FORESTS, BEACHES AND fun

Glittering waterways, exquisite surf beaches, contemporary architecture and some great places to dine are some of the reasons to take the easy drive north of Sydney to the Central Coast Area.

Killcare, Avoca, Kincumber, Terrigal, Pearl Bay, Wagstaff and Blue Bay are just some of the delightful Central Coast villages and towns where you can be as busy or laid-back as your heart desires. You can easily get there by way of the scenic train trip from Sydney, though a car will provide the flexibility you may want.

A freshly shucked oyster and a good Hunter Valley sparkling wine overlooking a bay as the waters reflect the pinks and yellows of the setting sun is as good a moment as you can have anywhere on this planet.

You’ll find the best accommodation options on the Central Coast Area in these pages, all of which provide ideal bases from which to explore the region. It doesn’t take much to get away from the traffic and bustle, and your hosts will be happy to assist you plan your time here.

Luxury accommodation & cottages in Central Coast, NSW

There are cruises on the Brisbane Water from Gosford and Wagstaff, waterfront restaurants at Pearl Beach, Terrigal, Avoca and many more spots. Or you can call in at the various fish merchant co-ops for oysters, prawns or freshly cooked fish and chips, then enjoy your feast on a quiet jetty or beach.

The Central Coast Area is by no means all about water – there are plenty of other activities and attractions on offer. There are a number of high-standard golf courses, some with beautiful ocean and forest views. In the hinterland, there are several horse-riding operations that provide guided rides through magnificent forests, unspoilt bushland and impressive rock formations. The hinterland is home to much native flora and fauna, including wallabies, reptiles, bellbirds, kookaburras and lyrebirds.

The Bouddi National Park has a coastal walkway starting at the southern end of the beach at Killcare, leading to the isolated Maitland Bay, one of the prettiest beaches in New South Wales. Named after a ship out of Sydney that foundered off the beach in 1898, divers are still able to find remnants of the wreck in the marine park extending off Bouddi National Park.

There are about 13 national parks in the Central Coast Area, all of which provide opportunities for picnicking and exploration. Some 12,000 hectares of sandstone and native bush can be enjoyed, along with sparkling water views in the Brisbane Water National Park, where Aboriginal rock art at Girrakool is preserved. In the Dharug National Park, you can walk on the Great Northern Road, hewn by convicts 180 years ago.


You can hire kayaks from a number of locations on the Central Coast to explore the protected waterways at your own pace. There are 30 surf beaches to discover in the area, each with its own attraction and charm.
Children of all ages are fascinated by the feeding of the pelicans at The Entrance, daily at 3.30pm. There’s been a complete redevelopment of this popular holiday town’s waterfront, now with top restaurants and a pleasant buzz.

There are regular weekend markets at The Entrance, Toukley and Ettalong, and the visitor information centre at Terrigal will have information about others during your stay.

The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby is a perennial favourite and an ideal place to take interstate or overseas visitors. You’ll also enjoy the Mount Penang Gardens, where there are 12 garden “rooms” to explore.

The only difficulty with a break on the Central Coast is choosing what to do. Putting your feet up and contemplating the horizon is also not to be sniffed at.