Best of Central Coast
Terrigal Guide: Beach, Dining and the Haven
Terrigal is the Central Coast's most popular beach resort town, sitting about 85 kilometres north of Sydney and drawing strong visitor numbers on weekends and school holidays. The main beach is patrolled and backed by a compact strip of restaurants, cafes and bars along The Esplanade and Campbell Crescent. The Haven, a sheltered south-facing cove at the southern end of the beach, is calm and popular for swimming outside of surf conditions. The Skillion, a steep headland adjacent to The Haven, has a walking track to the top with views up and down the coast. Terrigal is easily reached by bus from Gosford station (about 25 minutes) or directly from Sydney by car in approximately 90 minutes via the M1.
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1
Terrigal Beach Esplanade
A vibrant foreshore strip with restaurants, cafes and bars overlooking a long, north-facing surf beach, the most active social precinct on the Central Coast.
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2
The Skillion Walk
A 1km walk to the tip of the Terrigal headland with 360-degree views of the Tasman Sea, the beach and the suburbs behind, one of the Coast's best free lookouts.
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3
Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club
A large SLSC with a café and restaurant on the beachfront, popular for weekend brunches and with one of the Central Coast's best ocean views from the deck.
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4
Haven Beach (Terrigal Lagoon)
A sheltered lagoon beach behind the Skillion, with calm water ideal for young children and paddleboarders, and a small café at the lagoon end.
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5
HMAS Adelaide Dive Site
The ex-navy frigate scuttled 2km off Terrigal Beach is one of NSW's best scuba diving sites, with organised dive trips departing from Terrigal Haven.
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