Westfield Tuggerah

Westfield Tuggerah is a major enclosed shopping centre in Tuggerah, on the Central Coast of New South Wales. It is the second-largest shopping centre in the Central Coast region after Erina Fair and is one of only two Westfield-branded centres in New South Wales outside Greater Sydney; the other is Westfield Kotara in Newcastle. The centre serves Tuggerah, Wyong, The Entrance, Lake Haven, Gosford, Ourimbah and surrounding communities, combining department stores, supermarkets, fashion, electronics, entertainment, dining and everyday services. The centre opened on 19 October 1995 after approximately 13 months of construction. Developed on a greenfield site opposite the former Wyong District Abattoirs, the original complex was a single-storey centre surrounded by car parks. Its opening tenant mix included David Jones, Big W, Woolworths, an eight-screen Greater Union cinema, an international food court, the Intencity arcade and about 140 specialty stores. The opening strengthened Tuggerah's role as a regional commercial centre and contributed to a gradual reduction in retail activity in some nearby towns, particularly Wyong. A substantial redevelopment began in the mid-2000s. Construction added a second level to the existing centre in July 2005, followed by a restaurant precinct in September of that year. The broader redevelopment was completed by 2006 and introduced Target, Harris Scarfe, Aldi, Coles, Trade Secret, Lincraft, JB Hi-Fi, Timezone and approximately 90 additional specialty stores. A further expansion received approval in 2008, but that proposal was not implemented. Later plans centred on a proposed two-level Myer store and additional retail and cinema space. Myer announced a proposal in 2009, and a two-stage expansion valued at approximately A$50 million was outlined in 2013, but the Myer project was abandoned in 2015 and the associated expansion plans were suspended. The tenant mix has continued to change. H&M opened its first Central Coast store at the centre in July 2016. TK Maxx replaced Trade Secret in May 2018. Harris Scarfe closed in January 2020, after which JB Hi-Fi relocated into the vacated space. The former Timezone arcade was replaced by iPlay, which opened in March 2021. David Jones reduced its presence to one level in early 2021, and Kmart opened in the former upper-level David Jones space in November of that year. David Jones subsequently closed permanently on 11 January 2026 after three decades of trading, with no replacement announced in the referenced material. Westfield Tuggerah has approximately 84,238 square metres of floor space and 3,157 multi-level car-parking spaces. Its accessibility is a major part of its regional role: Tuggerah railway station is about 400 metres away on the Main Northern railway line, the centre is adjacent to an M1 Motorway exit, and bus services connect it with a broad network of Central Coast suburbs and towns. Major retailers and attractions include Big W, Kmart, Target, Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, H&M, TK Maxx, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel, iPlay and Event Cinemas. The centre forms part of the proposed A$2.8 billion Tuggerah Town Centre masterplan, which envisions the wider Tuggerah area as a mixed-use lifestyle, employment, transport, housing, health, education and leisure hub. Concepts include expanded dining and entertainment at Westfield Tuggerah, development of vacant land behind the centre and across Tonkiss Street, improved active-transport connections, expanded green space and a redeveloped interchange near Tuggerah station. The timing and final scope of these proposals remain subject to planning and development decisions.

Westfield Tuggerah was built on a greenfield site in Tuggerah, across the road from the former Wyong District Abattoirs. Construction took approximately 13 months, and the centre opened on 19 October 1995. The original single-storey complex was designed as a regional shopping destination surrounded by surface car parks. Its initial anchor and entertainment offer included the Central Coast's only David Jones, Big W, Woolworths, an eight-screen Greater Union cinema, an Intencity arcade, an international food court and around 140 specialty stores. The centre's growth changed the retail geography of the Central Coast. As shoppers were drawn to the larger concentration of stores and services in Tuggerah, nearby towns experienced a decline in retail activity, with Wyong particularly affected by vacant shops and empty bank premises. During construction connected with the 2004 extension, a worker was electrocuted and killed. The incident was cited publicly in discussion of Australian workplace-safety laws and construction-site fatalities. The redevelopment proceeded in stages. A second level was added to the original centre in July 2005, and a restaurant precinct followed in September. The overall extension was completed and opened by 2006. New tenants included Target, Harris Scarfe, Aldi, Coles, Trade Secret, Lincraft, JB Hi-Fi, Timezone and about 90 specialty stores. The enlarged complex became a two-level regional centre with a broader mix of discretionary and essential retail. In 2008, approval was granted for a further 16,500-square-metre expansion, including another discount department store, four additional cinemas, roughly 40 more stores and additional parking. That approval was not acted upon. Myer later proposed a two-level store of approximately 12,000 square metres in 2009. In 2013, the centre's expansion concept was described as a two-stage project of approximately A$50 million, with the first stage focused on the Myer store, new retail space and parking and the second on a Vmax cinema. In September 2015, the Myer proposal was cancelled and the broader expansion was suspended. Tenant changes subsequently reshaped the centre. H&M opened its first Central Coast location there on 25 July 2016. TK Maxx replaced Trade Secret on 17 May 2018. Harris Scarfe closed on 21 January 2020, and JB Hi-Fi relocated within the centre into the vacated area. iPlay replaced Timezone and opened on 6 March 2021. David Jones closed its upper level in early 2021, reducing the department store to one floor; Kmart then opened in the former upper-level space on 18 November 2021. David Jones permanently closed the remaining store on 11 January 2026 after 30 years of trading. The centre has approximately 84,238 square metres of floor space and 3,157 car spaces. Its location near Tuggerah railway station, the M1 Motorway and a substantial bus interchange supports its role as a regional destination. Westfield Tuggerah is also included in the proposed Tuggerah Town Centre masterplan, a wider A$2.8 billion vision for mixed-use development across approximately 70 hectares. The concept includes new community facilities, green space, active-transport links, a redeveloped transport interchange and additional employment, housing, health, education, leisure, dining and entertainment uses. The plan contemplates expansion of the Westfield precinct onto vacant land behind the centre and across Tonkiss Street, but the referenced material does not establish a completed timetable or final approval.

• 2026

  David Jones closes permanently

  [1]Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org

  David Jones ends its 30-year presence at the centre on 11 January.

• 2021

  Kmart and iPlay join the tenant mix

  [1]Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org

  iPlay replaces Timezone in March, while Kmart opens in the former upper-level David Jones space in November.

• 2018

  TK Maxx replaces Trade Secret

  [1]Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org

  TK Maxx opens at the centre on 17 May.

• 2016

  H&M opens

  [1]Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org

  H&M opens its first Central Coast store at Westfield Tuggerah.

• 2015

  Myer proposal and expansion plans suspended

  [1]Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org

  The proposed Myer store is cancelled and related expansion plans are suspended.

• 2006

  Redevelopment completed

  [1]Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org

  The completed extension adds department-store, supermarket, fashion, electronics, craft, dining and entertainment tenants.

• 2005

  Second level and restaurant precinct added

  [1]Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org

  A second level is added in July and a restaurant precinct follows in September as part of the centre's major redevelopment.

• 1995

  Westfield Tuggerah opens

  [1]Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org

  The centre opens on 19 October after approximately 13 months of construction, with major department-store, supermarket, cinema and specialty-retail tenants.

A large regional shopping and entertainment centre serving the Central Coast, positioned as a convenient retail, dining and leisure destination with strong road, rail and bus access.

• Retail property · 1995

  Regional shopping centre

  Westfield Tuggerah provides an enclosed, two-level shopping environment serving the Central Coast. Its offer combines essential retail, department stores, fashion, electronics, home-related merchandise, dining, entertainment and customer services. The centre has approximately 84,238 square metres of floor space and is supported by multi-level parking and public-transport connections.

• Food and beverage · 1995

  Dining and food-court precinct

  Dining has been part of the centre's offer since its original international food court, with a dedicated restaurant precinct added during the 2005 redevelopment. The food and beverage component supports longer visits and complements the centre's retail and entertainment uses.

• Entertainment · 1995

  Cinema and family entertainment

  Entertainment has included an eight-screen cinema in the original centre, later represented by Event Cinemas, as well as arcade and family-entertainment venues. iPlay replaced Timezone in 2021. A previously approved proposal for additional cinemas was not implemented in the referenced material.

• 2021

  Reconfigure department-store and entertainment spaceStrategy

  Background

  David Jones reduced its operation to one level, leaving upper-level space available for redevelopment.

  Action taken

  Kmart opened in the former upper-level David Jones space, while iPlay replaced Timezone.

  Aftermath

  The changes refreshed the centre's discount-department-store and family-entertainment offer.

  Source

• 2013

  Plan a staged Myer-led expansionStrategy

  Background

  Plans described a two-stage expansion adding approximately 12,638 square metres of retail space, including a two-level Myer store and later a Vmax cinema.

  Action taken

  The proposed project was not completed.

  Aftermath

  In 2015, Myer was reported not to be opening at Tuggerah and the expansion plans were suspended.

  Proposed expansion value. (2013 proposal)

  Source

• 2008

  Approve a further centre expansionStrategy

  Background

  Approval was granted for an expansion of approximately 16,500 square metres, with new stores, a discount department store, cinemas and parking.

  Action taken

  The approved proposal was not acted upon.

  Aftermath

  Later development discussions shifted toward a proposed Myer store and a different staged expansion concept.

  Source

1. 1Westfield Tuggerahen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Westfield Tuggerah official websitewestfield.com.au