Avoca Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Avoca Beach showing waves, a bay or harbour and a beach
Avoca Beach showing waves, a bay or harbour and a beach
Avoca Beach featuring a bay or harbour, a coastal town and a beach
Avoca Beach which includes surfing, waves and a bay or harbour
Avoca Beach which includes waves, surfing and a bay or harbor

Check the surf, peruse waterfront markets and art galleries or explore pretty lagoons, lakes and hinterland wilderness at this popular beachside retreat.

Hugging the shores of Avoca Lake and the Central Coast, Avoca Beach is a town with plenty of waterfront appeal. Enjoy a relaxing getaway or an exciting family holiday with Avoca Beach’s ideal golden sands, surf breaks, wooded hillsides and cosy village. Stretching south to Macmasters Beach, the Avoca Beach coastline features hiking trails and scenic headlands.

Visit the town’s namesake, Avoca Beach, for a day of seaside fun. The beach stretches over 1 mile (2 kilometres) between two rocky bluffs studded with tall Norfolk Island pines. Its surf break ranges from gentle waves for novices to powerful barrels for more experienced surfers. Swim and play in the waves under the watch of the surf lifeguards who patrol the southern section of the beach. Near the rocky southern platform, explore tide pools overlooked by the historic surf lifesaving club. Check out the different sea critters living amid swirling seaweed and hollowed rocks. You can also rent kayaks, aquabikes and other watercraft at the beach.

Stroll along the esplanade and stop at waterfront cafés, restaurants, galleries and boutiques. The Beachside Market is held here on the fourth Sunday of the month. Take a break from the beach and see a film at the historic Avoca Beach Picture Theatre.

Behind the beach, find the still waters of Avoca Lake and the Aquafun water park. This pretty expanse is great for bird-watching walks and picnics. Follow other scenic walking trails on the rocky headlands at the southern end of the beach. Investigate Captain Cook Lookout and breathtaking bush trails along the Mount Bouddi Walking Track.

Avoca Beach is a popular Central Coast getaway, about a 1.5-hour drive north from Sydney or south from Newcastle. It has a wide selection of accommodation, including relaxing retreats. Reach the town via train arriving at Gosford station, 10 miles (16 kilometres) away. Be charmed by Avoca Beach’s laid-back atmosphere at any time of year.

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Avoca Beach Hotel

Avoca Beach Hotel

3 out of 5
360 Avoca Drive Avoca Beach NSW
The price is NZ$181 per night from 25 Feb to 26 Feb
NZ$181
25 Feb - 26 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Avoca Beach. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and 2 meeting rooms. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (477 reviews)
Pool and location

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Avoca Beach Hotel
The Palms At Avoca

The Palms At Avoca

3 out of 5
160 The Round Drive Avoca Beach NSW
The price is NZ$232 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
NZ$232
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly holiday park in Avoca Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a business centre. Popular attractions Terrigal Beach and Walder ...
The Palms At Avoca
Big4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park

Big4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park

4.5 out of 5
38 Lake Park Road North Narrabeen NSW
The price is NZ$201 per night from 12 Mar to 13 Mar
NZ$201
12 Mar - 13 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury holiday park in Sydney. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and free water park access. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (331 reviews)
We recently stayed here as part of a larger group and unfortunately were disappointed with our experience. While others in our group were allocated cabins of the same type and price, their rooms were noticeably larger, more modern and in much better condition than ours. In comparison, our cabin felt ...

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2026

Big4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Blue Seas Villa, Sth Avoca Magnificent Beach & Ocean Views

Blue Seas Villa, Sth Avoca Magnificent Beach & Ocean Views

AVOCA BEACH NSW
Stay at this villa in Avoca Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Terrigal Beach and Avoca Beach are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (159 reviews)
Great place. Everything you need, close to the beach, easy to contact host.

Reviewed on 31 Jan 2026

Blue Seas Villa, Sth Avoca Magnificent Beach & Ocean Views
Mantra Ettalong Beach

Mantra Ettalong Beach

4 out of 5
53-54 The Esplanade Ettalong Beach NSW
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Ettalong Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 20 meeting rooms. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,525 reviews)
Pro's Great Location and View. Bed was ok Con's No Bottles of water supplied Furniture is a bit dated and table wobbly The fumes from the painting in the basement were coming out of the Air vents on level 2 all the way from the lift to the end of the hallway which was pretty toxic to breathe in. ...

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026

Mantra Ettalong Beach
Terrigal Sails Serviced Apartments

Terrigal Sails Serviced Apartments

4 out of 5
6 Maroomba Road Terrigal NSW
Stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Terrigal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Terrigal Beach and The Skillion ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (740 reviews)
Everything was great except for the Wifi it barely worked then disconnected completely 2nd day into the stay other than that it was so clean and comfy and location was perfect

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

Terrigal Sails Serviced Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Avoca Beach

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 27%
4 - Good
13
4 - Good 59%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great cafes and shops - and a lovely beach. Visited the Avoca markets whilst in town - definitely worth a visit.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Beach there was very choppy. Not recommend it with kids. The rock pool was nice but rocky floor.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A sleepy, charming little hollow with lots of nice cafes. Enjoyed some great fish and vhips near the surf life saving club.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

whilst a little dated, we enjoyed our stay

3/5 - Okay

DARL

Scenic but overpriced

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Before entering beach water please make sure you know how to swim and swim between the flags. A rescue occurred while we were there.

Cities near Avoca Beach

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