Terrigal

Neighbourhoods and Towns

3-Day - long weekend

Terrigal

Neighbourhoods and Towns

3-Day - long weekend

Terrigal is one of the Central Coast’s most iconic seaside towns, growing since the 60s into a favoured holiday destination for Sydneysiders. It’s little wonder why this vibrant village is still so popular: time spent at Terrigal can involve brunching, swimming, shopping, lunching, diving, dining, fishing, paddling, surfing and socialising. It's essentially summertime, bottled.

Photo opportunity: Capture the ocean view along Terrigal Boardwalk above the waves, from The Haven, or atop the iconic Skillion headland.

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_{*This itinerary is intended as an inspirational guide only. We encourage you to check ahead of your visit that individual businesses are open, or book in advance to ensure the best experience.}

The Itinerary

Terrigal: Day 1 Terrigal: Day 2 Terrigal: Day 3

Beachside perfection in Terrigal

Spend your day by the seaside exploring Terrigal's golden shores with the sun on your cheeks, the sand between your toes, and a cold drink in hand. With every stop just a few minutes' stroll of the central hub of this town, it's easy to plan the perfect Central Coast beach day.

Breakfast

Brunch date

For breakfast, you're spoilt for choice today! Take your pick from the many brunch spots within minutes of the waves. Island Time Espresso will serve up smoothie bowls and holiday vibes, while The Cheeky 3 is great for the whole family. You’ll love the front row ocean views from Bellyfish, one of Terrigal's longest running spots to grab an espresso on The Esplanade, with a menu inspired by seasonal produce from local farms.

Morning

Terrigal Beach

Venture with your pre-packed beach bag onto the golden sand of Terrigal Beach and lay your towel down for a morning of relaxation. The beach is superbly located for public amenities, refreshments and even has a shady cafe below the Surf Life Saving Club. When you fancy a dip, the waves are welcoming and calm, while the view across the Pacific is simply amazing. Little kiddies can enjoy a paddle in the accessible Terrigal Rockpool, by the Boardwalk at the southern end of the beach.

Lunch

The Beery

Grab a casual lunch on the outdoor terrace of Terrigal Beach House, a stylish coastal hangout fondly known to locals as 'The Beery'. The food is wonderfully simple here - expect woodfired pizzas, fresh fish tacos and local beer on tap. Catch live music in their beachside beer garden to fully embrace the atmosphere of Terrigal on the weekend, with bands playing most Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evenings.

Afternoon

Terrigal Boardwalk

After lunch it's time to soak up the beautiful surrounds of your day spent by the seaside. No need to hop in the car - simply head on foot to the new Terrigal Boardwalk, installed in 2021 to connect the Promenade to The Haven. This architectural marvel is fully accessible and provides a stunning tour of the ocean below and beyond. With seating to admire the view, this is the perfect afternoon spot for family photos and dolphin watching.

Dinner

Five-star fine dining

No visit to Terrigal is complete without indulging in a gourmet dining experience. Reserve the best seat in the house at The Cowrie, Yellowtail, Seasalt or Arc Est, each with their own transformative menu of tantalising modern Australian cuisine. Inspired by a paddock to plate philosophy with local produce, head chefs gracefully mix in influences from the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Asia. Seaside dining has never felt so fine.

Evening

Lively cocktails

Tap into the vibrant nightlife of the seaside town of Terrigal with a session at one of its lively bars. Along the main Esplanade find the atmospheric Pocket Bar and try to snag a couch spot, or climb the stairs to The Joker and Thief, a late night restaurant bar overlooking the ocean. For rooftop action try laid back Italian pizza and pasta at Rhonda’s rooftop bar, or head up to Caribbean rum shack Mumbo Jumbo's.

Night

Stay

One of the grandest places to stay in a room with a view is the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific. This deluxe, beachside accommodation features welcoming guest rooms and suites with furnished balconies, plus a pool and panoramic ocean vistas. If you're in the mood, the Lord Ashley Bar on site will sort you out with the perfect night cap.

Where we are

Directions

Family time paddling Terrigal's waterways

With picturesque waterways to entertain the whole family, paddle your heart out on Terrigal Lagoon, dive into learning about the marine wonderland off the coast, and grab a pick-me-up from several scenic outdoor eateries along the way.

Breakfast

Maccoa vistas

Located in The Clan on the foreshore of Terrigal Lagoon, this Tudor-style establishment is a local favourite for breakfast. The view is fantastic and the menu is superbly fresh. Expect classics like eggs benedict and avo smash plus the Maccoa Big Brekky for hungry hearts. Produce is sourced from Central Coast businesses including Killarney Bakery, Coastal Providores, the Egg Shed and even gin from Distillery Botanica (for later).

Morning

Terrigal Lagoon

A picture perfect postcard of Terrigal! Explore the lagoon on one of many brightly coloured paddleboats for hire. Laughs are almost guaranteed as you and your boating partner navigate the waterway as stylishly as possible, or simply use the time floating along the surface to chill and chat. Plus if you went for that big breakfast at Maccoa, this activity is right next door and ready to work up an appetite for lunch.

Lunch

Pick-me-up at Parklife

Beside Terrigal Lagoon you'll discover a shady, family-friendly green space featuring Parklife Coffee and the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre. Park your excitement to enter the centre and refuel with freshly roasted coffee and a bite at the outdoor cafe. This is a great spot for the whole family, as kids can go wild in the cute playground, while parents take a moment of me-time, or even pull up a picnic rug.

Afternoon

A marine wonderland

Dive under the surface to learn more about the local marine wonderland at the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre. This family-friendly educational experience invites children to explore and interact with the world under the waves by painting a sea creature, building a whale, or creating a turtle. It's also completely adult-friendly, with hands-on museum exhibits and displays with fascinating insight into the HMAS shipwreck just off Terrigal's coast.

Dinner

Terrigal high street

As sunset falls over Terrigal's shores, grab a table at one of many restaurants lining the high street. Choose from Thai food at Thaiger Temple, pizza at Four Hands, or gourmet Lebanese at Teta. There's a range of global flavours dished up every weekend in the heart of Terrigal, just remember to book ahead to secure your spot as these beachfront dinner venues are often hives of activity.

Dessert

Terrigal Icecreamery

If you haven't tried to conquer the famous 'Ice cream Sink' at Terrigal Icecreamery, have you even been to Terrigal? This food challenge has long been a favoured past-time for locals of all ages, but it's now a trend for visitors to attempt eating a ridiculous amount of scoops to secure their photo on the parlour's wall. Choose your flavours wisely and definitely enlist a mate.

Night

Stay

Stay the night on the edge of the iconic Terrigal Lagoon at The Clan, completing the perfect loop from where you had breakfast in the morning. This accommodation offers a cottage-style elegance that will ensure you feel equal measures of cosiness, comfort, and seaside charm. You can also catch the magnificent sunrise from this location by setting the alarm and stepping out onto the sandy shores of the lagoon.

Where we are

Directions

Discover The Haven in Terrigal

Terrigal's famously calm and secluded cove, The Haven, is the ultimate family-friendly spot to swim, snorkel, picnic and paddle. Surrounded by cafes, free picnic tables, BBQs, an off-leash dog park, playing field and lookout, you can easily spend a day here, with the accessible Boardwalk over the water connecting you to the centre of town in minutes.

Breakfast

Coffee in the cove

An airy coastal café spills right onto the water’s edge at The Haven, located at the south end of Terrigal Beach. You can reach The Haven on foot via Terrigal Boardwalk suspended over the ocean, or walk one minute over a steep but exceptionally scenic hill. Breathe in that fresh sea breeze while enjoying a breakfast of deliciously fresh, organic and sustainable produce.

Morning

Dive deeper

If you've dreamt of exploring the world under the sea, grab a chance to learn to scuba dive with the experts at ProDive Central Coast. Explore the ex-HMAS Adelaide, the largest warship off the NSW coast, which sits just a few kilometres off Terrigal's shore. Now considered a world-class dive attraction, this huge vessel is a purposely-scuttled diver recreation area with a lively artificial reef.

Lunch

Craving in The Haven

Dry off and venture just a stone's throw to the Haven Beach Café for lunch. This place often has a queue for fresh fish and chips around lunchtime. Enjoy your hot parcel of seafood seaside on the cafe's outdoor deck, at one of the picnic tables looking out to Terrigal Beach, or on the grassy hills surrounding The Haven.

Afternoon

Climb The Skillion

One of Terrigal's iconic attractions is its steep headland lookout, The Skillion. Stretch your legs with a short but sharp walk to the peak of this popular spot for panoramic photos. Views extend from Avoca Beach in the south to Forresters Beach in the north. Watch sunset from here or spot a whale during their annual migration, along with occasional pods of dolphins playing off shore.

Dinner

Water's edge dining

After swimming, diving and walking up The Skillion, you're probably famished? Dinner awaits at The Reef, a water's edge restaurant in The Haven with some of the finest views on the Central Coast thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass windows. It's highly recommended to book a table, especially if you're dining around dusk when the vistas are spectacular.

Night

Stay

The Star of the Sea luxury apartments boast some of the best accommodation views across the entire Central Coast. Situated atop the headland between the bustling Terrigal Esplanade and The Haven, you're perched in the perfect position to easily access the town centre for its nightlife, and the secluded cove for a revitalising morning swim.