Things to do in Long Jetty, NSW

Long Jetty, NSW, is a Central Coast suburb with an independent streak and a long band of parks along the shore of Tuggerah Lake.

Long Jetty is not the most imaginative name in the world. As you might easily guess, this Central Coast suburb is home to a lengthy jetty. In fact, it’s the longest jetty in New South Wales, at 351 metres long.

But that jetty doesn’t stick out into the sea. Long Jetty is not on the coast, hence it often gets overlooked, particularly in favour of neighbours The Entrance and Toowoon Bay.

Long Jetty stretches out along Tuggerah Lake, with three jetties jutting out into the water. Historically, these were where ferries from Wyong landed. They needed to be long because the water was shallow.

Things to do in Long Jetty, NSW: Saltwater Creek Park and Lion Park

And, if you stick to the lake shore, you’ve essentially got one long park. It’s broken down into sections, and each has its own attractions. At the southern end, Saltwater Creek Park has picnic tables and barbecues, plus a BMX track. Neighbouring Lion Park has a spaceship-themed playground. There’s another playground further north on Tuggerah Parade.

Long Jetty shopping

But Long Jetty is best known as a place for interesting shops and restaurants. This wasn’t the case a decade or so ago, when this Central Coast suburb was very much one to skip through. But a combination of cheap rents and significant investment by the local council have turned Long Jetty into a spot where indie businesses can thrive. It’s now a good place for mooching and hunting out little treasures to decorate your home with. There’s plenty of fashion, too, with Shadow Bang selling resortwear from the likes of Zulu and Zephyr.

Street art in Long Jetty, Central Coast. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

What to do in Long Jetty, NSW: Tuggerah Lakes Cycleway

The long lake frontage also makes Long Jetty a good place for cyclists and walkers. The 12km Tuggerah Lakes Cycleway passes through on the curving trail between The Entrance and Chittaway Bay. The same applies to the 7.6km Coast To Lake Walk, which loops through The Entrance and Toowoon Bay.

Other Central Coast beach suburbs competing for attention include Wamberal, Terrigal, Patonga, Forresters Beach, MacMasters Beach and Pearl Beach.