Ultimate Norah Head Neighbourhood Guide

Looking for the best things to do in Norah Head? Let us help you with that. From the best eats in the area to a whole list of unique and fun activities during your next day trip, here’s your suburb guide to Norah Head.

RELATED: The Most Romantic Central Coast Restaurants 

Norah Head Cafe & Restaurants

The Island Cafe

The Island Cafe is an incredible Norah Head cafe, opening smack bang in the middle of the pandemic in 2000. It is now one of the most popular spots for breakfast and lunch in the area, helped along by the fact it’s licensed. But the coffee is also exceptional. You can thank the locals for that. They were invited to a coffee tasting morning pre-opening and asked to choose which bean they wanted in-house for the long term. The menu? It’s packed with all your standard breakfast fare, but the eggs benedict is a winner in our eyes. They also do heaving burgers and a really good fish and chips for lunch. What really makes this place though is the interior. The back wall is covered in a beachy white and blue mural by local artist Ange Elder found at @THIS_IS_MYHAPPYPLACE . It’s incredible.

The General Store Norah Head

The leading cafe in the area has to be the The General Store Norah Head, where you’ll find the healthiest eats in the area. We’re talking kombucha, salad bowls and raw treats. And there’s a lovely tree-lined garden out the front to eat within. There’s also a lot of vegan options for those who’ve gone plant based. It’s also another brilliant spot for coffee. Our top tip is to get it to go and jump on the bushwalk to the lighthouse. The entrance to the track is just opposite the building.

Rise Mofo

Okay, not quite Norah Head but Rise Mofo is pretty close on the boarder between Noraville and Toukley. This hole-in-the-wall cafe has some of the best coffee in the northern reaches, the staff are super friendly and their egg & bacon roll is what hungover dreams are made of. There’s a few seats out the front but most get it to go.

The Village

Found in Noraville, just outside Norah Head, The Village is an expansive dine-in cafe with plenty of fresh eats. A great spot for breakfast or lunch. Try the pulled pork burger. It is epic. There’s a small courtyard at the back that not many people know about, which is also dog-friendly.

Johnny Tapas

For the best Norah Head restaurant it has to be Johnny Tapas.  This is an incredible tapas bar with outstanding eats and slick cocktails. Anything you order here is spot on, but here are a few favourites. Try the soft shell crab, house smoked lamb and blanched broccoli. Oh, and the beetroot arancini. And it’s all about the cocktails here, with the zesty passionfruit mojito a true winner.

Things to do in Norah Head

Norah Head Bushwalk 

The entry is found near the Norah Head General Store, looping through the bush to the Norah Head Lighthouse. Then you can take the steps down from the lighthouse and walk the cliff ledge (it’s safe!) all the way to the rock pool and then back up the stairs to where you’ve parked your car. It’s a beautiful walking loop, combining bush to beach.

Visit Norah Head Lighthouse

It really goes without saying, but a visit to Norah Head Lighthouse should be on everyone’s itinerary if visiting the area. If you’re not into the bush walk above, you can park right outside. There are stairs at the far end of the lawn that surrounds the lighthouse and if you walk down them you come a cliff edge. There’s also lots of natural rockpools which kids of all ages enjoy. And if you’re lucky, it’s very likely you’ll see a pod of dolphins passing.

Swim at Norah Head Rockpool

After you’ve stretched it out, why not get a good old dose of vitamin sea. Walk down to the ocean and you’ll stumble upon a large rockpool that’s perfect for a swim. This spot is very zen first thing in the morning. It’s also a great spot for children, especially littlies when the the tide goes out and it’s just wading height. And if you enjoy snorkelling or spearfishing, then the open water next to the rockpool has an abundance of fish.

Yoga on the Lawn

There’s only one way to start the day and that’s with yoga on the Young Street Reserve. It’s a free event hosted by the General Store Norah Head that runs every Saturday at 8am. No booking required. Just turn up with your matt.

Whale Watching

During whale migration season, between May and late July, Norah Head is a great area for whale watching. If you head further north to the Wyrrabalong National Park, this is the ultimate whale watching spot. This nearby natural wonderland is also home to the largest remaining littoral rainforest on the Central Coast

Let’s go Shopping

It doesn’t have to be just outdoor play, for shopping there’s Kroboca or Frankie Lifestyle, two boutiques offering trendy boho threads in a super-pretty setting. There’s also Pollen Co. which is a little walk-in plant shop next to the General Store. Perfect for indoor jungle aficionados.

Norah Head Market

On the first Sunday of every month, Norah Head hosts the Sporties market. This is a dog-friendly outdoor market celebrating local makers and creators, with plenty of food trucks and areas to roll out the picnic rug.

Norah Head Accommodation

Norah Head Holiday Park

The Norah Head Holiday Park is one of the most popular accommodation choices when visiting the area. If you’re into camping in Norah Head, this is the spot. But there’s also cabins that start from $150 a night.It’s the perfect spot for families, with on-site swimming pool, playground and sheltered playground.

But let’s be totally honest, outside of the holiday park. There’s not much in the area except for Airbnbs. In the neighbouring Toukley, the former Beachcomber Hotel, now named The Beachie, has completely overhauled its accommodation and each room is incredible.

A little further south is also the upmarket Pullman Magenta Shores, which is luxury at its finest.

Did You Know

The Norah Head lighthouse was built in 1903 and is the last colonial built lighthouse on the New South Wales coast. And not only that, but it was also the last staffed lighthouse in Australia. It was staffed for over 90 years, only ending in 1994

Getting Around

Norah Head is not near any train station and public transport is patchy at best. There’s also not many taxis in the areas so this is something to remember when booking accommodation. The best form of transport for Norah Head is by car or by foot.

Property Prices

This is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods on the Central Coast. The average property price in Norah Head in July 2021 was $985,000, with rents sat around $530 a week.