The Central Coast has many wonderful op shops and it is a wonderfully sustainable way to find a bargain. It is positive in two ways - it helps our most vulnerable people and prevents good items going to landfill.
Also I love the history you can feel in these objects, the love, how much more comfortable they are from being worn already. This is the opposite of fast fashion with its huge levels of waste and slave labour, this is the good stuff.
It is particularly good for kids because you don't have to dispose of enormous amounts of packaging and lets face it - things will look a bit worn around the edges in a few days anyway even if they are brand new. Also, you can always get good childrens clothes second hand because they often grow out of it before it is worn out.
All my favourite clothing items are definitely op shop finds.
I haven't rated the stores on the staff because honestly all the staff I've encountered have been kind, wonderful people - as you would expect to find in a bunch of wonderful volunteers that are to be admired. The stores are rated more on how good I felt going there and how much I wanted to go back so they are very subjective and you may have a very different experience.
Here is a map with our favourites.
Below is a guide to seeing some of the Central Coast's best opp shops around Gosford in the order that we like them. Will expand it out when we have visited a few further afield, these are our locals. I've heard there is a great one up at Morisset, it always seems to be closed when we are up that way though.
A cute little planter found at Fairhaven Op Shop.
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Fairhaven Op Shop
Fairhaven is our favourite because of the way it sprawls across many buildings in an old school, there is a whole room for books, antiques, toys, plants, furntiture and many more.
Also gives a discount for concession card holders so if you are doing it tough, are a student or a pensioner it is a good place to go.
There is also a small cafe, what more could you want?
Opening Hours
Mon – Sat: 9am – 3:30pm
Sun: 10am – 2pm
2. East Gosford Lifeline
East Gosford Lifeline has a good selection of children's books and some nice pottery, its always enjoyable to visit.
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat 9am-4pm
Sun: 10am – 4pm
3. Salvos Green Point
Great selection of clothes, got my favourite set of plates and bowls from here as well. Highly recommend visiting old mates for some delicious biltong nearby.
Opening Hours
Mon – Sat:
9am – 5.30pm
4. Vinnies Kincumber
Found a beautiful set of building blocks here. I'd also recommend visiting kincumber post office cafe for some of the best food on the coast. The only time I've seen the place empty was at Christmas when all the locals were away.
5. Salvos West Gosford
This ones lacks a lot of the charm that you'll find in other op shops, it is massive in scale and worth a look. Found a great train set here that is still entertaining today.
6. Anglican Church Op Shop
This op shop is worth a look, its good a good selection and good pricing. It also has $2 Market day 3rd Saturday of the month.
Opening Hours
Mon – Thursday: 9am – 4pm
Friday 9am-10.15am 11.15am - 4pm
Sat 9am-1pm
7. Salvos Store Gosford
A good selection of items and books, a lot of fun to look through. Medium sized op shop with a good selection of children's clothes.
Opening Hours
Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm
8. Red Cross Gosford
A botique store with great adult clothes and jewelry, found some great marvel comics here as well.
Opening Hours
Monday: 9am – 3pm
Tuesday: 9am - 1pm
Wed, Thurs, Fri: 9am - 4pm
9. Lifeline Gosford
Similar to Red Crosss above - a botique store with great adult clothes and jewelry.
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat: 9am - 4pm
Sun: 10am - 4pm
10. Vinnies Erina Heights
This is a very trendy little op shop with a very decerning selection of clothes, the only reason it is at the bottom of the list is that one of the things I love about op shopping is that it usually doesn't hurt your wallet - this one is a bit pricier, its selection is very good though.