'The ambience hasn’t changed': Palm Beach, the prestige hotspot that has kept its original charm

The real star of the currently-screening Aussie film Palm Beach is not Bryan Brown or Sam Neill or even Greta Scacchi – it’s Palm Beach itself.

The majestic sweep of coastline to the east, the tranquil expanse of Pittwater and the lavish homes nestled among the trees steal the limelight in director Rachel Ward’s story about a group of lifelong friends coming together to celebrate a milestone birthday.

A crowd of 200 locals were among the first to see the film – thanks to film sponsor LJ Hooker Palm Beach – and agent Peter Robinson says Palm Beach was beautifully portrayed.

Not only do you get a sense of the physicality of Palm Beach, Robinson says, but the premise of the film, where friends and family gather on the peninsula, is also true to many people’s experiences of the area.

Holiday heaven

Stockbroker Bill Bishop was at LJ Hooker’s film night and says the movie’s marvellous cinematography “did justice” to the place where he has holidayed since he was knee-high. Billarimba has been in his family for 72 years and Bishop has fond memories of summer holidays spent learning to swim with legendary local coach Johnny Carter.

He has spent time with his family cruising Pittwater in a wooden launch, fishing off the jetty at Palm Beach wharf and jumping on a ferry for a trip across to The Basin or Patonga.

Bishop says while the size of the houses on the peninsula has increased, and the demographic has shifted from country families to wealthy city folk, the area itself retains its allure.

“There’s nothing quite like Palm Beach, the ambience hasn’t changed in 60 years,” he says.

Old-school charm

Robinson says that’s especially the case up on the ridge where he lives with his family.

“The streets up around the top of Palm Beach have an old-school feel,” he says. “There’s no kerb and guttering, they’re protected bush blocks, the sub-division size is very large so you can’t break up the blocks and there’s no capacity to build apartments.

“A lot of people like that older feel.”

Robinson says, as the “last stop on the line”, Palm Beach is very much a destination, not somewhere you drive through to get somewhere else.

“To live here is just a dream,” he says. “If work allows you to live here, a lot of people would like to do that, but it’s further away from the CBD, so many people choose to have a holiday house here instead.

“It’s sensational to be able to finish work and take kids down to the beach, for walks up in the bush or out on Pittwater.”

Top home in the area

This classic 1940s cottage on a rare, near-level site commands sparkling ocean views.

Facing due north for all-day sunshine, the property has two living rooms opening onto a full-width deck.

LJ Hooker Palm Beach have the listing, which is being marketed with a $4.89 million price guide.