The Entrance, Central Coast Region — New South Wales

The Entrance is a thriving suburb of New South Wales, located on the Central Coast region of the state. It has become a popular tourist destination and the area’s phenomenal growth is owed largely to tourism. The unique place-name is derived from the channel on the eastern part of the suburb, which serves as entrance of The Tuggerah Lakes.

Being a suburb bounded by bodies of water on three sides, The Entrance has several water-related attractions. Vera’s Water Garden, located at the foreshores of the suburb, was created primary for children to swim and spend delightful time in. This water garden is situated next to Memorial Park and is also a popular picnic destination.

The Memorial Park is the center of the suburb’s urban leisure, the area where people converge to have picnics, fly kites, ride bicycles, and generally have a good time. The park is adjacent to a lot of retail establishments, like restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Right next to the park is the Sails Stage, a large outdoor space reserved for entertainment acts and musical performances. Locals and visitors flock to this stage during weekends and holidays.

Right next to the Sails Stage is the giant chess board that the whole family can play in.

Most of the visitors flock to The Entrance to enjoy its golden beaches, which are constantly patrolled by the Surf Life Saving Clubs. Swimming, fishing, surfing, and sunbathing are just few of the popular activities in the area.

The Entrance is also visited by hordes of people for another particular activity, the daily feeding of pelicans. Dubbed as the 'The Pelican Capital of Australia,' this particular event is scheduled every 3:30 pm for the last 20 years. Recently, a feeding platform has been erected to accommodate numerous locals and visitors who participate in this unusual yet delightful practice.

Avid fishing enthusiasts should take time to visit the channel, which is teeming with schools of fishes. This area, on the eastern part of the suburb, also offers scenic views. During low tide, wading is a popular activity for adults and children alike. The channel is also ideal for swimming and prawning.

The Tuggerah Lakes has a bike path that starts at the skate park and ends at Chittaway Point. Bike riding is encouraged by the community to promote physical fitness as well as family fun. The path is also a good vantage point for watching the sun set.

The suburb’s War Library Museum, located on the Entrance Road, showcases several interesting items, including displays related to the Crimean War.

Located outside the suburb, but still well worth a visit, is the Wyrrabalong National Park. The park is ideal for bushwaking, bird watching, and animal viewing. It also encompasses the Tuggerah Lakes, where amenities for boating are available.

The Entrance has been organizing its annual Mardi Gras Festival every first weekend of December for the last 56 years. Aiming to attract large number of tourists as well as promote the area’s businesses, it is a huge event with several accompanying highlights, like the parade, beauty pageant, and fireworks displays.