The Coast is the perfect place for canine-friendly activities (80 per cent of our beaches have pooch-friendly walks) and COAST magazine and the team at Love Central Coast have some tips to share on the places your dog and you will love.
FOR BEACH LOVERS
Dogs are spoiled for beach choices on the Central Coast where you can get the salty breeze in your face and sand in your fur at these off-leash beaches:
The Entrance North from Wyuna Avenue to Stewart Street.
Shelly Beach North via the walkway off Shelly Beach Road (adjacent to the golf course) and as far as Swadling Street.
Lakes Beach at Budgewoi, 500 metres north of the Surf Lifesaving Club up to Ocean Street (look for the boundary sign).
Forresters Beach from Henry Street, south to the Crystal Street beach access.
Wamberal Beach from Surfers Road, south to the on-leash/off-leash sign towards Terrigal. From there, it’s an on-leash zone up to Painters Lane.
North Avoca to Avoca Beach from View Street south to the shark tower just past the lagoon.
Copacabana Beach to MacMasters from the southern end of Copa (but Cockrone Lagoon is out of bounds) as far as Gerda Road. Watch for the signs because the southern-most section here is an on-leash area.
Killcare Beach to Putty Beach has a 4 km dog-friendly beach run from the carpark at Killcare. Head north as far as the Bouddi National Park boundary.
Ettalong Beach towards Ocean Beach, from Kourung Street all the way around to the Augusta Street beach access. The very southern end of Ocean Beach at Umina is also an off-leash area but in between the two, it’s strictly humans, beach towels and seagulls only.
Pearl Beach from the northern end of the beach down to Agate Avenue.
Patonga Beach from south of Jacaranda Avenue, down to Meroo Avenue (look for the boundary sign).
Please be mindful that on-going dog access to beaches depends on all of us being responsible dog-owners. Don’t forget your doggy poo-bags; on-the-spot fines may apply for anyone not picking up after their dog (and it spoils the area for everyone else too).
PUPPUCINO CAFÉS
We have hundreds of cafés to pick from because just about anywhere with outdoor seating is welcomed as dog friendly – and we do love our caffeine fix outdoors on the Coast. A sure sign is the thoughtful provision of a water bowl at a café. For more information on dog-friendly adventures, holidays and other paw-some experiences, sniff out lovecentralcoast.com.
DOGGIE HEAVEN – TREES, TREES EVERYWHERE
National Parks don’t allow dogs, but State Forests put out the welcome mat. While you’ll be marvelling at the diversity of everything from wildflowers to willy wagtails and wallabies, your pup will be sniffing from tree to tree.
A particularly nice dog walk is the Arboretum Track in the Strickland State Forest. Originally planted to see which timber varieties would thrive, you’ll see ancestors of those original trees in blood-red cedars and large-coned bunya pines, as well as moss covered fallen giants. It can be a bit leechy after rain and check your pooch for ticks after any bushwalk.
State Forests generally allow both dogs and horses, and the Jilliby State Conservation Area has designated horse trails with hills, creeks and long stretches for a nice canter where your dog can try to keep up! Watch out for the odd 4WD.
WATERSIDE WALKIES
If you prefer smoother pathways, perhaps with a wheelchair, pram or toddler at foot, there are endless miles of shared walks, many meandering alongside the Coast’s extensive waterways. These walks are all on-leash areas for dogs.
Coast to Lake Walk, Toowoon Bay to Tuggerah Lakes via The Entrance
We love the walk from Memorial Park through Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay and Long Jetty and then looping back through The Entrance. It’s one of the most scenic walks, with the first and last sections easy and accessible. The middle section is along the beach and rock platforms. If you do the entire stretch, it’s a 7.6 km walk.
Buff Point and Budgewoi Lake Foreshore walk
If you have a dog with lots of energy, the Budgewoi Lake Foreshore shared pathway will give you a 16.9 km on-leash walk. But you can also take it in smaller sections starting at Slade Park in Budgewoi, across the bridge and along the foreshore towards San Remo. Along the way you get to enjoy the sight of several small bridges, birds and the surrounding trees.
Tuggerawong Pathway, Tuggerah Lake Loop
This lakeside foreshore shared pathway is part of the Tuggerawong Lake Loop with beautiful calm views of the lake and distant hinterland mountains. The section connects Tuggerawong and Wyongah to the Don Small Oval in Tacoma. Or, if you start at February Street in Tuggerawong, it’s a 4 km walk to Prawn Beach Lane in Wyongah and back.
Long Jetty Foreshore Reserve
Where better to begin your walk than at the iconic Long Jetty itself. You can choose to go left or right along the lake to Saltwater Creek Reserve or north towards Picnic Point Reserve at The Entrance. In either direction, you’ll no doubt be greeted by a chorus of birds and majestic pelicans that call the area home.
Terrigal Esplanade to The Haven
One of the most iconic walks on the Central Coast is this beautifully designed boardwalk with the ocean on one side and cliff face on the other. It goes from the bustle of Terrigal to the quieter Terrigal Haven. Whether you walk it at sunrise, midday or with the boardwalk lit at night, it’s an idyllic 3 km stroll there and back.
Gosford waterfront walk and Carawah boardwalk
Gosford is fortunate to be located with walking paths along its beautiful waterfront – home to bobbing boats, pelicans and myriad waterbirds on Brisbane Water. You can start at the Point Frederick end or at Adcock Park. There are carparks at both ends. The Carawah Reserve Walk in West Gosford has wooden boardwalks, viewing decks across the water and through the mangroves. If you walk the entire length, it’s 4 km.
Kincumber to Davistown foreshore walk
A flat 3 km shared walkway, part of it on a boardwalk, runs alongside Kincumber Broadwater in the area famous for its early ship building. There are informative plaques on the area’s history en route as well as a monument to the early ship builders. The area is alive with birdsong and there’s a wind-up bird-song machine to help you identify ‘which bird is that’.
Ettalong Esplanade to Umina Beach walkway
This shared 2.8 km pathway (one way) runs along Ettalong Beach beside the waters of Broken Bay so you get glorious views across to Bouddi National Park, Lobster Beach, Tidal Rocks and Lion Island and out to the ocean.
Woy Woy Wharf to Blackwall foreshore walk
Catch a ferry to Woy Woy Wharf (from Davistown and Saratoga) then head in the opposite direction to the Spike Milligan Bridge over to the Lions Park waterfront reserve. You’ll see pelicans watching for returning fishing boats. Take in the views out towards Rileys Island and across Brisbane Water. The shared pathway ends at the foot of neighbouring Blackwall Mountain.
THIS LITTLE DOGGIE WENT TO MARKET
We love our markets on the Coast, from vintage fairs, artisan markets, to fresh foods. Here are some of the pet-friendly choices:
- Ettalong Markets in the Galleria 189 Ocean View Road, every weekend.
- Ettalong Fresh Food Markets, beside the oval every Saturday at 1 Picnic Parade.
- The Entrance Lions Club Markets, every Sunday at Dening Street carpark.
- Long Jetty Farmers Markets, every second Tuesday.
- Terrigal Beach Markets adjacent to the Esplanade, on the first Saturday of every month.
- Norah Head Ocean View Markets, on the third Saturday of every month.
- The Entrance Markets on the Tuggerah Parade Foreshore, held the last Saturday of every month.
- Mangrove Mountain Farmers and Artisan Markets, on the first Sunday of every month.
- Gosford City Farmers Market, Mount Penang Parklands (new location), every Sunday.
- Umina Beach Markets at the Umina SLSC, held the third Sunday of every month.
- Avoca Beachside Markets at Heazlett Park on the fourth Sunday of every month.
PET-FRIENDLY STAYS
As they say, ‘You’d be barking mad to leave your dog at home when you visit the Central Coast!’ Here are just a few of the many paw-fect beachside retreats and hinterland hideaways that welcome your furry friend as part of the family:
Toowoon Bay: Toowoon Bay Holiday Park
With beachfront cabins, caravans and camping, you’re spoiled for family-style accommodation and easy access to Toowoon Bay Beach.
Blue Bay: JoeAnne Blue Bay
Overlooking the beach with a fenced backyard and deck, you can’t get closer to the beach!
Terrigal: Scenic Heights
Set high above Terrigal, this is an airy and modern holiday home with a secure garden, sunny deck and spa. Stroll down to The Haven for your off-leash walkies.
MacMasters Beach: Lakeside
This four-bedroom chic and airy home is within easy walk to Macs and Copacabana beaches.
Umina Beach: NRMA Ocean Beach Resort
Offers family accommodation from three-bedroom villas to glamping tents and a camping and caravan park area. Add to this resort-style pools, onsite café and more that make this the ideal beachfront getaway.
nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/ocean-beach
Spencer: Breakfast Creek House
Nestled on a 24-hectare property, this 1918 farmhouse has spectacular views and is surrounded on three sides by Dharug National Park.
