Overview
If your seaside memories are painted with velvet pine trees, striped umbrellas and sand yellowed with rose-tinted glasses, look no further than Avoca for your next foray out of the city. Despite becoming a hot spot for tourists chasing great coffee, food, surf and adventure, it's managed to keep a firm hold on that laidback, they-all-must-be-locals ambience by not becoming overdeveloped. Situated just 95km north of the Sydney CBD, Avoca makes a perfect day trip or weekend away, even when a winter wind blows across the beach. Just pull your cable knit around you, stare meaningfully into the sea and then snuggle into the area's characterful cafes, eateries and shops.
SEE AND DO
Your first priority in Avoca is obviously to visit the beach — a 1km stretch of golden sand protected by headlands and dotted with beach chairs, umbrellas and surfboards. It's a great swimming beach, popular with families, and has patrol flags at each end and a safe shallow kiddie pool by the Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC). Scramble around the rocks at the south head to find a platform of stunning rock pools and anglers taking advantage of the abundant sea below.
Avoca is known for its surf and has great waves for beginners and advanced surfers. The Central Coast Surf School offers group and private lessons as well as two-day courses for all ages. Old hands can rent a board at Three Points Surf on Avoca Drive. If paddle boarding or paddle boating is more your speed, head to Avoca Lake beach behind the Avoca shopping village (or follow the lake's inlet from the centre of the beach), where you can hire a board from Aquafun for just $4, as well as kayaks, canoes and boats.
Visiting scuba divers of all levels can explore the ex-HMAS Adelaide just 1.8 kilometres off Avoca Beach. The naval warship was sunk in 2011 creating an artificial reef, now teaming with life. Terrigal Dive run six dives a day to the site on weekends, as well as a number of other dives.
Those who want to get off the beaten track should take a short drive down the coast to Bouddi National Park. The 8 kilometre coastal walk is broken into bite-sized sections with bays and spectacular whale-watching lookouts. The beach of Maitland Bay is the gem of the journey and can be accessed via the first leg of the costal track from Putty Beach (3km) or a (steep!) paved track from the car park (1.5km).
For a change of pace, wander around the Avoca village on Avoca Drive and indulge in a spot of shopping at Avoca Beach Antiques. The 31-year-old store has the Central Coast's largest collection of antique jewellery, sure to see you part with some cold hard ones.
Also not to be missed is the adorable Avoca Beach Picture Theatre, located behind the SLSC on Avoca Drive. The fourth-generation family business, which opened on the Hunter family's front garden in 1948, was named in the BBC's Top 20 Cinemas Of The World in 2014 and has also won awards for its highly curated programming. If the weather is coaxing you to stay outdoors, at least pop in to see the antique decor inside.
EAT AND DRINK
In the last two years, Avoca has bucked the beach-town trend of revolving seasonal eateries and has developed a stable foodie scene of its own. For the best coffee in town, visit Becker & Co. owned by Dale Hunter, formerly of Bird & Bear Boathouse in Elizabeth Bay. Have your day brightened by the typographic inspirations on the walls while you chow down on a bacon and egg breakfast slider with chilli jam.
Oomph Cafe & Food Store, the little sister to popular Oomph Cafe & Foodstore in East Gosford, has an extensive menu featuring specialty products from their store. Their gourmet burgers, the best in town, will force you back into the water to wash the juice from your elbows.
If raw, organic or vegan is your jam, see the super-friendly staff at Wise Food Cafe. They have a full breakfast and lunch menu, but their array of sweet health treats is second to none in town. Like Minds, lakeside and slightly back from main drag, is another popular hang with a creative-space vibe. Sit outside with strangers on a garden table or admire the work of local artists on the walls inside, also available for purchase.
The best dinner in town goes to Bombini, a modern Italian fine dining restaurant with a seasonal four-course menu of sustainable and local produce- some from it's own 2-acre kitchen garden. Those just after a place to drink can settle into a veranda booth with their choice of French, Italian and Australian wines and cocktails. They also have lunch and brunch on weekends and a pantry store selling their fresh bread baked daily.
For a quiet night, dine in or takeaway from All Malay Malaysian Restaurant. Don't be surprised by its popularity night after night; the beef rendang and salt and pepper soft shell crab are exceptional. It's BYO, so pick up a drop from the BWS across the road on your way.
If you can't move from the beach, not even for food, never mind. The Surf Life Saving Club kiosk serves Allpress Espresso, takeaway meals and the ever important ice-block. For beachside fish and chips head to Avoca Beach Seafoods. It's BYO and open till 8pm.
When it's time for an afternoon beverage, check out Mojito Joe's above the Avoca Sands Cafe. It's known for its punchy rum-based cocktails and Pacific island-inspired share dishes. The Avoca Beach Hotel is the pub of choice, with live music every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. It's also the best spot in town to watch the footy. Any footy.
Words and images by Annabel Campbell.