Hilltop Road, Avalon, NSW 2107

Hilltop Rd is a serene cul-de-sac leading from Hudson Parade. Whilst some directories class it as ‘Avalon’, it’s really more in the vicinity of Clareville.

Immediately as you turn onto the road there is a small row of shops – known locally as ‘The Hilltop Shops’. There is a great family pizzeria called Carlo’s – which seems to have been there forever, a bottle shop (a friend and I talked for years about opening one here, then someone did it) – and sometimes there’s an Asian takeaway, which doubles as a fish and chip shop (it’s often hard to tell). Ever present is the local convenience store.

Heading south up the street, the quiet nature of the road becomes apparent. It is very green, and overhung with trees. The properties range from un-renovated 1960s and ugly – to beautifully renovated older properties and brand new modernist mansions. Several of the (western side) properties are like private estates – they are on huge blocks of land (an acre or more perhaps) with gated driveways, sprawling lawns and outdoor studios. A stand out house is a very old gothic sandstone cottage, that I believe was recently on the market.

Most of the properties on the western side of the road would have great Pittwater views, and many on the eastern side would also. There are express city buses at the end of the street, otherwise public transport is terrible.

Hilltop Rd has access down to Clareville Beach via bush walking tracks – that are convenient – but steep overgrown and filled with ticks. Paradise Beach on Paradise Ave is also not a huge walk.