The Entrance, New South Wales

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The Entrance is a town in the Central Coast region of the Australian state of New South Wales. It lies approximately 90 km north of the Sydney CBD. It is located and named for the entrance to Tuggerah Lake, a large shallow coastal lake. The town is within the area of the Wyong Shire Council, and is the northern end of the residential development that stretches from Gosford.

The town became known as a holiday destination as early as the 1920s, as it lies between Pacific Ocean surf beaches and Tuggerah Lake within easy reach of Sydney. The town has become particularly attractive as a place of retirement. In the 1990s multiple Apartment buildings, each of several stories, were built and through traffic was diverted around the central business district of the town. The Waterfront district in particular has been developed as a pedestrian and cycling precinct, incorporating Pelican Plaza.

Icons

The new Entrance Bridge

The Entrance Bridge links The Entrance with The Entrance North over The Entrance Channel as part of Wilfred Barrett Drive. It was originally a wooden single lane bridge with bypass bays that allowed traffic travelling in the opposite direction to pass. It was opened in 1934. The original bridge was adequate until 1965 as it only served traffic travelling as far as The Entrance North. By the end of 1965 the traffic flow over the old bridge at The Entrance increased to such an extent the structure was under constant repair. Work began on the current two lane, concrete structure on 17 July 1967 after a successful tender by Transbridge Pty Ltd. The bridge was opened to traffic on 20 December 1968 and officially opened by the Premier, the Hon. Robert Askin on 18 April 1969.History of Wyong Shire: 1947-1997, page 113-114.

The Entrance Cinema is another well-known icon. It is located on the corner of The Entrance Road and Bayview Mall. The cinema was opened as The Prince Edward theatre in 1934 and was immediately popular due to the fire that burnt the other theatre in The Entrance, the Wintergarden Theatre in the same year. The Prince Edward theatre closed in 1977 but was reopened in 1981 when it was purchased and converted into a smaller cinema. A second screen was added in 1988.History of Wyong Shire: 1947-1997, page 221. The cinema achieved notority in 2006 when it refused to screen the film, The Da Vinci Code as it was contrary to the owners beliefs.

Politics

2003 NSW Election   Labor 52%   Liberal 36%   Greens 6%   Democrats 1%

2004 Federal Election   Liberal 50%   Labor 36%   Greens 5%   Independents 3%

The Entrance is located within the federal electorate of Dobell. Ken Ticehurst currently represents the electorate of Canberra in the House of Representatives. Dobell was originally a fairly safe seat for the Australian Labor Party but was won by the Liberal Party in the 2001 election. The Liberals consolidated their hold on the seat at the 2004 election, and Dobell is no longer regarded as a key marginal electorate.

In the NSW Legislative Assembly, The Entrance is part of the Electoral district of The Entrance. The electorate is considered a safe seat for the Labor Party who have held the seat since 1992. It is represented by Grant McBride.

Polling statistics are shown to the right for the Dobell in the 2003 NSW and 2004 federal elections.

Pelican Feeding

Daily feeding of the pelicans

Children playing in the sculptored fountain

The town is known for the 3.30pm daily feeding of Australian Pelicans at Pelican plaza, a free event that always attracts a crowd. The feeding of the pelicans started during the mid 1980s when staff at a local fish and chip shop started feeding fish scraps to the pelicans. This became a regular event, and has been taken over by Council with sponsorship by local businesses. The event is also an opportunity for wildlife staff to inspect pelicans closely for disease and injury, including from fish hooks and plastic bags. The town has built an international reputation as 'The Pelican Capital of Australia'.

The Waterfront area also includes children's playgrounds, a beautiful sculptored fountain for children of all ages to play in, as well as restaurants, cafes, fish and chip shops, hotels and apartment accommodation.

Transportation

• Route 21 | Gosford - The Entrance North. Via East Gosford, Erina, Erina Heights, Wamberal, Forresters Beach, Bateau Bay, Long Jetty and The Entrance.
• Route 22 | Gosford - The Entrance. Via East Gosford, Erina, Erina Heights, Wamberal, Forresters Beach, Bateau Bay, Killarney Vale and Long Jetty.
• Route 23 | Gosford - The Entrance. Via East Gosford, Erina, Erina Heights, Wamberal, Forresters Beach, Bateau Bay and Long Jetty.
• Route 24 | Hamlyn Terrace - The Entrance Via Wadalba, Watanobbi, Wyong, Mardi, Tuggerah, Chittaway Bay, Berkeley Vale, Glenning Valley, Tumbi Umbi, Killarney Vale, Bateau Bay, Toowoon Bay and Long Jetty.
• Route 25 | Wyong - The Entrance. Via Mardi, Tuggerah, Chittaway Bay, Berkeley Vale, Glenning Valley, Tumbi Umbi, Killarney Vale, Bateau Bay, Toowoon Bay and Long Jetty.
• Route 26 | Hamlyn Terrace - The Entrance Via Wadalba, Watanobbi, Wyong, Mardi, Tuggerah, Chittaway Bay, Berkeley Vale, Glenning Valley, Tumbi Umbi, Killarney Vale, Bateau Bay, Toowoon Bay and Long Jetty.
• Route 29 | Hamlyn Terrace - Bateau Bay. Via Kanwal, Lake Haven, Gorokan, Toukley, New South Wales, Noraville, The Entrance North, The Entrance and Long Jetty.

[Red Bus Homepage]

[Night Owl Homepage]

References

External links

• [The Entrance Central Coast Business and Tourism]

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