Public Toilets at The Entrance, NSW
5 toilet locations at The Entrance — the Central Coast town famous for its daily pelican feeding at 3:30pm. Where Tuggerah Lake meets the Pacific Ocean through a narrow channel, and hundreds of pelicans have been hand-fed every single day since 1996. Every dunny mapped so you can focus on the birds.
Interactive Toilet Map
5 facilities available in The Entrance
📍 Street View
Select a Location
Click on a toilet marker to see the street view
Where Are You?
The Entrance sits on a narrow strip between Tuggerah Lake and the ocean. Pelican feeding happens lakeside, the beach is ocean-side — they're only 200m apart. Here's your closest loo.
Watching the pelican feeding
Memorial Park
Main toilets 50m from the feeding area. Get there early — crowds build from 3pm.
The pelican feeding happens at the waterfront in Memorial Park. Toilets are the closest public facility. Arrive by 3:15pm for a good spot. The feeding takes about 15 minutes. Free to watch — volunteers from the Pelican and Seabird Rescue charity.
Swimming at the beach
The Entrance Beach
Ocean-side toilets near the surf club and ocean pool. Patrolled in summer.
The Entrance Beach is a 200m walk from the lake/pelican side. Faces east to the Pacific. Ocean pool for safe swimming. Surf lifesavers patrol on weekends and holidays. Toilets near the surf club building.
Fishing the channel
Memorial Park or Picnic Point
The channel between lake and ocean is popular for fishing. Strong currents — no swimming.
The Entrance channel connects Tuggerah Lake to the ocean. Popular for fishing (bream, flathead, tailor) but dangerous for swimming due to strong tidal currents. Toilets at Memorial Park (north side) or Picnic Point (south side of channel).
Cafe and shopping strip
Memorial Park
The main shopping strip is right behind Memorial Park. Toilets within 100m.
The Entrance's main strip (The Entrance Road) runs parallel to the waterfront. Cafes, fish and chip shops, and ice cream. Memorial Park toilets serve both the waterfront and the shopping strip.
Cycling the lakefront
Tuggerah Lakes Foreshore or Picnic Point
Shared paths run along the lake foreshore. Flat, scenic, family-friendly.
The lakefront shared path runs south from Memorial Park along Tuggerah Lake. Flat and suitable for all fitness levels. Toilets at Picnic Point (1km south) and the Tuggerah Lakes foreshore facility. Connects to longer Central Coast paths.
Day trip to Bateau Bay
Bateau Bay Beach
Popular surf beach 5km south. Skillion lookout nearby. Full facilities.
Bateau Bay Beach is a longer surf beach 5km south of The Entrance. Home to the famous Skillion lookout. Full toilet facilities with accessible options and baby change. Popular with surfers and families.
The Pelican Feeding — 3:30pm Daily
Every single day since 1996. Rain or shine. 3:30pm at Memorial Park waterfront. Hundreds of Australian pelicans are hand-fed by volunteers from the Pelican and Seabird Rescue charity. It's free, it's iconic, and it's been running for nearly 30 years.
Visiting Tips
- Arrive by 3:15pm for a front-row spot
- Free to watch — donations appreciated
- Runs 365 days a year, rain or shine
- Educational commentary during feeding
- Takes about 15-20 minutes
- Do NOT feed the pelicans yourself — volunteers only
Toilet Planning for the Feeding
- Before: Memorial Park toilets are 50m from the viewing area
- During: Feeding is only 15-20 min — you can wait
- After: Same toilets, plus cafes nearby with customer facilities
- Toilets can be busy right before feeding (3-3:30pm)
- School holiday crowds increase wait times
Tip: Use the toilets when you arrive (before 3:15pm), then stake out your viewing spot. The facility gets busy right before feeding time.
Things to Do at The Entrance
Central Coast holiday town on the channel between Tuggerah Lake and the Pacific. Population ~7,000. The pelican feeding is the main draw, but there's beach swimming, lake activities, and a growing cafe scene too.
Pelican Feeding (3:30pm Daily)
Hundreds of pelicans hand-fed at the waterfront. Running since 1996. Free. The Central Coast's most famous attraction. Arrive 15 min early.
The Entrance Beach
Ocean beach with patrolled swimming and ocean pool. 200m from the lake side. Good surf when conditions align. Showers and toilets.
Channel Fishing
Fish the channel where lake meets ocean. Bream, flathead, tailor, and mulloway. Strong currents = good fishing. Rock walls on both sides.
Tuggerah Lakes Kayaking
Calm lake system perfect for kayaking and SUP. Launch from The Entrance foreshore. Explore the lake's quiet arms and bird islands.
Foreshore Boardwalk
Flat boardwalk along the lake shore. Perfect for prams, wheelchairs, and evening strolls. Connects Memorial Park to Picnic Point.
The Skillion (Bateau Bay)
Dramatic cliff lookout 5km south. One of the Central Coast's most photographed spots. Free. Short walk from car park.
Cafe Strip & Fish 'n' Chips
Multiple cafes, fish and chip shops, and ice cream along the main strip. Post-pelican-feeding fish and chips is a Central Coast tradition.
Wyrrabalong National Park
Coastal bushland walk connecting The Entrance to Bateau Bay. Wildflowers in spring. Whale watching from the headlands (May-Nov).
Where to Stay at The Entrance
Classic Central Coast holiday accommodation — motels, holiday parks, and rentals at reasonable prices. Much more affordable than Sydney beaches.
Lakeside Motels
Several motels along Marine Parade with lake views and walking distance to the pelican feeding. Classic Aussie beach-town accommodation. $120-250/night.
Nearest dunny: Memorial Park toilets (within 300m for most).
Holiday Parks
Caravan parks and cabin accommodation near the beach and lake. Family-friendly with pools. Canton Beach Holiday Park is popular. $80-200/night for cabins.
Nearest dunny: Park facilities + multiple public options nearby.
Terrigal (15min South)
More upmarket accommodation at Terrigal — boutique hotels and resort-style options. 15-minute drive. Better dining scene but more expensive.
Nearest dunny: Terrigal facilities.
Getting to The Entrance
Drive from Sydney
1 hour 15 minutes via the M1 Pacific Motorway, then Central Coast Highway. Exit at Tuggerah and follow signs to The Entrance. Free parking at Memorial Park and the beach (time-limited in peak areas).
From Newcastle: 45 minutes south via the Pacific Highway.
Public Transport
No direct train to The Entrance. Train to Tuggerah station (Central Coast Line, ~90 min from Sydney), then bus 22 to The Entrance (15 min). Buses every 30 minutes.
A car makes the Central Coast much easier — the area is spread out and bus connections are infrequent outside peak hours.
Pelican Feeding Day Parking
Every day is pelican feeding day (3:30pm, 365 days). Parking near Memorial Park gets busy from 3pm, especially weekends and school holidays. If visiting specifically for the feeding, arrive by 2:30pm for easy parking, or park at the beach end and walk 5 minutes.
All Toilet Facilities — Detailed Breakdown
Complete details for every public toilet at The Entrance and nearby. Maintained by Central Coast Council.
| Facility | Accessible | Baby Change | Showers | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Park (Pelican Feeding) | Yes | Yes | — | 6am-9pm | Main facility. 50m from pelican feeding area. |
| The Entrance Beach | Yes | — | Yes | 24hr | Ocean side near surf club. Showers for beach swimmers. |
| Picnic Point | — | — | — | 6am-8pm | South side of channel. Smaller facility. |
| Tuggerah Lakes Foreshore | — | — | — | 6am-8pm | Along lakeside shared path, south of Memorial Park. |
| Bateau Bay Beach | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24hr | 5km south. Full facility near surf club and Skillion. |
All facilities free. Beach toilets are 24hr. Lake/park facilities close in the evening. Memorial Park may extend hours during peak holiday season.
Lake Side vs Ocean Side
The Entrance sits on a narrow strip between Tuggerah Lake and the Pacific Ocean. Two completely different experiences, 200 metres apart.
Lake Side (West — Pelicans)
- Pelican feeding at 3:30pm daily (Memorial Park)
- Calm water — no swimming (shallow, silty)
- Foreshore boardwalk and cafes
- Channel connects to ocean (dangerous currents)
- Fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching
- Toilets: Memorial Park, Picnic Point, Tuggerah foreshore
Ocean Side (East — Beach)
- Patrolled surf beach (weekends + holidays)
- Ocean pool for safe swimming
- Sand, waves, typical Aussie beach
- Less crowded than Sydney beaches
- Showers at the beach facility
- Toilets: The Entrance Beach (24hr, accessible)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there public toilets near the pelican feeding at The Entrance?
Yes. Memorial Park (where the pelican feeding happens at 3:30pm daily) has public toilets within 50 metres of the feeding area. These are the main facilities at The Entrance — accessible, well-maintained, and free. Arrive early for the feeding and use the toilets before the crowd gathers.
What time is the pelican feeding at The Entrance?
The pelican feeding happens at 3:30pm every single day of the year, rain or shine. It's been running since 1996. Hundreds of pelicans gather on the waterfront at Memorial Park to be hand-fed by volunteers. Free to watch. Arrive 15 minutes early for a good viewing spot.
Is there a toilet at The Entrance Beach?
Yes. The Entrance Beach has public toilet facilities near the ocean pool and surf club area. The beach faces east to the Pacific Ocean — separate from the lake/channel side where the pelican feeding happens. Patrolled swimming in summer.
Are The Entrance toilets wheelchair accessible?
The Memorial Park facility (pelican feeding area) has wheelchair accessible toilets. The foreshore boardwalk connecting the park to the channel is flat and accessible. The Entrance Beach facility also has accessible options.
Is there parking at The Entrance?
Yes. Free parking is available at Memorial Park (fills early on weekends and holidays), along Marine Parade, and at The Entrance Beach car park. On pelican feeding days (every day), parking near Memorial Park gets busy from 3pm. Consider arriving early or parking at the beach end and walking.
Can you swim at The Entrance?
Yes. The Entrance Beach (ocean side) has patrolled swimming. There's also an ocean pool. The channel between Tuggerah Lake and the ocean has strong currents and is NOT safe for swimming. Tuggerah Lake itself is shallow and calm but not a designated swimming area.
How far is The Entrance from Sydney?
The Entrance is approximately 100km north of Sydney CBD — about 1 hour 15 minutes drive via the M1 Pacific Motorway and Central Coast Highway. It's the main town on the Central Coast's lake system (Tuggerah Lakes). No direct train — closest station is Tuggerah (15 min bus/drive).
Nearby Areas
The Entrance is on the NSW Central Coast, 100km north of Sydney. Population ~7,000. Part of Central Coast Council. Sits on the channel where Tuggerah Lake meets the Pacific Ocean. Darkinjung country.
