Why this Sydney student can’t stop recommending The Entrance

Words & images by Sarayu Reddy Vangala

After a long school term, I was exhausted. So when the April school holidays arrived, Mum treated us to three nights at The Entrance – an easy 90-minute drive from Sydney, no epic road trip planning required for this great little getaway.

By the time we pulled up to the beach, the end-of-term stress had already started to lift.

A coastal reset at The Entrance

We stayed at Ocean Front Motel, and the view alone made the trip unforgettable. Our room opened up to sweeping ocean views through huge windows, and I could almost imagine that the beach was an extension of the room. I could have easily spent the entire trip curled up there, just watching the waves roll in.

After dropping off our bags, we headed straight to the beach. Kicking off your shoes and hitting the sand after weeks of school stress – there’s no better antidote.

We wandered along the shoreline, played catch, and eventually drifted into the town centre, where we stumbled across a lively fair at Memorial Park. Between the rides and the atmosphere, it was pure nostalgia for everyone – and impossible not to have fun.

That evening, we grabbed Thai takeaway and walked back along the beach as the sun set. The sky was unreal – deep purples, soft pinks and glowing oranges. We ate dinner overlooking the ocean, and when it was dark, stepped outside to watch the stars shimmer in the open sky.

The Coast to Lake Walk + Pelican Feeding at The Entrance

The next day was all about exploring. We set off on the Coast to Lake walk, starting at Blue Bay. The track led us across sandy stretches and rocky paths to Toowoon Bay, where we couldn’t resist stopping for a swim. The water was bright, refreshing, and impossibly blue – the kind that wakes you up instantly.

Midway, we made a quick stop at Flour & Co. for breakfast burritos before continuing on to Long Jetty. Once there, we walked The Long Jetty itself – and yes, the name doesn’t lie. It’s 350m long, and the longest jetty in New South Wales! Walking it felt endless in the best way, with water stretching out all around us.

From there, we followed the peaceful shoreline of Tuggerah Lake back towards Memorial Park. This stretch was calm and shaded, offering a completely different pace.

Once back, we grabbed some frozen yoghurt and headed to Pelican Plaza for the famous pelican feeding at The Entrance.

Watching the pelicans up close was fascinating. The volunteers educated the audience on how to protect them, and shared fun facts – like how a pelican can hold up to 13 litres of water in its bill. I’m still amazed at that! Such a fun experience, and easily one of the best free things to do in The Entrance.

A quick tip: while the Coast to Lake walk is stunning, there isn’t a lot of shade until the final stretch. If you’re planning to do it, aim for the late afternoon – you’ll avoid the heat and be rewarded with a sunset at the end!

That night, we relaxed back at the hotel, ordering dinner from Guzman y Gomez  –  a perfect, low-effort end to a big day. Later, we stepped onto the balcony to watch the moonrise. It was slow, glowing, and slightly reddish as it came up over the water – ethereal and magical.

A perfect day at The Entrance, NSW

The next day turned out to be my favourite. We wandered into town in the morning and picked up paninis from Nonna Lisa’s Deli and Panini before heading straight to the beach.

The rest of the day was simple and perfect: swimming, collecting shells, playing in the sand, eating, and repeating it all over again.

That evening, we returned to Long Jetty for sunset, where we were treated to a beautiful show – streaks of pink, yellow and orange lighting up the sky and illuminating the lake. Dinner was from Burgerville, followed by a peaceful nighttime walk along the beach under a sky full of stars.

Pies, profiteroles + ponies

Our final morning came too quickly. We spent the early hours soaking up the beach before grabbing pies and profiteroles from Ken’s Humble Pie Shop.

Then, just when I thought the trip couldn’t get better, we headed to Glenworth Valley for a two-hour horseback ride through the valley.

Riding through the landscape was unforgettable. My horse, Trundle, was an absolute sweetheart (if a little lazy), and the whole experience was so peaceful and grounding – the perfect way to finish the trip.

Looking back, this trip was exactly what I needed. A proper holiday where I could relax and reset – beach walks,  pelicans, stunning sunsets, and slow mornings watching the ocean from my bed.

The Entrance has a way of making you slow down without even trying.

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Thanks to Sarayu for sharing her trip with us.
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