Avoca Beach

Water adventures 

Home to a long strip of golden sand that’s book-ended by two spectacular headlands, life in Avoca revolves around the beach. Explore the pretty rock pool at the southern end or learn to surf with the Central Coast Surf Academy or Central Coast Surf School. Experienced divers can take a diving tour to the artificial reef created by Ex-HMAS Adelaide. The scuttled warship was sunk in 2011 and rests 32m below the surface, 1.8km from shore.  

Avoca Beach, Central Coast

Adjacent to the beach is Avoca Lake. Hire a kayak, pedal boat or stand up paddle board from Aquafun Avoca Lake and explore the coastal wetlands or paddle to the large island in the middle of the tranquil lagoon. This waterway is also great for swimming and fishing, with catches including bream and whiting. 

Avoca Beach and Avoca Lake, Central Coast

Food & events 

The village of Avoca is full of cafes, restaurants and boutiques. Enjoy a meal at The Point Café, a casual beachside eatery; or Shady Palms, an eclectic surf shack serving woodfired pizzas in Kincumber.  

Try a beer tasting paddle at nearby Block ‘n Tackle Brewery. Then catch a movie at the beachside Avoca Beach Theatre, which opened in 1948. For panoramic views of the beach head to Avoca Beach House, which serves delicious seafood, tapas and share style platters along with cocktails.  

The Point Cafe, Avoca - Credit: Isaac Tseng

The bustling Avoca Beachside Markets, held on the fourth Sunday of the month, are a must for any foodie. Another great local event is the Five Lands Walk, a walking and cultural festival that celebrates Aboriginal culture and the passing of the winter solstice in June. The 10km route starts at MacMasters Beach and passes five beaches including Avoca, as well as the Captain Cook lookout, a top vantage point for whale watching, before finishing at Terrigal. 

Captain Cook Lookout, Copacabana

Further afield  

Nearby, explore more beautiful beaches including Copacabana Beach and MacMasters Beach. Or explore Bouddi National Park, where you’ll find secluded beaches, walking and cycling trail though rainforest and heathland as well as Aboriginal sites.  

Bouddi National Park, Bouddi 

Where to stay

You will find a range of  accommodation options in and around Avoca Beach, from secluded cabanas at The Palms at Avoca to luxury serviced apartments, holiday homes and glampsites hidden in the surrounding hillside. Avoca Beach Hotel is another popular option, located less than 2km from the beautiful Avoca Beach. 

Araluen at Avoca Beach, Avoca - Credit: Araluen at Avoca Beach

Getting there 

Avoca Beach is a 90 minute drive north from Sydney or an 80 minute drive south from Newcastle. Alternatively, you can take a train from Central Station in Sydney to Gosford and alight for a bus to Avoca Beach – the travelling time is a little over two hours in total.