Pittwater Hostel

Just across Pittwater from the Northern Beaches Peninsula is one of the best-kept secrets in the Youth Hostel Association network: Pittwater Hostel. Don't let the name throw you off; hostels are for travelers of any age. Donna and I took the Church Point ferry around Scotland Island, in the center of Pittwater, and hopped off at Halls Wharf.

You can see how busy it is! At the end of the pier, is the most inviting wait area, in the shade. Residents of Scotland Island and around the small bays of Pittwater use the ferry as anyone would use a bus. The ferrywoman knows people by name and passengers visit with each other for the day's news.

The hostel is a good 1000 meter walk uphill along a well-traveled track. Guests need to bring in their own food, but the hostel is well supplied with dishes, cooking utensils and big refrigerators. It's a hot trek on a muggy day. Because water and  therefore washing linen is a problem in water-starved Sydney surrounds, managers Michael and Sarah ask guests to bring their own linen for the beds.

The wide verandahs of the hostel overlook Pittwater, inviting some quiet time. There are several well-maintained walking tracks from the hostel, going different directions into Ku-ring-gi National Park, for anything from a quiet morning ramble along the shore of Pittwater to an all-day tramp into the park. Early morning is wonderful, with birdsvand animals everywhere. Kayak hire is available from the hostel.

The kitchen is great for prepping food, but no one wants to eat inside. Tables on the terrace and verandah have plenty of room for eating, visiting or reading.

Rock wallabies are spotted early and late grazing on the grassy terraces below the verandahs.

We spotted this litte guy on our walk up the hill.

When it's time to go, hike down the hill to the wharf and let the ferrywoman know you want to be picked up by pulling a flag out of a holder inside the ferry shelter and sticking it in pipe holder on the outside of the building. She can spot it clear across Pittwater.

Only trouble with this wonderful location is that more than one night is required to enjoy the tracks, the birds and animals, and the solitude.


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