Are you looking for the best beaches on the Central Coast? Of course you are! And we reckon there’s nowhere better than The Entrance. It’s super close to Sydney (90 minutes driving north), on the NSW Central Coast. It’s chill, but there’s heaps to do with your mates, family or by yourself. Why ‘The Entrance’, you ask? It’s where Tuggerah Lake meets the Pacific Ocean and where you can enjoy beautiful beaches, hidden coves, spectacular lakes and so much more.
We want you to make the most of your stay at The Entrance, so we’ve rounded up 12 of the Central Coast’s best beaches with some of the top things to do at The Entrance below.
Jump to
- STAYING AT A BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT LOCATION
- CANTON BEACH
- NORTH ENTRANCE BEACH
- THE ENTRANCE OCEAN BATHS
- TOOWOON BAY BEACH
- SHELLY BEACH
- FORRESTERS BEACH
- TERRIGAL BEACH
- WAMBERAL BEACH
- NORTH AVOCA BEACH
- AVOCA BEACH
- COPACABANA BEACH
- MACMASTERS BEACH
- TO WRAP IT UP!
- FAQS
Staying at a beautiful waterfront location
A trip to the beach calls for somewhere amazing to stay, and Oaks The Entrance Waterfront Suites won’t let you down.
Our accommodation overlooks Tuggerah Lake, and in just a few minutes, you can be at the beach. The suites and serviced apartments are just perfect for chilling after a long day exploring around or just chilling. Roomy and comfortable, they are suitable for families, couples, and solo travellers and with them you’ll find everything you could think of for a perfect holiday: from an outdoor pool to spa facilities and beautiful balconies, sounds nice, right? You’ll also be spoiled with access to several cafes and restaurants nearby and we reckon you’ll love the walking trails from the hotel. Most of the best beaches in Central Coast are under 30 minutes away, so you can spend your days at the beach and your evenings with Oaks.
Canton Beach
We love Canton Beach! It’s just a 5-minute drive from Oaks The Entrance Waterfront Suites and is definitely worth a visit. It’s a bit different to the ocean-side beaches nearby, sat on the edge of Tuggerah Lake. It’s a really calm, peaceful spot that’s great if you’ve got young kids.
The water’s shallow, so you can jump in for some paddling, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, and there’s some cute pathways to enjoy a stroll too. If you want to slow down and soak up the good vibes, Canton Beach is one to visit.
Some tasty food options include local favourite Filippo Café in Toukley for brekkie or coffee, while the Indian Coffee House & Restaurant offers casual dining close to the waterfront.
North Entrance Beach
If it’s classic beaches near the Entrance you want, with big stretches of sand and epic waves, then North Entrance Beach is for you. You’ll find it just across the channel from the town centre, and only a 5-minute drive from your Oaks base.
The beach feels incredibly spacious, so it’s easy to find your own patch of sand (even during busy periods!). The right surf conditions are a must for surfers, and the long stretches of coastline are perfect for a sunset wander.
Grab some brunch and coffee at Arcady North, or eat in at the Lakeside Café & Bar, which has a great view over the water.
The Entrance Ocean Baths
Okay, so this one’s not technically a beach. But that doesn’t mean The Entrance Ocean Baths don’t deserve a place on any list of holiday fun in Central Coast. It’s five minutes from the hotel by car and has a good rep for being somewhere to enjoy a safe and scenic swim.
The story of The Entrance Baths goes back a long way. They were filled naturally by the ocean, so the pools give you incredible views without the challenges of strong currents in the surf. Families love it here because the swimming conditions are calm and if you’re an early riser, it’s a great spot for a morning dip looking over the Pacific.
After you’ve had a swim, check out the Usui Café for brekkie, or grab a coffee and a light bite at Toast&Co.
Toowoon Bay Beach
Keeping up with the best beaches on the Central Coast, another one close to the hotel Toowoon Bay Beach. It’s just 6 minutes away by car and it’s one of the faves among families, and anyone keen on a gentler swim.
It’s surrounded by headlands, so it’s a lot calmer than some of the other nearby beaches and the sand… The sand feels unreal, soft and powdery. That, plus a clear water makes it perfect for a long day sunbathing while catching up on that book you’ve been reading for a couple of months now.
If you’re feeling peckish, you can check out the popular Village Kiosk Café, Rascal’s at Toowoon Bay or Flour & Co. These are all perfect for breakfast, coffee or a casual lunch during your day at the beach.
Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach is a bit further out from Oaks The Entrance Waterfront Suites, but it’s worth the extra time in the car. It’s one of the dog-friendly beaches on the Central Coast, so your four-legged mate doesn’t have to miss out on the holiday fun.
This is a popular spot for surfers, but walkers and families love it too. There’s some amazing waves, and so much greenery. We recommend a wander on some of the coastal paths if you want to see a great view (and take some photos to brag about your holidays).
For a bite with a view, give Shelly Beach Golf Club a try. There’s views of the ocean which you won’t want to miss. You can also find some cafés in Long Jetty to grab a coffee and some brunch.
Forresters Beach
Escape the crowds and go to one of the quieter beaches near The Entrance. This place is quietly cool, and loved by surfers, photographers and nature lovers.
It’s a bit rugged, which gives it some dramatic scenery. There’s some long stretches of sand, perfect for walks, or just chilling by the water so if you want to enjoy a quieter break, this is the place to enjoy it (trust us).
We reckon Café Mocha in Bateau Bay is one of your best bets to grab a yummy meal thanks to its well-known chilli scrambled eggs with goats cheese (just delish), and then Bateau Beach Café is the place to go to have an amazing coffee served by Single O (great vibes and friendly staff are included with the prices)
Terrigal Beach
Terrigal Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast, and you can get to it in about a 25 minutes drive from the hotel which equals to just 5-6 songs from your liked songs playlist on Spotify.
It has a unique and beautiful curved shoreline, but it’s the atmosphere that a lot of people come for. The esplanade is buzzing and has a bit of something for everyone. Surfers like to head out to catch the waves, but families fit right in, too, with plenty of room to play, build sandcastles, and settle the ultimate sandcastle showdown. Winner gets an ice cream!
You can’t move for cafés, bars and restaurants along the waterfront. We love the Bellyfish Café for an epic brekkie, and Swells Terrigal for a modern Australian bite with great views. If you want something a little fancier for an evening meal, book a table at The Cowrie Restaurant. Whatever you do, don’t forget to walk up to The Skillion to take in the panoramic views.
Wamberal Beach
Next up is Wamberal Beach, which is north of Terrigal, and is another natural, rugged beach that’s worth the 25-minute drive.
If you love surfing, you’ll be at home here, as the beach attracts surfers from all over Australia. The shoreline is long and beautiful, so make sure you go for a sunrise or sunset stroll.
You can enjoy some great coffee, breakfast and lunch at Lagune Artisan, but you can also head to Terrigal where you’ll be lucky enough to find so many great choices to eat whatever you’re in the mood for.
North Avoca Beach
Another dog-friendly beach in Central Coast, just a 25-min drive from Oaks, isNorth Avoca Beach. It’s a quieter spot, but still has a lot going on for families and solo travellers to enjoy and set the holiday mood on.
It has a bit of a unique location, positioned between a lagoon and the ocean, which makes for some epic scenery. Relaxation is a must here, and while it’s popular with families, there’s some good surfing too.
And for great places to eat, head to Avoca Beach, home to a fantastic mix of cute cafés and trendy restaurants with local options.
Avoca Beach
Just a few minutes from North Avoca is where you’ll find Avoca Beach. This popular spot is loved by locals and visitors, and we reckon you’ll love it too.
Avoca Beach has a bit of everything. It’s family-friendly, and has a bit of a charming village vibe. The beach is patrolled, so it’s popular with swimmers, and little ones will love checking out the nearby rock pools.
When it’s time to eat, take your pick from places like Avoca Beach House, Point Café & Restaurant and Avoca Beach Seafoods. They’re right next to the beach so they’re perfect for a post-swim lunch.
Copacabana Beach
If you want some holiday fun in Central Coast, then take the drive to Copacabana Beach, which is a 35-minute drive from the hotel. It’s peaceful, but it still attracts a lot of local visitors.
You’ll find a bit of everything here. There’s good surf, a beautiful sandy beach and gorgeous scenery. It’s perfect if you want to get away and not be bothered by the crowds.
We love the Burnt Honey Bakery for some coffee and pastries. Grab a takeaway cup and take a long walk along the beachfront.
Macmasters Beach
Macmasters Beach is the furthest away on our list, around 40 minutes from Oaks The Entrance Waterfront Suites. There’s coast and parkland, and the best bit is that it’s pretty quiet.
You can do a bit of everything here, including surfing, swimming and beach walks. It’s also a great spot to have a picnic in the sun. When you’re ready for some food, head to Killcare and Hardys Bay, there’s a huge choice of places to eat and drink here.
