Top 10 Boutique Shops On The Central Coast

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.

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.

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.

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

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

Best boutique shopping on the Central Coast