[4] Palm Beach is sometimes colloquially referred to as 'Palmy';[5] it is used for exterior filming of the soap opera Home and Away, as the fictional town of Summer Bay.

[8] Palm Beach housing ranges from cottages to grand estates,[9][10] owned by some of the country's most affluent people.

According to the Australian Taxation Office statistics for the financial year of 2016–2017, Palm Beach and the post code of 2108 was the wealthiest suburb in Australia, with an average taxable income of $230,000.

The headland at the northernmost point rises quite sharply from the beach to over 100 metres (330 ft) above sea level, and features an operational lighthouse.

The narrow sandy isthmus or tombolo linking the south side of the headland to the rest of Palm Beach had extensive fencing and shrub planting undertaken during the 1980s to combat sand erosion.

[12] These reserves often contain endangered ecological communities, such as Littoral Rainforest, and Pittwater spotted gum forest.

[13] The southern end of the Palm Beach is marked as Cabbage Tree Boat Harbour on a map of 1832.

The plant's species name gave origin to Livistona Lane, off Palm Beach Road.

[14] Governor Philip explored the area in 1788, and named the headland 'Barrenjuee', which was an indigenous word apparently meaning 'young kangaroo'.

[16] The Southern end of the ocean beach is marked as Cabbage Tree Boat Harbour on a map of 1832.

Since World War II the area has become more residential but still remains a secluded peninsula at the northern point of Pittwater.

Careel Bay Ovals Sporting Complex includes facilities for rugby league, soccer and tennis.