//
Region in New South Wales, Australia
Photo: Stephen Gard, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Central Coast of New South Wales is a coastal region immediately to the north of the state capital of Sydney and south of the state's second largest city Newcastle.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
It was built by convicts through rough terrain. Today it's one of eleven sites making up the UNESCO World Heritage listing "Australian Convict Sites".
Seeing the waterfalls in their full glory involves a picturesque walk down into the valley. There are three tiers of falls (top, middle and bottom) though the topmost is not very substantial. The path to the middle falls is safe with the stairs having railing all the way down. The descent to the bottom tier however, requires you to descend on shaky, rocky slabs which are often slippery and not always stable. It may be risky for the elderly or others with health and fitness concern to tread on these rocks. In any case, make sure to wear shoes with good grip. Once there, it’s only a 300 m walk to the bottom.
Famed for its remoteness, Wondabyne, surrounded by a river called Mullet Creek is the site of the only railway station in Australia that has inaccessible road access. (There are roads but they do not connect to the outside) A number of "squatter" houses along the creek are still used for fishing.
Woy Woy is a commuter town with an area of southern waterways, in reference to the Aboriginal name of a quantity of water. It is an ideal destination for holidaymakers from their close proximity to Sydney.
Lends its name to a Scottish-born pioneer, who became the first person to grow sugarcane in Australia. It's a quiet, idyllic waterfront suburb tucked away between the scenic estuarine waterways and dense bushland of Brisbane Water National Park, in close proximity to Gosford.
A gift from Gosford's sister city Edogawa, the Japanese garden is a popular spot for people to relax and find their zen. Children will have fun playing with the ducks and koi in the ponds. You are allowed to feed the koi with food purchased from the shop inside.
The art gallery hosts both local and international exhibitions in a variety of styles. There is a small shop within the gallery that sells local artworks, books, ceramics, and other related items.
The town named itself 'The Pelican Capital of Australia' in 1999, with a specially constructed platform with daily feeds.
Terrigal Formation
A hikeable lookout point with gorgeous views of the steep cliffs and coastline.
Science-based exhibits and interactive activities.
This national park preserves one of the last few remaining coastal rainforests of the Central Coast.
Glenworth Valley has many outdoor activities to participate in. Horse riding, kayaking, quad biking, and abseiling are the main activities, but others are offered. You can usually do up to two in a day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Considered one of the best on the NSW east coast.
Renowned for its clear seawater and truly breathtaking view. If you are not particularly enthused by saltwater, freshwater swimming pools are available in facilities around the beach. Golf courses and mini golf courses, tennis courts, bowling, and shopping facilities are also available in the area. The national park is also close to the beach.
The town named itself 'The Pelican Capital of Australia' in 1999, with a specially constructed platform with daily feeds.
An unbroken beach that extends for 4 km. Good for surfing and boating and surrounded by cafes. Dogs are not allowed. It can get overcrowded. The rock pool in the southern end is popular among kids.
Game and reef fishing.
Authentic Italian restaurant and fancy cocktail bar. Wood-fired pizza and a good variety of pasta options. If you go during the weekends, you can sit in the rooftop alfresco space.
An Indian restaurant that serves a variety of exceptional quality Indian food which is freshly prepared. They provide excellent food services and also keep their prices pretty economical. Delivery available at dinner.
Pub and hotel from the 1940s.
The Bayview Hotel is located right near the water and can be seen on your approach, by train or car, from Gosford. It is a popular drinking hole for locals and is typical of many Australian pubs.
90 minutes drive north of Sydney, El Lago Waters Resort offers a very special blend of location, luxury and enviable lifestyle. Right in the heart of The Entrance, El Lago Waters is a place to unwind, catch up with friends, be energetic or simply relax.
Central Coast accommodation only 90 minutes North of Sydney. Quay West Resort Magenta Shores is nestled between the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean and Tuggerah Lake. Golf and spa make for a perfect weekend getaway.
Part of Gosford RSL.
Apollo Resort Wamberal has resort-style accommodation at Wamberal. It is set on five acres of tranquil gardens and surrounding bushland.
A scenic hour's drive from Sydney and set on two acres of tropical gardens.
Has an outdoor heated pool, fitness centre and 3 restaurants.
Cheap accommodation but not very clean. You get what you pay for. Some rooms have a water view.
A complex of ten holiday apartments renovated in 2023 offering one and two bed options to visitors to Terrigal. 5 minute walk to the beach,.
By train
The coastal areas of the Central Coast are well served by the NSW TrainLink network, which is a very economical way to visit the area.
By ferry
Ettalong is accessible by ferry from Palm Beach in Sydney with the passenger ferry crossing the Hawkesbury river every hour or so. Buses run from the Wynyard and Manly to Palm Beach.
By bus
CDC NSW operates bus route 592 from Hornsby, Asquith, Mount Colah, Mount Kuring-gai, Berowra, Cowan and Hawkesbury River stations to Mooney Mooney and Cheero Point in the Central Coast.
By bus
Buses on the Central Coast are privately run under contract, and are integrated into the Sydney ticketing and information system. You can get timetable information from Google Maps.
By bike
There are some areas with well developed bicycle facilities, particularly between Woy Woy and Gosford, but some roads are busy multi-lane roads only for road warriors.
By train
The coastal train stops at most major settlements along the Central Coast, and runs frequently throughout the day.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Sydney (Mascot) · International · SYD
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Central Coast (New South Wales) and Australia.
Travel tipsCompare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
8 min read
Travel tipsPlan your trip to the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia with match cities, ticket windows, domestic flights, visa rules, and budget advice.
8 min read
Travel tipsDiscover how to use AI to find cheap flights. Learn prompt strategies, smart fare engines, open-jaw routings, and error-fare booking techniques.
6 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to visa-free travel for US citizens. Learn where American passport holders can go without a visa, new eTA rules, and entry fees.
8 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.