Don\u2019t miss:\u00a0The 10 best beaches on the Central Coast<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Find Copacabana tucked away between Macmasters Beach<\/a> and Avoca Beach. The road cuts a winding path down through dense canopies of bushland to deliver you to the beachfront, fringed by a smattering of homes built on the cliff edge and stacked into the hillside like stepping stones leading down to the sand. You\u2019ll feel a million miles from anywhere in Copa (as the locals call it).<\/p>\n Tucked away between Macmasters Beach and Avoca Beach you will find Copacabana.<\/p><\/div>\n The area was once known by its Aboriginal name, Tudibarina, which means \u201cwhere the waves pound like a beating heart\u201d \u2013 it\u2019s no surprise that surfing is one of the most popular pastimes here. Once you\u2019ve had your fill of days spent beachcombing, surfing and cooling off in the ocean pool at the southern end of the beach, turn your attention to Bouddi National Park<\/a> to discover one of the most picturesque coastal walks in NSW. The one-way walk stretches eight kilometres from Macmasters Beach through to Putty Beach and takes around four hours to complete. For a shorter, but no less rewarding option, take the Maitland Bay track.<\/p>\n Cool off in the Macmasters ocean rockpool.<\/p><\/div>\n Natural beauty aside, it\u2019s the foodie scene that really stands out in Copa. Joanna Fairall and Hayley Thorncraft honed their skills in Sydney and London before opening Burnt Honey Bakery on the seafront of Copa in 2019. Locals flock to the artisan bakery for its irresistible selection of handmade pastries and cakes, freshly baked sourdough bread and quality coffee. Speaking of coffee, Coppacino’s in town or Looloo’s Coffee Shack on the way to Macmasters are also firm favourites for a caffeine fix. Grab breakfast or lunch at Artie\u2019s Place in the Copa Surf Club before you hit the beach. Perch yourself at Cabana Bar for an afternoon sundowner before heading to Lady Copa Pizzeria to sink your teeth into its wood-fired pizzas for dinner.<\/p>\n Visit Burnt Honey Bakery for its irresistible selection of handmade pastries and cakes. (Image: Jacs Powell)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss:\u00a0Where to eat & drink on the Central Coast<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Bed down right across the road from the beach at Copacabana Shores<\/a>, or stay at the luxuriously restored late seventies-style Copacabana Beach House for equally enviable ocean views and chilled summer vibes. Find a number of luxe and family friendly holiday homes one suburb over in Macmasters Beach \u2013 including Breezeway Ho<\/a>use<\/a>, designed by award-winning local architect David Boyle, and the beautifully renovated Malolo at Macs<\/a>, to be within walking distance to Macmasters Beach.<\/p>\n The real drawcard to staying here is the thriving hub of creativity that\u2019s rippled its way through the villages of Long Jetty<\/a> and Toowoon Bay<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n The fruit of local creativity can be seen each month at the Long Jetty Markets. Local artists, designers and makers converge in Long Jetty along the Tuggerah Parade Foreshore to showcase their work \u2013 meanwhile you get a snapshot of the breadth of talent on the Coast.<\/p>\n Long Jetty is a creative hub surrounded by idyllic beaches .<\/p><\/div>\n Local ingenuity has also birthed a handful of boutique shops selling a mix of affordable, designer and vintage clothes alongside jewellery, homewares, plants and candles; from Blackbird in Bateau Bay<\/a> to Mowgli Studio, Shadow Bang and Plain Janes in Long Jetty. Amelia and April, the sisters behind Plain Janes, have curated a unique mix of local and Australian-made products for purchase.<\/p>\n Mowgli Studio is filled with an array of plants, hand-painted pots, sculptures and locally made homewares. (Image: Isaac Tseng)<\/p><\/div>\n They are one of many local creative businesses that popped up along the main drag of Long Jetty after Kelly Rocksteady and Adrian Reynolds opened The Glass Onion Society. The creative hub and caf\u00e9, which doubles as a gallery and gig space, kicked off a renaissance that transformed the village into a hub of boutique stores, cool caf\u00e9s, op-shops and yoga studios.<\/p>\n\n Stop by The Green Tangerine caf\u00e9 for a photo op with its iconic \u2018Welcome to Long Jetty\u2019 mural, or combine yoga and brunch at the Modern Orga<\/a>nic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n If you head around the corner to Toowoon Bay you\u2019ll find a similar renaissance unfolding with a collection of buzzing caf\u00e9s and dining spots emerging over the past decade.<\/p>\n\n The Flour & Co Bakery, formerly the Toowoon Bay Pie Shop, has been in the Picot family for 32 years.<\/p>\n Find all manner of baked goods, barista-made coffee and fresh blooms at Flour & Co Bakery.<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss:\u00a0The ultimate Central Coast summer holiday itinerary<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n Local photographer Grace Picot and her husband Tim lovingly transformed the old-school bakery into the bright, airy caf\u00e9 it is today when they took over from her parents, Floranie and Jim Picot \u2013 also a renowned travel photographer. Find all manner of baked goods for sale alongside barista-made coffee and fresh blooms at the door.<\/p>\n\n Nearby, grass-fringed sand dunes border the mostly buried planks of wood that form steps down to Shelly Beach<\/a>. Just minutes from Long Jetty, it\u2019s well known as one of the best surf beaches on the Central Coast \u2013 the number of wetsuit-clad locals quickly give that away.<\/p>\n Toowoon Bay Holiday Park is a firm family favourite, while couples can retreat to the brand new Nest at Blue Bay for handcrafted luxury accommodation located between two beautiful bays.<\/p>\n Terrigal<\/a> has long been hailed the Sydneysiders summer playground \u2013 and for good reason. Sweeping views of the South Pacific Ocean unfold to your left as you drive down into Terrigal; chairs occupied by patrons spill out onto the pavement from a collection of trendy caf\u00e9s, restaurants and fish and chip shops along the esplanade to your right, as beachgoers wash off the sand from their morning swim at the surf club showers in front of you. Everywhere you look, the sights and sounds of summer look back.<\/p>\n\n Find a spot at one of the sun-soaked caf\u00e9s for brunch; try Bellyfish Caf\u00e9 or Island Time Espresso Bar across from the beach. Keep driving \u2013 or stroll along the brand new boardwalk past the rock pool come early 2021 \u2013 to Terrigal Haven to enjoy breakfast in a sheltered spot by the water at Cove Caf\u00e9. <\/strong>The Haven is also home to the ex-HMAS Adelaide shipwreck. ProDive will take you underwater to explore the wreck up close for an adventurous twist to the day. Alternatively, book a dolphin or whale-watching cruise with Andrew Jones, owner and skipper of Terrigal Ocean Tours to stay above the water.<\/p>\n Expect the unexpected at Yellowtail.<\/p><\/div>\n As the sun goes down, return to the esplanade or the nearby streets of Terrigal to dine at one of the many restaurants. Book a table at The Cowrie for a fine dining seafood-focused feast, or settle in for a meal at Queensland chef Scott Price\u2019s Yello<\/a>wtail<\/a> \u2013 Price refuses to let the menu be limited to one cuisine, so expect the unexpected. For a more lively spin on the evening, opt for cocktails, hearty dishes and beachfront views at The Joker and the Thief. Kick on with drinks at Mumbo Jumbos, Rhonda\u2019s rooftop bar, or Pocket Bar.<\/p>\n Enjoy an afternoon cocktail at Rhonda\u2019s rooftop bar.<\/p><\/div>\n Place yourself in the heart of the action on the esplanade at Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific. The oceanfront property boasts an outdoor heated pool and is a dining hotspot within its own right \u2013 with Seasalt restaurant, the Lord Ashley Bar & Lounge, and the Florida Beach Bar.<\/p>\n\n Don\u2019t miss:\u00a0The best bars & breweries on the Central Coast<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Norah Head delivers nonstop laidback holiday vibes all year round, but summer here is something extra special. It may be the iconic walk across the headland to Norah Head Lighthouse<\/a>, a swim in the scenic Norah Head rock pool or the many other sun-drenched beaches that fringe the coastline nearby including Pelican Beach and Soldiers. But it could also be something less tangible, more of a feeling that makes you nostalgic for the halcyon days of your youth. You\u2019ll find it here in Norah Head.<\/p>\n Picturesque views from Norah Head Lighthouse.<\/p><\/div>\n Stop by the General Store Caf\u00e9 for brunch enjoyed beachside next to the Lighthouse, or The Island Caf\u00e9 opposite Mazlin Reserve. Pop next door to Norah Head Patisserie for a takeaway treat before you hit the local trails. Hike the Moonee Beach Trail<\/a> through Munmorah State Conservation Area\u00ad\u00ad to swim, snorkel or fish at your own secluded slice of paradise on Moonee Beach<\/a>. Or opt for Wyrrabalong National Park to walk the 3.4-kilometre loop Red Gum Trail or 3.5-kilometre Lillypilly Loop Trail rainforest walk.<\/p>\n\n Set aside the better part of a morning to hop from one boutique shop to the next, starting with Frankie Lifestyle in the village, Coastal Road for homewares, and Noraville Green for plant life in nearby Toukley. For good times and even better food head to Johnny Tapas for dinner. The restaurant had been a pipedream for Melissa Roberts, Justin Black and Ryan Barron for years before the trio finally launched the pizza and tapas bar weeks before COVID restrictions hit. While the timing wasn\u2019t ideal, it\u2019s gone on to become one of the hospitality success stories of 2020 thanks to the unwavering support of the local community.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t go past Norah Head Holiday Park<\/a> and Canton Beach Holiday Park<\/a> for the ultimate family holiday experience. Pullman Magenta Shores<\/a> and Magenta Beach House<\/a> are great for couples and groups. Or for something completely unique, stay in the Norah Head Lighthouse in the old Lighthouse Keepers Quarters for a taste of history within walking distance to the picture-perfect Norah Head rock pools and a patrolled beach.<\/p>\n The pace of life slows to a stroll in Ettalong Beach. Find the tranquil seaside village tucked alongside Umina Beach across from the bush-covered Wagstaffe Point where Brisbane Water and Broken Bay meet. The water is as calm as the pace, but what Ettalong lacks in surfing opportunities it more than makes up for in adrenalin-pumping water sports and far-reaching ocean views. In fact, you can see out across Broken Bay past Lion Island to Barrenjoey Lighthouse on the headland of Sydney\u2019s exclusive Palm Beach \u2013 there\u2019s also a ferry that connects the two. Take the flat coastal walk that stretches from Ettalong Beach to Umina Beach and back again to soak it all in.<\/p>\n For a 5 course set menu which changes fortnightly visit Ettalong\u2019s Osteria il Coccia, led by Chef Nicola\u2019s \u2018farm to flame\u2019 style.<\/p><\/div>\n Former city-dwellers Dani Hanrahan and Germ\u00e1n Salamanca have managed to capture the calming essence of Ettalong in their new beachside store, Slowwell. The couple were intent on escaping the busyness of their city lives to set up a community hub that combines great coffee with opportunities for personal development and a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing. Pop in for a filtered coffee and peruse the walls of books and thoughtfully curated items for sale for a taste of life in the slow lane.<\/p>\n Dani Hanrahan and Germ\u00e1n Salamanca have captured the calming essence of Ettalong in their new beachside store, Slowwell.<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s a similar story for the couple behind fashion, home and vintage emporium, Tiki La La. April Xing and\u00a0Heath Crawley left behind their former careers \u2013 April as a fashion magazine stylist and Heath as the bassist for indie rock band Children Collide \u2013 to bring together their collective talents in fashion photography and music to create a studio boutique that overflows with unique vintage and preloved fashion and a carefully curated vinyl collection.<\/p>\n Tiki Lala overflows with unique vintage, preloved fashion and a carefully curated vinyl collection. (Image: Isaac Tseng)<\/p><\/div>\n Once you\u2019ve finished perusing Ettalong\u2019s stores, follow it up with a waterside feast at The Box on the Water\u00a0for lunch, swing by Sasa Sicilian Street Food Bakery to devour the best cannoli on the Coast, and end the day with a caramel-infused espresso martini at Bar Toto alongside a delectable antipasti board \u2013 build your own from the menu of cured meats and cheeses handmade by local and Italian producers.<\/p>\n End the day with a caramel-infused espresso martini at Bar Toto.<\/p><\/div>\n Stay right in the centre of it all on the water at the Mantra Ettalong<\/a>, or for more waterfront options bed down at Booker Seaside or Le Booker Beachfront \u2013 two new holiday properties overlooking Booker Bay. Alternatively, head around the corner to Umina to stay beachside in one of the all new NRMA Ocean Beach \u2018Glamtainers\u2019<\/a>. The chic tiny home accommodation features a kitchenette, bathroom, veranda and outdoor barbecue. An Australian first, the stylishly converted containers are now touring the country, and the Central Coast is their summertime home<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Resisting the allure of the Central Coast\u2019s string of seaside villages is next to impossible once you\u2019ve sampled its summer delights, writes Katie Carlin. It\u2019s the promise of hot days spent lazing on the sand punctuated by refreshing ocean dips and short reprieves from the sun in one of the many beachside caf\u00e9s that make […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":231144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"article.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[1124],"tags":[6347,6296,5713,5514,4628,6344],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCopacabana<\/h2>\n
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STAYING THERE<\/h3>\n
Long Jetty<\/h2>\n
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STAYING THERE<\/h3>\n
Terrigal<\/h2>\n
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STAYING THERE<\/h3>\n
Norah Head<\/h2>\n
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STAYING THERE<\/h3>\n
Ettalong Beach<\/h2>\n
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STAYING THERE<\/h3>\n