COAST ONLINE
Welcome to the best of the Coast where you can explore everything from beachy cafés to luxury resorts and bushland retreats. Discover its creative hubs and its inspiring people. Experience a region blessed by nature. We think you might find yourself on the Central Coast.
CompetitionFeatured COMPETITION: SOAR AWAY ON A FREE SCENIC FLIGHT OVER OUR WATERWAYS, BEACHES & FORESTS.
Ever wanted to have a bird’s-eye view of the Central Coast’s glorious scenery? Win a one-hour scenic flight for 3-4 people*, OR a 30-minute flight for the runner-up for 3-4 people,* flying out of Warnervale Airport.
Eat & DrinkFeatured A TOUCH OF BUSH TUCKER
There is more to Australian bush tucker than kangaroo and shellfish, and Central Coast restaurateurs are proving so with delicate native ingredients cropping up on menus in subtle ways.
Eat & DrinkFeatured Buy Better, Buy Local: REGAN’S FINE FOODS & BUTCHERY, YARRAMALONG VALLEY.
Tucked away, up the road from Angel Sussurri in Yarramalong, this new (old) store was founded 130 years ago as the local branch of Chapman’s trading post, and is well worth the drive.
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STAY
Find luxury accommodation fit for the most discerning tastes, or relaxing into the simple life. Whether you’re after the beach or the bush. Off-the-grid or relaxing close to boutiques and cafés. Resorts or glamping.
CENTRAL COAST FARMSTAYS & COUNTRY RETREATS
The Central Coast has many hundreds of sea-change holiday accommodation options to choose from, but one of its best kept secrets is its farmstay and country escapes.
NOONAWEENA, A REFLECTION OF ITS NAME, ‘RESTING PLACE IN THE BUSH’.
To begin to understand what makes Noonaweena a little different from other resorts and retreats, you need to understand what motivated its owners to buy the 100-acre property in the 1990s.
WATERFALL SPRINGS RETREAT
Set in over 13 hectares of Australian bushland, this boutique style accommodation is much more than a resort. It’s also a sanctuary dedicated to saving endangered Brush-tailed and Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies
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PLAY
Find your own style of adventure: a family outing; something to stretch your imagination; or satisfy your senses. Surfing, riding, flying, out on the water, or taking a class or a course.
MILLION-STAR RATING FOR GLAMPING ON THE CENTRAL COAST.
If you think camping is not quite for you: love the escapism and adventure of the outdoors but hate roughing it, then think glamping.
5 OF THE BEST PLACES TO PAMPER YOURSELF
It’s time to rinse the salt out of your hair, hydrate your sun-kissed skin and soothe your tired muscles. Start with some relaxing ‘me-time’ at one of these five beauty and wellness sanctuaries.
THE BEST DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES
It may come as a surprise that so many of the Central Coast’s beaches are pooch friendly — a welcome change from the big smoke where it’s almost impossible to find one major beach that allows our four-legged family members to join in when the family heads to the beach.
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EAT & DRINK
Find the best restaurants and cafés to tempt your tastes. Share the dreams that motivated the tree-changer and sea-changer chefs, and dedicated Hunter valley winemakers.
A TOUCH OF BUSH TUCKER
There is more to Australian bush tucker than kangaroo and shellfish, and Central Coast restaurateurs are proving so with delicate native ingredients cropping up on menus in subtle ways.
Buy Better, Buy Local: REGAN’S FINE FOODS & BUTCHERY, YARRAMALONG VALLEY.
Tucked away, up the road from Angel Sussurri in Yarramalong, this new (old) store was founded 130 years ago as the local branch of Chapman’s trading post, and is well worth the drive.
RESTAURANTS WITH LIVE MUSIC
Feed your soul with music, while taking your pick of bayside, seaside or treeside restaurants, bars and cafés. Here are a few favourites that have now re-opened with live music.
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EXPLORE
Discover secluded, unspoilt beaches and popular swimming spots; breathtaking coastal walks rated among the best in the world; abundant waterways; and architecture energised by clifftop views and leafy acreages.
MILLION-STAR RATING FOR GLAMPING ON THE CENTRAL COAST.
If you think camping is not quite for you: love the escapism and adventure of the outdoors but hate roughing it, then think glamping.
THE CENTRAL COAST COULD BECOME A MAJOR WILD HABITAT FOR KOALAS
‘I would like to see the Central Coast established as the largest natural koala sanctuary in the world,’ Jake Cassar says. ‘We have all the right trees here to offer new homes to koalas from fire-ravaged areas.’
10 FREE FUN THINGS TO DO ON THE CENTRAL COAST
The Central Coast is blessed with 87 km of coastline, numerous national parks and state forests, inspiring foodies and creative artists. Each of these brings a wealth of experiences to enjoy — many of them free.
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PEOPLE
Read the interesting and inspiring stories of those who call the Central Coast home: the creators, artisan makers and producers, fresh produce growers, and achievers in sport and business.
COASTING ALONG with Libby Greig.
Confessions of an inner-city dweller who became a sea-changer.
TIM FAULKNER aka ‘Noah’ AT THE AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK AND AUSSIE ARK
‘We’re proud to concentrate on four major endangered species here — Tasmanian Devils, Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies, Komodo Dragons, and Koalas … and educating people on the importance of wildlife in our environment.’
GRANT MOLONY
Even if you don’t know Grant Molony, you’d be familiar with his work. His is the whale mural at Erina Fair, the octopus at Gosford’s Bay Road Brewing, and the portrait of Michael Jordan in the men’s room at Long Jetty’s Savoy.
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SHOP
The ultimate guide to Central Coast shopping — homegrown boutiques, niche stores, and super-centres — to update your wardrobe, brighten up your home, and help you feel fabulous for the season ahead.
WINTER SHOPPING GUIDE
Shop up a storm at these local stores selling everything from restored furniture and botanic art to wardrobe essentials.
SPRING SHOPPING GUIDE
With spring in the air, we’ve rounded up the best shops to spring-clean your body, update your beachwear, brighten up your home and look fabulous for all those spring events.
SUMMER SHOPPING GUIDE
We round up the Coast’s best places to shop this summer — for fashion and accessories that will take you from the resort, to the pool, to the beach.
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