Explore all the best things to do on the Central Coast this summer
This summer, take some time out to explore a new, and super close, area of our coastline - the Central Coast.
From top attractions and outdoor adventures to local markets, coastal dining, unique stays, and family-friendly activities, our ultimate guide will have you exploring all the best things to do on the Central Coast, from top to bottom.
1. Go Out Harvesting
Go beyond the farm gate and explore ten rural farming communities and their heritage villages at the Harvest Festival. They are Dooralong, Jilliby, Calga, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge, Yarramalong, Somersby, Spencer, and Wyong Creek. Choose from paddock-to-plate and farm experiences, wine tastings to fruit picking, produce markets, workshops and music.
2. Visit the Gossie good time strip
Go for global flavours and good pubs, from Mann St near Gosford station down to Drifters Wharf. A few spots to dine and drink are At Baker St, Archies, BBQ KOREA, Ironbark, Nepalese Accent, Noodl, Paolo’s, Il Toscano Pasta Bar, Garden Taste Chinese and cool gelato at C9 Gelato. Find fine pub fare at Hotel Gosford (awarded 'Best Regional Local and Best Regional Casual Dining’) and the Railway Hotel.
3. voco Gosford
Whilst you’re in Gosford be sure to step into the city’s newest lifestyle hub. From sky-high cocktails at Astra Rooftop Bar to poolside sips at the Level 5 swim-up bar, it’s the perfect blend of relaxation and play. With six vibrant dining spots, stunning views and a fresh, social atmosphere, voco Gosford brings big-city sophistication to the heart of the Coast - making it the ideal base to stay, sip and explore.
4. Feel ocean bath bliss
Lie back, do the starfish, and soak in the salty spray that only ocean baths can bring. At Pearl Beach, a peaceful ocean bath swim awaits. At the north end of the coast, at The Entrance, get to the Grant McBride Ocean Baths, accessible from Ocean Parade. There’s a 50m outdoor pool, 22m lap pool, and more.
5. Take a Marker's Trail
Take a morning or a magical weekend for curated experiences on the Central Coast Makers’ Trail. From spices and wine, cocktails and cheese, to gingerbread and gin, brews and sips, or in-water dining and oyster shucking. There are experiences for every budget.
6. Book a Lighthouse Stay
Just forty minutes from Terrigal is the historic Norah Head Lighthouse. Why not book a lighthouse tour, or pack a gourmet sunset picnic. Lighthouse Beach is a great place to go shell collecting if the tide’s right and to explore the rock platforms below. The beautifully renovated light keepers’ cottages make an extra special multi-day stay for small groups.
7. Bag fresh local produce
From Thursday to Sunday, bag locally grown produce at popular local markets. Head to Hardy’s Bay Club on a Thursday, Terrigal Farmers’ Market on Friday, The Ettalong Fresh Food Market at Ettalong Scout Hall on Saturday, and The Central Coast Farmers Market at Gosford Showground on Sundays 7-1 or until sold out.
8. Cop it sweet
Sweet tooth? Get the zing of coffee cake at Ministry Cafe in Wyoming. Visit Blue Zephyr Cafe in Blue Bay for Nutella biscoff cheesecake. Ice cream cake lovers, try Terrigal Ice Creamery. Order loaded s'mores at The Marshmallow Co. (Wyong). And head to Pretty Sweet Bakes in Wyong for a cookie fix. Or do a tour at The Chocolate Factory, West Gossie.
9. Cycle path
Hire a bike, or BYO to any of the 893km of shared pathways on the coast. The Magenta Shared Pathway, between The Entrance North and Toukley alongside Wilfred Barrett Drive and Wyrrabalong National Park is a beauty. Or try the Tuggerah Lake Loop, Gosford to Woy Woy, or the Tuggerah Lake Foreshore.
10. Discover Aboriginal culture
Connect to the world's longest living culture and explore heritage rock carvings and bush food with Girra Girra Aboriginal experiences. Experience Darkinjung culture and go on a journey of spiritual wisdom with Darkinjung Cultural Tours (by The Darkinjung LALC).
11. Head for the bush
Bushwalk Bouddi or go off-the-beaten-track to Pindar Cave, or feel the spray at Somersby Falls after big rains. Pack a picnic! Go longer and walk from Patonga to Pearl Beach and back. The Strickland State Forest that borders Narara Ecovillage is special, too. Waterfall lovers, explore Kariong Brook Falls, Abbott Falls, or Ironbark Falls.
12. Host High Tea
Sweet or savoury? Sip a cup on Fridays at noon, and tour The Factory (West Gosford’s chocolate factory). Relax terrace-side in Erina Heights at Kew Dining. In Wyong, bring friends to Little Lunch Cafe. Have high tea with ocean views at Meribella at Crowne Plaza Terrigal, or chat among the cherry blossoms at Orchard House in rural Kulnura.
13. Catch a ferry
Catch the coastline from a ferry. Central Coast Ferries takes you close to spots such as Davistown RSL Club (‘The Davo’) for lunch, or to the Davistown Illoura Reserve Walk. Catch up on the history of Brisbane Water or the Hawkesbury River on a history tour. Travel from Ettalong to Palm Beach with FantaSea Palm Beach Ferries.
14. See it live, baby, live
Fantastic live performance venues are dotted across the coast. Look up Link and Pin in Woy Woy, the Arthouse in Wyong for dance, drama, comedy and kids’ shows. Lovers of rock, metal and punk will lap up Lost Souls Bar Terrigal. The historic Savoy at Long Jetty is a hub of live music, late-night dining and cocktails and Drifters Wharf promises everything from Pete Murray to Ibiza nights.
15. Dine with a difference
There are so many incredible places to dine on the coast. Highlights with breathtaking views include The Cowrie, in Terrigal, L’Isle de France and Amarilla, with its fine Spanish fare. Enjoy oyster shucking and champagne on arrival and a private, in-water table in the Hawkesbury River (complete with white tablecloths) with Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, Brooklyn.
16. Eat and sip in Terrigal
Day or night, Terrigal brings the buzz, with a slew of places to eat, drink, and people watch. Terrigal Pavilion (‘The Pav’) offers sunrise smoothies, long balcony lunches plus late night party vibes. Lost Souls Bar brings punk, rock, metal, pinball, and 100+ types of rum. Pocket Bar is the place for sipping cocktails and dancing, and rooftop Mumbo Jumbo's brings Caribbean influenced food, plus tunes and cocktails.
Image credit: Kitti Gould
17. Cafe on the Coast
Whether you love a coffee with local surf life savers, on the busiest shopping strip, or in a quiet nook away from the crowds, take your pick from hundreds of noteworthy coastal cafes.
18. Go wildlife adventuring
Walkabout Park Wildlife Sanctuary at Calga is a working sanctuary where animals are well cared for. Learn plenty about wildlife as you visit the emus, kangaroos, platypus, wombats, and more. Just 13-minutes’ drive away is the award-winning Australian Reptile Park, home to exotic reptiles from around the world and a variety of Australian native animals. Enjoy live shows, themed exhibits, and behind-the-scenes tours.
19. Terrigal Boardwalk to The Haven
The Terrigal Boardwalk connects the bustling centre of Terrigal town to The Haven headland, offering stunning views along the way. Family and pet-friendly, this modern oceanfront stroll also looks beautiful lit up at night.
20. Have amazing outdoor experiences
At Ourimbah State Forest, conquer high ropes up to 20m, bounce through Networld's ginormous trampolines, and soar on NSW’s longest Zipcoaster at Treetops Adventure Central Coast. Horse ride through rainforests and rockpools at Glenworth Valley Adventures. Take a gourmet picnic tour, go glamping or stay in a luxe eco-villa. Creekside camping is brilliant, too.
Your Ultimate Central Coast Summer Guide
Just a short hop south, the Central Coast is packed with feel-good experiences for every kind of summer escape.
From farm gates, markets and makers’ trails to ocean baths, bushwalks and coastal bike paths, this guide rounds up the very best things to see, eat and do. Think vibrant food scenes in Gosford and Terrigal, unique stays like lighthouse cottages, family-friendly adventures, rich Aboriginal culture and endless ways to enjoy the great outdoors, all wrapped up in one seriously good-looking stretch of coastline.
