Best boutique shopping on the Central Coast

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From premium fashion to vintage finds to gorgeous homewares, we round up 12 of the best stores to browse while on the Central Coast.

1. La Boheme, Terrigal

The romantic, flowing pieces from La Bohème make for the perfect coastal wardrobe. This luxe store is located in an inconspicuous spot on the Scenic Highway between Terrigal and Avoca.

Pieces from La Bohème make for the perfect coastal wardrobe.

La Boheme’s collection is all about relaxed styles, pastel colours and exotic prints from premium brands including La  Bohème Girls, Free People, Bec & Bridge and Kinga Csilla. It’s also the only store on the Coast where you can buy pieces from Spell & The Gypsy Collective and luxe activewear brand PE Nation, so you can keep active while looking stylish.

Address: 1/271 Scenic Hwy, Terrigal

2. Montaze, Erina

For more than 10 years, Montaze has been one of the Coast’s most iconic fashion stores and over the years it has evolved into a beautiful cavern of homewares, interior decorating and gifts, too. There is a focus on premium Australian labels such as Camilla and Auguste the Label, as well as candles by Glasshouse Fragrances, coastal-inspired homewares by Amalfi and handcrafted jewellery by Krystle Knight and Temple of the Sun.

Montaze is one of the Coast’s most iconic fashion stores.

Address: Shop 8, Fountain Plaza, 148 The Entrance Road, Erina

3. Drift Home & Living, Forresters Beach

Add serious design cred to your home with a unique piece from Drift Home and Living sourced from around the world. Think African beaded wall hangings, macramé pendant lights, jute placemats and coasters, whitewashed mirrors imported from India, Turkish cotton bath towels and more.

Drift Home and Living sources from around the world.

Address: 1/15-17 Forresters Beach Rd, Forresters Beach

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4. Bull & China, Erina Heights

Cool and casual with a hint of fun… if this describes your style then be sure to stop by Bull & China, a women’s fashion boutique located at Erina Heights. Here you’ll find affordable everyday staples from labels such as Elm Lifestyle, Betty Basics, Refuge Denim and Little Lies. There are also fashionable travel kicks from Rollie Nation Shoes and Australian-owned Human Premium Shoes, and a selection of gorgeous accessories to peruse while you’re there.

Be sure to stop by Bull & China.

Address: Shop 4/372 The Entrance Rd, Erina Heights

5. Blackbird, Bateau Bay

Located at Bateau Bay Road shops, Blackbird is somewhat of a hidden gem that you should definitely seek out if in the area. Browsing the Australian and locally made products, you will find everything from leather clutches to vintage-style jewellery, vibrant print dresses to classic Levi jeans, toxin-free sunscreen, organic loose-leaf tea, natural rattan light pendants and lush indoor plants. You can even purchase local Bateau Bay honey here, straight from the hive.

clothes display at Blackbird Bateau Bay
Great fashion finds await you at Blackbird Bateau Bay.

Address: 101A Bateau Bay Rd, Bateau Bay

6. The Flowerseekers in Bloom, Wamberal

This is the bricks-and-mortar store of the magazine The Flowerseekers, a quarterly created for florists, growers and everyday people who simply love beautiful blooms. Owner Sonya Gardiner wanted a space to physically showcase the concept behind the magazine, not only to sell flowers (plants, vases, books, candles, soaps and local honey), but also ­to host workshops such as floral arrangement, embroidery, photography and styling.

The Flowerseekers showcase the concept behind the magazine.

Address: Shop 3/82 Ocean View Drive, Wamberal

7. Antigua Collective, Terrigal

Cool, classic and chic – that’s what you can expect from Antigua Collective at Terrigal, a premium women’s fashion store that opened early 2019 across from the beach. This beautiful boho-luxe store offers customers a personalised, but relaxed shopping experience. Here you’ll find pieces of a mostly neutral palette, with easy-wear cuts and great quality fabrics from labels such as Apéro, eb&ive, Le Specs and Bird & Kite, as well as its very own Antigua Collective, Antigua Jewellery and Antigua Home.

Antigua collective showcases beautiful boho-luxe wares.

Address: 96 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal

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8. Shadow Bang Apothecary & Supply, Long Jetty

Housed in a quirky A-frame building on the main strip of Long Jetty, Shadow Bang is a gorgeously curated fashion and herbal goods dispensary store. Here, you’ll find an array of wellness products such as essential oils and organic tea, handmade leather shoes and artisan-designed jewellery. There is a focus on small business brands, many of which make their small-batch products with an ethical focus, so you can feel good about your purchase in more ways than one.

Shadow Bang is a gorgeously curated fashion and herbal goods dispensary store.

Address: 310B The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty

9. Bohemian Traders, Erina Heights

Homegrown label Bohemian Traders has become a favourite with Central Coast fashionistas. Specialising in relaxed and effortless fashion, the store is known for its ‘classic European cuts designed for the modern bohemian’. The range includes pretty dresses, light linen pieces, beautiful blouses, timeless swimwear, and a range of denim designed to flatter women of all shapes and sizes. There’s also a mens’ and kids’ collection, so the whole family can get the look.

bright-hued outfit collection at Bohemian Traders
Elevate your everyday outfit with this bright-hued fashion collection.

Address: Shop 2A, 490 Central Coast Highway, Erina Heights

10. Piccolo Pear, East Gosford

If you’re looking for a unique gift for someone special, Piccolo Pear is a delightful emporium of flowers, premium stationery, handmade ceramics, quirky kids’ products, classic collectables and one-off vintage finds. The thoughtful curation of well-designed, quality wares found in this whimsical store is a joy to browse, and the lingering scent of fresh flowers adds to the beauty of it all.

wide selection of clothes and gift display at Piccolo Pear
Shop for holiday gifts at the Piccolo Pear.

Address: 57 Victoria Street, East Gosford

Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.