Central Coast Guides Attractions Events in New South Wales

Avoca is a combination of excellent surfing along a dazzling strip of sand with a swooping curve of brilliant blue sea. It has contemporary architecture and lush tranquil landscapes which make Avoca a delight to visit, with its charismatic charm and fabulous choice of entertainment. Avoca is perfect for a relaxing break and an ideal base from which to explore the Central Coast.

Avoca Beach is renowned for great surf and surfing breaks. Also there is a tidal rock pool for the younger kids.

Bateau Bay is located just a few minutes away from The Entrance and is within a 15 to 30 minute drive to the Central Coast's top attractions. A large selection of accommodation is available and there are many and varied restaurants to choose from.

Attractions include ocean beach fishing, bushwalking in Wyrrabalong National Park, Crackneck Lookout, surfing and swimming.

Blue Bay is a beautiful secluded bay, very safe for children also excellent snorkelling voted one of the cleanest beaches in NSW. 20 minutes from Terrigal and only 5 minutes from The Entrance and the next suburb to Toowoon Bay.

A beautiful part of the Woy Woy Peninsula, Booker Bay has a number of Marinas and is on the Brisbane Water and boat hire facilities. Ideal spot for fishing and lazy days boating.

Budgewoi is surrounded by water; Lake Munmorah to the north, Budgewoi Lake to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the east. This makes the town an ideal spot for water sport enthusiasts. The town is very picturesque with many picnic spots. There is a variety of accommodation and the facilities of a major town are all here.

Budgewoi is located 4 kilometres east of the Pacific Highway and 14 kilometres north of The Entrance attractions.

Calga is located off the F1 Freeway between Gosford and Hornsby; Calga hosts the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park and Glenworth Valley Horseriding.

With its golden beaches for surfing, swimming, diving or walking, the Central Coast is a great weekend escape or an ideal holiday destination.

Terrigal is a popular beachside resort offering good surfing beaches, boutique style accommodation, shops and fine restaurants. The Entrance, further north, is famous for relaxing family holidays.

The Central Coast has large areas of protected bushland to explore, or take a kayak tour on one of the many pristine waterways. For something unusual, hire a houseboat and cruise the Hawkesbury River enjoying the drama of sheer sandstone cliffs and tranquil rainforest.

The Central Coast offers a holiday with endless possibilities - whether you want to go horse riding, surfing or scuba diving, or just relax with a good book. Even if you only stay for the weekend, you won't be in a hurry to leave.

Central Managrove is mostly the agricultural centre of the Central Coast. It’s a through road from Gosford to Wisemans Ferry

Chittaway Point is situated 3 kilometres from the F3 freeway, on the banks of the beautiful Ourimbah Creek not far from The Tuggerah Westfield Shopping Centre and Mingara Recreation Club.

Copacabana Beach is a fabulous surfing beach. Copacabana has maintained a village atmosphere and, along with a surf club, has a number of very nice restaurants. Copacabana is a more secluded coastal township it is picturesque and uncrowded. It has fine dining, sparkling blue sea, long sandy beach, stunning views, and is just a 10 minute drive from Avoca Beach, the perfect destination.

Dooralong Valley is 90 minutes north of Sydney, and only 20 minute drive from Wyong, the area is a nature lovers paradise with lush green countryside, state forests and national parks to explore, surrounded by rolling hills and secluded valleys. The drive out through the Dooralong Valley is a delight, studded with small hobby farms, turf farms, and horse riding properties. Dooralong is close to the Yarramalong Valley where you can enjoy the very best of the Central Coast Hinterland, a perfect opportunity to pack a picnic lunch and take off for the day a perfect contrast to the sandy coastline.

Empire Bay is located on the edge of the Brisbane Water offers an array of water based activities, including sailing, kayaking and canoeing and fishing.

Erina is Central Coast's leading commercial centre, boasting Erina Fair, established in 1987 as the largest Shopping Centre on the Central Coast. The Complex boasts a Hoyts Cinema, Erina Ice Skating Rink, many fine cafes and restaurants, Myer Department Store, Target and many retail outlets.

The suburb of Erina has a High School, Primary School and several preschools. The Central Coast Highway runs through Erina so it is very accessible for people coming from Gosford, Terrigal and Avoca areas to shop in a very convenient location. Buses run from Gosford Station to Erina Fair and you can then take a bus from Erina Fair to all of the beach suburbs in the surrounding area.

Erina Heights is mainly a suburban area, however it is only streets away from Erina Shopping Centre, the largest shopping centre on the Central Coast, and it is only ten minutes from Terrigal and Gosford.

Ettalong is the aboriginal word for 'place for drinking' with beautiful views of Broken Bay and Lion Island.

Fishermen come to Ettalong Beach to fish for the whiting when in season. Ettalong Beach has the largest undercover markets on the Central Coast, Ettalong Seaside Village Markets are located at 189 Ocean View Road, Ettalong, open every Saturday and Sunday from 9.00am. When you are all shopped out go to the movies next door at Cinema Paradiso a beautiful art deco designed theatre. There are also many wonderful alfresco cafes.

Central Coast Fishing Charters have three vessels and depart from Ettalong for reef fishing, game fishing and cruises. Broken Bay Blue Water Charters also depart from Ettalong Wharf for ocean and river cruises, deep sea fishing and game fishing. FantaSea Cruises also does whale watching cruises out of Ettalong, during June and July.

Palm Beach Ferry Service departs Ettalong Wharf to Palm Beach seven days a week.

Ettalong Beach has safe swimming for children and clean golden sands. Ettalong Beach is only 3 kilometres from Woy Woy Railway Station, and a regular bus services runs from Woy Woy to Ettalong Beach.

Mantra Ettalong Beach has accommodation options range from deluxe studios to self-contained one and two bedroom apartments.

Forresters Beach is abundant with popular vacation and holiday rental accommodation, beach houses, a resort and a long expanse of sandy beach reaching from the Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve and Wyrrablong National Park to the cliffs at the southern end of the Bateau Bay Flor Reserve.

The area's spectacular coastal cliffs can be viewed from platforms throughout the Wyrrablong National Park. Recreation activities for visitors include golf at the driving range, swimming on the beautiful Forresters Beach, snorkelling, Hang Gliding, Para Gliding and fishing.

The beach is within walking distance from most of the village. Forresters Beach is situated roughly midway between Sydney and Newcastle, right on the beach between Wamberal to the south and Bateau Bay for the north, and accessed by the Central Coast Highway.

Gosford is the focal point of the New South Wales Central Coast. Aside from the town centre's urbane enticements; the flip-side of Gosford is its pastoral tenor. Flora and fauna are both main attractions of Gosford. You can get close to snakes, kangaroos and other native wildlife at the Australian Reptile Park, and Mangrove Boardwalk to the west is a true delight of nature.

The City of Gosford is on the Brisbane Water, with its sleek sailing boats and sparkling water and also on the doorstep of the beautiful Brisbane Water National Park. Many recreational pursuits in the great outdoors are available.

Gosford is the rail head of the Central Coast.

The City of Gosford covers an area of 1,028 sq kilometres stretching east to the Pacific Ocean, south to the Hawkesbury River, west to the Judge Dowling Ranges and north to meet Wyong Shire on a border through Kulnura, Lisarow and Forresters Beach.

On the coast, Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal and McMaster’s Beach are no longer the sleepy little fishing villages of the Central Coast; you’ll find luxury hotels, cosmopolitan restaurants and boutiques beside long white sandy beaches. This coastal expanse is now far more chic and more extensive. Times have certainly changed! From the coastal ranges and sweeping curves of brilliant blue sea this seaside province is a fashionable cross season destination attracting many holiday makers.

With a unique blend of attractions there is much to see and do in this wondrous Brisbane Water land-and-seascape. Wooden jetties, boat ramps, village markets and, of course, fish ’n’ chips.

The village of Hardys Bay is fast building a reputation as a popular holiday destination. The area provides a lovely sheltered bay and is ideal for the boating community - it has a marina, moorings, small exclusive restaurants and the Hardy's Bay Club. It is located in the Gosford area of New South Wales.

Holgate is a semi rural scenic area just outside of Gosford, there is the Firescreek Winery, a nursery cafe, and it is horse riding heaven. A rural community within a 15 minute drive of Terrigal.

Kariong - As you head towards Gosford from the F3 you will travel through Kariong. Kariong is a residential suburb of the Central Coast and has quite a dense housing development off the Pacific Highway. It also has the wonderful Mt. Penang Parklands and Mt Penang Gardens just left at the lights at Kariong. Mt Penang Parklands is where the annual Australian Springtime Flora Festival is held each year. Also there is the Central Coast Gateway Visitor Information Centre at 52 The Avenue, Mt Penang Parklands, Kariong.

Kincumber is a picturesque rural area. It is steeped in history and is the
place where the first two stone churches in the region were built. Work commenced on St. Pauls church in 1841 and some of our very early pioneers
are buried in the historic cemetery. Holy Cross church, which was the first
church in the area was opened in 1842. Kincumber is a peacful retreat within the city of Gosford, where one can simply relax and enjoy the ever changing beauty of the Central Coast.

The town of Lake Munmorah, named after the lake, is situated on its northern
shores. Located 18km north of Wyong via the Pacific Highway and 5km north of Budgewoi via Elizabeth Bay drive. It has a wealth of natural attributes, being bounded by Munmorah State recreation area to the east and Lake Munmorah to the south. Accommodation is available and a small shopping centre can provide all the necessities.
From Lake Munmorah it is easy to access all areas of the Central Coast as
well as Lake Macquarie.


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Norah Head is a ten minute drive north of The Entrance via Wilfred Barrett Drive or a ten minute drive east of Toukley via Main Road.

Norah Head is situated on a headland with many lookouts and beaches. The most well known is Soldiers Beach, which is patrolled from the October long weekend through to Easter. There are places to sit and relax with a picnic or facilities for a barbecue meal, while taking in the view from the headland.

Norah Head lighthouse is open regularly and allows visitors to climb to the top and enjoy the view. Accommodation is also available in the Lighthouse Keepers Cottages.

A small shopping area includes restaurants, a dive shop as well as a selection of smaller shops to provide the basic necessities.

Pearl Beach is the perfect quiet getaway for those who love to swim, go bushwalking, try rock fishing or relax with a coffee by the beach.

Just 90 minutes north of Sydney, Pearl Beach still retains a sense of peace and seclusion away from the rest of the busy Central Coast. The small village, with just a few shops, cafes and houses tucked into the bush, is popular because of its bushland setting - Brisbane Waters National Park is nearby - and the beautiful sweep of surfing beach.

Peats Ridge is located on the beautiful Central Coast, just 1 hours drive north of Sydney. Glenworth Valley near Peats Ridge is Australia's largest Horse riding centre.

Shelly Beach is located five kilometres south of The Entrance and is well known as a surfing beach. The coast's major attractions are to be found within 25 minutes of Shelly Beach.

Visitors to Shelly Beach can enjoy swimming and surfing at the beach which is patrolled in the summer season (October long weekend through to Easter), fishing, golf and picnic and barbecue areas.

There is accommodation available and there are shops and clubs in nearby Bateau Bay.

Terrigal certainly makes for one of the most appealing getaways on the New South Wales Central Coast. The pleasant atmosphere that comes with any town on the coastline is heightened by Terrigal's cosmopolitan vibe, established in its decor and attitude to life's luxuries.

An enticing environment like this makes it most desirable to take an ecotour of its lush surrounds - including Terrigal's greatest natural feature, the Skillion - capped off with a first-class meal.

The beaches - Terrigal, Wamberal and Forresters - are among the most sought-after water spots in the region.

The Entrance is one of the closest spots to Sydney that begins to offer a true feeling of being removed from the busy city, with its defining great lake and clear beaches. It's a well-noted stop-off for a picnic as you head further up the coast - a hit with the kids because of the pelicans that flock around the town and get an official feeding every afternoon. And if they're not worn out by then, take them to the giant waterslide, the war museum, or nearby Wyrrabalong National Park.

Toowoon Bay offers accommodation in five star luxury or caravan parks and units and has plenty to keep you busy. Laze the day away on the beach either fishing or swimming or visit the nearby attractions that the Central Coast has to offer. Toowoon Bay Village shops can supply all your needs including post office, chemist, general store, boutique shopping and restaurants.

Toukley is situated on a narrow neck of land between Tuggerah and Budgewoi Lakes. It has a shopping centre, hotel and motel accommodation, caravan parks, picnic areas and clubs.

Some of the tourist attractions include surf and lake beaches, Tuggerah Lake, Munmorah Lake, boating, Norah Head Lighthouse and Toukley Gardens.

Tuggerah on the Central Coast of New South Wales takes its name from the Aboriginal word meaning 'savannah grasslands'.

Woy Woy, part of the City of Gosford, is wedged on a peninsula between the western shores of Brisbane Waters and the Brisbane Waters National Park, providing magnificent views of the waterways. It is a popular holiday and retirement area.

The words 'Woy Woy' reputedly come from the language of an Aboriginal group called the Guringgai (or Kuringgai). It is said to mean deep water or big lagoon - an obvious reference to Brisbane Water. The Guringgai once occupied the land from the Hawkesbury in the south to Lake Macquarie in the north.

Wyong is an excellent base from which to explore Tuggerah Lakes and the beautiful Yarramalong and Dooralong Valleys. The National Park has popular
viewing places for whale-spotting off the coast in winter. The nearby coastal towns of Chittaway, Long Jetty and The Entrance offer visitors the
opportunity to enjoy the tranquil waters of Tuggerah Lakes.

The area of Wyong Shire extends from Catherine Hill Bay in the north, to Ourimbah in the south and from the Pacific Ocean to the hills beyond the Dooralong & Yarramalong Valleys.

The coastal towns of Bateau Bay, The Entrance, Toowoon Bay, and Blue Bay are surrounded by tranquil lakes and pristine beaches. This unique stretch of the Central Coast is a natural aquatic playground and mecca for boating and fishing enthusiasts. Snorkel or scuba dive off the secluded bays where the sea hosts spectacular underwater scenery or ride the waves in the surging swells. There are great golf courses, excellent restaurants and an abundance of recreational activities.

Further north, the villages of Budgewoi, Norah Head and Toukley offer an abundance of natural beauty to tempt visitors to this slice of the Central Coast with attractions as diverse as bushwalking in Munmorah National Park, Norah Head Lighthouse, sailing, water skiing, fishing and swimming in the nearby lakes or unspoilt beaches.

For a change of pace, tear yourself away from the coast to Yarramalong or Dooralong Valley in the hinterland. Horseriding, four wheel driving and bushwalking are available.