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

By William On Apr 10, 2023

In-the-know travelers flock to a small beach town to soak up dreamy tropical vacation vibes without having to fly for hours or spend hours in a car.

Toowoon Bay, on the central coast of New South Wales, is just 1.5 hours from Sydney and is known for its quiet, sparkling beach, ‘sleepy’ small town and beautiful surroundings.

Just south of The Entrance, Toowoon Bay is described as ‘your own personal paradise’, with visitors indulging in paddle boarding, beautiful national park walks and top fishing.

There are rocky reefs at both ends of the lifeguarded beach, which make great snorkeling spots, while nearby Little Bay Beach is famous for its clear blue waters and gentle surf.

One of the most popular spots is Tuggerah Lake and its parallel hiking and biking trail. Those who visit enjoy enchanting scenery as the estuary is a habitat for a variety of local birds, including black swans and sharp-tailed sandpipers.

Celebrities flock to a small beach town to soak up dreamy tropical vacation vibes without having to fly for hours or sit in a car

Toowoon Bay, on New South Wales’s Central Coast, is just 1.5 hours from Sydney and is known for its quiet, sparkling beach, ‘sleepy’ small town and beautiful surroundings

One of Toowoon Bay’s ‘must-visits’ Kim’s beach retreatan iconic retreat that has existed in the city for over 100 years and has a rich and fascinating aura history.

The charming otherworldly hideaway takes you out of the hustle and bustle of the city and puts you in your own tree-lined bubble with wooden 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 retreat that has been in town for over 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 puts you in your own tree-lined bubble with wooden 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 only leave when they are ready to re-enter reality

While Kim’s regularly refreshed and feeling brand new, hints of its longevity are scattered along its winding paths – from the dining room bell to mark the hour to the curious line of narrow gauge railways once used to carry coal for Kims boilers and Arga stoves.

The Central coast as a whole it is increasingly becoming a favorite weekend destination for many Aussies, especially those in Sydney, for those who want to escape the grind and unwind 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 traveling back to Sydney, they can extend their holiday by visiting Sydney Oyster Tours en route.

The Central Coast as a whole is increasingly becoming a favorite weekend destination for many Aussies, especially those in Sydney, for those who want to escape the grind and unwind without spending a fortune (photo, 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)

A dreamy holiday on your doorstep: Things to do on the Central Coast from Toowoon Bay

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

• If you prefer to cycle, rent bikes from The Entrance from Boomerang Bikes and explore the beautiful Tuggerah Lakes Cycleway. Pick up a bike at Vera’s Water Garden (a colorful waterfront play area)

• Hire a SUP, kayak or powerboat at The Entrance Boat Shed

• Stop at The Entrance at Grant Molony + Rowsie and then try The Entrance Lake House for lunch. Located on the lake shore 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 lively stretch along The Entrance Road; a showreel of unique art, design, fashion and antiques curated by local makers, designers and collectors. A great place to browse boutiques like Tiki Lala, Sorry Grandma, Plain Janes, Sadie Lou and Ohana

• Return to Sydney and stop at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours where you take a boat trip to the oyster farms to learn about the evolution of oyster farming and see the current farming methods used to show you the beautiful Sydney Rock and Pacific Bringing Oysters what you love

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

Located a 45-minute drive from Sydney at Mooney Mooney, the tour offers an educational and luxurious “farm-gate to plate” experience where guests don waders and scoop oysters from the lease before enjoying them with complimentary champagne.

“I want to get to the point where I have hundreds of people walking around the river with tables scattered all over,” Sheridan told the ABC shortly after the opening.

And the reviews speak for themselves.

Medical student and oyster farmer Sheridan Beaumont (pictured) has been farming for 15 years and recently gave 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 couldn’t fault anything. Sheridan, Jason, Ben and all the team were so full of knowledge our day was flawless,” one guest wrote

‘This experience was fantastic! We did the Immerse Yourself experience and can’t fault it! Fantastic to take foreign guests! The oysters and shrimp were delicious,” one person wrote.

‘From the time of booking, Sheridan was so accommodating, opening an afternoon session at my request, and was so pleasant to deal with from the start! Get in those waders and have the best day ever!’