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Ahh Mona Vale… she’s more of a mood than a suburb. A little salty, a lot friendly, and always up for a good time. This season, we’re checking out the beach, the brews, the boutiques, and all the barefoot vibes. It’s one of our best. Come for a surf, stay for the coffee, and maybe a cheeky beer too.
DID YOU KNOW?
Long before cafés and coast walks, Mona Vale, known as “Bongin Bongin” by Aboriginal people, was home to a zoo (yes, with white albinos!), rows of tomatoes during the war, and all the charm of a rural farm.
Ask anyone who lives here, has visited, or even just driven through, and they’ll probably say the same thing: there’s just something about Mona. Maybe it’s the salty breeze, the laid-back surf culture, or the fact that everyone seems to know their barista by name. Whatever it is, we’re here for it.
The charming village centre has a friendly energy which extends along the vast expanse of its many tentacles. The veins of Mona spread wide across a bunch of different vibes, from beacheside cafés and rolling surf to industrial-chic warehouse shops and creative corners you didn’t know existed. Whether you’re after a good flat white, a new board, a cold beer, or a breezy coastal walk, our girl Mona delivers, with a grin.
Let’s start at the beach because honestly, she’s an absolute showstopper. That smiling yellow sand is a favourite haunt for surfers, swimmers, and sandy-footed strollers. Technically, it’s two beaches joined by an ocean rock platform, but who’s counting? No Beaches town would be complete without a sparkly ocean pool. Tick.
To the north lies The Basin, a sheltered bay ideal for mellow swims. Head south, and you’ll find the action-packed surf zones Main, Suck Rock (home of the legendary King of the Rock comp), and Rip Bowl. Mona’s beach culture spills effortlessly into the rest of the suburb. It’s sporty, healthy, and somehow always sun-kissed. Barefoot kids wander by with surfboards under their arms, local legends jog past with kelpies in tow, and the skate bowl is always buzzing.
Around every corner, there’s energy. Kids zipping along flying foxes, teenagers hanging out in the park, and boats docked on Pittwater. Mona is a suburb that moves, plays, and laughs.
Just before sunrise, Mona Vale stirs to life. Swimming groups glide through Bongin Bongin Bay, a ritual that continues year-round. I was lucky enough to fire the starting gun at the Janice Mason Memorial Swim on World Oceans Day on Sunday, June 8.
Like all locals, I’ve got plenty of favourite beachside cafés like Bacino Espresso and Armchair Collective, which still bursts with beautiful homewares. The surf club has recently been renovated and is now home to the gorgeous Basin Dining Room with an amazing menu and spectacular views.
Weekends are full of energy, from nippers and para surfers to the local boardriders club. I love Mona because it’s all about contrasts – beachside brunches meet buzzing industrial laneways. Two decades ago, I helped a friend of mine, Hayden Cox, with a guerrilla sticker campaign for his new surfboard business. Today, Hayden Shapes is a global brand, still thriving alongside surf icons like Howie Shapes and Onboard.
We’re lucky to have Village Park. It’s a community hub hosting markets, rallies, and local festivals. The Sunday Mona Vale Markets is a creative haven for handmade goods, and the shops brim with personality from fashion boutiques like Cable, Roze & Thorn, to Jack & Sandy's, a boutique chocolatier.
I always sneak in a coffee from Crumbs and a slice from Mrs Jones the Baker. I try to run a plastic-free household and love shopping at Flannerys and Scoop Wholefoods. They’re next door to Berkelouw Books, which is always hard to resist. And the Resilience Circle shop is a bright yellow beacon of hope, staffed by trauma-trained employees and a lifeline for women escaping domestic violence.
For fresh air and family time, we often walk Scout, our dog, past Mona Vale Golf Course and onto the skate park. If time allows, I’ll squeeze in a round – Mona Vale’s course is one of the most scenic on The Beaches.
When night falls, Mona Vale doesn’t sleep. We might play pool at the new Mona Social or join in Tuesday trivia. Music is making a comeback too, with The Mona bringing live music back in a big way. It’s nice to see local talent thriving again. And yes, I’m ready to hit the new pickleball courts at Pittwater RSL soon!
BEACH VIBES & CREATIVE HUBS
It isn’t all ocean breezes and zinc-covered noses. The industrial estate, tucked behind the village centre, has evolved into a haven of urban cool. This once-sleepy strip now boasts funky warehouse stores, artisan workshops, clever start-ups, cool eats, and a brewery that knows how to throw down a good Sunday session.
The pub scene here is up there with one of the best on The Beaches. Take your pick from family-friendly spots with playgrounds to local haunts with footy on the big screen. You’ll find rooftop bars with Pittwater views, cosy corners for a winter red, and sun-drenched courtyards that hum all weekend long. Basically, if you can’t find a good time in Mona Vale, you might be doing it wrong.
Beyond the beach and brews, Mona Vale has a creative undercurrent that quietly shapes the suburb. It’s got boutique shops selling coastal-chic homewares, weekend markets, artists' studios, and plenty of inspired locals making beautiful things.
The community is tight-knit and full of character, friendly faces, surfy banter, and a shared appreciation for living somewhere that feels a bit like a permanent holiday.
With some of the area’s most scenic tracks, you’ll clock up your steps here no probs. From the beachside headland walk, perfect for spotting surfers and whales, to the serene Pittwater-side stroll from Winnererremy Bay to Church Point.
For those who like their cardio with clubs, Mona Vale Golf Club overlooks the ocean with a championship course and a clubhouse that loves a sundowner.
Mona Vale has a rich, somewhat mysterious history. The original custodians of this land, the Garigal people, knew it as Bongin Bongin. In the early 1800s, colonial land grants were handed out, and one of the first went to Robert Campbell, a man who may or may not have named the area after a town in Scotland. Whether the name's origins are fact or folklore, one thing’s for sure: it stuck!
So yeah, we love The Vale. The beach, the beer, the community, and the charm. It's a special place where you can still find a parking spot, strike up a chat with a stranger, and end your day salty, smiling, and sun-kissed.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best bits, from burgers to chocolate bars, bushwalks to breweries.
Welcome to Mona Vale.
Shop around, have a drink, bring the kids, grab a bite and a cocktail, or stay for a chat. You’re going to love it here.
DID YOU KNOW?
The name “Mona Vale” is a bit of a mystery. It came from Robert Campbell’s property, but no one really knows if it was inspired by Scotland or just simply sounded good.
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