25 Best Beaches on the Central Coast NSW

Avoca Beach and Terrigal Beach are two of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast NSW. But they're not the only ones...

There are 41 beaches on the Central Coast, which stretch over 87 km of coast. So nearly half the coast is made up of beaches!  

Here are 25 great beaches in alphabetical order. 

1. Avoca Beach

Avoca Beach is one of the most popular holiday spots on the Central Coast because of its comfort and convenience and not to mention its great surf.

Enjoy swimming between the flags, surfing at the point or relaxing while your kids play in the rock pool or playground.

And enjoy great cafes nearby. 

2. Bateau Bay Beach

The 200-metre Bateau Bay beach is a beautiful sheltered beach, a great spot for kids to take a ramble over the rocks and explore the rock pools.

The bay is backed by Wyrrabalong National Park, where you can enjoy one of the best bushwalks on the Central Coast.

3. Copacabana Beach

Copacabana Beach, or Copa as the locals call it, is a quiet holiday spot and a top swimming and surfing beach. Avoca residents often escape to Copa during the summer holidays to get away from the crowds.

Kids will enjoy the rockpool, skatepark and playground.

Cafes are located across the road from the beach.

4. Ettalong Beach

A popular destination for families with young children, Ettalong Beach is a calm and shallow beach with a reputation for safe swimming.

There are amenities, a playground, picnic spots and a café beside the beach.

5. Forresters Beach

Forresters Beach is a long uncrowded stretch of sand backed by mansions on top of a hill overlooking the ocean. It's a great spot for walking the dog and a favourite place for surfers. It's not quite secluded, but it feels like it. 

6. Frazer Beach

Sitting in the natural bush of Munmorah State Conservation Area, Frazer Beach attracts those who want to get away from it all and relax.

Enjoy camping near the beach, fishing, bushwalking, surfing and exploring the park and nearby beaches.

Parking is $8, and lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer and Easter holidays.

7. Killcare Beach

Killcare Beach is a top contender for the scenery: the overlooking rocky headland of Bouddi National Park and the distant coast of the Northern Beaches.

The attractive kiddies rock pool is a magnet for toddlers.

Lifeguards patrol the beach and there are great amenities, including a café.

8. Little Beach

Little Beach is my favourite Beach to chill out and picnic with the family. It’s so peaceful you won’t want to leave.

This Central Coast beach is hidden in Bouddi National Park, and you have to walk a cruisy 750 metres through a remnant rainforest to get to it.

There’s surfing and kids enjoy exploring the rock pools.

9. Lobster Beach

The secluded Lobster is perfect for recharging the batteries... Located in Broken Bay and tucked in Bouddi National Park, the small stretch of sand is peaceful and quiet.

Access Lobster by walking on the Flannel Flower walking track or take the shortcut from High View Road, corner Venice Rd, in Wagstaffe.

10. Macmasters Beach

The highlights at Macmasters Beach are the ocean pool and Barefoot Cafe positioned at the foot of the bushland. There's also a fantastic picnic spot.

The ocean pool is toddler-friendly and you can even swim some laps (but it’s not an Olympic size pool).

Lifeguards patrol the beach in summer and you can enjoy surfing.

11. Maitland Bay 

Maitland Bay wins the title for the best hidden beach on the Central Coast.  The 600-metre untouched stretch of sand is tucked in the bushland of Bouddi National Park. The National Park is situated amid an urban area, but you couldn't tell from the beach.

12. Moonee Beach

Even though Moonee Beach is just a short bushwalk to get there, you feel like you could be anywhere. All you can see is the ocean, the beach and lush bush, and all you can hear is the sound of pounding waves. Moonee Beach is completely untouched.

13. Patonga Beach

Patonga Beach, the most isolated village in the region, sits between the Hawkesbury River and Brisbane Water National Park.

A good day in Patonga means fishing in the creek, swimming, and drinking a cold beer at the Hotel.

Even better, you can get there from Palm Beach by ferry.

14. Pearl Beach

Located in Broken Bay and on the edge of Brisbane Water National Park, Pearl Beach is the jewel of the Central Coast – no pun intended.

The best spot to swim is at the southern end of the beach or in the ocean pool. The water is calm, and there’s a playground and café beside the beach.

15. Pelican Beach

The only signs of life on this unspoiled stretch of sand hidden in the bushland of Wyrrabalong National Park are surfers and a few people sunbaking. You're close to civilisation but feel a hundred miles away. Locals call Pelican "Pelos".

16. Putty Beach

Located in Bouddi National Park, Putty Beach is calm, untouched, scenic, and popular with families. You need to pay $8 for parking, but it’s worth it. Camp at Putty Beach Campground and walk the scenic Coastal Walk.

17. Shelly Beach 

Shelly Beach is another gem. The forecourt has just been upgraded, the water is clean, and the sand dunes make it look untouched. Enjoy swimming, surfing, eating a the café, or playing golf while admiring stunning ocean views.

18. Soldiers Beach

Soldiers Beach is stunning and pristine – my absolute best.

Backed by the bushland of Wyrrabalong National Park and with whiter sand, Soldiers has a real holiday feel.

Lifeguards patrol the beach over the warmer months, surfing is fabulous, and there are a food kiosk and a café.

19. Spoon Bay

Spoon Bay is unknown to many locals, and it’s so close to Terrigal yet feels far away from the populous suburb.

To get to Spoon Bay, park at the end of Spoon Bay Road and walk down the short path through the bush.

Enjoy a long walk along the beach all the way to Terrigal and back.

20. Tallow Beach

The steep 1.5-kilometre bush trail leading to Tallow Beach keeps many tourists away, making it an ideal secluded Central Coast beach away from civilisation.

If you can manage to carry a surfboard and a tent, it will make it a fun overnight adventure.

21. Terrigal Beach

Terrigal Beach is the most urbanised place on the Central Coast but also one of the most scenic. The beach is surrounded by quality restaurants, cafes and boutiques. The waves are small, there’s lifeguard patrol and surfing lessons are available.

22. Terrigal Haven

Terrigal Haven is a perfect spot for families with small children and outdoorsy people.

Water activities abound like kayaking, snorkelling, fishing and stand-up paddleboarding. The water is calm, and there’s ample space around the beach to explore and have a picnic or lunch at the café.

23. Toowoon Bay 

Toowoon Bay has the most beautiful, teal coloured water in the area.

The water is calm and the beach is patrolled, so it’s a favourite with families. There’s a kiosk and also a playground and barbecues facilities in the park behind the beach.

24. Umina Beach

Umina Beach is a top contender for the most scenic spot and one of the best family beaches on the Central Coast.

The waves are small and perfect for learning to surf, lifeguards patrol the beach, and there’s a large playground and café behind the beach.

25. Wamberal Beach

Wamberal Beach is truly a stunning spot. Escape the crowds of Terrigal and head to Wamberal to surf, swim, fish, play in the lagoon, or lie down on the sand in a secluded spot.