The Entrance: what to see, where to stay and how to get around
The town is named for what it is: the entrance, the one narrow channel through which the Tuggerah Lakes reach the Pacific. The pelicans come for the fish that move through it, and the town grew along both sides. This walk follows the water from the channel mouth back along the lake shore. Around two hours on flat paths, easiest late in the day so it ends with the 3:30 feeding or with sunset over the lake.
The ten best sights in The Entrance
1Pelican feedingEvery afternoon at 3:30 by the channel; come ten minutes early for a spot at the rail
2The Entrance Ocean BathsA free sea pool on the rocks; calmer than the beach when the surf is up
3The Entrance BridgeStand on the bridge to watch the tide race in and out of the lake
4Long JettyWalk out over the lake at sunset; the café strip is across the road
5Tuggerah LakeShallow and calm: a flat path runs along the shore for walking or cycling
6Crackneck LookoutA cliff-top platform south of town; bring binoculars in whale season
7Wyrrabalong National ParkShort bush and coastal walks a few minutes from the motels
8Norah Head Rock PoolSwim under the lighthouse headland after the visit
9Australian Reptile ParkRight off the motorway from Sydney — an easy stop on the way in
10Bouddi National ParkThe steep walk down to Maitland Bay is the one to do; the climb back is hard
Scan with your phone camera to open the map there
What is an audio walk?
Tours in The Entrance →A guide in your headphones: open the walk on our site, walk from stop to stop, and at each one your phone tells its story. No guide, no group, and free. This is the first walk in The Entrance:
Free walking tours in The Entrance
Where the lake meets the sea
The town is named for what it is: the entrance, the one narrow channel through which the Tuggerah Lakes reach the Pacific. The pelicans come for the fish that move through it, and the town grew along both sides. This walk follows the water from the channel mouth back along the lake shore. Around two hours on flat paths, easiest late in the day so it ends with the 3:30 feeding or with sunset over the lake.
- The Entrance Ocean Baths · Like many NSW beach towns, The Entrance built a pool into the rock shelf so people could swim safely in the sea. Waves top it up at high tide, so the water is always fresh seawater.
- The Entrance Bridge · The channel under the bridge is the only link between the Tuggerah Lakes and the ocean. Sand keeps closing it, and the council has to dredge the mouth to keep it open.
- Pelican feeding · The Australian pelican has the longest bill of any living bird, up to about half a metre. Watch how the pouch under it stretches when the fish are thrown.
- Tuggerah Lake · Tuggerah is the largest of three linked coastal lakes, with Budgewoi and Munmorah to the north. They are lagoons rather than true lakes, filled with a mix of salt and fresh water.
- Long Jetty · The whole suburb is named after this jetty, which reaches well out over the lake. On summer nights people wade the shallows around it with nets and lights, prawning.
- Wyrrabalong National Park · The park comes in two separate pieces, one north of the channel and one to the south around Bateau Bay. Together they protect the coastal bush that the towns around them replaced.
Three lakes and a lighthouse
North of the channel a strip of land runs between the lakes and the ocean, and the coast road follows it past a lighthouse, two more lakes and the beaches of a conservation area. It ends in an old coal-mining village. Half a day by car, about 40 minutes of driving in total, with swims along the way; take water and something to eat, since there is little between the villages.
- Norah Head Lighthouse · The light was first lit in 1903, after a long run of wrecks on this stretch of coast. The keepers' cottages beside it are now rented out as holiday houses.
- Norah Head Rock Pool · The pool sits in the rock platform below the headland, where the reef breaks the swell. It is one of the ocean pools along this coast that the sea refills on every high tide.
- Lake Munmorah · On its shore stood the Munmorah coal power station, which closed in 2012 and was later demolished. It burned coal from the mines that once ran all along this coast.
- Munmorah State Conservation Area · Its headlands are good whale-watching points: humpbacks pass along this coast each year between about May and November, going north and coming back.
- Frazer Beach · A national-park campground sits right behind the sand, within sight of the surf. The beach is sheltered by a headland at its south end.
- Catherine Hill Bay · The bay is named after the Catherine Hill, a ship wrecked here in 1867. Coal was later loaded onto ships straight from the jetty, and the miners' cottages still line the road.
Venom, verse and a shipwreck bay
South of The Entrance the coast turns into cliffs and the towns into the city of Gosford, where the Central Coast keeps its museum pieces. This route goes from a cliff-top lookout to the reptile park on the motorway, through Gosford's gallery, garden and a poet's house, and ends at the bay where a paddle steamer was wrecked. A full day by car with a steep walk at the end; start at the lookout early, when whales and light are best.
- Crackneck Lookout · The lookout stands on the southern part of Wyrrabalong National Park, high over the sea. In winter and spring humpback whales on their migration pass close below it.
- Australian Reptile Park · The park milks funnel-web spiders and snakes for venom, which goes into making Australia's antivenoms. Locals are asked to bring in funnel-webs they catch, to keep the program supplied.
- Henry Kendall Cottage · Henry Kendall, one of colonial Australia's best-known poets, stayed in this house in the 1870s. It is now run as a museum by the local historical society.
- Gosford Regional Gallery · It is the Central Coast's main public art gallery, with changing exhibitions and an annual art prize. Entry to the gallery is free.
- Edogawa Commemorative Garden · The Japanese garden marks the sister-city link between Gosford and Edogawa, a ward of Tokyo. It was laid out in the traditional style, with a pond, bridges and a tea house.
- Maitland Bay · The bay takes its name from the paddle steamer Maitland, wrecked here in a storm in 1898 with heavy loss of life. Remains of the wreck still lie on the rocks of the bay.
Getting to The Entrance and getting around
- Tuggerah Station · The nearest Sydney train, about 15 minutes by car; Central Coast line trains stop here
- Gosford Station · The main station of the Central Coast, with the most frequent trains to Sydney
- The Entrance bus stop · Local buses link the town to Tuggerah station and the shopping centre
Cheap eats in The Entrance
The Entrance eats like a beach town: fish and chips on the grass by the channel, Thai and Vietnamese on the main strip, and ice cream for the walk to the pelicans. The cafés of Long Jetty, a few minutes south along the lake, are where locals go for breakfast. Prices are in Australian dollars, and a takeaway lunch costs about the same as a sit-down one in Tel Aviv.
- Big Tuna Fish Co · Fish and chips to take to the channel, about A$15-25
- Jimbo’s Seafood · Seafood takeaway near the waterfront, about A$15-25
- Ciao Bella Gelato Bar · Gelato for the walk to the pelicans, about A$6-9
- Norro's Bakehouse · Bakery for pies and coffee, about A$6-12
- Toast & Co · Breakfast café, about A$15-25
- Green Tangerine · Café on the Long Jetty strip, about A$15-25
Nature and day trips near The Entrance
- Bouddi National Park · Coastal walk and Maitland Bay; about 40 minutes south
- Wyrrabalong National Park · Bush walks on both sides of the channel
- Crackneck Lookout · Whale watching from the cliff, May to November
- Tuggerah Lake · Flat shore path for walking and cycling
- Munmorah State Conservation Area · Headlands, quiet beaches and a seaside campground
- Glenworth Valley · Horse riding and outdoor activities in a bush valley; book ahead
Things to do in The Entrance with kids
- Pelican feeding · Free, 3:30 pm daily
- Australian Reptile Park · Venom shows, kangaroos and koalas; half a day
- The Entrance Ocean Baths · Safe sea swimming, free
- Norah Head Rock Pool · Rock pool under the lighthouse; check the tide
- Long Jetty Foreshore Reserve · Grass, playground and the lake path
Museums in The Entrance
- Norah Head Lighthouse · Tower tours on set days; the grounds are open
- Henry Kendall Cottage · Local history museum; limited opening days
- Gosford Regional Gallery · Free entry, changing exhibitions
- Edogawa Commemorative Garden · Japanese garden beside the gallery
Where to eat in The Entrance
- The Entrance Lake House · Dinner by the lake; mains about A$30-45
- The Lakes Hotel · The town pub; pub meals about A$25-35
- Long Jetty Hotel · Pub on the lake road; meals about A$25-35
- Bang Rak Thai · Thai on the main street; mains about A$20-30
- Bella Famillia Italian · Italian, pasta and pizza; mains about A$25-35
- Beach Haus · At Norah Head, near the lighthouse; mains about A$30-40
Frequently asked questions about The Entrance
What is there to see in The Entrance?
The top sights in The Entrance are Pelican feeding, The Entrance Ocean Baths and The Entrance Bridge. The full list on this page has 10 sights, each with a photo and a short note.
How many days do you need in The Entrance?
Three to four days are enough to see the best of The Entrance without rushing, including at least one walking tour.
Is there a free walking tour in The Entrance?
Yes. sleepntrip has 3 free audio walks in The Entrance, with no guide and no group: your phone tells the story at every stop. The first one: Where the lake meets the sea.
How do you get to The Entrance and get around?
The main ways are Tuggerah Station, Gosford Station and The Entrance bus stop. Full details are in the transport section on this page.
Where to stay in The Entrance, and for how much?
sleepntrip shows only rooms in The Entrance that meet nine conditions: a good location, high guest scores, cleanliness, and a price of up to $80 a night for two. Pick your dates and see what is free.
Looking for a hotel in The Entrance for your dates?
Only rooms that meet nine conditions, up to $80 a night.