Central Coast
Enjoy water-skiing, canoeing, sailing and rowing on Tuggerah Lake at The Entrance. Feed the pelicans at Pelican Plaza or play a round of golf at Shelly Beach Golf Club.
A popular spot for whale watching on the Central Coast is Crackneck Point Lookout, near Shelly Beach. Beachside markets are held at Avoca on the fourth Sunday of each month from May to November.
About the Central Coast
A popular Central Coast attraction is pelican feeding time at Pelican Plaza, The Entrance. With wing spans up to 2.8 metres, Australia’s largest water birds flock to the plaza at 3.30pm each afternoon.
The Entrance, which is surrounded by lagoons, lakes and beaches, is less than two hours’ drive from Sydney. By train and bus it’s 2h 30 min. You’ll find a range of accommodation on the Central Coast, which is a mix of pretty bays, beaches, lakes and peaceful hinterland.
The Central Coast lies between Sydney and Newcastle, NSW’s second-largest city. The region begins at Broken Bay, the mouth of the beautiful Hawkesbury River, which is the setting for Kate Grenville’s acclaimed historical novel, The Secret River.
Near Gosford, the Central Coast’s main business and shopping centre, is the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park. You can stay overnight in a cabin among the native animals. Nearby is the Australian Reptile Park, where demonstrations of snake handling and milking funnel-web spiders of their venom, astonish visitors.
Delightful villages on the Central Coast, such as Pearl Beach, Ettalong Beach, Patonga, Avoca and Terrigal, offer a range of activities. Swimming, fishing and surfing are always popular. For a bird’s-eye view, tour the area with Coast Helicopters.
On walking trails, discover beautiful Somersby Falls and native birdlife in Brisbane Water National Park. Relax on the secluded beaches of Bouddi National Park. For horseriding, quad bike riding and kayaking, Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures is just an hour’s drive from Sydney.