The Coast to Lake Walk - The Entrance

The Coast to Lake walk is an interesting and varied walk located at The Entrance.

The walk is perfect for those wanting to enjoy a stroll around town combined with scenic coastal views, swimmable beaches and great cafes.

The walk follows Tuggerah Lake, The Entrance channel, sandy beaches and passes several restaurants and shops.

Put on those walking shoes and pack your swimmers!

This guide will show you the highlights of each section of the Coast to Lake walk and tell you how to get there.

Visitor Information - The Coast to Lake Walk

The Coast to Lake walk is divided into four distinct sections, and you can tackle each section separately for a shorter stroll.

You can start at any section and make your way in any direction, but we will begin at Long Jetty Wharf in this guide and complete the loop anticlockwise. I like to cut through town first and proceed along the coast.

So we will go from Long Jetty to Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club (section 1), then continue along the beach to The Entrance Surf Life Saving Club (section 2), then stroll along the channel to Memorial Park (section 3), then head back to Long Jetty along the lakefront (section 4).

If starting at Long Jetty, park on Tuggerah Parade corner Archbold Road. Otherwise, other car parks are located at The Entrance Memorial Park, Tuggerah Lake foreshore, Picnic Point and Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club (map below).

The Coast to Lake walk is well signed, and there are great cafes and amenities along the way, including toilets and water refill stations.

Dogs are allowed on a lead except on the beach (section 2). But you can follow the roads instead.

How to Get There

Travelling from Sydney: 

• Follow the M1 Motorway north of Sydney and take the Pacific Hwy/Ourimbah/Palmdale exit. 
• At the first roundabout, take the third exit. 
• At the second roundabout, take the first exit onto Pacific Hwy. 
• Turn right onto Burns Road and follow the road for 1.1 km. 
• Turn left onto Chittaway Road and continue onto Entreprise Drive for 2.3 km. 
• Turn right onto Berkeley Road and continue for 1.8 km, then right again to stay on Berkeley Road and continue for 800 m. 
• Turn right onto Wyong Road and continue for 5 km, then follow the directions toward The Entrance. 

Check the directions on Google Map. 

Section 1 – From Long Jetty to Toowoon Bay

Long Jetty is a trendy town beside Tuggerah Lake. Here you’ll find very long and popular jetties, attractive vintage shops and great cafes.

You can grab a coffee on the main strip at the beginning of your walk and check out the lovely shops.

Start the walk at Long Jetty Foreshore and head east along Archbold Road toward Toowoon Bay. Follow the signs to the Coast to Lake walk. If you want to take a short detour to the cafes, turn right on The Entrance Road instead of left and head to corner Thompson Street. Grab your coffee and retrace your steps.

This section of the walk is through a residential area. You’ll stroll through Long Jetty and soon arrive at Toowoon Bay, where you’ll pass lovely cafes and shops before arriving at the beach.

Toilets are available at both ends of this section and a water refill station is located at Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club.

Section 2 – Toowoon Bay to The Entrance Beach

Protected from ocean swells, Toowoon Bay beach is a favourite with families and holidaymakers. Enjoy the calm and inviting surf. You may like to lay your towel on the sand for a little while. Lifeguards patrol the beach in summer.

Here you’ll find a food kiosk at Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club, toilets and a water refill station.

When you’re ready to continue your journey, head north along the beach toward The Entrance, keeping the ocean on your right. Enjoy the stunning coastal views.

You’ll pass Blue Bay and The Entrance Baths, a 50-metre lap pool, before arriving at The Entrance Surf Life Saving Club.

This stretch is unsuitable for prams and wheelchairs, and dogs are not allowed on the beach. But you can walk on the roads instead of the sand.

Section 3 – From The Entrance Beach to Memorial Park

The Entrance Beach is a small stretch of sand with lifeguard patrol. 

Follow the boardwalk from the surf lifesaving club along the channel. The views are stunning. You can see a long stretch of sand on the northern side of the waterway, the vast ocean and the channel that connects Tuggerah Lake to the ocean.   

You’ll find seats and small lookouts along the way and see many pelicans at Memorial Park.

Once at Memorial Park, pause for a picnic or lunch. If you’re there at 3.30 pm, watch Pelican Feeding.  

Memorial Park is a very popular place for holidaymakers. There are fun rides for children and entertainment during school holidays and weekends, and local markets also happen here on Saturdays.

Toilets are available, and many cafes and shops are situated here.

READ MORE: Things to do in The Entrance

Section 4 – From Memorial Park to Long Jetty 

A popular 12-kilometre shared pathway stretches from Memorial Park to Chittaway Bay. You’ll walk along this pathway for 3 kilometres back to Long Jetty.

The leafy pathway follows the shore of Tuggerah Lake. You’ll love the natural area and beautiful lake views.

There are a few parks and picnic areas along the way.

Back in Long Jetty, you’ll see the very long jetties on the lake. The jetties are popular with photographers and holidaymakers, and you can have a stroll along the jetties.

After concluding your journey, sit on a comfy seat beside the longest jetty and watch the sunset across the lake.

Toilets, picnic tables and a BBQ are located here.

Other Great Walks on the Central Coast

• The Coast in Wyrrabalong National Park
• 5 Lands Walk
• Bouddi Coastal Walk
• Maitland Bay track
• Piles Creek loop
• Bulgandry Aboriginal engraving site
• Pearl Beach to Patonga walk