Last verified 04/26
The Coast to Lake Walk at The Entrance is one of my favourite walks on the Central Coast. It’s a 7.5 km loop that links Tuggerah Lake, the channel, the ocean and two beaches in one continuous walk.
What makes this walk special is the variety. You start beside the lake, walk along the coast past two beaches, follow the channel with its wide water views, then return along the lake foreshore. Each section feels different, so it never gets repetitive.
I especially like the coastal parts, where you walk beside the channel and along the beaches with the ocean right next to you. Stopping for a swim at Blue Bay halfway through is a great way to break up the walk.
This is a walk for adults and older children who can manage the distance. It’s flat throughout, but 7.5 kilometres is too long for young children. If you’re visiting with little ones, it’s better to do just one or two sections rather than the full loop.
Quick Facts – Coast to Lake Walk
Is It Worth Doing?
The Coast to Lake Walk is great for adults, couples, and older kids who are comfortable with a 7.5 km walk. The path is flat, so fitness isn’t the main concern. It’s really the distance and time that make it less ideal for young children.
If possible, plan your walk for late afternoon so you finish at Long Jetty as the sun sets over Tuggerah Lake. It’s a beautiful way to end the walk.
Bring your swimmers because Blue Bay and Toowoon Bay are both great for a dip along the way. Don’t forget sunscreen and water, and either pack a picnic or plan for a café stop at Long Jetty, Toowoon Bay, or The Entrance.
How to Get There
From Sydney, follow the M1 Motorway north and take the Ourimbah exit toward The Entrance. Check Google Maps for directions to Long Jetty Wharf on Tuggerah Parade.
If starting at Long Jetty, park on Tuggerah Parade at the corner of Archbold Road. Other car parks are located at The Entrance Memorial Park, Tuggerah Lake foreshore, Picnic Point and Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club.
The walk is well signposted, so it’s easy to stay on track.
The Four Sections
You can begin the loop at any point and walk in either direction. In this guide, I start at Long Jetty Wharf and go anticlockwise: first through town, then along the coast, and finally back along the lake.
Section 1: Long Jetty to Toowoon Bay
* Distance: 2.2 km
* Duration: about 1 hour
* Difficulty: Easy
Long Jetty is a great starting point. The area has a relaxed, creative vibe with independent cafés and shops along The Entrance Road. Grab a coffee before you head out; there are plenty of good options on the main strip and it’s a nice way to start your walk.
From Long Jetty Foreshore, head east along Archbold Road toward Toowoon Bay and follow the Coast to Lake Walk signs. This section passes through a residential area before arriving at Toowoon Bay, where you’ll find more cafés and shops near the beach.
Toilets are available at both ends of this section and a water refill station is located at Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club.
Section 2: Toowoon Bay to The Entrance Beach
* Distance: 1.7 km
* Duration: about 1 hour
* Difficulty: Medium
This is where the walk opens up and the scenery gets beautiful.
Toowoon Bay is a sheltered beach, protected from ocean swells, so it stays calm and inviting even when other spots are rough. Lifeguards are on duty in summer. Take your time here; it’s a great place for a swim or just to relax on the sand before you keep going.
Walk north along the beach toward The Entrance, with the ocean on your right. You’ll pass Blue Bay, where the water is calm and a beautiful shade of blue. It’s one of the best places on the walk for a swim. After that, continue past The Entrance Baths, a 50-metre ocean lap pool, before you reach The Entrance Surf Life Saving Club.
Note: This beach section is not suitable for prams. Dogs are also not allowed on the beach. If you need an alternative, follow the roads parallel to the coast instead.
Section 3: The Entrance Beach to Memorial Park
* Distance: 600 metres
* Duration: 15 minutes
* Difficulty: Easy
This is the shortest section but one of the most scenic.
Follow the boardwalk from the surf lifesaving club along the channel. The views really open up here. You can see the long stretch of sand on the northern side of the waterway, the ocean beyond, and the channel connecting Tuggerah Lake to the sea. There are seats and small lookouts along the way, so it’s worth stopping to take it all in.
At Memorial Park, you may see pelicans along the foreshore. Pelican Time runs at 3.30pm every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. It also runs daily during NSW school holidays. Volunteers share facts about the pelicans and their care.
Memorial Park is also the liveliest part of the walk. There are fun rides and entertainment during school holidays and weekends, local markets on Saturdays and plenty of cafés and shops nearby. It’s a good place to stop for lunch before the final section.
Toilets are available here.
Section 4: Memorial Park to Long Jetty
* Distance: 3 km
* Duration: 45 minutes
* Difficulty: Easy
The last part of the walk follows a shared path along the shore of Tuggerah Lake back to Long Jetty. It’s leafy, flat, and peaceful, which makes it a nice way to wind down after the more open coastal sections.
There are a few parks and picnic areas along the way. The lake views are beautiful in the late afternoon light.
When you return to Long Jetty, take a stroll out along the long jetties over the lake before you leave. They’re popular with photographers for a reason. The view across the water at sunset is one of the best ways to end a walk on the Central Coast.
Toilets, picnic tables and a BBQ are located here.
Practical Tips
- The walk is completely flat, so your fitness level won’t hold you back. The main things to think about are the time and distance.
- Tackle just one or two sections if you have young children or limited time
- Carry swimmers — Blue Bay and Toowoon Bay are both worth a dip
- The walk is well signed so navigation is straightforward
- Weekday mornings are quieter, especially around The Entrance and Memorial Park
Other Great Walks on the Central Coast
- Coast Walk in Wyrrabalong National Park
- 5 Lands Walk
- Patonga to Pearl Beach Walk
- Bouddi Coastal Walk
- Piles Creek Loop
- Central Coast walks