Lake on one side, ocean on the other
The Entrance sits on the channel where Tuggerah Lake opens to the sea. Moisture comes from both directions, and on still, humid days bathrooms without good ventilation never really dry out. That shapes almost every decision — from the exhaust fan to the grout.
The housing here
Waterfront holiday units. Blocks along the lakefront, the Esplanade and the streets back from the beach. A mix of older walk-ups and newer apartments, many used as holiday rentals or weekenders. Bathrooms are compact and internal.
Long Jetty and Shelly Beach cottages. Fibro and weatherboard homes, some beautifully kept, some very original, alongside newer townhouses.
Blue Bay and Toowoon Bay homes. Established brick and rendered homes close to the beaches, often owned by long-term locals or retirees.
Over-55s villas and retirement living. Single-level villas where accessible features are a priority.
Common requests
- Level walk-in showers with a hand-held shower and room for a seat. See accessible bathrooms.
- Walls reinforced for grab rails, fitted now or later.
- Tough, easy-clean finishes for holiday rentals.
- Better ventilation in internal unit bathrooms.
- Combining the toilet and bathroom in older cottages.
Holiday rentals and weekenders
If the unit earns income over summer, plan the renovation for autumn or winter and lock in every selection before booking a start date. Owners who live away can have the program, access and handover arranged with a property manager or neighbour holding the keys.
Strata considerations
Most older blocks require owners corporation approval for work involving waterproofing. Check by-laws for noisy-work hours, lift or stair protection, and where the skip or trade vehicles can go, particularly during peak holiday periods when street parking near the waterfront is tight.
Cottage extras
Cottages built before about 1990 are sampled for asbestos before demolition. Subfloors under old showers are checked for rot, and old pipework is replaced while the walls are open. See small bathrooms for ideas suited to compact cottage rooms.
Nearby areas
We also cover Bateau Bay, Killarney Vale, Tuggerah and across toward Terrigal.
Costs
See the 2026 Central Coast cost bands.
Call 02 4307 6205 or pop your bathroom details in the form.
Questions people ask before they commit
Can a holiday unit bathroom be renovated between bookings?
Often, if selections and strata approval are sorted well ahead. A small unit bathroom is commonly two to four weeks on site, so blocking out a quieter period, usually outside summer and school holidays, works best.
Are step-free showers possible in older units?
Sometimes. It depends on the floor construction and how much height is available for the drain fall. In concrete-floored units a level shower may need a set-down or a carefully built-up floor, which is assessed on site and may need strata consent.
Do Long Jetty cottages have hidden problems?
Older fibro and weatherboard cottages can have asbestos sheeting, water damage under the shower and ageing pipes. None of it is unusual, and it is checked and priced before work starts.
What does a bathroom renovation cost at The Entrance?
As a 2026 guide, unit bathrooms commonly run $16,000 to $28,000 once strata logistics are allowed for, and cottage or house bathrooms $15,000 to $32,000 depending on size and what is found behind the walls.