Delecta Ave, Avalon, NSW 2107

Hudson Parade begins at the end of Avalon Parade, where it passes the Hilltop Road shops, and winds down the hill to become, for the most part, waterfront.

As such, the houses on the western (low) side, often have deep water-frontage and their own jetties, not to mention fabulous Pittwater and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Views. The properties on the Eastern (high) side, can at least boast similarly excellent views.

Hudson Parade is not really a through-route, but it does get busy at times, and in places the street is narrow. It skirts Clareville Beach (one of the best inland water beaches in Sydney, for children in particular) and the Clareville Kiosk (expensive restaurant) and continues around to Taylor’s Point.

Exclusive Taylor’s Point juts out into Pittwater, and the waterfront properties have wonderful views. As this area of land is relatively level, the properties on the opposite side of the road, would have less spectacular views, and in some cases, only glimpses.

Just beyond Taylor’s Point lies Refuge Cove, a hectare or so of bushy waterfront land, leading down to rocky outcrops and, at low tide, a sandy beach – a beautiful spot, private and peaceful. Due to the access – not really suitable for small children (or prams especially) or the infirm.

This narrow hook of a street, that fronts one of the best inland water beaches Sydney (and possibly all of NSW), has to offer, has become ridiculously difficult to park in. For some unfathomable reason, Pittwater Council has decided to make one side of the street ‘no parking’ at those crucial points where parking was easiest – a natural inset to the curb, or a gravel section to the front of a property, all near to the narrow lane-ways leading on to the beach.
To begin with, I wondered if it was because local residents had complained – but in reality, it now cuts out a lot of their guest parking.

There is a car park at the north end of the street, with places for some forty or so cars, along with a toilet block and dinghy shelving. Directly in front of the car park are picnic benches and barbecues, and a shower.

Beyond that is the sandy beach – and the long wide stretch of grass running from the front of the (very expensive) beachside properties, to the sand and blue water. There are many large shady trees, and it’s a perfect spot for long idle days in the sun.

Clareville beach is a tidal waterfront – with many anchored boats, and shallow water, and as such, for swimming it is better at high tide, although is fine at all times for children to paddle.

The Clareville Kiosk is close to the car park, and is not a kiosk at all, but now a very expensive restaurant, but the beach is sometimes served by a coffee boat – serving coffee, ice-creams and snacks – at peak times and on holidays.