The gorgeous Central Coast region stretches its way along the east coast of New South Wales, connecting Sydney to Newcastle. Covering so much space, the Central Coast has plenty for you to do, so pack your bags and be sure to take this itinerary with you.
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What’s the best time to visit?
The Central Coast is beautiful all year round, however just like the rest of the east coast of New South Wales, it is best to visit during the warmer months so that you can get outside and explore everything the area has to offer. Any time between November and March would be an ideal time to visit.
a Few facts about the Central Coast
With over 300,000 people, the Central Coast is the third largest urban area in the state of New South Wales. Located along the gorgeous East Coast of Australia, it is a lovely location and a must see for all international and local travelers to Australia.
The New South Wales state alone covers a big section of the coast, incorporating gorgeous sandy coastlines, white snow filled towns and a vineyard or more in between. It’s true, the East Australian Coastline has a few of the most amazing beaches in the world, yet that’s not all it has to offer.
One Day on Central Coast Itinerary
Follow this guide and make the most of your trip even if you’re short on time. These are the top sights and things to do during your one day on Central Coast.
Early Morning
If you’ve just arrived on the Central Coast, the first thing you should do is grab some breakfast at one of the local cafes. The Central Coast area has a variety of delicious cafes to kick off your day. Have a little scroll on the internet to find a place that excites you.
Too hungry to conduct a Google search? Not a problem, we’ve all been there. Make your way to Bella Natural Food Co for a range of different breakfast options, most of them guilt-free! If you have a bit of a sweet tooth than I recommend ordering the banana bread with organic honeycomb.
Mid Morning
After all the food you are going to need to get your body moving and wake yourself up. Somersby Falls is the perfect place to do this!
There is plenty to do at Somersby Falls, so it’s a great place to spend the rest of the morning. You can pack some lunch and make the most of the picnic area. With free barbecues and picnic tables, there is plenty of space for you to settle in.
Venture off along the Somersby Falls walking track, which takes you through the rainforest giving you the most amazing views of the waterfalls. Make sure you pack your swimmers so you can cool off with a dip underneath the waterfall after your walk.
Afternoon
What better way to spend your afternoon then learning, watching and cuddling up to some native animals? You are going to love the Australian Reptile Park.
Just over a 10 minute drive from Gosford, the Australian Reptile Park is a hands-on zoo that is home to many exotic reptiles and a few Australian native animals. This is a great day out for the whole family.
Make sure you catch the reptile show to learn about the venom program, and you won’t want to miss the thrilling action that is feeding Elvis, their monster crocodile. There is also an exciting playground for the little travelers and several interactive exhibits to get you all involved.
Night
What better way to finish your Central Coast trip than with delicious food. There are so many great restaurants, pubs and bars in the Central Coast area, so it’s often hard to pick just one. I recommend doing a little research and checking out some places close to where you’re staying.
However, if you’re in the mood for some Spanish-inspired Tapas and sangria then I insist that you make your way to Gusto Tapas Bar in Ettalong Beach. It’s probably best to get a few things and share here just so you get to try as much as possible because the food here is to die for.
So order a glass of Spanish wine and a plate of the chorizo and enjoy your last moments on the Central Coast!
Where to Stay on Central Coast?
The Central Coast covers quite a large area, so there are plenty of accommodation options available to you. But here are a few of my personal favorites.
Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
Pine Tree Lane, 2260 Terrigal
The Crowne Plaza Terrigal is a great place to base yourself for your Central Coast trip. Here you’ll find an amazing beer garden that overlooks the beach, with acoustic music from Thursday to Sunday. It’s the perfect place to sit and watch the sun set over Terrigal Beach.
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort
90 Sydney Ave, 2257 Umina
If you are travelling with your family, I highly recommend booking accommodation at Ocean Beach Caravan Park. Here they have a range of options and facilities to accommodate the whole family, with a great pool area. It is also conveniently situated right across the road from Umina Beach!
Extra Tips for visiting Central Coast
– Slip, slop, slap! The Australian sun is hot and unforgiving so make sure you slip on a t-shirt, slop on some strong sunscreen and slap on a hat when going out in the sun for long periods of time.
– If you are an international traveller heading to Australia for the first time, this is one for you. Before you head off on your trip Down Under, be sure to jot down all the places you want to go, look on a map and see if it is achievable. Australia is a large country and most of the time there is quite a distance between each location. Make sure you’re spending more time exploring rather than travelling from place to place.
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Alex Johnson
Alex is a 23-year-old lover of life, brunch & adventure. After moving to Sydney when finishing a journalism degree, he began his blog Inspire A Better Life to positively influence others to get out there and see all life has to offer. Join Alex as he discovers this life one day at a time, documenting his thoughts and others along the way!