The Central Coast is an area of natural beauty famous for its scenic beaches and breathtaking views. There are hidden treasures dotted along the coastline with landmarks such as the Skillion Headland and Crackneck Lookout, with unspoiled beaches, rugged cliff faces, rock platforms and secluded bays to be found around every corner.

There are over 30 beaches to choose from offering everything from the café culture at Terrigal Beach, to the family friendly atmosphere at The Entrance Beach and calm views from Ettalong Beach watching the boating activity.

Terrigal Beach
One of the best-known beaches on the Central Coast, Terrigal Beach is a cosmopolitan seaside town. With magnificent pine trees, alfresco dining and a shopping strip of boutique stores, the place is a hive of activity. The year-round patrolled beach provides a safe swimming environment for the young families. Sign up for a surf lesson with the Central Coast Surf School for fun and safe tuition. The Haven is the town’s small harbour and is a popular place to dive. 

Photo: Avoca Beach
 
Avoca Beach
A popular surf beach lined with towering Norfolk Pines, Avoca Beach has a relaxed atmosphere.  With consistently good surf conditions that roll in off “The Point” and generally calm patrolled areas close to the surf club, Avoca boasts conditions for everyone in the family. For surfing lessons, Central Coast Surf School offers a range of lessons for beginners through to advanced, and also can help with surf and bike hire. For gentle water fun try out Aquafun for kayaks, pedal boats and surf-ski hire on Avoca Lake. The surrounding cafes provide the perfect beachside view and are the ideal spots to sit back and relax. After the beach, pay a visit to the historic Avoca Beach Picture Theatre, which has been a favourite for generations.

North Avoca
For the experienced surfer, renowned for its powerful northeasterly swells, North Avoca beach offers the ultimate surfing conditions.  Tucked away between Terrigal and Avoca Beach, this is also the ideal location for a beach walk. Although patrolled, visitors are warned to keep an eye out for rips generally located in the northern end. There is a popular dog walking area between Avoca & North Avoca Beaches.

The Entrance
The Entrance offers an all round aquatic playground with a patrolled beach. Located within walking distance to the shops, playground and food outlets, this is a popular choice for families with both a beach and the calm Tuggerah Lake to bathe in. At the southern end of the beach visitors will find two ocean baths perfect for paddling with young children. There is a coastal boardwalk lined with signs detailing the history of the area, a park, undercover BBQ’s and picnic tables as well as being home to the famous daily Pelican Feeding at 3.30pm in Memorial Park. The Entrance Visitor Information Centre is located on Marine Parade and offers a wealth of information for you to plan your time around the area.

Photo: Aerial view of Tuggerah Lake and The Entrance Beach

Shelly Beach
Suitable for surfers and swimmers of most standards, Shelly Beach is a beautiful strip of golden sand popular with both locals and tourists. It is an excellent surfing beach with waves averaging 1.5 metres, but with rips at each end bathers should be wary. Tuggerah Lakes Golf Club is located at the northern end of the beach and boasts sweeping views of the coastline. There is a dog walking area between North Shelly Beach and Toowoon Bay.

Soldiers Beach
Picturesque Soldiers Beach is one of the few Central Coast beaches to remain untouched from urban development. This spectacular beach is a surfers’ dream and swimmers delight. Surfing lessons are available here with Terry McDermott Surf Coaching. The beach is flanked on the northern side by the Norah Head Lighthouse which although is no longer manned, continues to guide ships travelling along the coast. Historic guided tours are available at weekends between 10am – 2pm.

Killcare Beach
Regarded by critics as one of the top ten Australian beaches, Killcare Beach maintains its beauty and seclusion. The beach is considered to be family friendly, protected by a northeast and easterly swell with rock pools for the children to play in. The surf provides a challenge for the enthusiastic surfer with safer bathing conditions at the south end of the beach. Bouddi National Park, one of the most scenic coastal National Parks in NSW, borders Killcare Beach on either end and offers bushwalkers a range of trails to explore. Camping spots are available for families to enjoy.

Photo: Toowoon Bay

Toowoon Bay
Toowoon Bay beach has been awarded Australia’s Cleanest Beach in 2007! As well as the top award, Toowoon also picked up the Friendliest Beach title for its commitment to visitor hospitality and safety. This winning beach offers a picturesque horseshoe shaped protected beach that is great for families. The small bay is surrounded by a reef, which becomes exposed at low tide and offers protection from ocean swell and provides safe swimming conditions. There is plenty of parking with a grassy reserve located adjacent to the beach, perfect for family picnics.

Ocean Beach
Located between Umina Beach and Ettalong Beach at the southern end of the Central Coast and nestled within the protection of Broken Bay, there is over 2km’s of golden sand to enjoy. It provides the beauty of an ocean beach with the safety of an inland waterway, offering ideal conditions for learning to surf.

Umina Beach
Umina Beach offers outstanding views of of Bouddi National Park, Lobster Beach and Lion Island Nature Reserve and nearby is the fantastic Mt Ettalong lookout. The beach is a relatively safe surfing beach with lessons available with the Central Coast Surf School and there is a rock pool located at the southern end of the beach.  The beach backs onto a large grassed Recreation Reserve with a skate ramp, picnic facilities, children’s playground, tennis courts and surf club.

Photo: Ettalong Beach

Ettalong Beach
On the calm shores of Broken Bay, are the shallow waters along Ettalong Beach.  Ideal for swimming and watching the boating activity, the firm sand is also good for walking. The Palm Beach Ferry runs a regular service across to Palm Beach from here and the Ettalong Beach Memorial Club boasts a large terrace overlooking the water. Ettalong Village provides a good choice of shops and the weekend market is worth a browse.

Wamberal Beach
Wamberal Beach is a picturesque and unspoilt stretch of sand flowing round from Terrigal beach, with challenging surf conditions. Wamberal Lagoon, a protected fauna and flora sanctuary, offers a safe haven for families as well as an escape from other more crowded beaches.

Macmasters Beach
Regarded as one of the region’s truly unspoilt beaches, this small beach and tidal pool is located amongst beautiful surroundings. Bordered by Bouddi National Park this beach can be reached by bushwalking trails.

Copacabana Beach
Located between Avoca and MacMasters Beaches, Copacabana provides magnificent views of the NSW coastline. With a few local shops, cafes and fish n chip outlets this is a great, quiet location to relax. It is known for its persistent rips, so bathers are cautioned to swim between the flags, but the rock pool offers a safe haven for the children.