Most beautiful beaches in Central Coast, NSW
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Australia has a strategic position with several water bodies (oceans and seas) surrounding it. Hence, there is no dearth of beaches on the smallest continent of our planet. That said, if you are planning a day trip or weekend getaway and looking for some great beaches, a day out to the Central Coast is always a winner. Sydney has a number of best beaches in the world and the Central Coast is the most fantastic one among all. So, why are you waiting? Grab your buckets and spades, we’re going to the beach! Summer in Sydney isn’t great without a trip to the beach. And, central coast beaches, NSW has plenty to offer. Whether you like to sunbathe or run with your dog, here are the most beautiful beaches you can find on Central Coast, NSW. So, grab your picnic and sun cream and head to the coast — it’s not all pebbles!
Our Favourite List of Best Central Coast Beaches
On the Central Coast, which stretches for 87 kilometers, there are over 40 beaches. As a result, beaches comprise more than half of the coast, making them an ideal summer vacation spot. With so many beautiful beaches to pick from, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 for beach-lovers and sunbathers.
So, without further ado, let’s begin our beach adventure!
Avoca beach
This is our best pick of all Central Coast beaches. Avoca offers something for every member of the family, we meant it’s a dog-friendly beach too. Avoca means “where the river meets the sea” in Irish located 95 kilometers north of Sydney. It’s easy to access via the M1 motorway. A drive from Sydney usually takes closer to 1 hour. If you don’t drive and don’t own a car, the best option is to catch a train from Central station to Gosford.
There are many things to do in Avoca Beach and kayaking and surfing stand out prominently. At the end of the golden sand stipe of nearly 2 km, there is a rock pool that adds more variety to your central coast day trip. As we said earlier, a section of Avoca beach is one of the dog’s friendly beaches you can find on the central coast, NSW. Look for signs after the lagoon for the dog-friendly section where you can have dogs off-leash. However, we advise checking the “off-lease” rules before you let your pups off. And you can check the rules from the central coast council website.
Terrigal beach in Central Coast, NSW
Arguably our second choice of the best beaches in Central Coast, NSW is Terrigal. The name Terrigal stands for “place of little birds” by indigenous language located 12 kilometers east of Gosford. Terrigal also ticks all the boxes when it comes to family friendly beach holiday or day tour. Even though it is popular among surfers and fishers, there are spots for BBQ. For fishers, it’s a spot to find flathead, snapper, and jewfish. You will see lifesavers patrol around the beach strip that’s adds an extra bit of safety when you out there with family. However, it’s the responsibility of mom and dad to take care of their little ones before they seek outside help.

Terrigal beach in Central Coast, NSW has a section dedicated for off-leash adventures and you can let your pup catch the waves on his own. However, please make sure you pay attention to council signs of off-leash rules.
Any traveler to Terrigal never ignores the factor to walk to the Skillion lookout on Broken Head. One of the best photographic spots on the central coast, NSW and you can capture a panoramic sweeping view of the ocean vistas.
Frazer Beach
The Frazer Beach, nestled in the pristine wilderness of Munmorah State Conservation Area, is relatively obscure to the wider beachgoer community. And it is just this undiscovered status of this location that makes it ideal for those seeking beach nirvana! Trust us when we say that here you may get away from the rush and bustle of the world and rest and unwind as the enormous ocean aids in your soul’s rejuvenation. It’s a tiny beach, but it’s jam-packed with stunning blue water and white sand, as well as a tranquil lagoon and neighbouring bushwalking trails. In a nutshell, Frazer Beach provides everything you could possibly want from relaxing summer vacation.
You can also visit this beach with your family and kids and enjoy picnicking. Here, you will find picnic tables overlooking the beach, and a campground. Among amenities, there are public toilets.
Killcare Beach
Killcare Beach is the place to go if you’re looking for a beach with golden sand. Killcare Beach, which is bordered by Bouddi National Park, is a heavy favourite for a stunning landscape. Surfing is a major pastime here, and a surf club can be found on the beach’s western end. Putty Beach, located on the eastern side of the island, is less busy and ideal for a peaceful dip. Killcare Beach and Putty Beach are two of the best dog-friendly beaches in the area. So, you may walk your dog while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding locations.
Aside from water sports and dog walks, you may go hiking or take a coastline walk between Putty Beach to Macmasters Beach, which is approximately 8 kilometres long and gives some excellent ocean views. The Bouddi National Park, which surrounds the beaches, is also a must-see. Finally, Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa is a great place to refresh your body and soul. This location is well-known for its day spa treatments.
Macmasters beach in Central Coast, NSW
Located on the south-eastern suburb of the Bouddi Peninsula and another one of the best beaches on central coast, NSW. The unspoiled sand strip wide over 1.4 kilometers and one end linked to the famous Copacabana Beach. Even though the Macmasters beach beautiful as Avoca and Terrigal, we do not recommend this for families with kids. At the Copacabana, waves reach around 1.5 m and it decreases to 1m at Macmasters. There are some precautions taken by Central Coast lifeguards such as demarcations by flags and regular patrols during weekdays.
The rock pool in the Macmasters beach is the only option if you want to take your family here. Kids will enjoy the rock pool as it’s not so deeper and with kids to this beach. The 17 m long pool not so deep and the wall act as a safety net from high rising waves.
So, why are you waiting to try one of these beautiful beaches in Central Coast, NSW?
Safety tips to consider

- Check “beachsafe.org.au” for live updates in terms of SurfLife Patrolling info.
- Check off-leash rules from “centralcoast.nws.gov.au” before you let off your pup in Central Coast beaches.
- Familiarise yourself with hazard signs before you head out to the beach. Some of the prominent signs to look are large unexpected waves, sharks, and gutters.
Contact Sydney Top Tours to arrange a day tour to Central Coast, NSW.
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