13 Best Things to Do in Umina Beach

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Umina is a coastal village on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia.

It's only an 80-minute drive from Sydney.

The area is a popular getaway destination for Sydney families. The beach is suitable for kids of all ages, and there's a fun holiday park and a large playground behind the beach.

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Contents:

Find out more below about our favourite things to do in and near Umina Beach.

Things to Do in Umina Beach

1. Swim and Surf

The beach here is stunning.

You can see Sydney's Northern Beaches on the other side of Broken Bay and two national parks on each side of the beach.

Ocean-Umina Beach is very popular with families...

At the southern end of the beach, the water is shallow, great for small children.

There are small waves in the middle of the beach, ideal for kids who are learning to surf. Book a surfing lesson with one of the local surf schools. Check out:

And there's lifeguard patrol during the warmer months.

2. Umina Beach Markets

Visit the monthly markets.

There are 75+ stalls selling art, fruits and vegetables, clothes, ready-to-eat-food, jewellery and more. There's also live music.

The vibe is great.

The markets are held on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 9am to 2pm beside the Surf Lifesaving Club.

READ MORE: Umina Beach Markets

3. Peninsula Recreation Precinct

The largest playground on the Central Coast is located right here beside the beach.

The playground is suitable for kids of all ages and offers a fully fenced area for little ones.

The playground contains

BMX track
skateboard park
large climbing net
flying fox
fully fenced area for toddlers
cycling path
picnic tables and barbecues.

Have coffee and food at Jasmine Greens located beside the playground while you watch your kids.

4. Stay at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort

Looking for a fun place to stay with the kids?

Located on the beachfront, NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort will keep the kids amused.

It's a quick stroll to the beach, and the kids will love the fabulous swimming pools, water pack, jumping pillows and the huge playground up the road.

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort has been voted as one of the ten best holiday parks in NSW for families.

There's a wide variety of cabins and you can also pitch a tent.

READ MORE: NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort

5. Bushwalks & Lookouts

Walk or admire stunning views from one of the many lookouts in Brisbane Water National Park or Bouddi National Park.

Both national parks are located a short drive from Umina, and they offer many bushwalks, mountain biking trails and amazing lookouts.

Find out more:

6. Walk Your Dog on the Beach

Let your dog run off leash on the beach. Dogs are allowed at the southern and northern ends of the beach.

You can access the southern dog friendly section from the car park on Berrima Crescent or Sydney Avenue – follow the walking track behind the beach until you reach the off-leash sign opposite the skate park. Dogs can run free for 500 metres.

The middle section of the beach is the swimming zone with the flags, so dogs are forbidden.

The northern dog-friendly section, which goes for nearly 1 kilometre, is located on the other side of the swimming zone. You can access this section on Augusta Street or Kourung Street.

You can continue walking your dog north of Kourung Street on the leash.

7. Mount Ettalong Lookout

Walk to Mount Ettalong Lookout for a stunning view of Ocean-Umina Beach like on the photo above.

To get to Mount Ettalong Lookout, drive along Mount Ettalong Road toward Pearl Beach. The road climbs and winds all the way to the top of the headland. When the road straightens out, look for the car park on the left.

The lookout is only a short walk in the bush from the car park.

8. Patonga Beach

Patonga Beach is a secluded village and beach at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.

Have a beer at the Boathouse Hotel Patonga while enjoying the ocean views.

Have a relaxing walk along the local streets.

Enjoy an energetic hike over the hills between Patonga and Pearl Beach and take in the spectacular views from Warrah Lookout.

READ MORE: Patonga Beach

9. Pearl Beach

Pearl Beach is located south of Umina Beach.

It's a charming village.

The southern end of the beach is protected and calm, perfect for families, and there's an ocean pool.

READ MORE: Pearl Beach

10. Ettalong Beach

Ettalong Beach is located northeast of Umina Beach.

This town offers plenty of great restaurants and a calm and shallow beach, perfect for small children.

Kids will also enjoy the small playground on the shore, and adults will enjoy eating at The Box on the Water.

Walk from Umina Beach to Ettalong Beach if you like long walks on the beach. The beach stretches unbroken for 4 kilometres.

You can also cycle along the path.

READ MORE: Ettalong Beach

11. Bremen's Patisserie

Savour a delicious pie at Bremen's Patisserie.

They boast the hottest pie on the planet earth, Flaming Ron Pie. Have one mouthful and it will apparently send you rolling in pain on the floor.

They make the Flaming Ron Pie with the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T. It's the world's hottest chilli. One seed is 300 times hotter than a jalapeno.

READ MORE: Bremen's Patisserie

12. Umina to Pearl Beach Walk

Enjoy this short and relaxing walk around the headland from Umina to Pearl Beach. The walk follows the coast and the views are beautiful.

The walk takes about 15 minutes one way. If you’d like to walk further, continue along Pearl Beach. If you’re fit, you could even continue hiking over the headland from Pearl Beach to Patonga via Warrah Lookout.

In Pearl Beach, have a swim at the southern end of the beach where the water is calm.

The track begins at the southern end of Umina and ends at the northern end of Pearl Beach.

13. Bulgandry Engravings

Visit the Bulgandry Aboriginal art site if you’re interested in Aboriginal engravings.

A short walk winding through the bush leads you to a large rock platform with the carvings.

The name Bulgandry derives from the Bulgandry man, which is one of the better-preserved carvings on the site. It represents an ancestral hero.

There are plenty of other engravings like fishes, dolphins and kangaroos.

The walk alone is pleasant, and you can access it with a wheelchair, although a little bumpy.

READ MORE: Bulgandry Aboriginal art site

Where to Eat in Umina

Six Degrees Café is a popular place in Umina to have breakfast and an excellent coffee. Enjoy French toast, waffles or egg benedict. They also have vegetarian and vegan options. The café closes mid-afternoon. Located 327 West Street.

Miori Japanese Restaurant offers authentic Japanese cuisines like sushi, sashimi and tempura. Enjoy this little gem in Umina and try a variety of different dishes. Located 312-320 Trafalgar Avenue.

Thai Season offers tasty and authentic Thai cuisine like Pad Thai Noodle and King Prawns Salad. It’s another little gem in Umina. They also offer meal delivery and pickup. Located 346 West Street.

Wandee Thai Restaurant serves delicious Thai and Asian cuisine. Enjoy stir-fries, curries and seafood dishes. They also offer meal delivery and pickup. Located 327 West Street.

For yummy takeaway food, check out BMX Burgers. They offer a variety of delicious burgers with Angus beef, slow cook pork, crispy fried chicken and vegan patties. Located 315 Trafalgar Avenue.

Where to Stay

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort is the most popular place to stay in Umina Beach for families, but there are also plenty of holiday rentals available on Airbnb. These ones are great:

Sit on the top deck and enjoy the views of the water. Ocean Beach View is a two-storey house perfect for 2 or 3 families. The location is great. It's right across the road from the beach and a short walk to cafes and shops.

Hampton's beachside is in a perfect location which is perfect for kids. It's metres from the beach, playground and cafe. The house can accommodate 6 people.