10 Best Central Coast Beaches

When it comes to beaches, Australia is hard to beat – and not just in numbers, but in beauty, too. We’ve got to know dozens of fabulous beaches since we moved to Sydney, and we don’t need to go far for them. In this post we’ve collected our favorite Central Coast beaches, great for a day trip or a weekend getaway from Sydney. Some are the best for surfers, but you also find some very protected beaches which are usually safe for swimming and ideal for small kids, too.

Where is the Central Coast? And why do we love it?

If I tell you that no other city in the whole world has so many wonderful beaches as Sydney, I’m probably biased. And I’m probably very close to the truth, too. But as restless as we are, we can’t resist exploring outside of the city. Oh, and there are places to explore, plenty of them, beaches included!

The Central Coast of New South Wales has about four times the well-indented coastline of Sydney Harbour. More than 40 beaches occupy the 87 km of this coastline – but where exactly is the Central Coast?

It’s north of Sydney and south of Newcastle, bounded by the Hawkesbury River in the south, the Watagan Mountains in the west and the southern end of Lake Macquarie in the north. And, obviously, the South Pacific Ocean in the east. Hence the existence of this post about the very best beaches we found on the Central Coast.

Please note that the list is highly subjective, though we tried to include different kinds of beaches from different areas of the coastline. And it was very hard to pick only ten. We left out some very well-known and popular beaches, and we included some lesser-known ones. Also, we added some rock pools. I trust it’s more than your ordinary TOP 10 list – let’s dive in.

Best beaches on the Central Coast

Top 5 Central Coast beaches:

• Best safe swimming beach: Pearl Beach
• Best hidden gem: Maitland Bay
• Best urban beach: Terrigal Beach
• Most picturesque beach: Ghosties Beach
• Best natural rock pool: Catherine Hill Bay Rock Pool

Here are the details, from south to north.

Pearl Beach

Located in Broken Bay and on the edge of Brisbane Water National Park, Pearl Beach is one of the best and safest swimming beaches on the Central Coast. The most protected area to swim is at the southern end of the beach, or in the ocean pool. Nearby Ettalong Beach, Umina Beach and Patonga Beach get much more fame, but this is a gem if you’re looking for a calm, beautiful swimming beach.

Boogie boarding is fun at the south end of the bay, and the rock pool offers an even safer water playground for families. Waves will crash into the pool when the tide comes in, which is exciting for many kids (not my son… but you know yours the best).

There’s a playground, with swings, a spider web and climbing equipment, benches and a café right behind the beach. You find washrooms, as well. While the facilities are sufficient, and you can directly drive to the beach, Pearl Beach still has such an untouched, remote vibe.

The Pearl Beach to Patonga Beach walking track is a lovely 3 km long trail through coastal forest, with the wonderful Warrah Lookout on the way. The trail starts at the end of Crystal Avenue in the town of Pearl Beach. You can combine this hike with visiting Pearl Beach (possibly on a not-so-hot day when hiking is pleasant).

Read this, too: Best Central Coast Walking Tracks

If you’re looking for a walk that’s shorter and easier, stroll the paths of the Crommelin Native Arboretum. It’s located beside the small car park near the end of Crystal Avenue and is free to visit.

To get a stunning view of Pearl Beach from above, walk 10 minutes to the Mount Ettalong Lookout on your drive there or back. It’s just off Patonga Drive.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes
• Snorkeling? Yes
• Rock pool? Yes
• Toilets? Yes
• Drinking water? Yes
• Lifeguard? No
• Parking: several smaller parking lots and unrestricted on-street parking behind the beach
• Accommodation: NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort in Umina
• Other facilities: playground, picnic tables, café

Ettalong Beach

Ettalong Beach is one of the most popular Central Coast Beaches among families with young children. It’s a calm and shallow beach where swimming is very safe. You also find amenities, like a playground, picnic spots and a café, beside the beach.

It’s located where Brisbane Water and Broken Bay meet, just opposite the Barrenjoey Headland. Ferry service connects Ettalong to Palm Beach, which makes it an easy getaway from the Northern Beaches.

There’s no lifeguard service on Ettalong Beach, but the water is very calm. The sand continues unbroken to Ocean Beach and Umina Beach for 4 kilometers, so you can have a long stroll on the three beaches.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes
• Snorkeling? No
• Rock pool? No
• Toilets? Yes
• Drinking water? Yes 
• Lifeguard? No
• Accommodation: NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort in Umina
• Other facilities: barbecues, playground, cafés, picnic tables

Putty Beach

Putty Beach has calm water, soft golden sand and scenic surroundings. It’s located in Bouddi National Park, but you can drive directly to the beach, and you find the most essential facilities: toilets, drinking water, showers and picnic tables.

It’s one of the best family-friendly beaches on the Central Coast which never gets crowded. The water is relatively sheltered, suitable for swimming, and kids can play on their boards. Go snorkeling at the eastern end of the bay, near the rocks.

It’s popular among beach campers, too, because there’s a campground just a few steps away from the beach, but sheltered among the bushland. Putty Beach is also the entry point for the spectacular Bouddi Coastal Walk. The walk to Gerrin Lookout is only 1 km, it’s easy and delivers breathtaking coastal views. It’s one of the best family-friendly walks on the Central Coast.

The other side of the bay is called Killcare Beach. It has the same beautiful scenery and less protected waters, but it’s patrolled throughout the summer. There’s a rock pool for small kids (at the western end of the bay) and a café for parents.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes
• Snorkeling? Yes
• Rock pool? No
• Toilets? Yes
• Drinking water? Yes
• Lifeguard? No
• Parking: several parking lots (daily fee or NSW Parks pass required)
• Accommodation: Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel
• Other facilities: picnic tables

Maitland Bay Beach

Similarly to Putty Beach, Maitland Bay is located in Bouddi National Park. But unlike Putty Beach, it requires walking, and it wins the title of the most beautiful hidden beach on the Central Coast (awarded by us).

It’s a 600 meters untouched stretch of golden sand, tucked between two dramatic headlands and among the bushland of Bouddi National Park. Protected by reefs and headlands, it’s a relatively safe swimming beach (though it’s not patrolled), and the rocky platforms at both ends offer fascinating snorkeling opportunities.

Actually, you don’t even need to go underwater to observe ocean life. You can see large crabs, oystercatchers and herons feeding in the rock pools at low tide, and cormorants drying their wings on the rocks. Little kids can also safely play in the shallow, sheltered natural rock pools at low tide.

Maitland Bay walking track

There’s a high chance you’ll share Maitland Bay with only a handful of people, even on a summer weekend. That’s because it’s not a beach to drive to.

The 2 km return track to Maitland Bay runs through pretty bushland, with twisted gum trees and lush fern. Oh, and with dozens of steps, because it’s a relatively steep downhill walk – and then an uphill walk as you return from the beach. It’s nothing difficult, but if you expect to casually walk to this beach, well, it requires a bit more effort than that. But it’s so worth it!

And if you’d walk more, continue on the Bouddi Coastal Walk either way. Bouddi Point is a lovely viewpoint to get to, as well. The Bullimah Spur walking track is a detour from the Maitland Bay track, and it leads to some of the best viewpoints on the Central Coast. (Don’t do this detour with all of your beach gear though.)

I love Maitland Bay in every season. It’s a great swimming beach in summer, it’s perfect for only walking down to the beach and playing in the sand and at the tidal pools, it’s the most perfect beach to photograph, with stunning rock formations at the headlands, and it’s surrounded by scenic walking tracks. And it’s a place where you’re guaranteed to find peace and quiet. What’s more to ask for? Just bring plenty of food and water.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes
• Snorkeling? Yes
• Rock pool? No
• Toilets? No 
• Drinking water? Yes (in the parking lot at the trailhead)
• Lifeguard? No
• Parking: at the trailhead of Maitland Bay walking track
• Accommodation: Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel
• Other facilities: none

Terrigal Beach

Terrigal Beach is a two-kilometer stretch of golden sand, and it’s one of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast. It’s one of the typical beaches, too, I’d add: one with powerful waves, great amenities, a protected rock pool and nearby scenic walks. Why do we think it’s special then?

Exactly because of those things. If you’re looking for a simple, relaxing beach day, an easy, pretty coastal walk or a place to spend an afternoon with your kids on the coast, Terrigal Beach is a great option.

Terrigal Beach is not really protected, but you can swim if the conditions are calm enough. There’s a shallow natural rock pool for kids at the southern area of the beach. It’s well-protected at low tide, but often flooded (and not safe) at high tide – the large waves crashing into the pool is an impressive sight though.

If you’re looking for more sheltered water to swim and snorkel, walk from Terrigal Beach to The Haven. This smaller bay is at the foot of the southern headland and is protected by it. It has a boat launch, too, and it’s connected to Terrigal Beach by the picturesque Terrigal Boardwalk, an elevated walkway.

You find a beachside restaurant and café, a playground and a large parking area with several parking lots by the beach. There’s a loop trail around the headland, called Terrigal Haven coastal walk, which is partly paved, includes lots of stairs and several spectacular viewpoints.

Terrigal Lagoon behind Terrigal Beach is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes (The Haven is the most sheltered area)
• Snorkeling? Yes (at The Haven)
• Rock pool? Yes
• Toilets? Yes
• Drinking water? Yes
• Lifeguard? between September and April
• Parking: several free parking lots and on-street parking nearby
• Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific (4-star hotel) or Terrigal Sails Serviced Apartments
• Other facilities: playground, picnic tables, restaurant, café, walking trail

Spoon Bay

Spoon Bay is an idyllic, small and calm bay in the Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve, backed up by sand dunes and rocks. It’s a bit of a local’s secret.

It’s suitable for swimming, because it’s protected by rocky reefs, and the northern area is great for snorkeling, too. You can access it via a set of stairs at the end of Spoon Bay Road, or you can walk to Spoon Bay from Wamberal Beach in the south.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes
• Snorkeling? Yes 
• Rock pool? No
• Toilets? No
• Drinking water? No
• Lifeguard? No
• Parking: parking lot at the end of Spoon Bay Road (in Forresters Beach)
• Accommodation: The Quarters, Ascend Hotel Collection in Wamberal
• Other facilities: none

Bateau Bay Beach

The 200-meter long Bateau Bay has a beautiful and relatively sheltered golden sand beach, backed up by lush green bushland. Kids will love exploring the rock pools, and the Coast Walking Track of Wyrrabalong National Park starts from the southern end of the beach. The Bateau Bay walking track is a short loop trail at the northern end of the bay, with a viewpoint that overlooks Bateau Bay.

It’s one of those beaches which are a joy to visit any time of the year. You can swim and splash around in the shallow rock pools in the summer, you can see amazing wildflowers along the Coast Walking Track in spring, and the surrounding lovely walking tracks are enjoyable in any season.

Bateau Bay Beach is only a short downhill walk from the parking lot.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes 
• Snorkeling? Yes
• Rock pool? No 
• Toilets? Yes
• Drinking water? Yes
• Lifeguard? No
• Parking: free parking lot, or unrestricted on-street parking
• Accommodation: cabins at Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
• Other facilities: none

Toowoon Bay Beach

The color of the water is quite incredible in lots of bays on the Central Coast, and Toowoon Bay is definitely one of those. It’s often called the bluest bay on the Central Coast, and its special teal color makes it stand out.

It’s even sheltered enough to be safe for swimming, at least the southern area of the beach, which is protected by a sand pit and a natural reef. The end of the sand pit is the favorite water playground for families, as the water among the rocks gets very shallow, and it’s so sheltered that it’s almost a natural rock pool (but not quite):

It’s a great place to practice snorkeling, too. Do watch out for currents as the tide comes in though.

The protected part of Toowoon Bay is suitable for kayaking and stand up paddleboarding, and kite surfers enjoy the less sheltered area.

Families, like us, love this beach, because of the calm water and the park behind the beach where you find a fenced playground, sheltered picnic tables and barbecues. If you don’t fancy making your own meal, grab something from the food kiosk near the beach.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes
• Snorkeling? Yes
• Rock pool? No
• Toilets? Yes
• Drinking water? Yes
• Lifeguard? between September and April
• Parking: large beach parking lot (free of charge), unrestricted on-street parking in the neighborhood
• Accommodation: cabins and bungalows in Toowoon Bay Holiday Park
• Other facilities: playground, (sheltered) picnic area, BBQ, food kiosks and cafés

Frazer Beach & Bongon Beach

Frazer Beach and Bongon Beach are two neighboring bays with incredibly white sand and a remote feel. They’re located at the northern end of the Central Coast, in the Munmorah State Conservation Area. If you love wild beaches which are still not too hard to access and offer some facilities, they’re a great choice.

Frazer Beach offers some facilities, Bongon Beach offers none. They’re connected by a short walk, either through the rocky platform at the foot of the headland (at low tide) or through the headland. While you can drive to Frazer Beach, Bongon Bay requires a short walk, either from Frazer Beach or the Snapper Point parking lot.

Frazer Beach is the longer one, it’s a 400-meter-long surf break, popular among local surfers. The water is turquoise, and it gets very shallow at low tide, with sand islands in the middle:

Frazer Beach at low tide

Bongon Bay is more protected, and it’s what I’d choose for swimming. The sheltered waters also get very shallow at low tide, which makes it the perfect family-friendly beach (but one which is not mentioned in any list of the best family-friendly beaches on the Central Coast).

Walking from Frazer Beach over to Bongon Beach and then to Snapper Point is a lovely short hike in any season. Frazer Beach itself is the beach of serene walks, and the large grassy area behind it is an ideal picnic place – and you find a few sheltered picnic tables, too.

The Palm Track is a 1 km loop trail, just a short drive away from Frazer Beach, and it’s one of the most picturesque palm forests near Sydney. Wybung Head offers stunning views, accessible by a short hike on the headland.

This is the place to fall in love with camping, too. Who wouldn’t love to fall asleep to the sound of the waves? Frazer Campground is in the bushland of Munmorah State Conservation Area, only a few meters behind the beach (so that it’s a bit more sheltered).

I’m not sure if this comes through immediately, but I prefer Frazer Beach and the whole area outside of the summer season. It’s such an idyllic landscape, with lots of fabulous viewpoints and bushwalking trails, that sitting on the beach all day feels like missing out on the greatest treasures. But yes, there are hot summer days when you do want to just relax on the beach – and in the water.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Limited
• Snorkeling? Yes
• Rock pool? No
• Toilets? Yes, at Frazer Beach
• Drinking water? No
• Lifeguard? No
• Parking: Frazer Beach offers several parking lots, and there’s a small parking lot at Snapper Point, just above Bongon Bay
• Accommodation: Frazer campground or Catho Cottage in Catherine Hill Bay
• Other facilities: sheltered picnic tables

Ghosties Beach

Ghosties Beach is located on the northern end of the Central Coast, in the Munmorah State Conservation Area, and it’s one of the remote gems which are a delight to dig up! It requires walking, you can’t simply drive to this beach, but the reward is well worth your effort.

How to access Ghosties Beach? Park your car on Surfside Drive, or on the narrow road parallel to it if there’s a free spot at the trailhead of the Moonee Beach walking track. There are only a few parking spaces at the trailhead, but Surfside Drive and the nearby streets offer unrestricted street parking. Then head down on the Moonee Beach walking trail to Moonee Beach.

the sheltered bay at the southern end of Moonee Beach

It takes about 20 minutes to get down to Moonee Beach, then another 15-20 minutes to walk to the southern end of the beach. Ghosties Beach is the neighbor of Moonee Beach, you’ll find it just over the sand dunes. Both beaches have unique features, and visiting both of them makes for a very special day.

So Ghosties Beach is one with a remote feel and barely any people (or facilities). It’s tucked between two scenic headlands and backed up by lush greenery. It’s not a sheltered beach, the waves are quite powerful – and look very impressive! But the water gets quite shallow at low tide, so you can play in the waves. If you’d like to go in for a swim or let your kids play freely, walk to the southern end of neighboring Moonee Beach, which is very sheltered, thanks to a natural reef. It’s also a fun snorkeling spot.

snorkeling area, protected by the reef, Moonee Beach

If the tide is low, you can walk through shallow water and over to the reef at the southern end of Moonee Beach. Watch out for birds: cormorants like resting on the rocks, and herons often feed in the tidal pools. And seagulls are on the lookout for your sandwiches, so never leave food unattended.

Low tide is the best time to visit Ghosties Beach, because I left the most special thing about it last: the sea caves! There are two of them at the western end of the beach, and they’re only accessible at low tide. (Take this seriously, because the waves can be powerful, and they flood the caves as the tide comes in.)

The larger caves is accessible through a dramatic slot canyon, and we fell in love with it at first sight – it’s impossible not to. It’s one of the biggest walk-through caves on Australia’s East Coast. The second cave is smaller and further in, and the waves crash into it even at low tide. Neither words nor pictures can do justice to these caves, they’re among our favorite places in all of New south Wales.

Best of all? Go on a weekday, and you’re almost guaranteed to enjoy them alone. But bring enough food and water, because when I say there’s no facilities here, I mean it. No toilets and drinking water – or any kind of water. No lifeguards either, so be careful, check the tide times and the sea conditions.

Beach info:

• Swimming? safe swimming is possible at the southern end of Moonee Beach
• Snorkeling? at the southern end of Moonee Beach
• Rock pool? No 
• Toilets? No
• Drinking water? No
• Lifeguard? No
• Parking: a few parking spots at the Moonee Beach track trailhead, on-street parking on Surfside Drive
• Accommodation: Catho Cottage in Catherine Hill Bay
• Other facilities: nothing, so bring enough food, water and your own sunshade!

Beyond the TOP 10 Central Coast beaches

Isolated and unprotected: Pelican’s Beach

I didn’t include Pelican’s Beach in the TOP 10, because it’s definitely not a protected beach where you’d spend the day swimming. But I can’t not talk about it in this article at all, because it’s too beautiful to be missed.

It’s a long, unprotected and isolated beach which feels a million miles away from civilization. It’s a bit off the road, that’s true, accessible via the Pelican Beach Road, off Wilfred Barrett Drive (aka the Central Coast Highway).

It’s a paradise for surfers, and I love walking in the soft, white sand all along this beach. The Pelican Beach Road lookout is a few steps away from the parking area, and it offers a nice view overlooking Pelican’s Beach and its sand dunes. But when I say it’s unprotected, I mean it. The giant waves are intimidating, and we were almost blown away by the wind. We put our wind jackets on in the beginning of summer.

If you’re looking for a patrolled beach, head over to neighboring Soldiers Beach.

Beach info:

• Swimming? No
• Snorkeling? No
• Rock pool? No 
• Toilets? No
• Drinking water? No
• Lifeguard? No
• Parking: parking lot at the end of Pelican Beach Road
• Accommodation: cabins at Norah Head Holiday Park
• Other facilities: nothing, so bring enough food, water and your own sunshade!

The best natural rock pool on the Central Coast: Catherine Hill Bay rock pool

You find countless rock pools on the Central Coast if you’d like to enjoy a dip in protected water. However, the coolest and one of the least known rock pools is a natural one, and it requires a bit of walking. It’s the Catherine Hill Bay rock pool, because it’s located on the rock plateau north of Catherine Hill Bay Beach.

If you start walking on the rocky plateau at the northern end of the beach though, you can’t access the rock pool. You need to find a trail behind Catherine Hill Bay Beach, which ascends into the bush, then descends back to the coast, after bypassing a lovely canyon.

The rock pool is along the picturesque coastal trail towards the Shark Hole. The coastline is wild here, and giant waves crash into the rock platform, especially as the tide comes in. Beware of the tide while enjoying the rock pool, too, because it’s the safest at low tide.

the Shark Hole viewpoint

You can easily notice this series of rock pools from above, but most of the large pools are quite shallow. Some are excellent for snorkeling, and the deepest pool in the center is a great swimming area, with sheltered and pleasant water (somewhat warmer than the ocean). It’s not too large, just suitable for a family or two, but you usually won’t find many people there. Visit on a weekday, and you might be alone.

Needless to say, there’s no facilities here. Bring plenty of water and everything you need. Once we saw a true Aussie family parking right by the rock pool with a 4WD, but we still wouldn’t consider it a rock pool that’s accessible by car. It must have been an insane drive. We definitely prefer parking in Catherine Hill Bay and walking from there.

Just north of the Central Coast: Caves Beach

There’s a very cool network of sea caves on a beach just north of the Central Coast, and it’s appropriately named Caves Beach. However, you need to time your visit to low tide to explore the caves – which is undoubtedly the best thing to do on Caves Beach. They’re submerged and can’t be safely accessed at high tide.

Caves Beach is long and wild, not really protected, so it’s more suitable for wading than swimming. It’s an ideal surfing beach, too, and kids can have fun with their boogie boards on the sand dunes behind the beach.

The Caves Beach Lookout is right at the end of the parking lot, and you won’t be able to resist taking a picture of the beach from here, because it looks idyllic, with the large waves rolling out onto the sand.

To access the caves, head down the path from the parking lot at the southern end of the beach, then turn right. You’ll see the large entrance of the first cave, and you can walk through to access the whole network of caves. You can crawl into some of the smaller ones. The main tunnel at the back of the largest cave takes you outside of the caves on the southeastern side. 

Don’t expect to explore the caves on your own though. It’s a popular place, and people all head to the caves at low tide.

Nearby Spoon Rocks Beach is a lesser-known, sheltered bay. You can walk there from Caves Beach, and the coastal path continues even further to Pinny Beach and beyond. It’s called Caves Beach Coastal Walk and is located in Wallarah National Park.

Beach info:

• Swimming? Yes
• Snorkeling? No
• Rock pool? No 
• Toilets? Yes
• Drinking water? Yes
• Lifeguard? Yes (between September and April)
• Parking: beach parking lots or unrestricted on-street parking
• Accommodation: Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows
• Other facilities: picnic tables, barbecues, food kiosk, playground

Central Coast beaches map

See all the Central Coast beaches mentioned in this post (and even more!) on the map below: