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Woy Woy

Neighbourhoods and Towns
4-Day - short stay
Add to Wishlist

Woy Woy

Neighbourhoods and Towns
4-Day - short stay

Welcoming you to the southern waterways of the Central Coast, Woy Woy is a popular commuter hub and key town centre on The Peninsula. Set between the expansive Brisbane Water National Park on one side, with Pelican Island nature reserve and Brisbane Waters on the other, its location is ideal for wellness experiences, fishing, marine sports, wildlife watching, seafood dining and waterfront living. Fans even describe it as the 'Venice of Australia'.

Photo opportunity: Along the scenic waterfront, from Woy Woy Wharf to Pelican Park, at sunset, you can capture the beautiful waterways of Brisbane Water.

Keen to be featured in one of our Itineraries? We’d love to hear from you.

*This itinerary is intended as an inspirational guide only. We encourage you to check ahead of your visit that individual businesses are open, or book in advance to ensure the best experience.

The Itinerary

Woy Woy and its namesake

Woy Woy has a rich and interesting history that boomed in the 1980s when the longest railway tunnel in NSW was built enabling the town centre to become an early popular fishing and tourist resort.

Morning

Mind

One of the best ways to approach this town is by driving down the scenic Woy Woy Road and taking a worthy stop at Staples Lookout to see the Central Coast open up before you at sunrise. The name ‘woy woy’ originates from the Guringgai language, meaning ‘much water’ or ‘big lagoon’. Take a moment to stop at the nearby Bulgandry Aboriginal Engraving Site as well.

 

Breakfast

Body

By now you’ve worked up an appetite and it’s time to feed your soul from a selection of fresh juices, smoothies and healthy brunch essentials at Gnostic Mana Café – home of the all-day breakfast. Enjoy certified organic coffee with milk chocolate and dried fruit notes, and colourful veggie, vegan and gluten free options that will leave you satisfied and ready to explore.

 

Morning

Soul

Shop the Gnostic Corner for all things health, wellness, fashion and homewares. This local co-operative has 9 unique shopfronts in the one spot that each sell fair-trade goodies, fresh flowers, crystals, ethical clothing and new age books. For something different - check out their weekly event calendar to try hypnotherapy, yoga or visit their apothecary.

 

Lunch

Woy Woy Fishermen's Wharf

Fishermen’s Wharf is an award-winning Central Coast icon perched on the picturesque Brisbane Water, run by the Cregan-Clayton family since the mid-1970s. Your lunch is some of the region's freshest seafood! Check their daily blackboard menu of classics, or choose from the market and they'll cook it up. 

 

Afternoon

Waterfront walk

Take a stroll along the scenic Woy Woy waterfront. The recently restored War Memorial is almost 100 years old and surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens. Your path follows the waterway offering a wave of old-world charm as you walk past people picnicking and fishing boats bobbing in the water. If you feel energetic, follow the path past the popular boat ramps and Lions Park around the point for a glimpse of the iconic Rip Bridge and Pelicans Spot nature reserve.

 

Stay and Dinner

A home away from home

The Bayview – You’ll feel a sense of comfort as you walk through the door of this recently renovated family-owned and operated hotel with stylish accommodation options. Head for a sundowner session at Frankie's Rooftop with its Japanese-inspired menu and a colourful cocktail menu, or pop downstairs for traditional pub classics at the bistro.

 

Where we are

Embrace the great outdoors

Explore the winding waterways that shape the town of Woy Woy on the Central Coast. Kickstart today with a quirky cafe, calm ferry ride, locally inspired picnic, and top it off with a climb up Blackwall Mountain for an epic view. By sundown you’ll be feeling those positive vibes that have locals writing in the hills ‘Woy Woy Wood’.

Breakfast

The Link and Pin

So much more than your regular railway cafe, the Link and Pin is a great vibing venue to start your day off with a smile - and hearty breakfast! Enter via their rear lane access to enjoy their lovely and large hidden courtyard, which is also pet-friendly. Can you brave the large Brekky Plate?

 

Morning

Brisbane Waters ferry tour

Hop on a daily ferry ride from the newly redeveloped central Woy Woy Wharf and cruise through the Brisbane Water channels with Central Coast Ferries. There are also History & Heritage Tours available early mornings, exploring the waterways to Empire Bay, Davistown and Saratoga. Check the ferry timetable to plan your trip in advance.

 

Lunch

Italian picnic in the park

Venture to Young Barons Food Store for fresh pastries, sandwiches, coffee, cakes and authentic Italian handmade deli items to create your own park picnic platter. Their curated store features cured meats, olives, dips, chutneys, pickled vegetables and boutique wine. Enjoy your spoils in nearby Memorial Park by the water.

 

Afternoon

Adventure up Blackwall Mountain

One of Woy Woy’s highlights is its scenic foreshore. Follow the foreshore path to connect with Blackwall Mountain Reserve and walk to its lookout for vast views of Ettalong, Broken Bay, Lion Island and surrounding national parks. In the distance you can see Palm Beach in Sydney – it seems a world away! Walk down the other side to Booker Bay with an interesting walk through the streets of Orange Grove with views over Brisbane Water.

Image: @liam_burrows_official

Dinner

Go troppo

Grab a table, a cocktail, and order a slice of tropical life in Woy Woy’s Trafalgar Avenue social hub. Set within a calypso kitsch decor, your evening wraps up at Tropicana Social Club, a lively pizza bar with a selection of craft beers, ciders, sours, cocktails and boutique Australian sustainable wines.

 

Stay

Woy Woy Retreat

A short stroll away from Woy Woy’s stunning waterways is a quaint cottage for those looking for a comfortable and convenient holiday retreat close to the town centre. The fully furnished cottage has an open space living and dining areas with a cosy western facing backyard. It is close to Phegans and Woy Woy waterways, ideal for those who enjoy a spot of fishing, boating or other water sports.

 

Where we are

Explore neighbouring gems

Take a look at what is around the corner from Woy Woy. Woy Woy is connected by road, rail, foreshore and water to surrounding suburbs. It also conveniently sits along the Central Coast’s stretch of trainline connecting to popular stops north including Gosford or south such as Hawkesbury River.

Breakfast

Surprises around every corner

Only a 6-minute drive from Woy Woy, Daleys Kitchen is a secret gem on the Coast with locally sourced fresh produce. If you’re after something sweet, there’s a large range of home-made cakes with great coffee. Starting near Wards Hill Road, Daleys Point walking track is a moderately easy post-breakfast walk with spectacular scenic views.

 

Morning

Breathe in nature

The beautiful Bouddi National Park is located on the other side of Brisbane Water just 8 km from Woy Woy. It offers spectacularly diverse landscapes with the Box Head Track being a favourite for panoramic views and whale watching if you visit during migration seasons. Explore Bouddi National Park to experience one of Australia’s first marine protected areas, significant Aboriginal sites (guided tours available), an old paddle steamer shipwreck or 10km of mountain biking trails.

 

Lunch

For the foodie

For a secluded neighbourhood, nearby Killcare offers an impressive handful of foodie options. If you’re the type that likes a picnic, Hardy’s Bay offers several tables on a grassed, waterside reserve with The View Pizza offering tasty, woodfired takeaway options. For world-class hospitality featuring locally sourced produce try The Wild Flower Bar + Dining. Internationally renowned chef Sean Connolly crafts seasonal menus from their kitchen garden, starring freshly shucked oysters and crayfish caught off Macmasters Beach.

 

Afternoon

Take in the sunset

From Woy Woy, you’re never more than a few minutes’ drive to Ettalong, Ocean and Umina Beaches, local favourites during summer with calm waves for an afternoon swim and excellent SUP opportunities. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, join a SUP pilates, yoga or ball class with local owner, operator and fitness trainer Karl from Bombora. Karl also runs SUP lessons and guided tours or you can hire a board if you prefer to explore on your own.

 

Dinner

The Box

Arguably in one of the best waterfront spots on The Peninsula, The Box on the Water is part daytime beach kiosk café and part evening restaurant with smart-casual dining. It is situated in prime position on the newly redeveloped foreshore in Ettalong Beach. From local tap beers and refreshing afternoon Aperols alongside modern Australian cuisine, this is a fine spot to enjoy a sundowner in style peering across Broken Bay.

Photo credit Destination NSW

Stay

Boathouse Waterfront

Indulge and rejuvenate in one of our favourite holiday homes boasting a relaxed indoor/outdoor waterfront living, a dream kitchen, open plan living room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the waterfront and a private upstairs alcove to enjoy a morning coffee or read a book. Located less than 500 metres away along the cyclepath, is Lions Park with seating, BBQ facilities and a play area.

 

Where we are

Simple, scenic and social

Today you’re ready to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of the Woy Woy life that you’ve come to know over the last few days. It may be your last day on the Coast, but you’re in no hurry to leave. Today’s focus is sinking deeper into the local scene and creating memories you can hold onto until the next time you go coastal.

Breakfast

Daily grind time

Woy Woy's music scene is showcased in two edgy cafes with hearty brunch menus. The Link and Pin cafe launched their coffee shop inspired by the connective mechanism of railway carriages - enter via a red door on Railway Street, or red gate on Blackwall Road for their secret garden. Take a visit to friendly Say When Cafe on Chambers Place, a rock-inspired coffee stop supporting the local live music scene, but serving quirky classics too like 'Creams of the Scone Age'.

 

 

Morning

Dream shop

The headquarters of Australian street, surf and skate wear brand, drøm Clothing Co, lives on Woy Woy’s Chamber Street. With each item created, designed and printed on the NSW Central Coast, you can shop here all year round for the perfect fashion souvenir to remind you of your local adventures on the East Coast.

 

Lunch

World-class waterfront

Woy Woy connects well to neighbouring suburb Koolewong, where a special kept secret waterfront dining option awaits. Perched right on the Brisbane Water marina, the Boathouse Bar & Dining is run by Cecile An and Jay Hainsworth and has lunch seatings available between 12-3pm Thursday to Sundays. Stroll along the marina and foreshore after lunch to soak up the exceptional river valley views.

 

Afternoon and dinner

Wind down with golf, bowls, dinner and drinks

Find everything you would expect from a country club at Everglades. Choose from tackling an 18-hole golf course, to catching live entertainment on their green, or enjoy fresh coffee at their on-site café. Have an early dinner before heading home at their inhouse restaurant or the brand-new Vibes Alfresco dining area. The Everglades Country Club is designed to make your last day in Woy Woy simple and sociable.

 

Where we are