Escape to The Entrance and you’ll find a beautiful seaside setting. Tucked between the sparkling Pacific Ocean and tranquil waters of Tuggerah Lake, a ... More
Escape to The Entrance and you’ll find a beautiful seaside setting. Tucked between the sparkling Pacific Ocean and tranquil waters of Tuggerah Lake, a visit to this family favourite on the NSW Central Coast isn’t complete until you’ve enjoyed one of the many water sports on offer, including fishing, boating and swimming.
In pretty Memorial Park, young children will love The Entrance Historic Carousel and nearby Vera’s Water Garden, a fun splash pool with brightly coloured fountains in the shape of magical sea creatures. Head south from the park to The Entrance Beach and follow the delightful foreshore walk.
There are two heritage-listed ocean baths at the southern end of the patrolled beach, one is child-friendly. Another swimming option is across the bridge at The Entrance North Beach, which is also patrolled. Explore more of the area on the 7.6km Coast to Lake Walk, which takes you from lakeside Long Jetty to seaside Toowoon Bay.
The Entrance is a 1hr 30min drive north from Sydney and around 1hr 15min south from Newcastle. You can also catch the train from Sydney to Gosford or Tuggerah stations and connect by bus.
Discover incredible natural beauty and rich history in La Perouse. This beautiful peninsula in Sydney’s southeast is where Captain Arthur Phillip’s Fi ... More
Discover incredible natural beauty and rich history in La Perouse. This beautiful peninsula in Sydney’s southeast is where Captain Arthur Phillip’s First Fleet initially landed in 1788, before deciding to settle at Sydney Cove.
La Perouse is named after a French explorer who arrived in Botany Bay a week after the First Fleet. Learn about the expedition of Comte de la Perouse at the La Perouse Museum, found in the heritage-listed Cable Station. The museum houses the complete Atlas of the Voyage of La Perouse and tells the ongoing story of this important suburb in Sydney’s history, including that of the local Aboriginal community.
Nearby is the 1880s-built Bare Island Fort, which you might recognise from the Tom Cruise film Mission Impossible 2. Once a quarter on Bare Island, you can experience Blak Markets, a wonderful day of traditional Aboriginal dance performances, indigenous arts and craft stalls, and tasty bush tucker experiences.
- Things to do
The water around Bare Island is a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkelling, home to soft coral, sea stars, pretty sponge gardens and pygmy seahorses. Up on the headland is the Henry Head walking track, a 4km return track to Endeavour Lighthouse and World War II battlements, offering great bird-watching and whale watching. Walk a little farther to Cape Banks for even more breathtaking bay and ocean views.
Frenchmans Bay faces into Botany Bay, offering calm swimming waters and a beautiful sandy beach. Congwong Beach in Kamay Botany Bay National Park is another calm beach, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, fishing and picnics. The neighbouring Little Congwong Beach is a secluded spot, also in the national park, and while it isn’t officially a nudist beach, people have been known to bare all here.
Anzac Parade La Perouse NSW 2036 Austrailia 
Getting there
Getting to La Perouse in Sydney’s southeast is easy by public transport, with direct buses from the city centre. The route from the CBD will take you through inner city Surry Hills, Randwick and Kingsford, before getting to beachside Maroubra, Malabar and Little Bay. Alternatively, it’s a 30-min drive.
Hornby Lighthouse stands tall at South Head, near Watsons Bay in Sydney Harbour National Park. The iconic red and white striped tower is surrounded by ... More
Hornby Lighthouse stands tall at South Head, near Watsons Bay in Sydney Harbour National Park. The iconic red and white striped tower is surrounded by magnificent views: Sydney Harbour to the west, Middle Head and North Head to the north, and the expansive Pacific Ocean to the east. It’s a great spot for whale watching in winter.
The lighthouse was built in 1858 following the wrecking of the Dunbar at the foot of South Head. Designed by colonial architect Alexander Dawson, Hornby Lighthouse was the third lighthouse to be built in NSW.
Hornby Lighthouse is accessible via the South Head heritage trail – an easy walk that leaves from Camp Cove at Watsons Bay, taking you past historic gun emplacements before reaching Hornby Lighthouse.