Northern Beaches
Frenchs Forest
An inland Northern Beaches suburb anchored by the new Northern Beaches Hospital (opened 2018) and Forestway Shopping Centre. Mostly post-war brick homes and pockets of new apartment development around the hospital. Suits families and medical professionals wanting affordable Northern Beaches living with a major employer on the doorstep.
- To CBD
- ~28 min
- Schools profiled
- 2
- Pros / Cons
- 4 / 4
Connectivity
Getting around
- Railway
- Sydney Trains
No heavy-rail; closest is Chatswood (T1) 22 min by bus. From Chatswood: Wynyard 13 min, Central 16 min.
Sydney MetroIndirect — closest Sydney Metro M1 Crows Nest 25–35 min by bus. From Crows Nest: Martin Place 7 min, Chatswood 4 min.
- Buses
Routes 273, 280, 169 along Forest Way and Warringah Road. Chatswood 18 min, North Sydney 22 min, Town Hall 28 min, Manly 18 min.
- By car
Wakehurst Parkway, Warringah Road and Eastern Valley Way. Drive times off-peak: Sydney CBD 25 min, North Sydney 18 min, Chatswood 12 min, Macquarie Park 14 min, Manly 16 min.
Local life
What's in Frenchs Forest
The shops, parks, pubs and landmarks that locals actually use.
parkFitzpatrick Avenue Reserve
A popular park in Frenchs Forest (3.7★ · 3 reviews). Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
park
cafeThe Old Civic Cafe & Diner
A popular cafe in Frenchs Forest (4.3★ · 284 reviews). Shop 15, Forestway Shopping Centre; Warringah Road &, Forest Way, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
cafeSolbowl Forestway Shopping Centre
A popular cafe in Frenchs Forest (4.6★ · 18 reviews). 20 Forest Way, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
cafeCrave Nutrition Cafe
A popular cafe in Frenchs Forest (4.6★ · 77 reviews). Shop 11B/20 Forest Way, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
restaurantChilli House Thai Cuisine
A popular restaurant in Frenchs Forest (4.4★ · 81 reviews). Shop 3/57 Sorlie Road, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
restaurantFu Kwai Chinese Restaurant
A popular restaurant in Frenchs Forest (3.6★ · 68 reviews). 1/71 Sorlie Road, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
restaurantPhulkari Indian Cuisine (Frenchs Forest)
A popular restaurant in Frenchs Forest (4.6★ · 309 reviews). Shop 4/63-65 Sorlie Road, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
landmarkRabbett Reserve
A popular landmark in Frenchs Forest (4.1★ · 16 reviews). Unit 30/32 Rabbett Street, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
landmarkLionel Watts Reserve
A popular landmark in Frenchs Forest (4.6★ · 382 reviews). Blackbutts Road, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
shopForestway Shopping Centre
A popular shop in Frenchs Forest (3.9★ · 1374 reviews). 20 Forest Way, Frenchs Forest
Photo: Google
Education
Schools & tertiary
Primary: Frenchs Forest Public; secondary: Killarney Heights High.
Primary
- Frenchs Forest Public SchoolPublic
Catchment primary
Secondary
- Killarney Heights High SchoolPublic
Catchment public secondary
Real estate
Medians (2026)
Numbers coming soon. We're populating medians from Domain and CoreLogic — this section will fill in as the data lands.
The honest read
Pros & cons
What works
- Northern Beaches Hospital in suburb (opened 2018)
- Lower prices than coastal Northern Beaches
- Family-friendly bigger blocks
- Quick Wakehurst Parkway access
Watch outs
- No train or Metro
- Bus-dependent for CBD trips
- Wakehurst Parkway peak traffic
- Hospital traffic on Frenchs Forest Road
Looking to buy or rent in Frenchs Forest?
Browse current listings or talk to one of our agents who knows the area inside out.