Patonga makes for a lovely day trip if you want to get out of Sydney and feel like you’re on holiday!
Patonga is the most southerly beach on the Central Coast. While it’s unpatrolled, the water is calm due to its location within a recessed bay making it ideal for kids. There are two playgrounds for kids located at either end of the beach and a cool pub across the road, The Boathouse Hotel Patonga, which offers dine in and takeaway options.
It’s only 70km north of Sydney and takes about 1 hour from when you turn off Pennant Hills Road onto the M1 Motorway. You’ll need to turn on Google Maps as it isn’t signposted once you hit Woy Woy Road. You do go past Umina and Pearl Beach to get there. If you’re really keen and want to add something else fun for the kids, you could catch the ferry across from Palm Beach.
Patonga is a popular destination for Sydneysiders on the weekend so we recommend heading up early to ensure you get a car spot. Coffee is great at The Boathouse Hotel Patonga and we like to start with a takeaway coffee and a milkshake and a play at one of the playgrounds. At the Northern end of the beach there’s also a playground that overlooks the beach. Play equipment can be a little tricky for little ones and while it looks fully fenced it’s only fenced to the road (open to the beach). At the Southern end of the beach near the camping area at the end of Bay Street there’s a pirate park which our kids love!
As mentioned above, the beach is flat, making it ideal for kids, water craft and boats. We also noticed that there were a few dogs off lead so looks like a beach the whole family can enjoy!
For lunch The Boathouse Hotel Patonga is super popular and just across the road from the beach. We suggest trying to grab a seat before the ferry arrives. Another option is to order take away from next door and take it down to the beach for a picnic. But if takeaway food and sand isn’t your thing, you can always head to the under cover picnic area at the sports oval next to the Hotel.
But if you’re only after a few small things like ice creams and cold drinks there’s a kiosk next to the Bay Street camping area at the south end of the beach. There are also public toilets here.
