Balgowlah Heights

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

The quiet northern end of Manly's beach, with a headland walk and rock pools. Salty, relaxed and made for a coastal stroll.

Semi-rural and bush-wrapped on Ku-ring-gai's doorstep — acreage, big skies and trails out the back. Where the northern beaches go quiet and green.

Leafy and harbour-edged, with bushland and Manly Dam's trails close by. Quiet, green and made 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.

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

Where the northern beaches exhale: open sand, a rugged headland and rock pools. Relaxed, coastal and happy to share the path with a salty dog.

Peninsula surf and a laid-back village, with the beach and Pittwater both close. Relaxed, salty and easy-going with a dog.

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

Northern-beaches bohemia: surf, a barefoot village and bush running down to the sand. Relaxed to the core and made for a dog that likes salt in its fur.