Best boutique shopping on the Central Coast

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From premium fashion to vintage finds to gorgeous homewares, we round up 12 of the best stores to browse while on the Central Coast.

1. La Boheme, Terrigal

The romantic, flowing pieces from La Bohème make for the perfect coastal wardrobe. This luxe store is located in an inconspicuous spot on the Scenic Highway between Terrigal and Avoca.

Pieces from La Bohème make for the perfect coastal wardrobe.

La Boheme’s collection is all about relaxed styles, pastel colours and exotic prints from premium brands including La  Bohème Girls, Free People, Bec & Bridge and Kinga Csilla. It’s also the only store on the Coast where you can buy pieces from Spell & The Gypsy Collective and luxe activewear brand PE Nation, so you can keep active while looking stylish.

Address: 1/271 Scenic Hwy, Terrigal

2. Montaze, Erina

For more than 10 years, Montaze has been one of the Coast’s most iconic fashion stores and over the years it has evolved into a beautiful cavern of homewares, interior decorating and gifts, too. There is a focus on premium Australian labels such as Camilla and Auguste the Label, as well as candles by Glasshouse Fragrances, coastal-inspired homewares by Amalfi and handcrafted jewellery by Krystle Knight and Temple of the Sun.

Montaze is one of the Coast’s most iconic fashion stores.

Address: Shop 8, Fountain Plaza, 148 The Entrance Road, Erina

3. Drift Home & Living, Forresters Beach

Add serious design cred to your home with a unique piece from Drift Home and Living sourced from around the world. Think African beaded wall hangings, macramé pendant lights, jute placemats and coasters, whitewashed mirrors imported from India, Turkish cotton bath towels and more.

Drift Home and Living sources from around the world.

Address: 1/15-17 Forresters Beach Rd, Forresters Beach

4. Bull & China, Erina Heights

Cool and casual with a hint of fun… if this describes your style then be sure to stop by Bull & China , a women’s fashion boutique located at Erina Heights. Here you’ll find affordable everyday staples from labels such as Elm Lifestyle, Betty Basics, Refuge Denim and Little Lies. There are also fashionable travel kicks from Rollie Nation Shoes and Australian-owned Human Premium Shoes, and a selection of gorgeous accessories to peruse while you’re there.

Be sure to stop by Bull & China.

Address: Shop 4/372 The Entrance Rd, Erina Heights

5. Blackbird, Bateau Bay

Located at Bateau Bay Road shops, Blackbird is somewhat of a hidden gem that you should definitely seek out if in the area. Browsing the Australian and locally made products, you will find everything from leather clutches to vintage-style jewellery, vibrant print dresses to classic Levi jeans, toxin-free sunscreen, organic loose-leaf tea, natural rattan light pendants and lush indoor plants. You can even purchase local Bateau Bay honey here, straight from the hive.

clothes display at Blackbird Bateau Bay
Great fashion finds await you at Blackbird Bateau Bay.

Address: 101A Bateau Bay Rd, Bateau Bay

6. The Flowerseekers in Bloom, Wamberal

This is the bricks-and-mortar store of the magazine The Flowerseekers, a quarterly created for florists, growers and everyday people who simply love beautiful blooms. Owner Sonya Gardiner wanted a space to physically showcase the concept behind the magazine, not only to sell flowers (plants, vases, books, candles, soaps and local honey), but also ­to host workshops such as floral arrangement, embroidery, photography and styling.

The Flowerseekers showcase the concept behind the magazine.

Address: Shop 3/82 Ocean View Drive, Wamberal

7. Antigua Collective, Terrigal

Cool, classic and chic – that’s what you can expect from Antigua Collective at Terrigal , a premium women’s fashion store that opened early 2019 across from the beach. This beautiful boho-luxe store offers customers a personalised, but relaxed shopping experience. Here you’ll find pieces of a mostly neutral palette, with easy-wear cuts and great quality fabrics from labels such as Apéro, eb&ive, Le Specs and Bird & Kite, as well as its very own Antigua Collective, Antigua Jewellery and Antigua Home.

Antigua collective showcases beautiful boho-luxe wares.

Address: 96 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal

8. Shadow Bang Apothecary & Supply, Long Jetty

Housed in a quirky A-frame building on the main strip of Long Jetty, Shadow Bang is a gorgeously curated fashion and herbal goods dispensary store. Here, you’ll find an array of wellness products such as essential oils and organic tea, handmade leather shoes and artisan-designed jewellery. There is a focus on small business brands, many of which make their small-batch products with an ethical focus, so you can feel good about your purchase in more ways than one.

Shadow Bang is a gorgeously curated fashion and herbal goods dispensary store.

Address: 310B The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty

9. Bohemian Traders, Erina Heights

Homegrown label Bohemian Traders has become a favourite with Central Coast fashionistas. Specialising in relaxed and effortless fashion, the store is known for its ‘classic European cuts designed for the modern bohemian’. The range includes pretty dresses, light linen pieces, beautiful blouses, timeless swimwear, and a range of denim designed to flatter women of all shapes and sizes. There’s also a mens’ and kids’ collection, so the whole family can get the look.

bright-hued outfit collection at Bohemian Traders
Elevate your everyday outfit with this bright-hued fashion collection.

Address: Shop 2A, 490 Central Coast Highway, Erina Heights

10. Piccolo Pear, East Gosford

If you’re looking for a unique gift for someone special, Piccolo Pear is a delightful emporium of flowers, premium stationery, handmade ceramics, quirky kids’ products, classic collectables and one-off vintage finds. The thoughtful curation of well-designed, quality wares found in this whimsical store is a joy to browse, and the lingering scent of fresh flowers adds to the beauty of it all.

wide selection of clothes and gift display at Piccolo Pear
Shop for holiday gifts at the Piccolo Pear.

Address: 57 Victoria Street, East Gosford

Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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Your first look at Australia’s brand-new luxury camp

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

    Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

    Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

    Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon.
    Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

    Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

    Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

    Aerial view of Wilderluxe.
    Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

    Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

    On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

    A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe.
    Sleep beneath the stars.

    Style and character

    When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

    Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

    The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe.
    Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

    ‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

    Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

    Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

    While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

    The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake.
    Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

    No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

    Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

    Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

    Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

    A person kayaking through serene waters.
    Paddle into peace.

    The details

    A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

    The interiors of the glamping tent.
    Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

    Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.