A Local's Guide to Palm Beach with Francesca Webster

Tell us a little bit about you and what you do?

My life and career has largely been surrounding all things to do with the hotel world. It’s a pretty unique job where guests entrust you with their time—a very precious resource. Within a hotel experience, you are inviting them into your world for a few nights. And more often than not, it’s a few nights that come with high expectations and at a time when they’re needing a reprieve from their day-to-day. It’s a big responsibility, and one I take very seriously! As the founder and director of Rocco House, I have harnessed my time managing hotels into my company which helps fellow hotel clients thrive knowing and understanding this responsibility.

Beyond hotels, I’m known as Apollo’s mum (and Bosco, our golden retriever), and a lover of a sunrise, the Aeolian Islands, and a great oversized shirt.

How would you describe Palm Beach?

The best of both worlds. The ability to live like you’re on a permanent holiday—to really feel like you’re far away with one road in and one road out—yet still make a meeting in the CBD or a friend’s birthday in 90 minutes. Tried and tested.

Another contrasting feature is the tranquil deep green Pittwater that meets with an energetic and winding ocean beach. The peninsula allows you to have the best sunrise over the beach and just over the hill, the best sunset falls on Pittwater. The sand of Palm Beach and its neighbouring beaches is also truly iconic. Thick grains of sand in a rich ochre colour. It’s hard to miss.

On a personal level, Palm Beach is in my past and now in my future. My dad and his brothers grew up on this beach. My dad taught my sister and I how to read the surf and swim in the surf here, with my Nana Joan’s house directly across the road from the shore. So it hits a sweet spot to be back here, to do the same with my own budding family.

What are some of your favourite things to do in the area?

Get your feet barefoot in the sand and walk along the beach. Leave your phone at home.
Rent a sailboat, and spend a night or two on Pittwater.
Visit Whale Beach Surf Club for a slower Sunday morning coffee and bacon and eggs with friends.

If a friend was coming to visit, what’s the one thing you’d recommend they do?

Get in the ocean, no matter what time of year. You never regret a swim.

Where are some of your favourite places to relax and recharge?

My balcony, any time of day.

Sandy Beach Reserve for sunset. Palm Beach Wine Co is a walk from Sandy Beach and has a seriously great selection of local and international wines. So perhaps make it a picnic too.

Let’s talk about dining—where are the best spots?

Sammy’s in Careel Bay for a mean toastie
Bistro Boulevard for local date night and moules frites
Dunes for a morning coffee before hitting the lighthouse, or a long Sunday lunch
Pocket Pizza for a night with friends
Randy’s for Friday afternoon aperitivo
Queen Ester for a grab-and-go nourishing bowl
The team at Bert’s never disappoint for a special occasion