Visit Home & Away’s

Summer Bay

a tour review

Since January 1988, both Australian and International audiences have been captivated by the dramatic story lines portrayed on the famous soap opera, Home and Away. Originally intended to portray the daily struggles of inner-city kids living in a small-town foster home, creator Alan Bateman thought up the concept while he was on holiday and noticed that the locals at Kangaroo Point, NSW, were upset by the prospect of a foster home being constructed in their area. These days, the show – which is broadcast on the Seven network between Mondays and Thursdays at 7 pm each night – is the second longest running series in Australia and has won 45 Logie Awards, making it the most successful soap in Logie history! In 2015 Home and Away became the 32nd inductee to the Logies Hall of Fame.Hundreds of characters have ‘lived’ in fictional Summer Bay since the original Fletcher family and their six foster children graced the screens. Whether you’re a diehard fan who has followed Home and Away since its inception, or you’ve only ever watched a few episodes, the real life set is well worth a visit.

The Summer Bay outdoor filming location is actually Palm Beach, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, only 41 kilometres north of Sydney’s CBD (indoor scenes are shot at Redfern’s Australian Technology Park). This gorgeous stretch of golden sands and clear blue ocean is situated on a peninsula between Pittwater and Broken Bay, allowing for spectacular views of the headlands and lush green hinterlands surrounding it.

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During your Home and Away film set tour, you’ll meet your guide and fellow soapie fans at Circular Quay, before settling down in your comfortable mini coach for the short trip north. When you reach Palm Beach, you’ll visit a number of exciting and recognisable locations, such as the Summer Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, The Pier Diner and the site of the original diner, Alf’s Bait shop, a variety of beach landmarks and more.

You’re very likely to see some live filming on the beach, as filming occurs regularly and – best of all – if filming is underway, the Home and Away cast members are usually very happy to mingle with their fans and sign autographs! So exciting!For those who aren’t as likely to be so star struck, the phenomenal views you’ll see on this tour will more than make up for it. You’ll see some absolutely stunning affluent Sydney homes, views of Shelly Beach, Long Reef, North Head, Bilgola Lookout and other Northern Beaches and Sydney Harbour vistas. You can enjoy a marine life spotting adventure in the Palm Beach Rock Pools, a delicious picnic lunch on Palm Beach and an aromatic coffee at Manly’s famous Shelley Beach, while partaking in some people watching.

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Throughout your tour, your friendly tour guide will impart their knowledge of the area, relaying a bit of its history and information on the local highlights. They will also give you all the up to date information and gossip about Home and Away, its history and its future direction – all this with a touch of humour and a load of fun!

When your tour comes to a close, you will be escorted to Manly Wharf, where you can choose to take a ferry back to Circular Quay, or enjoy spending more time at the beach or Manly Corso.

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Want to find out more about Cairns? Including our favourite tours, latest specials, travel information and plenty more. See our Sydney Things to Do Travel Guide.

Home and Away Tour

See our Home and Away Tour