Water play and swimming for kids in Central Coast NSW

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33 places to cool off across the region: water parks, pools, beaches, lakes and swimming spots, nearest first from Gosford. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.

Everything on the map

Over the border

Newcastle & the Hunter →Parramatta & the Hills →Sydney's North Shore →Sydney's Northern Beaches →Western Sydney, Penrith & the Hawkesbury →
Nearest first, from Gosford

Beaches and islands

Avoca Beach
Beach
Avoca Beach
Council lifeguards on weekdays, Surf Life Saving volunteers on weekends and public holidays; beach wheelchair bookable via Avoca Surf Club.
about 15 min
Photo: Cabrils, CC BY-SA 4.0
Terrigal Beach
Beach
Terrigal Beach
Patrolled beach with a small ocean rock pool at the southern end near The Haven.
about 15 min
Photo: MrActiniuM, CC BY-SA 4.0
Beach illustration
Beach
Ettalong Beach
Calm bay beach facing Broken Bay and Lion Island, a safe family swimming spot.
about 15 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Wamberal Beach
Wamberal
about 15 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Spoon Bay Beach
Forresters Beach
about 15 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Forresters Beach
Forresters Beach
about 15 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Little Beach
Macmasters Beach
about 15 min
Lobster Beach
Beach
Lobster Beach
Bouddi National Park
Sheltered beach a short walk from the carpark; good for swimming and snorkelling.
about 15 min
Photo: FotoSleuth, CC BY 2.0
Beach illustration
Beach
Bullimah Beach
Killcare Heights
about 20 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Maitland Bay
Killcare Heights
about 20 min
Putty Beach
Beach
Putty Beach
Bouddi National Park
Southern start of the Bouddi Coastal Walk, with a campground; park entry fee applies.
about 20 min
Photo: Maurice van Creij, CC BY 3.0
Beach illustration
Beach
Tallow Beach
Pretty Beach
about 20 min
Umina Beach
Beach
Umina Beach
Council lifeguards on weekdays and volunteers on weekends; beach wheelchair bookable via Umina Surf Club.
about 20 min
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 3.0
Beach illustration
Beach
Iron Ladder Beach
Pretty Beach
about 20 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Little Tallow Beach
Pretty Beach
about 20 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Pearl Beach
Pearl Beach
about 20 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Bateau Bay Beach
Bateau Bay
about 20 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Shelly Beach
Patrolled beach below Crackneck Point; dog off-leash area at the northern end.
about 20 min
Patonga Beach
Beach
Patonga Beach
Calm bay beach at the end of the Patonga to Pearl Beach walking track in Brisbane Water National Park.
about 25 min
Photo: FotoSleuth, CC BY 2.0
Beach illustration
Beach
Little Patonga Beach
Patonga
about 25 min
Over 30 minutes
from Gosford
Soldiers Beach
Beach
Soldiers Beach
Patrolled surf beach near Norah Head; beach wheelchair bookable via Soldiers Beach Surf Club.
about 35 min
Photo: Joy Engelman, CC BY-SA 3.0
Beach illustration
Beach
Hargraves Beach
Noraville
about 35 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Jenny Dixon Beach
Noraville
about 35 min

Waterfalls, lakes and swimming

Pool illustration
Pool
Gosford Olympic Pool
Gosford
under 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Peninsula Leisure Centre
Woy Woy
about 10 min
Swimming spot illustration
Swimming spot
Avoca Beach Rock Pool
about 15 min
Pearl Beach
Swimming spot
Pearl Beach
about 20 min
Photo: FotoSleuth, CC BY 2.0
Pool illustration
Pool
YMCA Mariners Aquatic Centre
Tuggerah
about 20 min
Swimming spot illustration
Swimming spot
The Entrance Ocean Baths
about 25 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Wyong Olympic Pool
Wyong
about 25 min
Over 30 minutes
from Gosford
Pool illustration
Pool
Toukley Aquatic Centre
Toukley
about 35 min

Big playgrounds

Big playground illustration
Big playground
Leagues Club Park playground
Gosford
Nature-inspired waterfront playspace with a 'Tidal Terrace' that brings Brisbane Water into the park, play pods, rope tunnels and a twisting slide.
under 5 min
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Memorial Park playground
The Entrance
Two foreshore playgrounds with in-ground trampolines, an accessible trampoline and spinner, basket swing and accessible toilets, beside Vera's Water Garden.
about 25 min
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.