Jutting out of the headlands with commanding views of the eastern seaboard of Sydney over South Curl Curl and Freshwater beaches, the new Harbord Diggers by the Mounties Group brings to life a host of new casual eateries in a seaside precinct that includes a gymnasium, conference facilities and luxury apartments for the over 55’s.
We take a stroll along the coastal walkway with breath-taking views of Sydney harbour on this glorious Sunday morning towards the Harbord Diggers complex.
Harbord Diggers, Freshwater
There is a playground at the front of the complex and local families are out in force on this beautiful day.
It is barely 12 noon and tables in the huge al fresco dining area are fast filling up with the lunch time crowd eager to bask in the glorious sunshine.
The new Harbord Diggers boasts four new restaurants – WaterDragon chinese restaurant, Teddy Larkin’s, a casual cafe DD Collective as well as AcquaFresca by Giovanni Pilu.
Each restaurant flow seamlessly onto the next connected by cocktail bars and a meandering walkway that resembles the ebbs and flows of the surf nearby.
A stiff and heady Bloody Mary is rather tempting at this cocktail bar on a beautiful Sunday morning.
The vibe is rather casual where kids are roaming freely around the terrace and indoor playground while the adults indulge in a drink or two before lunch.
DD Collective. Harbord Diggers
We finally settle down for a drink before lunch at DD Collective.
The roast chicken appears to be the most popular among a menu that includes the usual suspects – fish and chips, hamburgers, steaks and pasta.
The meals at this casual cafe are good value though nothing out of the ordinary. My roast chicken is succulent though needing a bit more seasoning. The staff oblige with more gravy though it is no remedy when it’s rather thin and watery.
Mysaucepan‘s baby pork ribs fare a little better with a rich BBQ sauce and crispy potato chips.
Watermark, Freshwater
We take a walk after lunch to check out the new Watermark Freshwater apartments above the restaurant precinct.
East-facing units are bathed in the glorious sunlight with panoramic views of South Curl Curl beach to the north.
The panoramic water views from the apartments are breath-taking on a beautiful day.
The overhanging garden area in front of the apartments is a rather clever architectural design that completely shields the crowd noise emanating from the restaurants’ terrace directly below.
The coastal walk on Carrington Parade is definitely worth its effort in calories.
Less crowded than most coastal walks around Sydney harbour, it covers the Curl Curl beaches on its north right down to Freshwater beach towards its southern end.
So dear readers, which is your favourite Diggers club in Sydney?
Harbord Diggers
88 Evans street, Freshwater
New South Wales
Tel: +61 2 9938 1444