Killcare Travel Guide: Boutique Beaches & Fine Dining
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Just 90 minutes from Sydney, this tiny, boutique coastal village offers tranquil beaches combined with award-winning dining. Where nearby Terrigal draws the crowds, Killcare attracts couples and food lovers seeking quality over quantity. Killcare consists of a surf beach on one side and a calm bay at the other. Sitting on the Bouddi Peninsula, the town is the gateway to the 8 km Bouddi Coastal Walk.
This complete Killcare travel guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect weekend escape, from the best beaches and walks to where to eat and stay.
Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with honest, practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the beaches we’ve swum at, the restaurants we’ve eaten at, the walks we’ve actually done. This page may contain affiliate links; if you book or buy through them, Next Escape may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Is Killcare worth visiting?
Yes – Killcare is a boutique coastal destination offering the award-winning Bells at Killcare restaurant, quiet, tranquil beaches and the Bouddi Coastal Walk. Unlike the crowds at Terrigal or the family focus of Ettalong or Umina Beach, Killcare caters to couples and food lovers seeking quality dining, quiet beaches, and upscale accommodation. It’s small – you won’t find endless restaurant options – but what’s here is excellent.
Why visit Killcare?
- Bells at Killcare (award-winning restaurant and boutique accommodation)
- Quiet, tranquil beaches
- Bayside dining and picnics
- Bouddi National Park walks
- Perfect for romantic weekends and special occasions
- Close to Avoca (18 minutes) and Terrigal (20 minutes) for more dining variety
- Quieter than other Central Coast locations
Killcare at a glance
| Distance from Sydney | 1.5 hours (driving) |
| Best for | Romantic getaways, couples, food lovers, quiet beaches |
| Known for | Bells at Killcare, Killcare Beach, Putty Beach, boutique charm |
| Ideal stay | 2 nights |
| Best time to visit | Spring and autumn (mild weather, fewer crowds and not too hot for walking) |
How long should you stay in Killcare?
- Ideal stay: 2 nights
- Day trip from Sydney: possible (e.g. for lunch at Bells at Killcare), but staying overnight gives you more time to enjoy a long lunch or dinner and a quiet morning beach walk
- Weekend: perfect for a romantic escape
- 3+ nights: only if you are planning to use Killcare as a base to explore the region, or you have self-catering accommodation and are planning a slow stay (swims, board games and long lunches) – Killcare itself is small
Best things to do in Killcare
Killcare Beach & Putty Beach
Killcare Beach and Putty Beach are two ends of the same 1.6 km stretch of sand. Killcare Beach is located at the southern end and is patrolled 7 days a week from late September through to Anzac Day. At the southern end you’ll find the Surf Life Saving Club, the Killcare Beach kiosk and rock pools to explore. The kiosk offers coffees, drinks, wraps, burgers and sandwiches and has a shaded seating area.
Putty Beach is located at the northern end and is quieter and unpatrolled. The Bouddi Coastal Walk finishes at Putty Beach (or starts, depending on which direction you take!). There is a car park at the Putty Beach end which is $8 a day.
Important note: The exact dates the beaches are patrolled changes each year, so be sure to check the beachsafe website if you are not sure.
Dine and stay at Bells at Killcare
Bells at Killcare is a gorgeous boutique hotel and restaurant in Killcare Heights, up the hill from Killcare Beach on one side and Hardys Bay on the other. Accommodation available is a range of Hampton-style 1 or 2 bedroom cottages and 2 bedroom lodges. The grounds are beautiful, with little creeks, meandering paths and a manicured lawn with plenty of spots to sit, read and relax.
The restaurant, The Wild Flower Bar & Dining, features fresh, seasonal produce-inspired menus, an excellent wine list and a sunny and friendly atmosphere.
Personal note: If you’d like to do the Bouddi Coastal Walk, you can arrange for the Bells team to pick you up from Putty Beach at the end – saving you the last trek up a steep hill!
Bouddi Coastal Walk
The Bouddi Coastal Walk runs from MacMasters Beach to Putty Beach. It’s 8km end to end and is a relatively easy hike with some steps and short steep hills. If you are not keen on the full 8km, or are not setting off from MacMasters Beach, you can also select a shorter section. The National Parks website also has further suggestions to break the walk up.
If staying at Bells at Killcare, a great option is to walk or drive from Bells to the Maitland Bay Information Centre, then walk the Maitland Bay Track (2.1 km, mostly downhill), then walk from Maitland Bay around the coastal walk to Putty Beach (5.8km). Bells then offers a pickup service from Putty Beach or the Killcare Surf Life Saving Club (at the Killcare Beach end) to drive you back up the hill after you finish your walk.
Tip: The walk has limited facilities – bring plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen. There are toilets at the Maitland Bay Information Centre, Putty Beach and MacMasters Beach.
Hardys Bay waterfront
On the other side of Killcare Heights from the beach you’ll find Hardys Bay. This calm waterfront bay includes a little wharf, several shops and some great cafes. There’s a large grassed area alongside the bay with plenty of picnic tables. For takeaway to eat at a picnic, The Fat Goose is a great option (it also has a lovely terrace to eat in). Right on the bay is Anchor, with fantastic food and a great Italian wine list, perfect for a long lunch looking out over the bay.
Where to eat and drink in Killcare
Killcare’s restaurant and cafe scene offers high-quality dining options despite its small size.
- Excellent dining: Bells at Killcare (The Wild Flower Bar & Dining)
- Lunch with a view: Anchor
- Breakfast by the bay: The Fat Goose
- Takeaway pastries: Bells Bakery & Larder
Although this is absolutely quality dining, the atmosphere isn’t stuffy. It’s more of a stylish, casual coastal vibe with friendly, rather than formal, service. The menu is focused around fresh, seasonal produce and the meals are generous, tasty and gorgeously presented. There are often kids dining at lunch or early evening and the restaurant does offer a kid’s menu.
The optional Chef’s menu is guaranteed to fill you up (and make you glad you only have a short walk back to your cottage!). Our favourites when we visited were the eye fillet (cooked to perfection), the caviar (pictured below) and the mozzarella.
Booking is essential and we’d recommend booking well in advance for weekend lunch or dinner times.
Anchor on Hardys Bay: mains $24 – $46
Friendly service, fantastic food, great views on a sunny day and the piano being played behind us – it doesn’t get better than this! Anchor offers Italian food with generous share plates to enjoy slowly over a long lunch. The wine menu is particularly good with a great selection of Italian wines.
Personal note: We arrived early and got a great table outside but it did then fill up quite quickly so good to book on weekends or peak season.
The Fat Goose: breakfast $14 – $27
Friendly and casual, this cafe sits down on the Hardys Bay side of Killcare. There’s a huge breakfast (and lunch) selection available – like breakfast burritos (our pick), corn fritters and mushrooms on toast. It’s an all day menu so you can get breakfast anytime. There’s also a great selection of take-home food, like pastries and pies, to pick up on your way back to Sydney.
Bells Bakery & Larder
Alongside the Bells restaurant you’ll find the Bells Bakery & Larder with fresh baked bread, pastries and takeaway coffee and food (quiches, sausage rolls). This is a perfect stop before heading back to Sydney for a coffee to-go and pastry for the drive plus some sausage rolls for an easy dinner when you get home.
Where to stay in Killcare
Killcare accommodation is mainly self-catering beach houses and apartments and you can find a good range on Booking.com or Stayz. If you are not interested in self-catering, Bells at Killcare offers boutique accommodation and is an excellent choice.
For more options at various price points, consider staying in Terrigal or Ettalong.
Bells at Killcare
See the “Best things to do in Killcare” section above for details about Bells.
Nearby: Crowne Plaza, Terrigal
The Crowne Plaza has been part of the Terrigal landscape since the 1980s and is an easy, clean and comfortable place to stay. You are right across the road from the beach and in the heart of Terrigal’s cafes and restaurants. The facilities are all you would expect from a 4-star hotel, with a great pool, spa, gym and parking. There’s a mix of rooms and suites, all with balconies and most with ocean views. Terrigal is around 20 minutes from Killcare.
Nearby: Mantra Ettalong Beach
Ettalong Beach is a 10 minute drive from Killcare. The Mantra is one of the most prominent landmarks along Ettalong Beach, with its tiered multi-storey structure. It’s a 4-star hotel with a great central pool and fantastic views from most rooms. Our room was clean, well sized and comfortable with a great view across the pool to the beach.
Best time to visit Killcare
- Summer: peak beach season, perfect for swimming. Busier than other seasons but still much quieter than Terrigal or Ettalong.
- Autumn: still warm enough for swimming, fewer crowds after school returns, perfect for walks in the National Park.
- Winter: quiet beaches and off-season rates, too cold for most swimmers but great for rugged up beach walks and long lunches at Bells.
- Spring: warming up, less crowded than summer. Comfortable for beach walks and exploring Bouddi National Park.
Perfect Killcare itinerary options
2-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive late morning/early afternoon -> Afternoon beach time at Killcare Beach -> Sunset beach walk -> Dinner at Bells at Killcare (pre-booked)
Day 2: Breakfast at The Fat Goose -> Bouddi Coastal Walk -> Lunch at The Anchor (pre-booked) -> Casual dinner in the bar at Bells
Extending beyond 2 days
If extending beyond 2 days, we suggest:
- Day trip to Terrigal (20 minutes) – The Skillion walk, beach and lunch
- Multiple Bouddi National Park walks
- Visiting Pretty Beach for an alternative beach day
- Second meal at Bells (lunch instead of dinner)
What Killcare isn’t
Killcare isn’t a budget destination – accommodation and dining, especially Bells at Killcare, come with premium price tags. It’s also not a place with endless activity options – there are beautiful beaches and walks, but limited restaurants, shops, or entertainment beyond the natural environment.
Killcare is also very small and you can see most of it in a day. Unlike Terrigal or Ettalong Beach where you could easily fill a few days, Killcare is best as a 1-2 night romantic escape or combined with nearby towns for a longer Central Coast trip. If you’re looking for nightlife, shopping, or constant activity, Killcare may feel too quiet.
How to get to Killcare
Driving – 1.5 hours
Train – Train to Woy Woy station (approx 1 hour 20 from central) then taxi to Killcare.
From other Central Coast towns:
- From Terrigal: 20 minute drive
- From Ettalong: 10 minute drive
Local travel tip
Once in Killcare, you’ll need a car. The beaches, Bells at Killcare and the walking track starting points are distributed across the area and not easily walkable from a central location.
FAQs
Sunscreen, swimmers, beach towel, hat for beach days. Good walking shoes if planning Bouddi National Park walks (we did see one small snake on our last walk through).
Killcare is better suited to couples or small adult groups than families with young children. Having said that, there are two bedroom accommodation options at Bells at Killcare and restaurants like Bells and The Fat Goose have kid’s menus. If staying as a family, a self-catering house near the beach would be a great option for lazy beach days.
Yes, Killcare is perfect for couples seeking a romantic, quiet escape. Bells at Killcare is ideal for special occasions, both for accommodation and dining. The National Park walks are uncrowded and there are secluded beaches along the way to spend a quiet afternoon. It’s one of the Central Coast’s best destinations for romantic weekends away from Sydney.
Killcare Beach and Putty Beach are northern and southern ends of the same beach. The Killcare Beach end is patrolled and has the Surf Life Saving Club and kiosk. The Putty Beach end is quieter, not patrolled and is the start of the Bouddi Coastal Walk. There are toilets and parking at both ends (the Putty Beach end is paid parking, the Killcare Beach end is free).
Killcare Beach is the ocean-facing surf beach, while Hardys Bay is on the opposite side of Killcare Heights and is a calm, protected waterfront bay. Hardys Bay is perfect for waterfront dining and picnics, while Killcare Beach is for swimming and surfing. Both are part of the greater Killcare area and just a few minutes drive apart.
Terrigal – 20 minutes north is the larger town of Terrigal with a fantastic beach, The Skillion headland walk and plenty of dining options.
Ettalong – 15 minutes drive for family beaches (Ettalong beach is calm, flat and shallow but not patrolled, nearby Umina Beach is patrolled)
Bouddi National Park – surrounding Killcare with excellent walks, including the Bouddi Coastal Walk, plus spots for swimming, fishing and camping.
No – Killcare is spread out and you’ll need a car to access different beaches (Killcare/Putty Beach ends, Pretty Beach), Hardys Bay, Bells at Killcare, and Bouddi National Park walking tracks.
Yes, there is parking at beach access points (Killcare Beach and Putty Beach). Spaces fill quickly on summer weekends. Bells at Killcare has parking for diners and guests.
Choose Killcare if you want a quiet, romantic escape with upscale dining (Bells at Killcare) and quieter beaches. Choose Terrigal if you want more restaurant variety, The Skillion walk, a livelier beach scene, and more accommodation options. Many visitors combine both – stay in Terrigal for convenience and variety, then visit Killcare for a special dinner at Bells.
Yes, Killcare works as a day trip from Sydney (1.5 hours) or from nearby Terrigal/Ettalong. Spend the morning at Killcare/Putty Beach, have lunch at Bells (book ahead!), and do a section of the Bouddi Coastal Walk. However, staying overnight gives you a more relaxed experience, allows you to enjoy dinner without rushing and have time for a morning swim and coffee at the beach.
Killcare is ideal for:
- Couples seeking romantic, quiet escapes
- Food lovers wanting to experience Bells at Killcare
- Special occasions and proposals
Killcare offers quiet, boutique quality. While it lacks the variety of Terrigal or the family facilities of Ettalong Beach, that’s exactly its appeal. Killcare is perfect for couples looking for secluded beaches, excellent dining, and a true sense of escape from the city.