Central Coast beaches and waterways
Enrol for lessons at the Central Coast Surf School or Sandra English Surf Coaching. Stroll under Norfolk Island pines on the esplanade at Terrigal Beach. You’ll find quality restaurants in Terrigal, Avoca and at The Entrance or treat yourself to dinner at awarding-winning Manfredi at Bells at Killcare Heights, south of Gosford.
Scuba divers should head to the wreck of HMAS Adelaide, a naval warship that was sunk to create an artificial reef. The wreck lies in 32 metres of water, about 1.8 km off Avoca Beach. You’ll need a permit to dive at the site. Commercial operators offer dive tours to the wreck.
Enjoy gorgeous Central Coast beaches
The Central Coast starts about an hour’s drive north of Sydney at Broken Bay, the mouth of the magnificent Hawkesbury River.
Central Coast beaches are popular spots for numerous water-based activities such as surfing, fishing, swimming, sailing and scuba diving.
The region extends to just south of Newcastle, NSW’s second-biggest city. It is easily accessed from Sydney by train or bus, or rent a car and explore pretty seaside towns, like Pearl Beach or Hardys Bay, at your leisure. Tours are also available to the Central Coast and hinterland.
You can learn to surf at accredited schools including Central Coast Surf School, which offers lessons at Avoca, Terrigal and Umina. Twelve times Australian surfing champion Sandra English owns Sandra English Surf Coaching at Soldiers Beach, Norah Head.
There’s plenty for families to enjoy on the Central Coast’s fine sandy beaches. Avoca Beach stretches for 2 km and fishing, surfing, boating and kayaking are all available, with equipment available to rent at Avoca and other beachside towns.
Beautiful Ettalong Beach, just an hour north of Sydney, has a weekend market and fine views over Broken Bay and Lion Island to Palm Beach. Ferries and charter vessels offer tours around Brisbane Water National Park, and fishing and whale-watching expeditions.
