Toowoon Bay NSW: Central Coast beaches perfect for a weekend escape in Australia

Travellers in the know are flocking to a small beachside town to soak up dreamy tropical holiday vibes without having to fly or sit in a car for hours.

Toowoon Bay, on New South Wales’ Central Coast, is just 1.5 hours from Sydney by car and is known for its quiet, sparkling beach, ‘sleepy’ small town and stunning surrounds. 

Just south of The Entrance, Toowoon Bay has been described as ‘your own personal paradise’, with those who visit indulging in paddle boarding, beautiful national park walks and top tier fishing. 

There are rocky reefs near both ends of the patrolled beach which are great snorkelling spots, while the nearby Little Bay Beach is famous for its bright blue water and gentle surf. 

One of the most popular spots is Tuggerah Lake and its parallel walking and bike track. Those who visit enjoy some enchanting scenery as the estuary is a habitat for all kinds of local birds including black swans and sharp-tailed sandpipers. 

Travellers in the know are flocking to a small beachside town to soak up dreamy tropical holiday vibes without having to fly or sit in a car for hours

Toowoon Bay, on New South Wales' Central Coast, is just 1.5 hours from Sydney by car and is known for its quiet, sparkling beach, 'sleepy' small town and stunning surrounds

Toowoon Bay, on New South Wales’ Central Coast, is just 1.5 hours from Sydney by car and is known for its quiet, sparkling beach, ‘sleepy’ small town and stunning surrounds

One of Toowoon Bay’s ‘must-visits’ is Kims Beachside Retreat, an iconic getaway that’s been in the town for more than 100 years and has a rich and fascinating history.

The charming otherworldly hideaway takes you out of the hustle and bustle of the city and places you in your own tree-lined bubble with timber bungalows, spa villas and uninterrupted views of the beach beyond. 

Kims also has its own cocktail bar, restaurant and massage facilities so those who stay can immerse themselves in the rainforest and leave only when they’re ready to re-enter reality. 

One of Toowoon Bay's 'must-visits' is Kims Beachside Retreat, an iconic getaway that's been in the town for more than 100 years and has a rich and fascinating history

One of Toowoon Bay’s ‘must-visits’ is Kims Beachside Retreat, an iconic getaway that’s been in the town for more than 100 years and has a rich and fascinating history 

The charming otherworldly hideaway takes you out of the hustle and bustle of the city

It and places you in your own tree-lined bubble with timber bungalows, spa villas and uninterrupted views of the beach beyond

The charming otherworldly hideaway takes you out of the hustle and bustle of the city and places you in your own tree-lined bubble with timber bungalows, spa villas and uninterrupted views of the beach beyond

Kims also has its own cocktail bar, restaurant and massage facilities so those who stay can immerse themselves in the rainforest and leave only when they're ready to re-enter reality

Kims also has its own cocktail bar, restaurant and massage facilities so those who stay can immerse themselves in the rainforest and leave only when they’re ready to re-enter reality

While Kims is regularly refreshed and feels brand new, hints of its long run are scattered through the winding pathways – from the dining room bell to signal the hour to the curious line of narrow railway tracks once used to transport coal for Kims boilers and Arga stoves.

The Central Coast as a whole is increasingly becoming a weekend getaway of choice for many Aussies, especially those in Sydney, for those who wish to escape the grind and wind down without spending a fortune. 

Some of the most popular and beautiful spots include The Entrance, Terrigal and Terrigal Beach, the Bouddi Coastal Walk, Long Jetty and the Norah Head Lighthouse. 

For those travelling back to Sydney, they can extend their holiday by visiting Sydney Oyster Tours on the way.

The Central Coast as a whole is increasingly a weekend getaway of choice for many Aussies, especially those in Sydney, for those who wish to escape the grind and wind down without spending a fortune (pictured, The Entrance)

The Central Coast as a whole is increasingly a weekend getaway of choice for many Aussies, especially those in Sydney, for those who wish to escape the grind and wind down without spending a fortune (pictured, The Entrance)

Some of the most popular and beautiful spots include The Entrance, Terrigal and Terrigal Beach, the Bouddi Coastal Walk, Long Jetty and the Norah Head Lighthouse (pictured, the Entrance Lake House)

Some of the most popular and beautiful spots include The Entrance, Terrigal and Terrigal Beach, the Bouddi Coastal Walk, Long Jetty and the Norah Head Lighthouse (pictured, the Entrance Lake House)

A dreamy holiday on your doorstep: What to do on the Central Coast starting at Toowoon Bay 

• Coast to Lake Walk – a 7.5km loop starting from Kims Beachside Retreat, along the beach to The Entrance, then along the lake, through Long Jetty back to Kims

• If you’d prefer to cycle you can hire bikes at The Entrance from Boomerang Bikes and explore the stunning Tuggerah Lakes Cycleway. Collect a bike from adjacent to Vera’s Water Garden (a colourful play space on the waterfront)

• Hire a SUP, kayak or motorboat from The Entrance Boat Shed

• While at The Entrance stop off at Grant Molony + Rowsie then try The Entrance Lake House for lunch. Located on the lakeside this is a perfect place to stop when cycling or walking around the lake

• Explore the vibrant suburb of Long Jetty. Long Jetty is a vibrant stretch along The Entrance Road; a showreel of unique art, design, fashion and antiques curated by local makers, creators and collectors. A great place to browse in boutiques such as Tiki Lala, Sorry Grandma, Plain Janes, Sadie Lou and Ohana

• Head back to Sydney, stopping at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours where you take a boat ride out to the oyster leases to learn about the evolution of oyster farming and see the current cultivation methods used to bring you the beautiful Sydney Rock and Pacific Oysters you love

Medical student and oyster farmer Sheridan Beaumont has been farming for 15 years and recently launched tours of her family’s Broken Bay farm on the Hawkesbury River to revive it after a series of challenges.

The tour, which is a 45-minute drive from Sydney at Mooney Mooney, offers an educational and luxurious ‘farm-gate to plate’ experience where guests don waders and shuck oysters straight from the leases before enjoying them with complimentary Champagne.

‘I want to get it to the point where I have hundreds of people walking around the river with tables scattered everywhere,’ Sheridan told the ABC shortly after opening.

And the reviews speak for themselves.

Medical student and oyster farmer Sheridan Beaumont (pictured) has been farming for 15 years and recently launched tours of her family's Broken Bay farm on the Hawkesbury River to revive it after a series of challenges

Medical student and oyster farmer Sheridan Beaumont (pictured) has been farming for 15 years and recently launched tours of her family’s Broken Bay farm on the Hawkesbury River to revive it after a series of challenges

'Such an incredibly amazing experience! We did the Immerse Yourself tour and we could not fault anything. Sheridan, Jason, Ben and the entire team were so full of knowledge which made our day flawless,' a guest wrote

‘Such an incredibly amazing experience! We did the Immerse Yourself tour and we could not fault anything. Sheridan, Jason, Ben and the entire team were so full of knowledge which made our day flawless,’ a guest wrote

‘This experience was fantastic! We did the Immerse Yourself experience and cannot fault it! Fantastic to take any overseas guests to! The oysters and the prawns were delicious,’ one wrote.

‘Such an incredibly amazing experience! We did the Immerse Yourself tour and we could not fault anything. Sheridan, Jason, Ben and the entire team were so full of knowledge which made our day flawless,’ another wrote.

‘From the time of booking, Sheridan was so accommodating that she opened up an afternoon session at my request and was so pleasant to deal with from the get go! Get yourself in those waders and have the best day ever!’

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