Avalon Beach Archives - Page 6 of 6

Apartment Values in Avalon Beach Rise to 12.9%

In the last 12 months, Australia’s unit sector has been generally weak compared to houses but there are apartment markets showing signs of growth, including Avalon Beach.

The latest analysis from CoreLogic shows that apartment values in Avalon increased to 12.9 percent, whilst about a dozen other coastal areas or rural destinations across the country have been doing well in the market despite a generally underperforming unit sector.

Lennox Head in New South Wales had the highest increase in apartment values at 27.6 percent. In Brisbane, the bayside suburb of Wynnum racked up a 25.1 percent increase and the coastal setting of Cleveland rose to 18.1 percent. Ocean Grove and Torquay in Victoria had a 26.3 percent and 25.8 percent gain, respectively.

A few suburbs in the Gold Coast, such as Bilinga, Currumbin, Palm Beach and Tugun, averaged an apartment value increase of 22.8 percent.

CoreLogic’s Tim Lawless said that about 70 percent of these apartment markets are considered “lifestyle” investments for buyers “looking for a sea change or tree change,” especially in this work-from-home climate. As the prices of detached houses scale-up, people will turn to medium to high-density dwelling options but the “holiday” location will also prove to be a factor.

Meanwhile, as of 3 May 2021, the average median price of a three-bedroom unit in Avalon is $1.6 million whilst the average median price of a three-bedroom house is $1.937 million.

Mr Lawless also said that Syndey’s unit rental demand will remain weak until the borders will open for international travel. Elsewhere, listings of available units are soaring, further weakening the prices and delaying the recovery of this sector post-pandemic.

Sea Wave Thai Makes a Splash in Avalon Beach

Opening a restaurant in the midst of a pandemic might be a scary business move and yet, against the odds, Sea Wave Thai successfully navigated risky waters when it opened for business at Avalon Beach in the last quarter of 2020.

Six months on and Sea Wave Thai continues to make a splash from its location on Avalon Parade. Slowly but surely, word got around among this suburb’s tight-knit community that there’s a new foodie haunt on the block, serving flavourful Thai dishes.

On the menu are nearly 50 dishes featuring a variety of dim sums, noodles and rice, curry, stir-fried, as well as Asian soups and salads.

First-time visitors ought to try the coconut prawn curry, a growing favourite among regulars. The prawns are so huge and it’s enough to last your cravings through the day. This dish is served in a stunning bowl — the actual coconut shell — and you’ll need to take a moment to appreciate its presentation.

To enjoy this beautiful dish, you’d have to scrape the coconut meat inside the shell to mix with the creamy sauce. This enhances the flavour and the freshness of the curry’s ingredients.

Take your time when dining at Sea Wave Thai with its lavish but cosy interior. The space evokes the feel of spending a summer holiday in Southeast Asia without having to leave Avalon.

Occasionally, the owner, who grew up in a Thai household, comes out to engage the customers and deliver her brand of warm and friendly service. Amidst social distancing restrictions, her careful approach is a breath of fresh air.

Follow Sea Wave Thai on Facebook for updates on its opening hours and deals. The restaurant is within the Avalon Pavilion, next to the homeware and handicraft stores.

Really great food. It’s a typical Australian Thai restaurant menu, but portions were generous, lots of meat in the dishes, tasted fantastic. Nice cocktails; and the outdoor seating is cosy.
Adam Frisby

Very fast service and tasty food – would recommend the salmon yellow curry! Such a tough time to be opening during lockdown, let’s show them some love.
Simon Abbott

Great food! Really fresh and full of flavour. If you like tai this is really good. Great service, laid back Avalon vibe.
Anthony Andersen

The Freshest Catch at Avalon Beaches’ Popular Restaurant ‘Bar Elvina’

Following an abrupt yet temporary shut-down due to the pandemic, Bar Elvina, the open-window restaurant and coastal passion project shared by Andy Emerson and Jesse McTavish, has finally reopened its doors to diners in Avalon Beach.

Bar Elvina’s menu features delicious local catch and foraged goods fresh from Avalon Beach, including but not limited to oysters, fish, seaweed, and wild fennel. One of the restaurant’s specialties is its John Dory with Lemon Butter — a fish dish that serves whole john dory with miso lemon butter sauce and warrigal greens.

The restaurant boasts a strong selection of seafood-based dishes, however they also offer choice cuts of red meat that partners well with a glass of wine. Their 8-hour half lamb shoulder — a dish prepared with labne, black barley, whey, mint, and karkalla — is one such meal.

Food isn’t the only thing this open-window restaurant offers, for it also takes pride in its selection of drinks as well. From their signature cocktails to their extensive collection of wine, customers will be able to complement their meals with a variety of liquor that’s sweet or strong, or bubbly or smooth.

Reviewers on Facebook raved over the restaurant’s cocktail selection and good service, and the food was particularly noteworthy as well. One reviewer in particular wrote that they were “…so lucky to have a restaurant like this in Avalon” and they had “…one of the most enjoyable dinners in a very long time.”

Bar Elvina can be found at Level 1, 50 Old Barrenjoey Rd, open every day from Wednesday until Sunday. For more information, visit their website. For the latest updates on special deals and dates, follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Around the Bends: Avalon Beach’s Iconic Swim Challenge Returns

Avalon Beach SLSC is gearing up for the return of Around the Bends, the annual swim challenge from Newport to Avalon. This year’s event, however, will have a few changes but it will still be a fun workout for adults and kids with the beautiful Northern Beaches as the backdrop.

Set for Sunday, 21 March 2021, Around the Bends will start at Newport at 8:00 a.m. with the 2.5 kilometres swim challenge to Avalon, whilst another competition will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with a shorter distance of 1.2 kilometres.

Participants must take note of the courses:

DISTANCE	ROUTE
Newport to Avalon (2.5km)	– Starts at the northern end of Newport Beach – Head out around the headland, past Bilgola Beach, then past another headland into Avalon
Avalon (1.2km)	– Starts at the northern end of the beach – North Avalon Express – Head out to southern headland to around the middle of the beach and then straight in towards the clubhouse

The Newport to Avalon route is open for swimmers above 13 years old, whilst the journey off Avalon Beach is perfect for 10-year-old kids and above.

Parents who are swimming with minors will need to fill out an online entry for their children before the event. Due to the pandemic threats, this year’s Around the Bends will be strictly registered. Swimmers who have not submitted their online confirmation by Saturday, 20 March 2021, at 3:00 p.m., will not be allowed to join on race day.

A special division will be opened for Back of the Pack, for groups who want to enjoy a more relaxing time in the water as their time won’t be recorded. The Back of the Pack won’t be eligible for prizes at the end of the event.

Around the Bends has a $40 entry fee, whether participants are swimming in one or both challenges. Register online to join.

Avalon Property Market Picks Up Despite COVID Cluster

The pandemic hasn’t deterred investors from seeking property in Avalon Beach despite the area becoming Australia’s COVID hotspot in recent months. The latest figures show that house prices in this Northern Beaches neighbourhood jumped to 22.4 percent in the last quarter of 2020.

According to realestate.com.au, Avalon’s new median house price has risen to $2.3 million from $1.885 million during the same time period in 2020. House trades reached 157 for 2020 to current, with more than a dozen deals closed in December when a virus cluster emerged in the suburbs and Avalon was under a tight lockdown.

Realtors think that Avalon’s response to the virus threat made it more attractive to prospective buyers as the community followed the rules, made responsible decisions and rallied to curb the spread for good.

Thus, inquiries about properties in this beach suburb continue to attract buyers looking for a lifestyle home with an “increased sense of urgency,” according to James Baker of McGrath Avalon. Even the rental market is on the upswing as people look for space and properties in a less crowded neighbourhood whilst working from home.

Avalon has always appealed as a quintessential lifestyle destination. Now, people want to stick around and snap up a holiday home for a change in scenery.

Avalon Beach Boat Trailer Parking Permanently Banned on Barrenjoey Road

Boat trailers not in use will no longer be permitted to park on the stretch of Barrenjoey Road in Avalon Beach. The Northern Beaches Council announced that this is one of the 11 streets in its jurisdiction which must comply with the new boat parking rule.

Last year, the Council laid out a trial run to prevent boat trailers from taking up parking spaces on busy streets. After six months, the trial run has become permanent following a successful result.

“We are getting an increasing number of complaints from residents fed up with trailers and boats taking up most of the parking next to playgrounds, parks, and fields and rarely being moved,” Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan told the press in a statement.

“The trial has resulted in the relocation of all trailers at the 11 designated problem areas with 30 per cent not returning to the area again and the remaining 70 per cent relocating to adjoining streets or nearby reserves,” Mr Regan added.

Aside from Barrenjoey Road in Avalon, below are the other areas around the Northern Beaches where boat parking will be permanently prohibited. The ruling is effective in March 2019.

Aitken Reserve, Queenscliff
Allambie Road, Allambie Heights
Balgowlah Road, Fairlight
Bassett Street, Mona Vale
Harbord Park, Freshwater
Jacka Park, Freshwater
John Fisher Park, North Curl Curl
Kenneth Road, Manly Vale
Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen
Richmond Avenue, Dee Why

The Council may add more streets to the initial 11 sites. Plans to set up a trailer parking permit and payment system with a third-party parking operator are also in consideration.