Central Coast NSW

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 NSW offers accommodation types to suit all styles and tastes.

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.

The Entrance

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.

The Central Coast, just north of Sydney, offers golden ribbons of coastline, vast waterways and untouched national parks. Visit spots such as The Entrance's inlets and beaches or the rural Dooralong Valley's. The area suits visitors looking for coastal or country escapes with excellent accommodation, dining and attractions. Try activities such as cruises, deep-sea fishing, diving, surfing, kayaking, horse riding and abseiling or the natural flora and fauna features.

Terrigal

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.

Ettalong Beach

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.