Holiday houses in Patonga

Surrounded by Brisbane Water National Park, with spectacular views across the mouth of the Hawkesbury River to Sydney’s northernmost headlands, Patonga is one of the most picturesque seaside suburbs on the New South Wales Central Coast. Written on early maps as Betonga, believed to be the Guringai word for oyster, Patonga still has a fishing industry, though these days it is better known for its calm arc of golden sand and its buzzy wharfside pub.

A 90-minute drive north from central Sydney, Patonga also makes a great base for exploring Brisbane Water National Park’s hiking and biking trails. Beyond lazing on the beach, paddling on Patonga Creek, and browsing the village’s small gallery, there’s not much else to do in Patonga, and that’s just how most visitors like it. But those keen to explore further afield will find more beaches, walks, and dining options in neighbouring Pearl Beach and larger Umina to the northeast, with Sydney’s Palm Beach just a 30-minute ferry ride to the southeast.

The summer months are typically Patonga’s busiest (book accommodation well ahead), particularly on weekends when ferries full of day trippers from Sydney’s Palm Beach make the journey across the Hawkesbury. Weekends are a good time to be in Patonga if you’re interested in making an excursion in the opposite direction, as there are more ferry services available on Saturdays and Sundays. Brisbane Water National Park comes alive with wildflowers from late winter to early spring, making this a great time for bushwalking. To enjoy a well-rounded taste of local produce, time your trip to coincide with the South Coast Food & Wine Festival held in Kariong in August, or the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival, held in Ettalong in November.

Palm Beach day trip

Get a taste of Sydney without hitting the road by taking a ferry ride to Palm Beach, the city’s northernmost suburb. The ferry makes half a dozen return trips across the Hawkesbury on Saturdays and Sundays as well as school and public holidays. Palm Beach’s stunning surf beach lies within easy walking distance from the ferry wharf, with several lunch options close by.

Patonga to Pearl Beach Walking Track

Patonga is linked to neighbouring Pearl Beach by the spectacular Patonga to Pearl Beach Walking Track. Beginning at the northern end of Patonga Beach, the three-kilometre (one-way) trail, part of Brisbane Water National Park, weaves through majestic stands of red gums and eucalyptus along the coast en route to Pearl Beach, with stunning coastal lookouts at each end.

Paddle on Patonga Creek

Winding around the village of Patonga and up into Brisbane Water National Park, Patonga Creek provides a suitably scenic setting for a kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding adventure. Bring your own paddlecraft or rent one in nearby Booker Bay. Some Central Coast watersports hire companies also offer drop-off and pick-up.