Discover the best beaches on the Central Coast

Avoca Beach  

Avoca has a beautiful long sandy beach, protected from southern swells. At the southern end Avoca Rockpool is a lovely spot for families, and you’ll also find cafes and restaurants here including The Point and the Avoca Beach House. An estuarial lagoon separates Avoca Beach and North Avoca Beach and is popular for paddle boarding and kayaking. You can hire these from Aquafun Avoca Lake. The beach is a great surf spot for both beginners and experienced surfers, with Central Coast Surf Academy or Central Coast Surf School offering lessons.

Avoca Beach, Avoca

Pearl Beach 

Overlooking Broken Bay, Pearl Beach is a sheltered spot with luxurious houses nestled in bushland. It’s quiet village, but is home to standout Italian restaurant Amalfi, and a few guest houses. At the southern end of the beach is a 1920’s built rockpool which is perfect for swimming.  

Pearl Beach, Central Coast

Terrigal Beach 

Terrigal has a stunning golden sand beach and tranquil lagoon, making it a prime destination for swimming and surfing. The beach offers excellent surfing conditions, with lessons available for beginners from Central Coast Surf School or Central Coast Surf Academy. There is a rockpool at the southern end and during winter, whale watching tours depart from the nearby boat ramp. Set just back from the beach is a great selection of bars and restaurants, including the roof top bars Mumbo Jumbo’s and Rhonda's.   

Terrigal Beach, Terrigal

Ettalong Beach 

Ettalong Beach, overlooking the Brisbane Water estuary, is ideal for families, offering calm, shallow waters, which are also perfect for stand-up paddleboarding and fishing. You can hire kayak or small boats from Andersons Boatshed and explore the waterways or rent bikes and cycle along the Esplanade or take the 10km Warrah Trig cycling loop, through Brisbane Water National Park. For lunch, enjoy waterfront dining at Box on the Water. 

Ettalong Beach, Central Coast

Bateau Bay  

Located in the southern part of Wyrrabalong National Park, Bateau Bay Beach is a rugged, wild (and unpatrolled) spot, with sandy dunes. It’s a lovely spot for swimming and snorkelling, and its popular for fishing, with lots of coastal rock platforms to cast a line from. There are some fantastic walks within the national park, including the The Coast walking track from Bateau Bay Beach picnic area to Forresters Beach. 

Please read these fishing safety tips, especially when rock fishing. 

Bateau Bay picnic area, Wyrrabalong National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DPIE

Toowoon Bay 

Located just south of the Entrance, Toowoon Bay is sheltered from the ocean swell by a reef. This makes it a great spot for families and young children, with calm waters, that are also great for stand up paddleboarding and kayaking. Snorkellers can explore the reef and may spot sting rays, along with lots of other fish. 

Toowoon Bay, Central Coast

Little Beach  

Little Beach, as the name suggests is a small beach located in Bouddi National Park. The rocky cove is a 750m walk through the bush from the nearest parking at Grahame Drive, and there are no facilities here aside from toilets and barbecues – so bring what you need with you. Behind the beach is a campground (book in advance), where you call fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean and wake for an early morning snorkel before the day visitors arrive.  

Little Beach campground, Bouddi National Park

Wamberal Beach 

Head north from the lively coastal town of Terrigal and you’ll find Wamberal Beach. This wide expanse of golden sand is dog friendly and a popular spot for surfers or those looking to relax away from the crowds. Set in front of Wamberal Lagoon and nature reserve, the northern part of the beach feels very remote, but at the southern end you’ll find a few eateries including Lagune Artisan and Wamberal Ocean Café.  

Wamberal Beach, Wamberal