Small but perfectly formed on the northern beaches

Most readers will know Brookvale as home to the loved and loathed (let’s face it, mostly loathed) Manly Sea Eagles NRL team that plays at Brookvale Oval.

Living in a tiny suburb with an 18,000 capacity football ground smack in the middle is not all bad, really. Sure it’s noisy on game day and parking’s hard for a few hours but there are only 10 home games scheduled for the 2024 season and the ground is owned by the council, so anyone can use the lush grass for a game of footy or a barefoot jog ... even an AFL kick. Your kids (or you) can pretend they are Daly Cherry-Evans as they literally follow in his bootsteps.

Daly Cherry-Evans takes a kick in a game against the Bulldogs last year.Credit: Getty

Brookie is also the site of the ugly sprawling Westfield Warringah Mall shopping centre (better on the inside than outside). Then there’s the string of car yards along the main road. Plus there’s the bus depot. Also, the back streets are filled with light industrial businesses, mostly on the eastern side of busy Pittwater Road that splits the suburb in two as it winds its way north to far trendier and wealthier suburbs.

Not a real lot going for it then you might think. However, look beneath the surface and ugly duckling Brookie is more attractive than meets the casual eye.

First up, it’s small, only 3389 residents according to the 2021 census and covers just 2.2 square kilometres. There is plenty of space though, with tree-lined streets and almost no through traffic in the quiet main residential section in the handful of blocks around and behind Brookie Oval.

Sure the houses may not be glamorous but they’re on big blocks and the sprinkling of units and townhouses are low-rise and spread out. Up the steep escarpment towards Warringah Road, there are uninterrupted views south to the city.

Because Brookie is not trendy in any sense, the population tends to be a bit older and more settled and you can get to know your neighbours. A peaceful haven of friendliness on the insular peninsular. Who’d have thought?

Bucketty's Brewing Co. in BrookvaleCredit: Bucketty's Brewing Co.

Brookie’s big selling point is its closeness to everything that you need for life without being too close. Food, fuel, transport, clothing, DIY, medical, leisure and entertainment, all within walking distance.

There’s terrific shopping and lots of cafes at the Mall and a bus hub with connections to the city and elsewhere, it’s only a 20 minute walk to North Curl Curl beach with its quiet and sheltered rock pool. The spectacular Curly to Dee Why clifftop walk and its glorious views to the Central Coast starts next to the surf club.

North Curl Curl beach.Credit: Nick Moir

You can bus it or drive quickly to nearby Manly and Freshwater, smug in the knowledge that you’re almost a beachside local but without the multi-million dollar mortgage or eye-watering rent that gives you an ulcer.

Finally, the secret is out about Brookvale’s fine collection of boutique craft breweries. With a bit of planning on Google Maps, you and a bunch of mates can visit in no particular order: 4 Pines Brewery; Nomad Brewing Co; 7th Day Brewery; Freshwater Brewing Company; Dad & Dave’s Brewing and Bucketty’s Brewing Co. Did anyone mention pub crawl?

Favourite cafe: Brookie Pies. Shop 2, 650 Pittwater Road.

Best restaurant: Brookie is light on when it comes to actual restaurants. Try Mimmos Pizza, 642 Pittwater Road.

Best beach, park or pool? North Curl Curl, not strictly Brookvale, but close enough.

First place you take visitors? The beach.

Perfect night out in your suburb? Brookvale brewery crawl.

What would make your suburb better? More places to eat out at night.

Best secret spot in your suburb? Stony Range Regional Botanic Gardens. An oasis of native plants and walking tracks. Technically just metres outside Brookvale in Dee Why.

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