The Entrance
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for The Entrance, NSW 2261.
About The Entrance
Welcome to The Entrance
The Entrance sits on the Central Coast of New South Wales, roughly 90 minutes north of Sydney, where Tuggerah Lake meets the Tasman Sea. It's one of the coast's best-known holiday destinations, built around a broad ocean beach, a lakeside promenade and a compact town centre that still draws day-trippers and grey nomads alongside a growing base of permanent residents.
With a population of around 4,244 and a median age of 50, it's a suburb that leans toward retirees and downsizers, though its beach lifestyle and relative affordability compared to Sydney continue to attract a mix of buyers. Flanked by Long Jetty, Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay, The Entrance North and Shelly Beach, it offers easy access to some of the Central Coast's most photographed stretches of coastline without straying far from cafes, shops and public transport.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in The Entrance revolves around the water. The main beach is patrolled and popular with swimmers and surfers, while the calmer channel and lake foreshore suit paddleboarding, fishing and the nightly pelican feeding that's become a local institution. The town centre along The Entrance Road has a laid-back, holiday-town feel, with fish and chip shops, casual cafes and pubs that fill up on weekends and through summer.
It's a suburb that suits people who want an unhurried pace without giving up amenity — retirees, sea-changers and anyone happy to trade a long commute for a walk along the promenade. The nearby strips at Long Jetty and Toowoon Bay add more choice for coffee, brunch and boutique shopping without needing to leave the local area.
Shopping
The Entrance's town centre covers everyday needs well, with a supermarket, bakeries, takeaway food and specialty stores clustered around the main street and the visitor centre precinct. For a bigger shop, Erina Fair and the Bateau Bay retail strip are both a short drive away, giving residents access to major fashion and department stores without a long trip inland.
Getting around
The Entrance isn't on the rail line, so most residents rely on cars or local buses that connect through to Tuggerah station on the Central Coast line, which runs to Gosford, Newcastle and Sydney. The drive to the M1 Pacific Motorway takes you north to Newcastle or south to Sydney in around 90 minutes under normal traffic.
Locally, the town is easy to navigate on foot or by bike, with a shared pathway linking the beachfront to the lake and on toward Long Jetty, making car-free trips to nearby cafes and parks straightforward for those who live centrally.
Schools & families
The Entrance Public School serves the local area and is a long-standing part of the community. While the suburb's median age of 50 points to a population weighted toward older residents, there are still families drawn by the beach lifestyle, with further primary and secondary options available in surrounding Central Coast suburbs for those who need them.
Parks & recreation
Between the ocean beach, the lake foreshore and reserves scattered through the town, outdoor recreation is the suburb's biggest drawcard. Walking and cycling paths trace the water's edge, connecting to Blue Bay and Toowoon Bay to the south, while the lake itself is popular for kayaking, fishing and sailing. Shelly Beach and Toowoon Bay both offer additional patrolled swimming spots within easy reach for those who want a change of scenery.
The property market
Housing in The Entrance is dominated by apartments and units, which make up around 70% of current listings, reflecting the suburb's holiday-town history and appeal to downsizers. Houses account for about 21% of listings and townhouses a further 7%, with the median house price sitting at $938,000 against a median unit price of $655,000 — a gap that gives buyers real choice depending on budget and lifestyle needs.
House prices have grown 3.5% recently, a steady rather than spectacular pace, while median rent of $653 a week points to solid ongoing demand from both permanent residents and the seasonal holiday-letting market. For buyers priced out of Sydney or looking for a coastal lifestyle change, the mix of apartment stock and beachside houses makes The Entrance one of the more accessible entry points to Central Coast living.
Market snapshot
The Entrance property market
Median sale price
$938k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$653
per week
Gross rental yield
3.6%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$740k
Median
$938k
Premium
$1.55m
Days on market
84
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
21
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +2.3% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in The Entrance by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for The Entrance, NSW 2261.
Population
4,244
residents (2021)
Median age
50
years
Household income
$971
median, per week
Median rent
$360
per week
Median mortgage
$1,733
per month
Mortgage / income
41%
stretched (>30%)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in The Entrance
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in The Entrance
$650k
21/2-6 Copnor Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$780k
8/65 Ocean Parade
Sold ~July 2026
$325k
424/89-95 The Entrance Road
Sold ~July 2026
$280k
47/89-95 The Entrance Road
Sold ~July 2026
$660k
2/12 Taylor Street
Sold ~June 2026
$850k
3 and 6/168 The Entrance Road
Sold ~June 2026
$1.25m
24 Bay Road
Sold ~June 2026
$500k
1/58 Dening Street
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in The Entrance
Compare the area
Price map around The Entrance
Every listing for sale near The Entrance, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
The Entrance suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in The Entrance?
The median unit price in The Entrance, NSW is $655k for a 2-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 0.4%.
How much is rent in The Entrance?
The median weekly rent in The Entrance is around $550 per week.
Is The Entrance a good place to live?
The Entrance is a coastal town in the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. The Entrance is an established residential suburb in NSW, with a population of around 4,244 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of The Entrance?
The Entrance has a population of 4,244 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 50.
What schools are in The Entrance?
There is 1 school in or near The Entrance, including The Entrance Public School.
How long do homes take to sell in The Entrance?
Properties in The Entrance take around 67 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in The Entrance?
Entry-level properties in The Entrance start around $487k, while premium homes reach $1.09m.
What suburbs are near The Entrance?
Suburbs near The Entrance include Long Jetty, Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay, The Entrance North and Shelly Beach.
Fresh to market
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