The traditional Aboriginal inhabitants of the land now known as the Northern Beaches were the Garigal people of the Eora nation.

Within a few years of European settlement, the Garigal had mostly disappeared from this area mainly due to an outbreak of smallpox in 1789.

Much evidence of their habitation remains especially their rock etchings in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park which borders northern beaches's north-western side.

The northern beaches region was explored early on in the settlement of Sydney, only a few weeks after the arrival of the First Fleet.

While it was geographically close to the city centre, to reach the area over land from Sydney via Mona Vale Road was a trip of more than 100 kilometres (62 mi).

Since those days, urban growth proceeded slowly until the 1960s when development accelerated because of improved roads and a general increase in living standards in the regions.

Major bus interchanges are at Pittwater Road at Brookvale, Dee Why, Mona Vale and Manly Wharf.