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Terrigal
Central CoastNew South Wales
Terrigal Magnificence - panoramio.jpg
Terrigal Haven
Terrigal is located in New South Wales
Terrigal
Terrigal
Location in New South Wales
Postcode(s) 2260
Elevation 9 m (30 ft)
Area 9.1 km2 (3.5 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s) Central Coast Council
Parish Kincumber
State electorate(s) Terrigal
Federal Division(s)
Localities around Terrigal:
Erina Heights Wamberal
Erina Terrigal Tasman Sea
Picketts Valley Avoca Beach North Avoca

Terrigal is a lovely coastal town in New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Central Coast region. This town is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) east of Gosford. It sits right on the Pacific Ocean. Terrigal is managed by the Central Coast Council.

Terrigal's Past: A Quick Look

Terrigal was first settled by Europeans in 1826. A man named John Gray named his property "Tarrygal". This name came from an Aboriginal word. It means 'place of little birds'.

Early jobs here included cutting wood at sawmills. People also built ships. Thomas Davis built a famous steamship called the General Gordon in 1886. This ship worked on the Hawkesbury River.

Exploring Terrigal's Geography and Climate

Terrigal has a long, popular beach. Many tourists visit, and there's a big Crowne Plaza hotel. The town also has two lagoons. One lagoon was filled in to make a traffic circle.

The Skillion: A Famous Landmark

A well-known landmark is "The Skillion". This is a rocky point that offers amazing views of Terrigal. The local council has worked to improve The Skillion recently.

Pointa
The Haven – 2006

The Skillion is part of a protected area called "The Haven". The Haven has a popular public oval. This oval is home to the "Terrigal Trojans", a Rugby Union club. In summer, it's used by the Terrigal Matcham Cricket Club. The Haven also has a boat ramp. There are a few restaurants and cafes here too.

Terrigal's Growth and Weather

The Central Coast Council has improved Terrigal's town center. They built a multi-level car park and a walkway along the beach. Terrigal has grown a lot since the 1970s. Back then, it had only one market and a few orchards.

Terrigal is a popular beach spot. The weather is usually mild to warm all year. It can get a bit cool during the winter months.

Important Places to See in Terrigal

Terrigal has many interesting natural and man-made landmarks.

The Skillion: A Natural Wonder

The Skillion is a rock formation. It was formed a very long time ago in the Triassic Period. It's a beautiful natural feature. The other side of The Skillion has a very steep hill. Locals and tourists use it for exercise.

Terrigal Lagoon: Fun on the Water

Terrigal Lagoon is a coastal lagoon. It's popular for activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. Sometimes, the lagoon is closed off from the sea.

Terrigal Boardwalk: A Coastal Walkway

The Terrigal Boardwalk opened on April 14, 2021. The Central Coast Council built it. It connects Terrigal Beach to the rockpools, boat ramp, and The Skillion.

Terrigal Foreshore War Memorial

The Terrigal Foreshore War Memorial was rebuilt in 2019. It combines two older memorials. One was near the Surf Life Saving Club. The other was the Erina District War Memorial.

Who Lives in Terrigal?

According to the 2021 census, about 12,730 people live in Terrigal.

Things to Do in Terrigal

Terrigal has many facilities for residents and visitors. There's a recently rebuilt hotel (from 2006). The town has a primary school and a high school. There's also a Catholic school.

Terrigal has a basketball stadium. Olympic athletes used it for training before the 2000 Sydney Olympics. There's also a large oval with three fields. Many sports are played there all year. A skate park opened in 2018.

In April 2011, a ship called HMAS Adelaide was sunk near Terrigal. It is now a popular spot for scuba divers.

Getting Around Terrigal

Terrigal is not far from large shopping centers. The M1 freeway is about 19 kilometers (12 miles) away. This freeway connects to Sydney in the south and Newcastle in the north.

You can get to Terrigal by car using Terrigal Drive, Scenic Highway, and Ocean View Drive. Busways routes 67 and 68 also serve Terrigal. These buses go to Gosford station.

Gallery

A panoramic view of Terrigal, with a storm out to sea, 2007
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