Ettalong Beach

Beaches, lagoons & waterways 

Overlooking the Brisbane Water estuary, Ettalong Beach is mostly calm and shallow, making it great for families, stand up paddle boarding and fishing. Ettalong Beach has excellent boating facilities, and you can hire a small boat or kayak from Andersons Boatshed and cruise around the tranquil waterways.  

As the estuary opens out into Broken Bay you’ll find Ocean Beach, Umina Beach and Pearl Beach, and further around the coastline, the tranquil seaside village of Patonga. This is another lovely spot for swimming. kayaking and paddleboarding. While the gentle swell at Ocean and Umina Beaches is ideal for young children learning to surf – enroll your little ones in the Central Coast Surf School. 

Patonga Wharf, Patonga

Restaurants, cafes & markets 

Grab a coffee from Lords of Pour, followed by brunch at the waterside Box on the Water and freshly-baked pastries from Bremen patisserie. Or find a pretty picnic spot along the foreshore, where there’s barbecue facilities and a children's playground. Then browse the eclectic Ettalong Fresh Food Market, held every Saturday. 

Margarita Daze has an unbeatable spot overlooking the beach in Umina, serving seafood, pizza and pub classics as well as excellent cocktails. And in Patonga, the The Boathouse has a restaurant and kiosk serving delicious breakfast, burgers and seafood.  

Margarita Daze, Umina Beach

Walking & cycling 

Ettalong Beach is a popular cycling destination. Hire bikes from Ettalong Bike Hire, and follow the shared cycling and walking path along the Esplanade or explore the Warrah Trig cycling loop, a 10km loop through Brisbane Water National Park. Pause at Warrah lookout for spectacular views across Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River. 

Another great way to experience the area’s natural beauty is on the Patonga to Pearl Beach walking track. The moderately challenging 3km one-way track winds through a towering grove of red gums and eucalypts. Or explore the spectacular nearby Bouddi National Park on the 5km Strom loop. 

Bouddi National Park, Bouddi

Where to stay 

There are some excellent accommodation options in Ettalong and the surrounding beaches. Mantra Ettalong Beach has spectacular ocean views, with studio, one and two bedroom spa suites. Nearby, Nightcap at Ocean Beach Hotel has newly refurbished rooms with fantastic dining and live entertainment.  

For families, NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort is the perfect option, with studio, two and three bedroom cabins, as well as en suite, powered and unpowered sites set on stunning beachfront and surrounded by Brisbane Water National Park. Facilities include heated resort pools and spas, a waterpark, a playground and go-karts.

Mantra Ettalong Beach, Ettalong Beach - Credit: NSW - Mantra

Getting there

Ettalong Beach is a one hour 25 minute drive north from Sydney. You can also get the train to Woy Woy and connect by bus, which takes around 1hr 45min. For a scenic trip, take the 30min ferry ride from Palm Beach across the Hawkesbury River to Broken Bay and Brisbane Water.