12 surprising secrets of Sawtell to discover

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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It’s renowned for its beach but Sawtell has a whole lot more to offer if you look a little closer.

Sawtell is a pretty resort town south of Coffs Harbour that has long been popular with road-trippers who want to break up their drive along NSW’s North Coast. The idyllic seaside village is bracketed by two rocky headlands that sit adjacent to Boambee Creek in the north and Bonville Creek in the south. And while the number one reason for passers-by to pull off the highway is to picnic, surf or paddleboard at the pretty beach that sits between the two promontories, Sawtell is also full of undiscovered gems to seek out – a compelling reason to ditch a longer NSW road trip and fly direct to embrace a deeper exploration of the region.

1. See Indigenous art at Yarrila Arts and Museum

visitors looking at the art displays inside Yarrila Arts And Museum
Delve into the Indigenous art on display at Yarrila Arts and Museum.

Sawtell is known in the local language as Ganyjarr Ganyjarr and the revival of Gumbaynggirr language is central to Indigenous culture in the region. Head to the Yarrila Arts and Museum in Coffs Harbour, just a 10-kilometre drive from Sawtell, to examine themes of place, community and belonging. Don’t miss the Yaamanga Around Here exhibition, which is on permanent display.

2. Visit Sawtell Art Gallery

Visit the dinky Sawtell Art Gallery for a snapshot of what inspires the local artists in the area. The gallery is one of Sawtell’s hidden secrets with weekly classes on everything from painting and drawing techniques using ‘Anything but Watercolour’ to workshops revolving around the ideas of abstraction. The most recent exhibition, Beauty of Sawtell, included a lot of works featuring the wild, verdant landscapes of the Coffs Coast.

3. There are plenty of cafes and bars in Sawtell to satisfy

people dining outside Cafe Treeo, Sawtell
Cafe Treeo is a great spot to take in Sawtell’s charm.

Sunny Sawtell is much-loved for its iconic main strip, which is lined with giant fig trees that help preserve the town’s charm. Although the town (population: 3788) is rather sleepy, it has plenty to offer on the foodie front. Plan a progressive feast that bounces between its best cafes and bars. Dine on the best local cuisine at Hilltop Store, The Spare Room, Bar Que Sera, The Athletic Club, Café Treeo, Split Café & Espresso Bar and Morty’s Joint. Fish and chips on the headland are also a thing.

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4. Pretty swimming spots in Sawtell

Sawtell Beach
Sawtell Beach is your go-to for surfing. (Image: Destination NSW)

There’s a lot of inspiration to be found in Sawtell for surfers who look out to sea in search of crashing waves. Sawtell Main Beach is a popular place to pull on a neoprene suit and paddle out, while Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool and Jetty Beach are sheltered spots for swimming.

Soak up the sun and walk against the tide at Boambee Creek Reserve before drifting back to the sand spit and doing it all over again. On-leash dogs are welcome.

5. Sawtell lookouts to spot whales and dolphins

the Sealy Lookout in Sawtell, Coffs Harbour
Find Sealy Lookout perched on a ridge just above Coffs Harbour. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sawtell Headlands is a top spot to sit and stare out to sea at dusk and dawn in the hope of spotting whales and dolphins. Even if you don’t see any tail-slapping or dramatic breaches, there are worse ways to bookend your day. Sawtell Headland and Sealy Lookout are perfect viewpoints, and a pair of binoculars should reap awards in the height of the season (between June and October). It’s one of the best things to do on the Coffs Coast.

6. Explore the watery world of Boambee

Fishos should also cast off near the Bonville Railway Bridge where mangrove jack, bream, trevally and flathead can be found. There’s great crabbing and fishing to be had when you venture from Boambee Creek Estuary into Newport’s Creek. Or head downstream to Boambee Creek Reserve, where you will see fishing platforms jutting out over the water. Buddy up with a Boambee local and they might point out the local jewfish hole.

7. Golf, mountain bike, SUP or kayak in Sawtell

an aerial view of kayaks at C-Change Adventures, Sawtell
Go kayaking in Sawtell with C-Change Adventures. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sawtell Golf Club is just 500 metres from the boutique village of Sawtell, where golfers of all abilities can get in the swing. Bonville Golf Resort is another top spot to enjoy a round. Keen mountain bikers should also download the Coffs Coast Mountain Biking Map to help make sense of the trails that squiggle around the Cows with Guns trail in Pine Creek State Forest. Kayaking and SUPing are also popular: book an ecotour with C-Change Adventures.

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8. Spot koalas in the wild at Bongil Bongil National Park

Your kids will declare bushwalking to be a ‘pretty cool’ pursuit when you steer them away from their devices and into the Eco Certified Bongil Bongil National Park. The park on Gumbaynggirr Country is a great day trip from Sawtell with one of NSW’s largest populations of koalas in the wild. Stay in Tuckers Rocks Cottage overnight so you can cover a lot of ground: there’s fishing, beach and rainforest hikes and mountain bike trails, too.

9. Showtime at Sawtell Cinema

family eating lunch in front of sawtell cinema
Pop into the cute Sawtell Cinema.

This Art Deco cinema in Sawtell is the regional theatre of your dreams. The two-screen Sawtell Cinema (formerly the Majestic) complex screens a range of funky arthouse films and foreign flicks, too. It also schedules the latest family and mainstream blockbusters and is fully licensed. Settle in with a choc top for the annual Sawtell Film Festival, which runs from April to May. Follow up your night at the movies with a wander down fig-lined First Avenue.

10. Spice things up at the annual Chilli Festival

Any guide to the secrets of Sawtell includes the annual winter Sawtell Chilli Festival. The festival ticks a lot of boxes for lovers of all things hot and spicy, luring more than 13,000 people for the annual event, held on the first Saturday in July. Don’t miss the chilli chicken wing eating challenge, and the chance to choose from a diverse range of chilli products such as the Alsa range of rubs, seasoning and spices, Mel’s Sweet Picnic chilli and condiments from The Chilli Factory.

11. Take home treasures from Sawtell’s boutique shops

Find stores filled with antique furniture, clothing, books and more along the main tree-lined strip of Sawtell. Forget generic chains and malls. Sawtell is an oasis for shoppers who like people-watching and ease of access when weaving in and out of stylish boutiques and homeware stores along the high street. If you feel the need to recalibrate, bliss out at the Figtree Day Spa.

For more unexpected wonders of the Coffs Coast, read our guide to Coffs Harbour and beyond.

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG). Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery, the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast, which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah, a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort. This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets, where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics, or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co. This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com.