Where to shop for vintage and antique finds

Hunt for vintage and retro finds at these Central Coast gems where you can dive headfirst into a bygone era. We've scoured the coast for the best spots to unearth old school treasures.

Commonly referred to as the ‘Newtown of the Central Coast’, Long Jetty has long been the coast’s vintage and retro hot spot. Within strolling distance of each other along the Entrance Rd are notable vintage stores, punctuated by buzzing cafes, boutiques and eclectic homeware stores.

You can't miss meeting April Xing and Heath Crawley who run Long Jetty’s heart-achingly hip Tiki La La vintage and vinyls store. With its curated selection of mid-century furniture, preloved fashion, homewares and vinyl, there's some incredibly unique finds here for your home or wardrobe. If you're in town when they are hosting one of their in-store live music events - make a beeline to transport yourself back to the 80s.

Make for the colourful Sorry Grandma for retro threads, hard-to-find one off vintage pieces and handmade pieces made from retro fabrics. Pick up a retro Sun Jellies Basket for carrying your vintage finds.

Specialising in retro and shabby chic, Webster’s Vintage is loaded with bric-a-brac and second-hand goods. It’s eclectic range of clothes, books, furniture, and toys makes it one for true fossickers.

Gumnut Antiques meanwhile run by husband and wife duo Denise and Steven Koszek sells Australian antiques and collectables, including cedar furniture, antique jewellery, ceramics, chalkware and much, much more.

Famous for being the hometown of comedian Spike Milligan and once touted as the “Venice of Australia”, Woy Woy is known for its epic op shops but you’ll also find the odd vintage and retro store too.

Noteworthy thrift shops include Vinnies housed in a retro building opposite Fisherman’s Wharf, Lifeline with its racks of colour co-ordinated women’s wear (makes for easy fossicking) and the packed to the rafters Salvos Stores. Each has its own specialty.

Shop 55 is the place for cool vintage wear, recycled clothing and accessories. Pick up everything from a retro Gucci beauty case, faux furs through to vintage men’s shirts sourced from New Zealand.

Found at St Luke’s Anglican Church (151 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy) the Cottage Op Shop meanwhile is a good place to hunt for hidden treasures including clothes, toys, books, linen and bric a brac.

Retro furniture and silver-plated wares just like grandmas sit alongside rare books and other curious memorabilia at Central Coast Antiques and Collectables.

Housed in the old ‘Schoolhouse’, Fairhaven’s Op Shopping Village offers an extensive range of second-hand fashion, antiques, bric a brac, toys, books, plants, linen, craft supplies, homewares, collectables, upcycled furniture, art and more. Reward your thriftiness afterwards with a treat from the onsite Fare Cravin’ café.

Salvos West Gosford is one of the coast’s largest thrift stores and a great place to rummage for preloved clothes, shoes and handbags.

You can also shop for vintage and retro treasures at the quarterly Terrigal Antique and Vintage Fair or grab a drink and peruse the stalls selling everything from pre loved vintage dresses through to vinyl at Betty’s Flea Market at Long Jetty Hotel every month.