Umina is a popular beach town on the southern end of the Central Coast, which is an easy hour and a half drive from Western Sydney. It’s located on the traditional land of the Darkinjung People and its name is derived from the indigenous word for ‘place of sleep’. It’s a very popular place for weekend retreats, beachside camping, or simply a day trip by the sea. Not only is the beach simply stunning, but there are many other attractions dotted around Umina and WEST has mapped out a great day’s itinerary.
Take the M1 motorway north and exit towards Gosford, from here Umina is less than 25 minutes away.
For coffee visit Umina’s main street, West Street (no, not named after The WEST Journal). Café Ronto is a great choice, with a menu full of twists on the classic brekkie favourites. Sit down for a coffee or tea and enjoy the buzz of locals enjoying their usual.
Further down you’ll also find the family-owned Bremen Patisserie who are well known for their fresh pies and European pastries as well as their freshly roasted coffee beans. There’s also Six Degrees Café which is next to a lovely local bookshop, The Bookshop Umina. So, make sure to slowly wander and explore all that West Street has to offer.
You can’t miss the colourful street art on the walls of the popular fish and chips shop Skippers Take Away and in the pedestrian lane next to the Post Office. We love how street art reinvigorates and brings character to an area, tells a story and creates a connection to the sense of place. WEST has seen this time and time again throughout Western Sydney and in regional spots, one of our favourite things to explore.
Ideally, it’s a sunny day, so you might want to enjoy a round of lawn bowls at Club Umina and also enjoy a cool beverage at the bar and bistro. We love the relaxed atmosphere of this place, especially as there’s nothing like barefoot bowls in the afternoon at a coastal town.
Next, it’s time to enjoy Umina’s natural beauty from high up. Either drive, or carefully walk-up Mount Ettalong Road to Umina Point where you’ll find a lookout which has breath taking views of Broken Bay. Gaze out past Box Head and Barrenjoey Headland and you’ll witness Umina in all its glory.
After you’ve soaked in the views, head back down to the shoreline. Take a dip at Umina Beach which is in front of the Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, a popular holiday destination with a famous jumping pillow. Enjoy a carefree, barefoot walk along the sand up to Ocean Beach which is another great patrolled spot along this shoreline. There are excellent views from anywhere along here, and the water is refreshing year-round.
For a drink and meal with this priceless view, you’ll find Margarita Daze welcoming you at Ocean Beach. This is a great licensed restaurant and bar with beachfront positioning, and plenty of dining space. We love their creative specials, decadent mains, and fun cocktails. The atmosphere here is always fun and beachy, so stay and relax for as long as you like. If you time your visit right, you might even catch the sunset, making for an even more impressive view.
It's simply no surprise that many people choose Umina as a holiday destination. And being such an easy drive from Western Sydney means that Umina is an ideal coastal spot for any summer’s weekend away. We love the small-town charm, bustling main street, and calm waters of Broken Bay in this much-loved but understated Central Coast town. Make sure you get out and discover the beauty of this coastal region and town.