Something big is landing at Diggers The Entrance this April, and if you haven’t heard about it yet, you’re about to be very glad you read this.
Roll N Pickle is a brand-new, purpose-built pickleball and barefoot bowls venue opening right here on the Central Coast, and it’s set to become the go-to spot for a fun day out, whether you’re visiting from Sydney or Newcastle, planning a group event, or just looking for something fresh to do locally.
The best part? It’s all happening at Diggers The Entrance, one of the Central Coast’s most loved clubs, with great food, cold drinks, and 52 rooms of comfortable accommodation right next door at ibis Styles The Entrance. In other words, you can play all day and not have to drive home.
Here’s everything you need to know before bookings open.
If pickleball is new to you, here’s the short version: it’s a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. You play on a smaller court with a solid paddle and a lightweight perforated ball, and the rules are simple enough to pick up in about ten minutes.
It’s been the fastest-growing sport in the world for several years running, with millions of players across the US, UK, and now Australia. The appeal is obvious once you try it: it’s social, fast-paced, and genuinely fun regardless of your fitness level or sporting background.
Easy to learn, hard to put down
Lower physical impact than tennis, so it suits all ages
Best played in pairs or groups, which makes it naturally social
Competitive enough to keep things interesting, relaxed enough to enjoy a drink between games
The Central Coast hasn’t had a dedicated pickleball venue until now. Roll N Pickle changes that.
Roll N Pickle isn’t just a couple of courts bolted onto a car park. Diggers has built a proper, purpose-built facility with everything you need for a great day out.
The courts are available for hire by the hour, with pricing that varies by season:
Season | Court Hire Rate |
|---|---|
Oct to Mar (Daylight Saving) | $25 per hour |
Apr to Sept | $20 per hour |
Don’t have your own gear? No problem. Paddle hire is $5 each and balls are $1 for two, collected and returned at the court kiosk. It’s genuinely accessible for first-timers.
Not everyone wants to sprint around a court, and that’s exactly where the barefoot bowls comes in. With a 4-rink bowling green, this is the more relaxed option: kick your shoes off, grab a drink, and enjoy a few ends with friends.
Rink hire is $15 per player (maximum 2 hours), and event packages are available for groups who want to add catering and beverages.
This is where Roll N Pickle really sets itself apart from a standard sports venue. Being part of Diggers means you get access to the full club experience: multiple dining venues, bars, and that warm, welcoming atmosphere the club is known for on the Central Coast.
Trading hours:
Daylight Saving (Oct to Mar): 10am to 8pm
Non Daylight Saving (Apr to Sept): 10am to 6pm
Roll N Pickle was clearly designed with groups in mind, and it shows. Whether you’re organising a work team day, a birthday celebration, a hen’s party, or just a casual catch-up with a big crew, the setup here is genuinely hard to beat.
Forget the usual escape room or conference room icebreaker. A few rounds of pickleball gets people moving, laughing, and genuinely engaging with each other in a way that a catered lunch rarely does. Diggers offers tailored corporate packages with catering and professional event coordination, so the organising is taken care of for you.
Being halfway between Sydney and Newcastle makes it a practical choice for teams spread across the region, with free parking and accommodation on-site for anyone coming from further afield.
Combine court or green hire with Diggers’ event packages and you’ve got a ready-made celebration that doesn’t require a lot of planning. The food and drinks are sorted, the activity is built in, and the atmosphere does the rest.
Social packages are available to enhance your booking with catering and beverage options, so you can keep the focus on having a good time rather than logistics.
Here’s the thing about a day at Roll N Pickle: one day might not be enough.
ibis Styles The Entrance is literally attached to Diggers, which means you can roll out of bed, grab breakfast, and be on the pickleball court within minutes. No driving, no parking stress, no watching the clock because you’ve got a long trip home.
With 52 refurbished rooms overlooking Tuggerah Lakes, the hotel is a genuinely comfortable base for exploring everything the Central Coast has to offer. Spend a morning on the courts, grab lunch at Diggers, take a walk along the beach in the afternoon, and come back for barefoot bowls before dinner. That’s a pretty solid weekend right there.
Walk straight from your room to the courts, no transfers needed
Access to Diggers’ gym, dining venues, and events centre
Free WiFi and parking included
Family-friendly, with packages available for groups
Centrally located between Sydney (90 min) and Newcastle (60 min)
Whether you’re making a weekend of it or just need a comfortable place to stay after a big group event, having accommodation right next door is a genuine advantage that most venues simply can’t offer.
Roll N Pickle bookings are opening soon, with all reservations taken online or in person. The best way to stay ahead of the crowd is to sign up for updates directly through the Roll N Pickle page at Diggers so you’re notified the moment bookings go live.
For groups and corporates, it’s worth getting in touch early. Popular dates in April and May will fill up quickly once word gets out, and having your preferred time slot locked in before the general rush is always a smart move.
Sign up for Roll N Pickle updates at diggers.club/roll-n-pickle
Check availability and book your stay at ibis Styles The Entrance
Follow Roll N Pickle on Instagram for the latest news and opening announcements
April can’t come soon enough. This is exactly the kind of thing the Central Coast has been waiting for, and with ibis Styles right next door, you’re perfectly placed to be among the first through the door.
Book your stay at ibis Styles The Entrance and make Roll N Pickle your reason to visit the Central Coast this autumn.
315 Central Coast Highway,
The Entrance NSW 2261
Phone: +61 (0)2 4336 0400
Fax: +61 (0)2 4332 5717
reservations@ibisstylestheentrance.com.au
Sustainability Strategy *Destination photography credit: Destination NSW Website by Hemisphere Hospitality Solutions
Treat yourselves to a dreamy couple’s getaway at ibis Styles The Entrance on the Central Coast. Think lakeside views, morning strolls, and thoughtful touches designed for pure relaxation.
