🔍

The Entrance

NSW 2261 • Greater Sydney

4,244
Population (2021)
$50,492
Median Household Income
1.66 km²
Area
$360/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRetiree-HavenTourist HubAffordable

About The Entrance

The Entrance is a scenic waterfront suburb on the Central Coast of New South Wales, approximately 90 kilometres north of Sydney within the Central Coast City Council area. The suburb takes its name from the narrow channel connecting Tuggerah Lake to the Tasman Sea — a feature that gives the area its distinctive character and draws visitors year-round. With a population of 4,244 and a median age of 50, The Entrance has a strong retiree and sea-change community, with many long-term residents attracted by the relaxed lakeside and coastal lifestyle.

The suburb's main street along Memorial Drive and The Entrance Road is lined with cafes, fish and chip shops, and casual dining, with a Coles at Lakeside Plaza catering to everyday grocery needs. The Entrance is famous for its daily pelican feeding at the foreshore — a long-running local tradition — while Tuggerah Lake offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and waterfront walks. Bus services connect to nearby Wyong railway station, from which trains run to Sydney, making The Entrance an appealing destination for retirees, weekenders, and those seeking an affordable, community-oriented coastal lifestyle on the Central Coast.

The Entrance falls under postcode 2261 and is governed by Central Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the The Entrance electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2261
Urban Area
Wyong - South-West
LGA / Council
Central Coast
Federal Electorate
Dobell
State Electorate
The Entrance
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.34°, 151.50°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.66 km²
Elevation
15m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in The Entrance for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$935K
50 sales · ▼ 9% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$630K
152 sales · ▼ 3.1% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$360
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.2%

75 state housing + 53 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Wyong
7.5 km
N/A (bus or drive)

Bus Services

  • Red Bus Services Central Coast — Wyong Station / Gosford 15-25 min to Wyong

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
90 km
By Train
Approx. 85-95 min to Central Station from Wyong (Central Coast & Newcastle Line)
By Car (Peak)
90-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
70-90 min

🛣️ No train station within the suburb; bus to Wyong station required; M1 Pacific Motorway for car travel to Sydney

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The Memorial Drive foreshore and main street are walkable for cafes, shops, and daily errands; a car is needed for larger supermarkets and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Lakeside Plaza The Entrance Road The Entrance 2261 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near The Entrance, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Entrance Ocean Pools, The
Ocean Parade, The Entrance • SHR #01663

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Central Coast Local Government Area, which contains The Entrance. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
208 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.9%
Motor vehicle theft
171.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 2.5%
Non-DV assault
430.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
14.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
336 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.3%
View all 62 offence types for Central Coast →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,006
Census 2021
4,244
▲ 5.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,572
Personal Income 2021
$31,148
▲ 17.2% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$31,148 / yr
$599/wk
Household
$50,492 / yr
$971/wk
Family
$69,004 / yr
$1327/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,085
Born Overseas 805

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 123
  • 2. India 90
  • 3. New Zealand 80
  • 4. Philippines 59
  • 5. China 37
  • 6. Malta 28
  • 7. Italy 25
  • 8. Scotland 25
  • 9. Bangladesh 19
  • 10. Thailand 18

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,690
Australian 1,424
Irish 522
Scottish 388
Australian Aboriginal 243
German 143
Italian 109
Indian 106
Chinese 79
Maltese 66

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,454
Both parents born in Australia
988
Both parents born overseas
462
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.1%
No Religion
33.7%
Buddhism
1.7%
Hinduism
1.3%
Islam
1.1%
Sikhism
1.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
162 (3.8%)
5-14 years
343 (8.1%)
15-19 years
174 (4.1%)
20-24 years
203 (4.8%)
25-34 years
478 (11.3%)
35-44 years
448 (10.6%)
45-54 years
542 (12.8%)
55-64 years
646 (15.2%)
65-74 years
700 (16.5%)
75-84 years
408 (9.6%)
85+ years
135 (3.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Entrance known for? +

The Entrance is a scenic waterfront suburb on the Central Coast of New South Wales, approximately 90 kilometres north of Sydney within the Central Coast City Council area.

How far is The Entrance from Sydney CBD? +

The Entrance is approximately 90 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 90-120 min during peak hour and 70-90 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately Approx. 85-95 min to Central Station from Wyong (Central Coast & Newcastle Line).

Does The Entrance have public transport? +

The Entrance is served by Wyong station (7.5 km, approximately N/A (bus or drive) walk) on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line. Local bus services including Red Bus Services Central Coast also connect residents to Wyong Station / Gosford.

What is the population of The Entrance? +

According to the 2021 Census, The Entrance has a population of approximately 4,244 residents.

Is The Entrance a good place to live? +

The Entrance is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for The Entrance? +

The postcode for The Entrance in NSW is 2261.

What is the average income in The Entrance? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in The Entrance is about $599 per week (around $31,100 per year). The median household income is $971 per week and the median family income is $1,327 per week.

What is the median house price in The Entrance? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $935,000, down 9% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $630,000, down 3.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of The Entrance? +

The median age in The Entrance is 50. The largest age group is 65–74 (700 residents, around 16%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is The Entrance a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. The Entrance is part of the Central Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in The Entrance? +

In The Entrance, the median weekly rent is $360, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).