North Avoca is the quiet end of the sand
One long beach joins Avoca and North Avoca, and the difference between the two ends is the whole point. Down south you get the shops, the point break and the weekend buzz. Up this end it's mostly locals, a surf club, a small cafe strip and sand that rarely feels busy, even in January.
Behind the southern end of the beach sits Avoca Lagoon, calm and shallow, with pedal boats, kayaks and SUPs for hire at Heazlett Park from September through to mid May. At low tide the rock platforms at either end of the beach turn into natural rock pools, which will keep young kids fossicking for hours. The beach is patrolled through the warmer months, with the flags in front of the surf club on View Street.
Terrigal is one headland to the north and the Avoca shops are a couple of minutes around the lagoon, so nothing is far away. You just get to come home to quiet. That's the trade North Avoca offers, and once you've done a week here it's hard to go back.
Fill your days
North Avoca Beach
Steady east swell brings reliable beach breaks, with flagged swimming in front of the surf club through the warmer months. North of the View Street access the beach is off leash, so the dog gets a holiday too.
Avoca Lagoon
Hire a kayak, SUP or pedal boat at Heazlett Park and potter about on flat, shallow water. Open weekends and school holidays from September to mid May, no bookings needed. Perfect for kids not yet ready for surf.
Headland walk to Terrigal
Climb the headland at the north end and drop into Terrigal for coffee, then walk it off on the way home. This stretch forms a leg of the 5 Lands Walk held every June.
The rock platforms
Platforms bookend the beach and at low tide they're full of crabs, anemones and small fish. Go at low tide, keep an eye on the swell, and let the kids lead.
Eat & drink
North Avoca has exactly one cafe of its own, and honestly that's part of the charm. When you want more choice, the Avoca Beach shops are a few minutes around the lagoon.
The Boy and the Rose
The local. Coffee roasted on the Coast, open from 6am on North Avoca Parade, an easy walk up from the beach.
Avoca Beach House
Seafood and cocktails with a view running all the way up the beach. The share platters are the move.
Avoca Beach Hotel
The Saltwater Bistro, a big deck and a bottle shop, five minutes around the lagoon.
Explore the area
Our North Avoca homes.
Browse all stays →When to come
Summer
Warmest water of the year, flags up daily, and the surf club car park fills early on weekends. The beach itself always has room.
Book earlyAutumn
The water stays warm well past Easter while the crowds head home. Lagoon hire runs until mid May and the light gets softer by the week.
Locals' pickWinter
Wetsuit surf, empty sand and humpbacks pushing north offshore from May. The 5 Lands Walk comes through in June.
Walkers' pickSpring
Whales track back south with their calves, patrols return with the school holidays, and the water is swimmable again by November.
About 90 mins from Sydney CBD
M1 north, exit for Gosford, then follow Avoca Drive over the hill to the coast.
Sydney to Gosford, then bus
The Central Coast line gets you to Gosford in around 80 minutes. From there it's a local bus to View Street or a 15 minute taxi.
Surf club car park, View Street
Free parking at the surf club and on surrounding streets, with more off Ficus Avenue by the lagoon. Arrive early on summer weekends.