[2] The Pittwater and Northern Beaches area was formerly inhabited by the Garigal or Caregal people in a region known as Guringai country.

In 1833 a 4.9-square-kilometre (1,200-acre) land grant was made to Australia's first Catholic priest, John Joseph Therry, by Governor Bourke.

A further grant of 280 acres made in 1837 meant that Therry's holdings covered most of the peninsula from Newport to Whale Beach.

After he died, the land was left to the Jesuit order and was then sold to help finance the rebuilding of St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.

The architect Alexander Stewart Jolly designed a number of houses that were built in the Avalon area in that period.

[9] A sandstone cottage known as Wickham, designed by Walter Burley Griffin, was demolished with council approval in 1994.

Cuisines include French,[14] Vietnamese, Italian,[15] Mexican, American Diner, Japanese,[16] Thai and other Asian.

It is renowned for its rich orange-coloured sand (that indicate the presence of iron oxide), which contrasts to the typical yellow coloured beaches in the eastern suburbs.

[18] Several former surfing world champions are also past or current Avalon residents, including Ben Player.

However, following complaints from residents (supported by former world surfing champion and local property owner Mark Warren), the series moved instead to Hawaii.

The anti-Baywatch supporters were led by former Pittwater mayor Alex McTaggart, who was subsequently elected to NSW State Parliament for two years.