This city-to-coastal drive from Sydney to Palm Beach ends with a stay at one of Australia’s most unique accommodations.
It’s been more than 14 years since Australians were first able to purchase an electric vehicle, and while our road-trip-loving nation has been slow to embrace them, with concerns over charge distance and available charging stations both hindering uptake, the tide has slowly turned in their favour. July marks the third consecutive month that electric vehicles have accounted for one in every five new car sales; that’s 21.7 per cent of all new vehicle sales, according to new data from the Chamber of Automotive Industries; no doubt a reaction in part to the current global fuel crisis.
While I don’t own an electric vehicle, I have been curious about making the switch for some time now, which is why an invitation to test out the new Macan GTS, Porsche’s electric mid-size SUV, was the perfect excuse for a road trip.
Driving from Sydney to Palm Beach
A road trip through Sydney’s Northern Beaches feels even better when it ends at Lilypad Palm Beach – a luxe floating villa moored on Pittwater. From Champagne on arrival to a sumptuous dining experience coupled with uninterrupted water views… this is the kind of close-to-home escape that makes you feel a world away.
As a travel writer and editor, I have been fortunate enough to stay at some pretty incredible places, but there is one experience that has been on my wishlist for a while, and it’s undoubtedly one of Australia’s most unique stays. Lilypad Palm Beach is a floating luxury villa permanently moored in Pittwater, under an hour from where I live in Sydney. It’s a short drive, but it gives me the chance to see how the car handles as I swap city traffic for the winding coastal roads of the Northern Beaches.
It’s been a wet and windy week in Sydney, so it’s encouraging to see the sun emerging from behind the clouds as my husband and I set out for Palm Beach. We stop for coffee at Story, our local cafe in Lane Cove, before hitting the road. We’ve had the car for over a day, and we’ve been told it delivers an impressive 700 kilometres of range; given that Palm Beach is under 40 kilometres away, we have more than enough charge to do a round trip without worrying about losing power.
The new Porsche Macan GTS all-electric. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The iconic Porsche interior clock. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Views of Pittwater while we unload for a night at Lilypad. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Testing out the new Porsche Macan GTS on a road trip to Palm Beach. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
(Credit: Katie Carlin)
The drive is smooth, the handling incredible, but it’s the power that really surprises me. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres in 3.8 seconds. Not that I hit that speed, but picking up speed is effortless. I feel the stress of the week melt away as the scenery turns green, winding our way through Wakehurst Parkway to Barrenjoey Road, where the ocean comes into view. There’s a noticeable mood shift when you hit Palm Beach. It’s only a 50-minute drive away yet it exudes that unmistakable coastal holiday energy.
Arriving at Lilypad Palm Beach
Spot Lilypad Palm Beach among the boats moored on Pittwater. (Credit: @jampal)
Katie, the Lilypad Concierge, greets us at the check-in point beside Pittwater. We park next to the sand to unload and follow her to the tender. The five-minute boat ride only adds to the sense of arrival. Lilypad, the only floating house in a sea of moored boats, is easy to spot. After a short tour, we’re left to enjoy the villa on our own.
The loft-style villa sleeps two in a king-size bed. There’s a bathroom with a rain shower, a living area with a fireplace – I find the television cleverly disguised as a painting just above it. Lilypad features the kitchen of my dreams with an arched pink-tiled feature above the stove and an oversized window that perfectly frames a boat bobbing on the water nearby. The fully functioning kitchen has a coffee pod machine, microwave, wine fridge, oven and stovetop. The fridge is stocked with lunch, dinner and breakfast supplies as well as beverages. A bottle of champagne or wine is included in the stay as well as whisky, beer and non-alcoholic beverages. I spot fresh fruit and sourdough on the countertop, Loco Love Chocolate on the coffee table and nuts and chips for snacking on the shelf. We’re definitely not going hungry. And while indoor dining space is sparse, there’s a high table built into the wall under a window that lifts open to invite the outdoors in.
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The living area and built-in dining table. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The kitchen onboard Lilypad Palm Beach. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The loft bedroom features a king size bed. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Bathroom details. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The bathroom features a rain shower. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The interior space onboard Lilypad Palm Beach. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
A seafood feast for lunch
We uncork a bottle of Morillon Blanc Jeff Carrel chardonnay to enjoy on the deck in the sun with the seafood platter from the fridge – it’s overflowing with oysters, prawns and sashimi. And sit like that for the next hour. Sipping, eating and resting.
The outdoor sauna calls to us as the wind starts to pick up and the sun inches closer to the horizon. We spend a good 30 minutes inside defrosting before braving the outside shower. I quickly retreat inside for a hot shower and settle on the lounge with my book in front of the fire as dusk settles in.
Find a seafood platter ready to be consumed in the fridge. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
A barbecue dinner under the stars
I unwrap the meat platter and two salads – one Greek and one creamy potato – prepped in the fridge while my husband starts barbecuing the two beef fillets, lamb and chicken skewers on the outdoor Weber. I look up to see the sky is full of stars, a sight I rarely see in the city. We rug up and decide to enjoy dinner under its light before retreating to the loft bedroom for an early night. The gentle rocking stops as the wind dies down and I sleep soundly.
Sunset onboard Lilypad. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
An evening sauna session is calling. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Dinner under the stars. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Early to bed. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Sunrise and eggs sunny side up
One of the features I love most about Lilypad is the windows. They come in all shapes and sizes, but no matter the size, they keep you constantly connected to the water. I wake to see the sun is starting to rise and grab my camera to capture it. I’m thankful for the supplied Cultiver bathrobe and ugg boots I packed as the morning air is crisp. But seeing the sun break over the treeline and bathe Pittwater in its golden light is worth it. Inside, I make us coffee and pop on the Lilypad playlist that was playing from the speakers when we first arrived. Crying Shame by the Teskey Brothers starts playing as I cook up the eggs and bacon on the stove. There’s fresh orange juice, yogurt, granola and a fruit salad to be consumed too. We take our feast outside to eat just as locals start to stir on the boats near us and a man kayaking passes by. We still have a couple of hours to enjoy being on the water before Katie arrives with our tender back to land.
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The windows reveal water views from every angle. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The moon is still visible as the sun rises over Pittwater. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Enjoy breakfast in the sun. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Eggs cooking sunny side up. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The drive home
We take our time driving home. Stopping in Avalon for coffee and a muffin at The Sneaky Grind, poking around the stores and picking up another bottle of the delicious chardonnay from Winona Wine we enjoyed at lunch the day before. Not ready to head home just yet, we make a detour to Church Point for lunch at Pasadena. Then take Pittwater Road back to Barrenjoey and follow the Wakehurst Parkway back home.
Travel details
The new Porsche Macan GTS has a charge range of up to 700 kilometres. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Where can you charge EVs in Palm Beach?
While we didn’t need to recharge the Macan, there is a public electric vehicle charging station located opposite the ferry wharf in the Barrenjoey House car park. There is a range of websites and apps available to plan your EV road trip. The free PlugShare app provides comprehensive coverage of charging stations across Australia.
How long does the Macan GTS take to recharge?
The Macan GTS has two rear side charging points, one an AC/DC port and the other an AC-only port. The DC fast charging option connects to high-power public stations and can take the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent charge in about 21 minutes.
Staying at Lilypad Palm Beach
All-inclusive overnight stays at Lilypad Palm Beach start at $1990 per night (pending day and season) and include chef-prepared meals, beverages and premium snacks, and return transfers.
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Katie Carlin is Australian Traveller's Head of Content and when she’s not travelling or behind her computer, she’s hosting a dinner party (likely cooking an Alison Roman recipe), at brunch, working on extending her running k’s, or has her nose buried in a book.
She joined Australian Traveller in 2018 and is responsible for leading the editorial team across print, digital, social, email and native content. Her job is to make sure we create content that connects readers to incredible experiences in Australia and beyond. In addition to sharing her expertise on travel through industry speaking engagements, Katie appears onToday, A Current Affair and various radio segments.
With a BA in Communications majoring in Journalism and a career that has spanned roles at Fairfax Media and Are Media writing for titles such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and various lifestyle brands, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her most impactful trip to date has been swimming with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef. For her next trip she is longing to experience the romance of train travel – hopefully on The Ghan or Indian Pacific.
The outback is calling, and the adventure is made all the easier with this hot new AAT Kings’ tour.
It’s the desert palette of rust-red earth and vast cobalt sky that calls you at first, for where better to get away from it all than the outback? Of course, once you start driving, taking note of all the weathered pubs, dusty tracks and tiny towns held together with humour, resilience and more corrugated iron than ever deemed possible, something else grabs a hold of you: the idea that far from the celebrated icons and landmarks associated with Australia, you’re finally immersed in an authentic slice of local life that few have ever experienced.
Ancient landscapes, proud pastoral histories, ghost towns, culinary powerhouses and a rich Indigenous heritage; there are plenty of facets to life on the land. The best way to experience all of the above with both ease and like-minded friends? AAT Kings’ new Outback New South Wales Adventurer, a 9-day small group tour. This Sydney-return itinerary is designed to connect travellers not only with iconic outback destinations, but with the characters, culture and experiences that bring each place to life.
Highlights? The Adventurer has more than a few, but here are eight to start.
1. Broken Hill
See the striking art at Living Desert and Sculptures. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Welcome to Broken Hill, where mining history, outback eccentricity and a surprisingly rich arts scene unite in a rusty desert landscape. In Australia’s first heritage-listed city, exploration is quickly rewarded. Begin with a guided walking tour taking in the city’s grand Victorian and Art Deco architecture. Later, enjoy visits to both the Broken Hill City Art Gallery and the Living Desert and Sculptures – the perfect place to enjoy the changing colours of an outback sunset. Of course, no visit to Broken Hill is complete without a stop at the historic Palace Hotel Broken Hill, famous for its role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Happily, it makes for the perfect spot for dinner.
2. White Cliffs
Strap on your hardhat and head underground. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Strap on your hardhat and start spending your imaginary fortunes; White Cliffs, Australia’s oldest commercial opal field, is begging you to come in search of rare pineapple opals. Admittedly, you’re much more likely to find white opals, but the true gems of White Cliffs – where much is built underground to escape the desert heat – are everywhere.
Here, you’ll descend 13.5 metres underground into a working mine to learn about the region’s heritage, and observe how miners continue the search for these prized gemstones. Perhaps you’ll even find a couple yourself?
3. Mungo National Park
Spend time in the striking, lunar-like landscape of Mungo National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)
With its lunar-like landscape made up of ancient, dried lake basins and sculpted sand and clay formations, a drive into UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park is somehow two things all at once: uniquely Australian with vast outback skies, and somehow otherworldly, as though you’ve been dropped off by spaceship. At its heart lies the iconic Walls of China, a 30-kilometre sand-and-clay lunette shaped by thousands of years of erosion.
Understanding more than 40,000 years of Barkindji, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa history begins with a visit to the Visitor Centre, and concludes with a sunset tour led by local Aboriginal guides. A key experience? Learning about the discovery of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady. At 40,000+ years old, these are among the oldest human remains found anywhere in the world.
4. Kinchega National Park
Meet the locals of Kinchega National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Some come to Kinchega National Park for its iconic Darling River landscapes full of birdlife and haunting river red gums; others visit for its rich First Nations and pastoral history. Your visit will encompass all of the above, with a guided tour (part of AAT Kings’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience) designed to give a deeper understanding of Barkindji cultural heritage, history and traditions.
Walk with local guide David as he shares ancestral knowledge and creation stories, and explains how native plants – through bush food and bush medicine – have sustained Indigenous communities for thousands of years. Then sit back and enjoy those views alongside native tea and sweet treats.
5. Griffith
Treat your tastebuds to ‘the food bowl of Australia’. (Credit: Destination NSW)
How can you say no to a visit to a destination widely regarded as ‘the food bowl of Australia’? Shaped by fertile farmland and home to approximately 75 per cent of New South Wales’ wine grapes, this is a day to roll up your sleeves and enjoy the best gastronomy the state has to offer. Think vineyards, cellar doors, cafes and restaurants largely shaped by its multicultural heart (Griffith is not only home to over 60 nationalities, but has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry anywhere in Australia).
6. Mudgee
Visit some of Mudgee’s best wineries. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Nestled by the Cudgegong River, Mudgee packs a big punch for a heritage country town, having carved a reputation for itself as one of the country’s leading (and award-winning) wine regions, a key epicurean destination, and a regional arts centre growing in both visibility and vibrancy.
Take a moment to enjoy the town’s 19th-century charm before heading to Lowe Family Wine Co. for a guided tasting of organic and biodynamic wine, followed by a relaxed lunch featuring a feast of homegrown and local produce. Will you walk away with bottles of Mudgee’s iconic reds under your arms? It’s a distinct possibility.
7. Silverton
See the living ghost town of Silverton.(Credit: Destination NSW)
A once-booming silver mining hub, the dystopian setting for Mad Max 2, and now a tranquil settlement that’s home to around 50 people; Silverton is considered a living ghost town and remains a sight to behold.
Take time to explore its heritage streets (and perhaps take a look at the quirky Mad Max 2 Museum) and the Silverton Hotel, an iconic outback pub, before a visit to Silverton Gaol & Historical Museum. It’s home to a wealth of colonial artefacts, early mining equipment and stories from the outback’s pioneering past which will serve to anchor you firmly in place.
8. Shear Outback
Get a glimpse behind the wool curtain. (Credit: Destination NSW)
If you ever find yourself singing, “click go the shears boys, click, click, click…”, you’ve come to the right place. Shear Outback, an award-winning tourist and education attraction located in Hay, brings to life the traditions and stories of one of the outback’s most enduring industries: sheep shearing.
Here, in the heart of the Riverina, you’ll enjoy live shearing demonstrations, meet the shearers, shedhands, sheepdogs and yes, sheep, who come together to show guests exactly what it takes to provide Australians with all that glorious wool.
