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The Entrance and its surrounds have been a popular holiday destination for more than a century. Its proximity to the bustling cities of both Sydney and Newcastle make it an ideal day trip, weekend get-away or extended holiday. Located on the channel that joins Tuggerah Lake to the ocean, The Entrance and neighbouring Long Jetty provide opportunities for picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, walking, sight seeing, surfing and much more.
The Entrance found its beginnings in the 1820's with the first land grant to Henry Holden who upon taking possession of approximately 640 acres, commenced a dairy farm, which became the main use of the land until around 1870 or so at which point it was used almost solely for grazing cattle. In 1885 the Dunleith Guest House opened at the North Entrance. Dunleith was owned and operated by a Mr and Mrs Walter Deniss, Mrs Deniss interestingly was the grand daughter of Edward Hargraves, the first man to discover gold in Australia. Hargraves had purchased a small holding in Norah head in the 1850's. Such was the success of Dunleith that other families residing in the area followed its example and a number of guest houses sprung up in the following years. The growth of the area was bolstered by the completion of the railway linking the Central Coast to Sydney in 1889. In the 1920's several hundred allottments within the township were sold at auction for an average price of around 100 pounds. The vast majority became holiday houses. In 1934 the first bridge accross The Entrance Channel was completed, constructed of timber it was a single lane with small bays for drivers to allow others to pass. It was replaced by the current bridge in 1969.
In 1996, after playing host to visitors for over 100 years, Wyong Shire Council commenced a revitalisation program for The Entrance that transformed it into one of the most beautiful seaside resort towns in Australia. The Entrance Waterfront was the focal point of much of the rejuvenation works carried out in the mid 1990's. Located to the east of The Entrance Bridge and adjoining Marine Parade the Waterfront boasts excellent facilities including picnic tables, barbecues, playgrounds and a beautiful boardwalk that extends from Picnic Point to the Surf Life Saving Club. There are market stalls in holiday periods and on weekends and the Pelican Express ride is sure to please the young and the young at heart. Fishing along the Entrance Channel is reported to be excellent. Boat hire is available near the Entrance Bridge and there is a Fisheries Department office nearby where a fishing licence may be obtained. Pelican Feeding. Every day at 3:30pm pelicans gather around a purpose built pelican feeding area on the Waterfront to be fed by local volunteers. This activity began in the late 1970's when a local fish shop would throw their scraps to the pelicans, who would happily cross the road and come looking for scraps at the shop should they be late. Today it presents an opportunity to examine the health of the birds and intervene where necessary, with the most common problem suffered by the pelicans being injury caused by fishing hooks and lines. The pelican feeding area has reasonable seating for visitors and an enjoyable short talk on the pelicans is given before the feeding commences. This is a must see activity! Picnic Point is on the western side of the bridge providing a beautifully shaded picnic area with playground, a boat ramp and access to the cycleway/walkway that extends from the Entrance to Chittaway Bay. Terilbah Reserve and North Entrance Foreshore Reserve is located just over the bridge at the North Entrance. Facilities include a boat ramp, picnic areas and a playground. Boat hire is available near the boat ramp and fishing from the wharf near the Entrance Bridge is very popular as a natural channel between the reserves and Terilbah Island, part of Wyrrabalong National Park, is reported to be a natural thoroughfare for fish. Norah Head Lighthouse was constructed in 1903 as a countermeasure for the increasing number of shipwrecks in the area. It was the last lighthouse to be built in the style of James Barnet though its actual designer may have been his successor C W Darley. It is interesting to note that one of the key supporters of building the lighthouse was Edward Hargraves, who is reknowned as the first person to discover payable gold in Australia in 1851. Hargraves built a house at Norah Head in the late 1850's that still stands to this day. Long Jetty Foreshore Reserve extends for about 2.5km of Tuggerah Lake shoreline. Its delightfully shady picnic areas boast barbeques, playgrounds, toilet facilities and also two boatramps. The cycleway/walkway that extends from Chittaway Bay to The Entrance winds its way through this reserve and their are also three jetty's that extend into the Lake that make a pleasant walk. The reserve is the home of both The Entrance Aquatic club and The Entrance Sailing club. Boat hire is available near Watkins Jetty, the middle of the three jetty's. Crackneck Lookout is located at the end of Hilltop Street in Bateau Bay and is part of Wyrrabalong National Park. The lookout provides a beautifull view of The Entrance and the Tuggerah Lakes system and is a popular spot for whale watching during the winter months. Picnic tables are provided but there are no barbeque facilites.
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