The Real Characters of Avalon

In any village as charming and coastal as Avalon, it is the people who bring the colour and flair to this idyllic pocket.

The zinc-cheeked grom skipping past with a locally shaped board under his arm, the barista who always remembers your order, the tattooed zen guru who is as flexible as they are spiritual, the fair-dinkum local who has been scooping gelato for what feels like decades, always adding that little extra. The real characters of Avalon are what make this place… well, this place.

Avalon is a little like the Byron of Sydney, an eclectic mix of interesting people, creatives, laid-back locals, generational families and the new "Av-Cats" with their mix of swank and swagger. You’ll find barefoot salty seadogs with surf stories from the 60s, relaxing in the homes they snapped up decades ago, now some of the most coveted spots in Avalon, right next to retailers shaping the Village’s unique fashion and lifestyle scene, while a choice of coffee haunts wait to become your second home.

Here, we celebrate the “real” faces behind the businesses locals love, the smiles behind the smooth suburb, the Beaches’ true treasures.

Rochelle
Cabana Style

It’s the compliments from customers that keep my Avalon spirit alive, especially when someone new walks in and says, “Oh wow, I could buy one of everything!” My favourite thing about Avalon is its eclectic mix of people, from artists to entrepreneurs to everyday tradies. I have a soft spot for the older generation of Avalonians, who carry such passion for their community and a rich sense of history.
From 1972 to 1974, I lived on Hudson Parade, where a family of four koalas made our backyard their home and watched us swim. The lure of Avalon brought me back in 2000 to raise my three children. Now, after a busy day at work, I love nothing more than relaxing on my back deck with a glass of wine, listening to the birds and watching the water dragons stretch out around the pool.

Barry
Swell Café

My favourite part of the job is feeling connected to the community. I meet new people every day and that keeps it fun. And Avalon? It’s village living with better coffee. The vibe is so strong you almost expect someone to hand you fresh backyard chook eggs on your morning walk. When I’m not at Swell, I’m working on GIAGO, the company I co-founded, so keep an eye on that. Otherwise, I’m at Anytime Fitness, swimming in the ocean, running a marathon, or “supporting local” with a light refreshment at Avalon’s finest watering holes. Fun facts? I once ran the Sydney Marathon with a keg on my back, played rugby around the world, raced cars, cooked for 55,000 people and ran the UK’s second-biggest beer festival.

Tom
Trainer Tom's Tombucha and Royal Avalon Clubhouse

Tom is a busy man. His kombucha label, Trainer Tom’s Tombucha, brewed locally on the Beaches, has become a staple in café fridges across the area and beyond.

With real flavour, real fruit and a no-fuss approach, it has earned a loyal following. The Pine-Lime &
Aloe blend, tasting like a melted Splice, is a Beaches COVERED favourite.

Now, Tom is turning his energy to hospitality.  “I’m an old Avalon boy. I went to Barrenjoey High and spent years in the fitness world before I started brewing the 'butcha," says  Tom. " More recently, I’ve taken
on the Royal Avalon Clubhouse, serving a casual menu of classics, seasonal
dishes and post-golf snacks. It’s a family-friendly venue that respects the Avalon golfing community and the heritage of the clubhouse. I haven’t worked in hospo since my twenties and honestly, it’s a hoot.”  

Whether pouring Tombucha or cruising the Clubhouse, Tom keeps Avalon feeling like home.

Sharni & Mel
F45 Avalon

There’s nothing better than watching someone realise they’re capable of more than they imagined. Being able to share my own journey, as a three-time Olympian and Olympic gold medallist in Rugby 7s, and see it motivate someone to take their next step is something I never take for granted.

When the Tokyo Olympics were postponed, the Avalon community truly rallied around me. They even held a medal ceremony to keep me motivated during isolation training. The support they showed then, and still show now, is a huge part of why I love this place. And honestly, the location itself? What’s not to love.

Clareville is my favourite spot in the north. We love grabbing a bit of downtime away from the gym, and the beach is always the best place for it.

Luke
Chill Bar

I love being the go-to spot for happy memories, seeing smiling faces as I pass over a cone, take an order for a brekkie roll or serve up a slice of cake. That’s what I love about Avalon: the good vibes, friendly banter and the gratitude for a generous scoop. No one’s in a rush, except to slow down.

My favourite part of the job? Watching someone’s whole mood lift after the first taste of their favourite flavour. And honestly, the scent of bacon in the morning isn’t bad either. When I’m not at work, I like to think I was once not too shabby kicking a ball around the soccer pitch.

Aaron
The Sneaky Grind

Talking to the people of Avalon is the best part of my day. Whether it’s regulars grabbing their morning flat white or someone new sharing a slice of their story, those everyday moments are what fuel The Sneaky Grind. Avalon has this rare magic; it feels like a small country town by the sea. You can’t walk far without stopping for a hello, yet the ocean is only footsteps away. That easy pace, that coastal rhythm, is what makes this place feel like home.
When I’m not at the café, I’m with my little one, usually trampolining, colouring in or creating some sort of joyful chaos in the kitchen.

Anna
AHHA Jewellery

The local area inspires everything I make. My designs are shaped by what I see and feel daily: coral textures, natural curves, rock pools, reefs and the ocean floor. It all finds its way into the jewellery. We live messy, beautiful, active lives here – sandy feet, ocean dips between school drop-offs, dinner straight after a swim at South Avalon – so I had to design pieces that keep up. Personalisation is another nod to the area. Whether it’s a birthstone, a star sign or a symbol of your connection to the coast, it’s about storytelling through jewellery. When a piece reflects where you’re from and how you live, it becomes part of your story. I love that Avalon is a part of mine.

Yasmin
Moonstar Yoga

People are often surprised to learn that I trained as a counsellor before moving into yoga and Reiki. That background, combined with lived experience, shapes the way I hold space; steady, trauma-informed, and guided by intuition.

When someone gets up after a session and you can genuinely see the shift as their nervous system settles – softer shoulders, calmer breathing, a clearer look in their eyes – those small, human changes remind me why this work matters and why I do it.

I love that Avalon still feels like a true community. You run into familiar faces all around, the ocean is close by, and the whole place has a grounded, easy rhythm. It’s the kind of environment that naturally supports a slower, more mindful way of living.

Suzy
Voss Store

I’m obsessed with fabrics. Give me a beautifully woven cotton or a perfectly weighted linen and I’ll happily talk about it for an hour. Helping someone who “hates shopping” walk out smiling in clothes they feel confident in is genuinely the best feeling.

I love the way Avalon has its own rhythm, slow enough to breathe, lively enough to keep you energised. It still feels like a village. People know each other, support each other and genuinely care. That’s rare these days.

Outside of work, I’m usually sharing a meal with friends or family. Good food and good company are my favourite way to unwind.

Michelle
Studio Pilates Avalon Beach

Once upon a time, I worked for the NSW Police Force for 18 years, and the Australian Federal Police for five years. Yes, I have some stories to tell! Now working in Pilates, I live for the moment when a client tells me how much stronger, pain free and more confident they feel in their stability.

When I’m not at work or spending time with my two gorgeous daughters and partner, you’ll find me on my daily walks with my Aussie shepherd pooch, Phoenix. I love summer evenings in Avalon, when people are all out and about supporting local eateries, and you can hear laughter, music and chatter in the streets, all adding to the charm of the Avalon village.

Pat
Oceana Traders

I grew up in Avalon and went to Avalon public school. From a little grom in the surf to now running a business in Avalon, I know a lot of the people here and it’s just nice to have such a close community where everyone is friendly and always up for a chat.

My favourite part of the job is just talking with all the regular customers and hearing how everyone is going. I’m an open book with my customers and everyone who knows me, so there’s not much about me that’s left unsaid. I especially love catering for Christmas, when everyone is happy and around family. When I’m not at work, you will find me either fishing or asleep.

‍