Located 95 km north of Sydney via the Newcastle Freeway, Avoca Beach is a popular holiday town on the New South Wales Central Coast.
It attracts many holiday makers and locals due to the combination of excellent surfing, picturesque landscape and the tranquillity of the area.
Boasting a long beach which is protected at each end by rocky headlands and lined with Norfolk pines, Avoca Beach is a unique part of the central coast as it has retained its coastal village atmosphere and lifestyle.
With wide and expansive views, Avoca Beach is great for families, with a rock pool and a surf break for both experienced and inexperienced surfers. The beach is patrolled by the local Surf Life Saving Club.
As a bonus, Avoca has a rock walking trail that skirts the bluff protecting the southern arm of the beach. The rocks give access to some prime fishing holes.
Behind the beach, there is a lake with paddleboats, great parks for picnics, tennis courts, children's park and lots of open space for outdoor activities.
Things to do and see
- Avoca Art Gallery
- The heritage listed Avoca Cinema shows latest release films nightly
- Safe swimming for children in the rock pools in the corner of Avoca Beach
- Rock and beach fishing
- Kayaking, guided bushwalks, abseiling, scenic flights etc.
History
The area was originally occupied by the Awabakel Aborigines. It was first inhabited by white settlers when Irish Army Officer John Moore received the first European land grant in 1830. The 640 acre lot was named Avoca. A house was built on the ridge overlooking Avoca Lake just to the west of the beach, and cereal, fruit and grape crops were planted.
The house was burned down in the 1850's and the entire lot was leased in the late 19th century to exploit the timber.
Logs were transported to the mill at Terrigal by tram and Tramway Road in North Avoca is part of the old route.
The name Avoca is Celtic for "Great Estuary", or "Where the River meets the sea".