{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{distinguish|Avoca, New South Wales}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = suburb | name = Avoca Beach | city = Central Coast | state = NSW | image = File:Avoca from the air - panoramio.jpg | caption = The view of Avoca Beach and the rockpool | local_map = yes | zoom = 12 | coordinates = {{coord|33|27|54|S|151|26|06|E|display=inline,title}} | lga = {{NSWcity|Central Coast Council|b1=on}} | postcode = 2251 | pop = 4,708 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=census>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL10115|name=Avoca Beach (suburb and locality)|access-date=19 January 2026|quick=on}}</ref> | elevation = 8 | area = 4.0 | est = | parish = Kincumber<ref name=gnb>{{NSW GNR|id=SXKqwp|title=Avoca Beach (Suburb)|access-date=2007-07-16}}</ref> | stategov = Terrigal | fedgov = Robertson | dist1 = 92 | dir1 = NNE | location1 = Sydney | dist2 = 17 | dir2 = ESE | location2 = Gosford | dist3 = 8 | dir3 = S | location3 = Terrigal | dist4 = 22 | dir4 = SSW | location4 = The Entrance | near-nw = Picketts Valley | near-n = Terrigal | near-ne = North Avoca | near-w = Kincumber | near-e = ''Tasman Sea'' | near-sw = Kincumber | near-s = Kincumber | near-se = Copacabana }}
'''Avoca Beach''' ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|v|oʊ|k|ə}}) is a coastal suburb of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, about {{convert|95|km|mi|0}} north of Sydney. Avoca Beach is primarily a residential suburb, but also a popular tourist destination. It is known for its surfing and state (regional) surf competitions. It is located within the {{NSWcity|Central Coast Council|b1=on}} local government area.
Avoca Beach village has a variety of restaurants and cafes as well as a post office, newsagent, pharmacy and mini-mart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/central-coast/gosford-area/avoca-beach|title=Avoca Beach|publisher=Destination NSW|access-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> Avoca Beach also has a historic cinema, a hotel, bowling club, motel and caravan park.
==Geography== Avoca Beach is located on the Tasman Sea {{convert|17|km|mi|0}} east-southeast of the Gosford central business district, and about halfway between Newcastle and Sydney, being about {{convert|95|km|mi|0}} from each. It is bordered to the north by the Bulbararing Lagoon, to the west by Saltwater Creek and to the east by the ocean.<ref name=ubd>{{cite book|title=Central Coast Street Directory|edition=13|year=2003|author=UBD|publisher=Universal Press|isbn=0-7319-1475-9|no-pp=true|page=Map 99}}</ref>
==History== The area was originally inhabited by the Darkinjung & Awabakal Aboriginal people. "Avoca" is an Irish name meaning "great estuary" or "where the river meets the sea", and is also the name of a town in County Wicklow, Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/placenames.html |title=Placenames |author=Gosford City Library |access-date=2007-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829110258/http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/placenames.html |archive-date=29 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 4 January 1830, {{convert|640|acre|ha|0}} of land in the area were promised to Irish army officer John Moore. However, the official deeds were not issued until 30 September 1839, due to the difficulty in surveying the land. He built a house opposite Bulbararing Lake (now known as Avoca Lake) and planted vines, cereals and fruit trees. He left the area in 1857 for the Victorian goldfields.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pratt|first=Eileen|year=1978|title=Place Names of the Central Coast|publisher=Brisbane Water Historical Society and The Entrance and District Society|page=4}}</ref> In the late 19th century, Tom Davis leased the area in order to exploit local timber, which was transported by tram to a mill at Terrigal via what is now Tramway Road in North Avoca.<ref name=theage>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/New-South-Wales/Avoca-Beach/2005/02/17/1108500192603.html|title=Travel - Avoca Beach|author=Fairfax Digital|date=8 February 2004|access-date=2007-07-16 | location=Melbourne | work=The Age}}</ref>
thumb|left|Avoca Beach in the 1950s In the 1950s, commercial buildings began to be built and populated, including bakery, service station, butchery, mini mart, caravan park and the Avoca Beach Theatre.
Residential development in Avoca Beach began during the 20th century, and the area subsequently became a popular holiday retreat with wealthy residents of Sydney's North Shore.<ref name="theage" />
In February 2010, following the proposal to scuttle the frigate {{HMAS|Adelaide|FFG 01|6}} off the beach as a dive wreck in late March, a resident action group was formed to protest against this.<ref name=Trembath>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2838252.htm |title=HMAS Adelaide to sleep with the fishes |last=Trembath |first=Brendan |date=5 March 2010 |publisher=ABC News|location=Australia |access-date=12 March 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100307063029/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2838252.htm| archive-date= 7 March 2010 | url-status= dead}}</ref> The group claims that the wreck will negatively affect surf conditions, tides, and littoral sand drift, and is concerned over the thoroughness of inspection and removal of dangerous materials and chemicals from the former warship, with the chance that marine life and people could be poisoned.<ref name=Trembath/><ref name=EAWyong>{{cite web|url=http://express-advocate-wyong.whereilive.com.au/news/story/avoca-residents-step-up-campaign-to-delay-sinking-of-ex-hmas-adelaide/|title=Avoca residents step up campaign to delay sinking of ex-HMAS Adelaide|author=Denice Barnes|date=February 2010|access-date=2010-02-27}}</ref><ref name=West>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/scuttled-ship-would-wreck-bay-residents-20100306-ppni.html |title=Scuttled ship would wreck bay: residents |last=West |first=Andrew |date=7 March 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=12 March 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100308161941/http://www.smh.com.au/environment/scuttled-ship-would-wreck-bay-residents-20100306-ppni.html| archive-date= 8 March 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> An appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal three days before the planned scuttling date of 27 March led to a postponement of the plan until the residents' claims were investigated.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/25/2855471.htm |title=Plans to sink warship scuttled by court order |last=ABC News|location=Australia |date=25 March 2010 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=25 March 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100327100749/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/25/2855471.htm| archive-date= 27 March 2010 | url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/tribunal-scuppers-plan-to-sink-ship-20100324-qwti.html |title=Tribunal scuppers plan to sink ship |last=Tovey |first=Josephine |author2=Harvey, Ellie |date=25 March 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=25 March 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100325212444/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/tribunal-scuppers-plan-to-sink-ship-20100324-qwti.html| archive-date= 25 March 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The decision from the Tribunal, in favor of the project going ahead after further cleanup work, was handed down on 15 September 2010, and despite further attempts to delay, ''Adelaide'' was scuttled on 13 April 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/judge-orders-tough-new-rules-for-scuttling-20100915-15crw.html |title=Judge orders tough new rules for scuttling |last=Harvey |first=Ellie |author2=West, Andrew |date=16 September 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=20 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100918103720/http://www.smh.com.au/environment/judge-orders-tough-new-rules-for-scuttling-20100915-15crw.html| archive-date= 18 September 2010 | url-status= live}} </ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/04/13/3190277.htm |title=Dolphins delay scuttling of HMAS Adelaide |last=McMahon |first=Jeanette |date=13 April 2011 |work=1223 ABC Newcastle |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=14 April 2011}}</ref>
==Demographics== At the ABS 2021 census, Avoca Beach had a population of 4,708 people. 76.9% of people were born in Australia. The next most common country of birth was England at 8.2%. 92.1% of people only spoke English at home. The most common responses for religion in Avoca Beach were No Religion 46.6%, Catholic 19.3% and Anglican 14.4%.<ref name=census/>
Avoca Beach residents had a median age of 43, the same as the Central Coast local government area.<ref name=abs_cc>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=LGA11650|name= Central Coast LGA|access-date=19 January 2026|quick=on}}</ref> Median individual incomes in Avoca Beach were above average for the region — $927 per week compared with $727 per week. The 2021 Census reported 1,539 occupied private dwellings, of which 86.7% were separate houses, and the median monthly housing loan repayment of $2,508 was well above the regional average of $2,000.
In 2020, Avoca Beach's median house price was $1,150,000 versus $940,000 for the Central Coast region.<ref name=domain>{{cite web|url=http://www.domain.com.au/public/SuburbProfile.aspx?suburb=Avoca%20Beach&postcode=2251|title=Locality details - Avoca Beach 2251|author=Domain (Fairfax Digital)|date=July 2007|access-date=2007-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181559/http://www.domain.com.au/public/SuburbProfile.aspx?suburb=Avoca%20Beach&postcode=2251|archive-date=30 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Education== Avoca Beach has a state primary school, which first opened in 1935. The suburb is within Kincumber High School's catchment area.
==Politics== At federal level, Avoca Beach is within the Division of Robertson. In the Federal election of May 2022 it was won by Gordon Reid of the Australian Labor Party, previously held for nine years by Lucy Wicks of the Liberal Party of Australia.
In the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Avoca Beach is within the electorate of Terrigal, currently held by Adam Crouch of the Liberal Party.
Polling place statistics are presented below from the ''Avoca Beach'' polling place in the elections leading up to and including the 2019 federal and state elections as indicated.
{| style="margin-top: 0em; margin-left: 1em;" |- | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2019 federal election | elecref = AEC [https://tallyroom.aec.gov.au/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-24310-2586.htm] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 43.7 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 32.7 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 14.2 | party4 = IND | percent4 = 3.7 | party5 = AJP | percent5 = 1.8}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2016 federal election | elecref = AEC [https://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-20499-2586.htm] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 49.1 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 33.1 | party3 = GRN | percent4 = 11.3 | party4 = CDP | percent3 = 2.55 | party5 = IND | percent5 = 2.2}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2013 federal election | elecref = AEC [https://results.aec.gov.au/17496/Website/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-17496-2586.htm] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 43.6 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 33.2 | party4 = IND | percent4 = 9.2 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 7.3 | party5 = IND | percent5 = 2.5}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2010 federal election | elecref = AEC [http://results.aec.gov.au/15508/website/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-15508-2586.htm] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 41.7 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 37.6 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 11.7 | party4 = IND | percent4 = 2.9 | party5 = CDP | percent5 = 2.3}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2007 federal election | elecref = AEC [http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-13745-2586.htm] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 46.1 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 40.2 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 10.5 | party4 = CDP | percent4 = 2.09 | party5 = FFP | percent5 = 0.57}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2004 federal election | elecref = AEC [http://results.aec.gov.au/12246/results/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-12246-2586.htm] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 53.7 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 32.3 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 11.0 | party4 = FFP | percent4 = 1.54 | party5 = ONP | percent5 = 0.92}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2001 federal election | elecref = AEC [http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2001/results/2586.htm#2586] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 51.2 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 30.4 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 6.14 | party4 = DEM | percent4 = 3.91 | party5 = IND | percent5 = 3.36}} |- | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2019 state election | elecref = [https://vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/la/terrigal/cc/fp_summary ECNSW] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 48.2 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 24.6 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 12.9 | party4 = IND | percent4 = 3.9 | party5 = SAP | percent5 = 3.1}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2015 state election | elecref = [http://pastvtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/SGE2015/la/terrigal/cc/fp_summary/index.htm ECNSW] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 47.1 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 30.0 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 15.4 | party4 = CDP | percent4 = 2.7 | party5 = NLT | percent5 = 1.0}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2011 state election | elecref = [http://www.pastvtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/SGE2011/la/la_district_summary-Terrigal.htm ECNSW] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 61.0 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 17.8 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 13.5 | party4 = IND | percent4 = 3.2 | party5 = CDP | percent5 = 2.9}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2007 state election | elecref = [http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/state_government_elections/electoral_districts/all_districts_/terrigal/results_2007/first_candidates_post ECNSW] | party1 = LIB | percent1 = 47.6 | party2 = ALP | percent2 = 33.3 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 12.0 | party4 = CDP | percent4 = 3.05 | party5 = AAFI | percent5 = 1.63}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 2003 state election | elecref = [http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/state_government_elections/election_results/district_index/gosford/results/2003 ECNSW] | party1 = ALP | percent1 = 46.8 | party2 = LIB | percent2 = 40.0 | party3 = GRN | percent3 = 10.8 | party4 = DEM | percent4 = 1.06 | party5 = SOS | percent5 = 1.01}} | valign=top | {{Australian Politics Suburb | election = 1999 state election | elecref = [http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/state_government_elections/election_results/district_index/gosford/results/1999 ECNSW] | party1 = ALP | percent1 = 42.5 | party2 = LIB | percent2 = 40.4 | party3 = HAN | percent3 = 3,76 | party4 = DEM | percent4 = 3.60 | party5 = GRN | percent5 = 3.43}} |}
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Avoca Headland Big surf - panoramio.jpg|Avoca Headland big surf File:Avoca from the air - panoramio.jpg|Avoca from the air File:Avoca Beach, New South Wales 04.jpg|Avoca Beach, facing north near the lagoon File:Surfers at Avoca Beach, New South Wales.jpg|Surfers and beachgoers on a busy summer day File:Avoca Beach, New South Wales- facing south towards Surf Club.jpg|Avoca Beach, New South Wales- facing south towards surf club </gallery>
{{wide image|Avoca Beach, New South Wales facing south.jpg|1200px| A panoramic view of Avoca facing south, with a storm building, 2014}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book|last=Swancott|first=Charles|title=Enchanted waters : Terrigal, Wamberal, Erina, Avoca, Kincumber, etc. (2nd ed.)|year=1961|location=Woy Woy}} * {{cite book|author=Avoca Beach Primary School|title=Avoca Beach Public School, 50th Anniversary, 1935-1985|year=1985|publisher=Avoca Beach Public School |isbn=1-86252-136-0}} * {{cite book|title=Surf environment analysis : Avoca Beach (Report no. 91078)|author=Coasts and Rivers Branch|publisher=Department of Public Works (NSW)|year=1991|isbn=0-7305-8655-3}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202810/http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/council/policies/dcp_register/dcp-159-statements/Avoca.pdf/view DCP 159 - Character Statement for Avoca] (Gosford City Council) * [http://www.hmasadelaide.com Artificial Reef Dive] (NSW Dept of Lands)
{{Suburbs of Central Coast (New South Wales)}}
Category:Suburbs of the Central Coast (New South Wales)