Dee Why Beach faces slightly southeast but its southern headland both gives protection from southerly winds and shape to any swell coming from the south. The point break here is a beauty, and local surfers converge on it in numbers when it’s working.

Then for a kilometre north towards Long Reef the beach opens out into a wide, uncrowded expanse of sand backed by scrubby dunes, known appropriately as No Man’s Land – ideal for a little solitude in the sun. The Olympic-size saltwater pool at the southern corner is perfect for lap swimmers, and there’s a shallow children's pool right beside it.

Dee Why itself is a key hub of residential and commercial activity along Sydney’s northern peninsula and thus offers a variety of accommodation, dining, shopping and nightlife.