The Entrance has been a holiday town since the first guest house opened in 1885, so it has never been short of visitors. The good news for anyone watching their spending is that the town's best-known sights cost nothing, and the weather in the cooler months is milder than most people expect.
This page covers The Entrance budget travel in practical terms: when to go, what to see for free, and which holiday parks nearby are worth comparing. Check current prices and times with each operator before you book.
The Entrance budget travel: choosing your month
The town sits on a promontory bounded by water on three sides, at the entrance to Tuggerah Lakes. The climate figures below are 1991-2020 averages for the wider Central Coast area, about 16 km from The Entrance, so treat them as a guide rather than a town reading.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.9 | 19.8 | 79.6 | 10.7 | 27.0 |
| February | 25.3 | 19.9 | 100.5 | 11.3 | 24.8 |
| March | 23.8 | 18.6 | 89.3 | 12.0 | 27.7 |
| April | 21.6 | 16.1 | 76.0 | 10.3 | 27.6 |
| May | 18.8 | 13.3 | 68.3 | 9.1 | 27.6 |
| June | 16.5 | 11.3 | 81.4 | 9.3 | 26.1 |
| July | 16.1 | 10.1 | 48.1 | 7.2 | 28.1 |
| August | 17.4 | 10.4 | 48.6 | 6.4 | 28.8 |
| September | 19.9 | 12.5 | 52.4 | 6.9 | 27.9 |
| October | 21.7 | 14.5 | 63.5 | 8.7 | 28.0 |
| November | 23.0 | 16.3 | 82.9 | 10.4 | 26.3 |
| December | 24.6 | 18.2 | 70.7 | 10.3 | 27.5 |
The drier, cooler stretch
July to September is the driest run of the year, with 48 to 52 mm of rain and only 6 to 7 rain days a month. August is the standout, with about 29 sunny days and the fewest rain days. Daytime maximums sit between 16 and 20 degrees, which suits walking the waterfront but not swimming for most people.
The wetter months
February is the wettest month at about 101 mm, followed by March at 89 mm and November at 83 mm. If you want warmer weather and don't mind a shower or two, October and December are decent compromises, with 64 mm and 71 mm of rain and maximums of 22 to 25 degrees.
Which months are quieter?
The warm months are the obvious holiday peak for a town that has long been a seaside destination. We reckon the cooler, drier months are the best bet for quieter streets.
Free sights at The Entrance
The pelican feeding platform is the best-known free attraction. The waterfront was named the Pelican Capital of Australia in 1999, when the platform opened as part of the waterfront redevelopment. The daily feeding draws about 20,000 visitors a year.
There is also a history walk along the main street and the ocean front boardwalk. Text and photos mark important historic sites in the town. It is a cheap way to fill an afternoon, and it helps explain street names such as Taylor Street, Richard Street, Norberta Street and Victoria Street, which come from the Taylor family who divided up the land around 1900.
Bayview Avenue, Ozone Street and Lakeside Parade are named after old guest houses that once stood in the town.
Low-cost things to do
Fishing is a long-standing draw here. Whiting, flathead, bream and blackfish are all found in the area. Our guide to activities and attractions at The Entrance covers more ideas, and families can look at holidays with kids at The Entrance for options that suit younger travellers.
For a rainy afternoon, The Entrance Cinema sits on the corner of The Entrance Road and Bayview Mall. It opened as the Prince Edward Theatre in 1934, closed in 1977 and reopened as a smaller cinema in 1981.
Getting around can be cheap too. Red Bus services generally run every 30 to 60 minutes from 5am to 12am, and the town is the major terminus, with several routes starting and finishing in Torrens Avenue.
Tours and day trips
Our page on tours and rentals at The Entrance is the place to start, and Visit NSW is the official state tourism site for current offers.
The town is also used as a base for day trips to the Hunter Valley vineyards. From the Central Coast area the Hunter Valley is 94 km by road, about 85 minutes. Sydney is 78 km, about 72 minutes, and Newcastle is 91 km, about 79 minutes. Using one base for several day trips can save on moving accommodation.
Caravan and holiday parks to compare
Each of the parks below offers powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
- NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort at Umina Beach, in the Central Coast Council area.
- Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Park at Blacksmiths, in Lake Macquarie City Council.
- Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park at Swansea, in Lake Macquarie City Council.
- Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park at Belmont South.
- Sails Holiday Park at Belmont.
- Bouddi National Park at Bouddi, with powered sites and cabins.
Several of these are in the Lake Macquarie area rather than in the town itself, so allow for the drive. If you would rather stay in town, see accommodation at The Entrance.
Frequently asked questions
When is the quietest time to visit The Entrance?
The cooler, drier months from July to September have the least rain and the most sunshine, and they sit outside the warm summer peak for a holiday town.
What can you do for free at The Entrance?
Watch the daily pelican feeding on the waterfront and follow the history walk along the main street and ocean front boardwalk.
Which caravan parks are near The Entrance?
Six parks are listed above, each with powered sites and cabins. Contact each park for current rates and availability. For background on the town, see Wikipedia: The Entrance, New South Wales.