Toukley

Neighbourhoods and Towns

3-Day - long weekend

Toukley

Neighbourhoods and Towns

3-Day - long weekend

Perched lakeside, Toukley is a fast-emerging pocket of the NSW Central Coast. It's a town that stretches across valuable waterways in the region’s north, framed by Tuggerah Lake, Budgewoi Lake and Cabbage Tree Harbour. This laid-back holiday town is worth exploring right now, before everyone catches on to its understated level of cool.

Photo opportunity: Perched in front of the colourful 'My Happy Place' wall mural on Main Road, or sunset on the foreshore of Canton Beach.

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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

Toukley: Day 1 Toukley: Day 2 Toukley: Day 3

Too much fun in Toukley

Thanks to Toukley's waterfront position, there's rafts of things to do, especially along the foreshore and out on the lake. Dot your day with delicious foodie stops, including trendy brunch hubs, waterfront booths, cantinas and a local craft beer bar. By basing your day around the Main Road of Toukley, you won't need to travel far to have fun.

Breakfast

Rise and shine

Start your day with a smile at this friendly, peek-a-boo roadside café. Rise Mofo delivers a fresh, simple menu with a chance to grab an Instagram-worthy photo in front of their stunning mustard mosaic wall mural, created by local artist Ange Elder, happily declaring ‘You’re always the best part of my day’.

Morning

Wallarah Point Peace Park

A short distance from the main street of Toukley, over the bridge in Gorokan, you'll find Wallarah Point Peace Park on the edge of Tuggerah Lake. Peaceful, scenic and shady, it's perfect for picnics, pelican spotting - and for the little ones there's unlimited rides down the colourful double storey rainbow slide!

Shop

Coastal style

No visit to the Central Coast is complete without browsing some modern coastal home interior boutiques. In this northern reach of the region you'll find Coastal Road, a light and airy shopfront by the lake with a range of curated wares celebrating all that is charming about life by the sea. Pick up a souvenir to bring your holiday home with you.

Lunch

Main road to Mexico

The food scene continues to heat up in Toukley, with the addition of this authentic Mexican cantina, inspired by the vibrancy of eateries in the Baja Peninsula region. Located right in the centre of town, Mexicoast makes for a colourful lunch stop, serving jalapeno poppers, charred corn on the cob, street quesadillas and caramel-filled churros.

Dinner

East Toukley eats

Work up your appetite by fishing, water-skiing, wind-surfing, SUPing, canoeing or kayaking on the lake, or simply exploring the picturesque foreshore on foot. Refuel for the evening at friendly local burger bar meets craft beer bar, 350 Bar and Kitchen. Their rotating beers on tap and vast collection of beer mats decorating the bar are an indie pub lovers paradise. Enjoy live music and hot food fresh from their kitchen surrounded by a warm and welcoming pub vibe.

Night

Stay

Canton Beach Holiday Park is the perfect, family-friendly place to rest your head for the evening. Just a few streets from Toukley's Main Road you'lll find the modest suburb of Canton Beach, with your accommodation surrounded by a vast array of native flora and fauna thanks to the wetland waterways and Wyrrabalong National Park just around the corner.

Where we are

Directions

Toukley's nextdoor neighbours

From an exceptional surf beach to a historic lighthouse and picturesque lake, Toukley's neighbouring villages of Canton Beach, Norah Head, Noraville and Soldiers Beach are worth spending a day exploring. Each are also just a few minutes travel by car or bike, each with their own cafes, restaurants and water-based adventures.

Breakfast

Coffee in the village

A quaint way to kickstart your day exploring the surrounds of Toukley is breakfast at the Village Cafe in the cosy community of Noraville. Travel along the Main Road in the direction of the beach and you'll spot this local gem on the corner of Pandora Parade, ready to prep you a hot breakfast.

Morning

Catch a break at Soldiers

Make your way to the south side of Norah Head's headland. Considered one of the best beaches for catching a break on the Central Coast, Soldiers Beach does not disappoint when it comes to weekend adventures, whether you're surfing, paddling or walking. Steep sandy paths lead down the surrounding dunes to the shore, with an on-site kiosk for refreshments.

Lunch

Beachside burger bar

A day on the waves deserves a generous lunch with a top class view. Visit beachside cafe, The Kraken Kiosk, perched atop the stairs to Soldiers Beach. Serving simple takeaway bacon & egg rolls, wraps of the day, chips with the special "Kraken" salt blend or the epic 'Kraken Burger' - devoured with a view down to the dunes of course.

_{Image: @JudyFuller}

Afternoon

The paddle shack

One of the hidden gems of the Central Coast's north is Canton Beach Paddle Shack. It's impressive location right on the edge of the lake is equalled by its large range of watercrafts ready to hire. Simply choose your stand-up paddleboard or kayak and take to the lake for some adventure! If you've brought your furry pet on holiday, they are welcome on the water too.

Dinner

Dinner on the dunes

Located on the upper floor of Soldiers Beach Surf Club, offering panoramic coastal views, you will find Dunes by Dish. This tapas bar and oceanfront restaurant is kid-friendly and a popular spot for spending an evening after a day at the beach, when everyone’s appetites are sky high.

Night

Stay

Stay in a coastal lighthouse for something magnificently different. Perfectly positioned to take in the pristine coastal vista with access to the local rockpool and beaches, there are two heritage listed Light Keeper’s Quarters available. Both are fully fenced with generous living areas, well equipped kitchens and laundries. This is the best spot to enjoy privacy, peace - and an unforgettable sunrise.

Where we are

Directions

Tour of Toukley town

Discover all that is new and re-imagined in this fast-emerging town between two lakes in the Central Coast's north. Spend a morning browsing friendly local shops, an afternoon on the green surrounded by nature, and a stylish evening at a waterfront bar watching the sun set with your favourite drink in hand.

Breakfast

The General Store

A short tour from your overnight lighthouse accommodation, to the coastal edge of Norah Head, takes you to The General Store - which is actually a cafe! This quaint and stylish brunch spot is the perfect spot to bask in the great outdoors with a hot cuppa and freshly-made brekky roll surrounded by a nature reserve, with an epic lookout just a minutes' walk. Hear waves crashing against the headland, where the historic Norah Head lighthouse stands watch.

Morning

The Toukley greenhouse

Who knew an indoor plant-lovers paradise was growing in East Toukley! Noraville Green stocks a unique jungle of beautiful indoor and tropical garden plants to transform your favourite spaces at home into green sanctuaries. They also sell gorgeous outdoor lifestyle goodies, and their expert team will pot plant purchases on the spot for you.

Lunch

Brew at Lou's

Joining the Toukley Main Road action in late 2021, stop by the new Lou's Cafe for a cut above your normal brunch spot. The team serve fresh breakfasts, brunches and burgers with great outdoor seating to enjoy your lunch. Plus there's a stylish barbers on site too for ultimate convenience if someone in your crew needs a fresh hairdo.

Afternoon

Day on the green

Fancy a day on the green? Tee up at Toukley Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course perched on the picturesque bushland of Budgewoi Lake. It’s also home to breeding sites for the magnificent eagle (naturally the Club’s logo), so expect birdies all round...

Dinner

Peachy at The Beachie

Enjoy food as good as the view at the Central Coast’s Hampton-styled waterfront dining destination, The Beachie. Reserve your own cabana overlooking the mirror-like lake to enjoy live music, woodfired pizza and even try their signature ‘Beachie Le Sands’ cocktail. If you're a family there's even a kid’s play area and seasonal petting zoo.

Night

Stay

Walk just moments to find your overnight abode, complete with uninterrupted views of Budgewoi Lake. The Beachie offers guests Hamptons-style boutique rooms as part of their water's edge establishment, which are 100% family-friendly. You'll awake revived for the next day’s adventures, whether they involve beach, bush or cafe, all a few minutes from your doorstep.