenty of clubs within driving distance including Manly Golf Club, Warringah Golf Club and Long Reef Golf Club where you can tee off to spectacular ocean views.
Beyond the outdoors
Aside from golden beaches and wondrous nature, Brookvale has plenty more to offer. For those interested in a dose of culture, Manly Art Gallery and Museum is only a quick 10-minute drive away where you’ll find a range of contemporary art exhibits and cultural programs as well as an ever-evolving calendar of talks and events. Art and theatre enthusiasts, you can’t go past the Glen Street Theatre where you’ll find an exciting list of performances or the Curl Curl Creative Space - a community art space focused on supporting North Beaches-based artists.
Foodies, we’ve got you covered too. A breezy 10-minute drive from Brookvale will take you to some of Manly’s finest restaurants including Busta for a comforting bowl of pasta just like nonna would make, Chica Bonita for tacos or Queen Chow for delightful dumplings, juicy roast and eggy noodles.
Whether you’re spending a weekend or a week in Brookvale, you’ll discover there’s plenty to do around this convenient suburb. Connecting you to bushwalks, beaches, art, deliciousness and more, explore the neighbourhood at your own pace with a hire car or if you’re after a city escape, Sydney is just a 30-minute drive away.
