13 Best Things to Do in Umina Beach

Umina is a coastal village on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia.

It's only an 80-minute drive from Sydney. 

The area is a popular getaway destination for Sydney families. The beach is suitable for kids of all ages, and there's a fun holiday park and a large playground behind the beach.

Umina is an Aboriginal word meaning “place of sleep”.

Find out more below about our favourite things to do in and near Umina Beach.

Things to Do in and Near Umina Beach

1. Ocean Beach

The beach here is stunning. 

You can see Sydney's Northern Beaches beyond Broken Bay and national parks on both sides of the beach.

Ocean Beach is very popular with families. The water at the beach's southern end is shallow and great for small children.

It's also a ideal spot to learn to surf because the waves are small. You can book a surfing lesson with one of the local surf schools. Check out:

• Sal’s Surf School 
• Central Coast Surf School
• Central Coast Surf Academy

Also, lifeguards patrol the beach from the beginning of the September school holidays to the end of the April school holidays.

2. Umina Beach Markets

Visit the monthly markets.  

There are 75+ stalls selling art, fruits and vegetables, clothes, delicious foods, jewellery and more. There's also live music.

The vibe is great.

The markets are held on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 9 am to 2 pm beside the Surf Lifesaving Club. 

Find out more about the Umina Beach Markets.

3. Umina Beach Playground (The Peninsula Recreation Precinct)

The largest playground on the Central Coast is right here beside the beach, which will delight the kids. 

The playground is suitable for children of all ages. There's a fully fenced area for little ones, and older children will enjoy the flying fox and large climbing net. 

For the more adventurous, there's a BMX track and skateboard park. 

Enjoy a picnic or a coffee and food at Jasmine Greens beside the playground while your kids are having fun.

4. Ocean Beach Holiday Resort

Looking for a fun place to stay with the kids? 

Located on the beachfront, NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort will keep the kids amused for hours. 

The holiday park is a quick stroll to the beach. The kids will love the fabulous swimming pools, water park, jumping pillows and Umina Beach Playground up the road. 

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort has even been voted one of the ten best holiday parks in NSW for families.

Stay in a villa, cottage, Safari Palm Tent, or simply pitch a tent.   

Find out more about Ocean Beach Holiday Resort.

5. Pearl Beach to Patonga Walk

The Pearl Beach to Patonga walk takes you through a section of Brisbane Water National Park.

It's a wonderful walk.

From Pearl Beach, you’ll walk up to Warrah Lookout, which offers magnificent views of the Hawkesbury River. Then you’ll continue down the path to the relaxing riverside village of Patonga.

In Patonga, you can enjoy a nice beer and good food at the Boathouse Hotel.

Even better, take a dip at Pearl Beach before your walk and at Patonga at the end.

Find out more about the Pearl Beach to Patonga walk.

6. Walk Your Dog on the Beach

Let your dog run off the leash on the beach. Dogs are allowed at the southern and northern ends of the stretch of sand.

Access the southern dog-friendly section from Berrima Crescent or Sydney Avenue. If starting from Sydney Avenue, follow the walking track behind the beach until you reach the off-leash sign opposite the skate park.

Dogs can run free for 500 metres.

The middle section of the beach is the swimming zone with the flags, so dogs are forbidden.

Access the northern dog-friendly section from Augusta Street or Kourung Street. 

The northern dog-friendly section stretches for nearly 1 kilometre.

You can continue walking your dog north of Kourung Street on the leash.

Find out more about the Central Coast's best dog-friendly beaches. 

7. Mount Ettalong Lookout

8. Discover Patonga Beach

Patonga Beach is a secluded village and beach at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. 

The village is a 10-minute drive from Umina. 

Have a beer at the Boathouse Hotel Patonga while enjoying the ocean views. 

Or enjoy walking along the local streets, fishing or kayaking up Brisbane Water National Park. 

Find out more about Patonga Beach.

9. Discover Pearl Beach 

Pearl Beach is located south of Umina Beach, an 8-minute drive. 

It's a charming village surrounded by Brisbane Water National Park and Broken Bay. 

The beach's southern end is protected and calm, perfect for families. You can also enjoy a swim in the ocean pool.

Find out more about Pearl Beach. 

10. Discover Ettalong Beach 

Ettalong Beach is located northeast of Umina Beach, a mere 5-minute drive away. 

The village has a wide array of excellent restaurants: La Fiamma Woodfired Pizzeria, Osteria II Coccia, Bar Toto, Safran and many more. 

There's also a calm and shallow beach, perfect for small children.

Young children like playing in the small playground near the shore, while adults enjoy eating at The Box on the Water. 

Walk from Umina Beach to Ettalong Beach if you like long walks on the beach. The beach stretches unbroken for 4 kilometres.

You can also cycle along the path. 

Find out more about Ettalong Beach. 

11. Bremen's Patisserie

Savour a delicious pie at Bremen's Patisserie.

They boast the hottest pie on Earth, the Flaming Ron Pie. (No, I haven't tried it and will not.) Have one mouthful, and it will apparently send you rolling in pain on the floor.

They make the Flaming Ron Pie with the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T. It's the world's hottest chilli... one seed is 300 times hotter than a jalapeno!

Find out more about Bremen's Patisserie.

12. Umina to Pearl Beach Walk

Enjoy this short and relaxing walk around the headland from Umina to Pearl Beach. The walk follows the coast and the views are beautiful. 

The walk takes about 15 minutes one way. If you'd like to walk further, continue along Pearl Beach. If you're feeling fit, continue hiking over the headland from Pearl Beach to Patonga via Warrah Lookout (read above).

In Pearl Beach, you can swim at the beach's southern end, where the water is calm.

The track begins at the southern end of the beach at Umina. 

13. Bulgandry Engravings

Visit the Bulgandry Aboriginal art site if you’re interested in Aboriginal engravings.

A short walk through the bush leads you to a large rock platform with the carvings.

The name Bulgandry derives from the Bulgandry man, one of the better-preserved carvings on the site. It represents an ancestral hero.

There are plenty of other engravings like fishes, dolphins and kangaroos.

The walk alone is pleasant, and you can access it with a wheelchair, although a little bumpy. 

Find out more about the Bulgandry Aboriginal art site. 

Where to Eat in Umina

Six Degrees Café is a popular place in Umina to have breakfast and excellent coffee. Enjoy French toast, waffles or egg benedict. They also have vegetarian and vegan options. The café closes mid-afternoon. Located 327 West Street. 

Miori Japanese Restaurant offers authentic Japanese cuisines like sushi, sashimi and tempura. Enjoy this little gem in Umina and try a variety of different dishes. Located 312-320 Trafalgar Avenue.

Thai Season offers tasty and authentic Thai cuisine like Pad Thai Noodle and King Prawns Salad. It’s another little gem in Umina. They also offer meal delivery and pickup. Located 346 West Street.

Wandee Thai Restaurant serves delicious Thai and Asian cuisine. Enjoy stir-fries, curries and seafood dishes. They also offer meal delivery and pickup. Located 327 West Street. 

For yummy takeaway food, check out BMX Burgers. They offer a variety of delicious burgers with Angus beef, slow cook pork, crispy fried chicken and vegan patties. Located  315 Trafalgar Avenue. 

Where to Stay

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort is the most popular place to stay in Umina Beach for families. Still, there are also plenty of holiday rentals available on Airbnb. Search for an Airbnb here.