{"id":205944,"date":"2019-11-22T16:09:39","date_gmt":"2019-11-22T05:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/?p=205944"},"modified":"2023-02-13T09:52:20","modified_gmt":"2023-02-12T22:52:20","slug":"10-of-the-best-beaches-on-the-central-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/nsw\/central-coast\/10-of-the-best-beaches-on-the-central-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"10 of the best beaches on the Central Coast, NSW"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Central Coast is renowned for its beaches but if you really want to know the best of the best, you ask a local. Here, Megan Arkinstall lets us in on her top 10.<\/h5>\n

Home to more than 40 beaches that occupy an 87-kilometre coastline, the Central Coast of New South Wales<\/a> is the perfect summer holiday destination<\/a>. But with so many strips of sand to choose from, where do you start? It was tough, but we\u2019ve rounded up 10 of the best to suit beachgoers of all kinds \u2013 from water babies to grommets to sunbathers to surfing pros.<\/p>\n

1. Avoca Beach<\/h2>\n

The hometown of many surfing greats, including Wade Carmichael and Adrian Buchan, it\u2019s no surprise that Avoca Beach is popular with those chasing waves. But this two-kilometre stretch of golden sand appeals to all beach lovers, with a shallow rock pool and lagoon for kids to play about in, a rocky platform for fishermen, and some great beachside dining<\/a> including chic bar and restaurant Avoca Beach House, and Point Cafe located under the surf club. You could easily spend an entire day here.<\/p>\n

\"North

North Avoca Headland at sunset.<\/p><\/div>\n

2. Toowoon Bay<\/h2>\n

A favourite with families, this 700-metre-long curved beach boasts calm turquoise water and white sands, perfect for little ones to splash about in the pristine shallows. The bay is sheltered by reefs, which means it\u2019s also a great spot for snorkelling, as well as stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking, while novice surfers enjoy the soft rolling waves. The surf club patrols the beach, and also has a caf\u00e9 serving breaky and lunch, and there are shower and toilet facilities.<\/p>\n

3. Soldiers Beach<\/h2>\n

Just south of the historic Norah Head Lighthouse<\/a>, Soldiers Beach is increasingly popular for its pristine white sand, clear water and reliable waves, which draw in the board riders year-round. The surf club is home to Dunes<\/a> a restaurant with a tapas-style menu and incredible views, and there\u2019s a kiosk at the top car park which offers burgers, milkshakes and the like.<\/p>\n

\"Soldiers

Soldiers Beach is a popular local surf spot.<\/p><\/div>\n

4. Wamberal Beach and Spoon Bay<\/h2>\n

Wamberal Beach is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Terrigal, but take the short walk past Terrigal Lagoon and you\u2019ll find a wide expanse of golden-sand beach that\u2019s much less crowded, has an off-leash area for dogs and great surfing.<\/p>\n

\"Wamberal

Get away from the crowds at Wamberal Beach.<\/p><\/div>\n

At its north, tucked under Wamberal Point, Spoon Bay has a calm bay for swimming and is a bit of a local\u2019s secret. It can be accessed by a set of stairs at the end of Spoon Bay Road in Forresters Beach.<\/p>\n

\"Spoon

Spoon Bay is a bit of a local’s secret.<\/p><\/div>\n

5. Pelican Beach<\/h2>\n

Surrounded by Wyrrabalong National Park, Pelican Beach \u2013 or \u2018Pelos\u2019 as the locals call it \u2013 is accessed via the rather unassuming Pelican Beach Road off Wilfred Barrett Drive. This is true surfing nirvana for experienced board riders and, due to its relative isolation, is usually uncrowded and feels a million miles away. It\u2019s a beauty, with an untouched white-sand coastline and crystal-clear water.<\/p>\n

\"Pelican

Pelican Beach is true surfing nirvana.<\/p><\/div>\n

6. Umina Beach<\/h2>\n

A popular holiday destination, Umina is home to two patrolled beaches, Umina Beach and Ocean Beach, which occupy a 2.8-kilometre stretch of golden sand in Broken Bay. Both beaches are relatively calm for swimming and usually offer small waves, perfect for kids and novices learning to surf.<\/p>\n

Umina Beach is also home to the fantastic and family-friendly NRMA Ocean Beach Resort (also a great place to camp<\/a>). It features an incredible kids\u2019 playground and cafe;\u00a0both within walking distance from the sand.<\/p>\n

\"Umina

Umina is home to two patrolled beaches.<\/p><\/div>\n

7. Frazer Beach<\/h2>\n

Located in Munmorah State Conservation Area, secluded Frazer Beach is fairly unknown so you may have this patch of paradise to yourself. At 400 metres, it may be small but it packs a punch with striking turquoise water and white sand, reliable surf, a calm lagoon and nearby bushwalking tracks<\/a>. There are also picnic tables that overlook the beach, a campground and toilets, but no other facilities.<\/p>\n

\"Frazer

Frazer Beach is fairly unknown, so you may have this patch of paradise to yourself.<\/p><\/div>\n

8. Shelly Beach<\/h2>\n

Stretching an impressive 1.5 kilometres, Shelly Beach is a great all-rounder beach. It attracts surfers for its consistent beach break (it\u2019s particularly good for beginners with gentle swells), there\u2019s a patrolled swimming area, a dog exercise section, small sand dunes for tumbling down and a great grass area up the top for picnics.<\/p>\n

The surf club also has a restaurant upstairs and a caf\u00e9 downstairs<\/a>, which is a popular spot for coffee or a sun-drenched breaky post-swim. Shelly Beach Golf Club<\/a> is also just a short distance from the beach and is one of the most spectacular golf courses on the coast for its ocean views.<\/p>\n

\"Shelly

Shelly Beach is a great all-rounder.<\/p><\/div>\n

9. Putty Beach and Killcare Beach<\/h2>\n

These two golden-sand beaches are bordered by spectacular Bouddi National Park and between Box Head and Gerrin Point headland. Killcare Beach has a surf club that sits in its western corner, moderate waves for surfing and a pretty rockpool for little ones to paddle about in, which is a good idea due to the occasional rough surf on this side. While Putty Beach is usually calmer and has an off-leash dog section, camping ground and is the entry point for the spectacular Bouddi Coastal Walk.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Views above Killcare Beach.<\/p><\/div>\n

10. MacMasters Beach<\/h2>\n

Immediately south of Copacabana Beach, which is popular with surfers, MacMasters Beach is more of an all-rounder for families. It has calmer conditions for young swimmers and those learning to surf, an ocean pool, a great picnic spot with barbecues, an off-leash dog section and a fabulous kids\u2019 playground nearby.<\/p>\n

\"MacMasters

MacMasters Beach ocean pool is the perfect spot for families to enjoy.<\/p><\/div>\n

Read the Ultimate travel guide to the Central Coast<\/a> for more insider tips.<\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Central Coast is renowned for its beaches but if you really want to know the best of the best, you ask a local. Here, Megan Arkinstall lets us in on her top 10. Home to more than 40 beaches that occupy an 87-kilometre coastline, the Central Coast of New South Wales is the perfect […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":205953,"comment_status":"closed","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":[1155,6295,5713,5514,4628],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTop 10 Beaches on the Central Coast | Australian Traveller<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Central Coast is home to more than 40 beaches, but if you want to know the best of the best, you ask a local. 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