Central Coast, NSW, Travel Information

A Water-Lovers Paradise

The natural beauty of the Central Coast – with its beaches, system of inland lakes, rivers, forests and nature reserves – as well as its convenient freeway and rail links to Sydney, has attracted a steadily growing number of both residents and tourists to the region. At its southern end, the Central Coast is extremely close to Sydney, with the southernmost town, Umina, looking across Broken Bay to Palm Beach. The string of small beachside communities includes MacMasters Beach, Avoca, Wamberal, Forresters, Blue Lagoon, Shelly Beach, Toowoon Bay and The Entrance.

Unique accommodation Central Coast, NSW

Gosford is the major commercial centre of the Central Coast, lying 80 kilometres north of Sydney. The township was surveyed and laid out in 1839, although timber cutters were active in the area before settlers began to make their homes throughout the region. The opening of a railway line between Sydney and Newcastle in the late 1880s spurred the development of tourism.

Many Sydneysiders travelled to the area around Tuggerah Lake and The Entrance, where a narrow channel links the lake to the sea. Less than two metres deep, Tuggerah Lake is perfect for canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. Fishing is also highly popular, with generations of locals devoting their summer evenings to prawning.

Terrigal has long been a popular holiday destination and, in recent years, the town has moved decidedly up-market, with luxury hotels, serviced apartments and villas gathered close to the fashionable tourist strip. There are some fabulous restaurants serving fresh seafood and locally grown ingredients, as well as a thriving nightlife. To the south of the tourist centre, the high headland called The Skillion is a local landmark. Terrigal Beach, within sight of the hotels and bistros, begins a four kilometre sandy coastal stretch that ends at Wamberal in the north. The Terrigal lagoon is a family-friendly spot with safe swimming and boating areas.

Wyong is another major town of the Central Coast. Located to the west of Tuggerah Lake, it is notable for the Koolang Observatory. Dedicated to astronomical research and observation, it has one of the largest private telescopes in the country. Tuggerah Lake is connected to Budgewoi Lake to the north by a narrow channel. In turn, Budgewoi Lake connects to Lake Munmorah by another narrow channel.

Others towns of note within the Central Coast region are Ettalong, Toukley, Gorokan and Woy Woy, childhood home of comedian Spike Milligan. The Brisbane Water National Park occupies some 11,000 hectares and is one of the oldest national parks in the state, having been declared in 1959. It has pockets of subtropical rainforest, mangroves and fine examples of Aboriginal rock carvings.

Around 150 kilometres north of Sydney and 22 kilometres south of Newcastle lies Lake Macquarie, Australia’s largest salt-water lake. With 150 kilometres of foreshore, it is four times the size of Sydney Harbour. The lake was discovered in 1800 but wasn’t named until 1826. One of the safest all-weather bodies of water in the eastern states, it is perfect for boating, fishing and scuba diving. It is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including green and loggerhead turtles.

There are some 90 towns and villages in the region around Lake Macquarie. The major towns include Swansea, where the lake is joined to the sea by a narrow channel, Belmont, Warners Bay, Toronto and Morisset. Accommodation is available in all manner of categories and the region is immensely popular during summer.

Visitors should explore Dobell House at Wangi Wangi, the home and studio of legendary Australian artist, Sir William Dobell. In fact, Dobell is well represented at the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery in Booragul. Situated on five hectares of shoreline property, the purpose-built gallery opened in 2000 and includes a sculpture garden, picnic grounds and regularly changing series of special exhibitions.

Activities on the Central Coast Not surprisingly, there are many natural wonders to explore on the Central Coast. The Australian Rainforest Sanctuary at Ourimbah was known for many years as the Forest of Tranquillity. There are rainforest and forest walks, native animals to observe in their natural habitat, and picnic grounds and playgrounds for families. In November and December, the sanctuary is open in the evenings to view the resident fireflies.