Last verified 09/26
The Entrance is a waterfront town on the NSW Central Coast, where Tuggerah Lake meets the ocean.
I’ve brought my children here countless times. They loved the pelicans, old carousel and Vera’s Water Garden. I still enjoy walking beside the channel and watching the clear water move across the sandbanks.
The waterfront is the main drawcard. Playgrounds, parks and cafés sit close together, so it suits a few hours or a full day with kids. If you’d like a longer stroll, follow the lakefront shared path towards Long Jetty.
Visiting this weekend? Check what’s on across the Central Coast for markets, festivals, live music and family events.
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Is The Entrance Worth Visiting?
Spend Time Around Memorial Park
Memorial Park is the centre of The Entrance waterfront.
The park has grassed areas, picnic tables, barbecues and views across the channel. Vera’s Water Garden, playgrounds, carnival rides and Pelican Plaza are all nearby.
The heritage carousel and other rides usually operate on weekends and during school holidays.
Watch Pelican Time
Pelican Time takes place at Pelican Plaza at 3.30pm every Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday except Christmas Day. It also runs daily during NSW school holidays.
Volunteers from Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast talk about the local pelicans and their work caring for injured birds.
Pelicans often begin gathering near the plaza before the presentation starts.
Splash Around at Vera’s Water Garden
Vera’s Water Garden is a free water play area beside Memorial Park.
The upgraded zero-depth splash park reopened in December 2025. It has water sprays and interactive play features for different ages and abilities.
The playground, carousel and Pelican Plaza are only a short walk away.
Visit The Entrance Beach
The Entrance Beach sits beside the channel and town centre.
It’s a short ocean beach with cafés, parks and the surf club nearby. The beach is patrolled from late September until April.
The Grant McBride Baths sit at the southern end.
Swim at Grant McBride Baths
Grant McBride Baths have been part of The Entrance since 1938.
The oceanfront complex has three pools, change rooms, showers and toilets. Entry is free.
The baths remain open throughout winter and are patrolled daily from 8am to 1pm. Individual pools close on different days for cleaning.
Walk the Channel Boardwalk
The Channel Boardwalk follows the water from Memorial Park towards The Entrance Surf Life Saving Club.
The route has views across the channel, sandbanks and ocean. Signs along the path share information about the area and local birdlife.
It also forms part of the longer Coast to Lake Walk.
Walk or Cycle Along Tuggerah Lake
The shared path follows Tuggerah Lake from The Entrance through Long Jetty.
It passes Picnic Point, parks, playgrounds and lakefront picnic areas. You can continue towards Saltwater Creek Reserve or farther along the lake.
Long Jetty’s three jetties, cafés and shops make it a natural extension to the trip.
Visit The Entrance Markets
The Entrance Markets are held at Memorial Park on the third Saturday of each month.
Stalls include fresh produce, handmade products, gifts and food. The markets currently run from 9am to 2pm.
Dates can be found on the official market Facebook page.
Walk from Coast to Lake
The Coast to Lake Walk is a 7.6-kilometre loop through The Entrance, Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay and Long Jetty.
The route links the channel, ocean beaches and Tuggerah Lake. It includes the Channel Boardwalk and sections of the lakefront shared path.
The full circuit takes around two to three hours.
Where to Eat
The Entrance has cafés, bakeries, takeaway shops and restaurants around the town centre and waterfront.
You can also drive or walk to Long Jetty for more cafés and casual dining.
The listings below show places to eat around The Entrance.
How to Spend a Day at The Entrance
Start around Memorial Park and walk beside the channel.
Spend the late morning at Vera’s Water Garden, The Entrance Beach or Grant McBride Baths. Have lunch near the waterfront.
In the afternoon, follow the lakefront path towards Long Jetty or return to Pelican Plaza for Pelican Time at 3.30pm.
On market Saturdays, the stalls fill Memorial Park from 9am to 2pm.
Nearby Beaches and Places to Explore
Long Jetty
Lakefront jetties, cafés, vintage shops and colourful sunsets.
Toowoon Bay
A sheltered beach with a village café and holiday park.
Blue Bay
A small beach between The Entrance and Toowoon Bay.
Norah Head
A historic lighthouse, coastal walks and nearby beaches.
Bateau Bay
Coastal walks, Crackneck Lookout and Wyrrabalong National Park.
Shelly Beach
A wide surf beach known for swimming, surfing and long walks along the sand.
Canton Beach
A quiet lakeside village popular for sunsets, fishing and walks beside Tuggerah Lake.
How to Get to The Entrance
By Car
The Entrance is about 90 minutes north of Sydney via the M1.
Parking is available near Memorial Park, Picnic Point and the surf club. The multi-storey car park is accessed from Duffy Lane off Coral Street and is a short walk from the waterfront.
By Train or Bus
Tuggerah is the closest major train station.
Routes 14X and 26 connect Tuggerah Station with The Entrance. The trip takes around 30 minutes depending on the service.
Where to Stay
I recommend staying close to the waterfront, where you can enjoy the views and walk to the main attractions. Memorial Park and the channel are good areas to look for a place to stay.
Want a quieter beach holiday? Try nearby Blue Bay or Toowoon Bay.
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