PELICAN TIME EDUCATIONAL TALKS, The Entrance

The Entrance channel and Tuggerah Lakes are home to many wild pelicans that have become a well-known icon in the region. With the educational talks, there’s a more sustainable way to enjoy the wild pelis with trained volunteers from Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast – supported by Central Coast Council and Destination Central Coast – sharing information on the care and rescue of these majestic wild birds. You’ll learn about what it means when a pelican’s beak changes colour. Can his beak really hold more than his belly can? How do pelicans find thermals to glide on? Do they work together to herd fish? And don’t be too surprised if the team rescue an injured pelican or one with a fish hook stuck in its beak while you’re there – that’s a big part of their role at The Entrance.

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[Pelicans photo Merrillie Redden]

LITTLE TERNS VISIT THE CENTRAL COAST, Karagi Point at The Entrance North Beach

Photo: David Russell

Some visitors come a long way to stay on the Coast each summer. Some of the smallest (at around 20 cm) and most regular visitors are the little terns that have flown in from Indonesia and South East Asia. They have more than a well-earned holiday on their minds though. They come here to meet a mate, breed, lay their eggs and raise their young until they’re old enough to make the long flight back. What’s so special about them? Their dwindling numbers make them an Endangered species. They’re also a beautiful spectacle to watch as they gracefully fly and dive over the lake to catch fish, as well as engaging in much calling and energetic aerial displays as boy meets girl. They’re extremely sensitive to human disturbance so beachgoers are asked to #ShareTheShore. It’s a tactic the community has really gotten behind, resulting in a seven-fold increase in fledgling survivals over the last four years. Karagi Point is now one of the most important breeding colonies for the long-term survival of this little species, and that’s why you are asked to stay back from the fenced area. However, you can safely observe the birdlife from the Boardwalk on the southern side of The Entrance channel near the Central Coast Visitor Centre. And please avoid the heartbreaking impact of bringing your dog (even on a leash), playing loud music, gathering in large groups, or using boats or jet skis with loud motors in the vicinity.

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DOLPHIN, SEAL AND PENGUIN WATCHING, Broken Bay

Penguin photo Vishal Gupta; dolphins and seal photos courtesy Terrigal Ocean Tours

The 45,000 whales that pass close to our shore may have headed back down to Antarctic waters (peak season is May to June and September to October) but summer is an ideal time to join a tour on the water to watch the large marine mammals and birds that call the Central Coast home.Photo

You may see two main species of dolphin: the playful common dolphins that roam in huge pods offshore, and the bottlenose dolphins found in smaller pods around our coastline, bays and estuaries.

Seals are such frequent visitors that locals know the regulars by name. [See COAST magazine Winter 2024 issue] There’s also a well-established colony in Broken Bay (where baby seals have now been spotted).

There are also around 300 breeding pairs of little penguins that come ashore at Lion Island at dusk after congregating in small groups or ‘rafts’ offshore. It’s the largest population of Australian little penguins in the greater Sydney region and is also a breeding habitat for shearwaters. Lion Island is a protected nature reserve, so humans, foxes and feral cats have been kept off the island!

Terrigal Ocean Tours offers small group, two-hour Seal, Penguin and Dolphin Watching Tours departing from Hardys Bay, giving you front row seats as you learn about the rich marine life from their trained crew.

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MEET AND GREET DINGOES, in a choice of ‘walkies’locations

Photo courtesy Hello Dingo

Dingo owner, Rob Eldridge is a Wiradjuri man who runs Hello Dingo and is passionate about the dingo’s significance in Aboriginal culture and the role it’s played in Australia’s ecosystem for thousands of years. He likes nothing better than to take you and his two dingoes, Flynn and Bindi, on a walk-and-talk-tour. The two dingoes were wild-born but hand-raised and are fully trained. You’ll get to observe them up close, and learn about their habitat, diet, physical features and social dynamics as companions, hunting partners, protectors and family members. Walkies with Hello Dingo offers a safe, controlled environment in a choice of interesting natural places tailored to guests’ locations and preferences.

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GET HANDS-ON WITH THE ANIMALS, Somersby

Photo courtesy Destination Central Coast

The Australian Reptile Park offers a one-of-a-kind experience for wildlife enthusiasts, providing plenty of opportunities to connect with some of Australia’s unique animals.

If you’re wanting more from your experience at the park, you can upgrade your entry to include some hands-on animal encounters. From cuddling koala joeys and Tasmanian devils to meeting playful dingo puppies and an VIP experience with the park’s famous crocodile, Elvis. Animal lovers can even opt for a Behind the Scenes Encounter, a comprehensive 80-minute experience with expert keepers that includes a stroll through Reptile HQ, where you can discover fascinating reptiles and see the venom milking program, which saves over 300 lives annually.

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SEE THE SEA LIFE, Terrigal

Bianchi Photography. Courtesy Destination Central Coast

Dive into the wonders of marine life at the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre, where budding marine biologists of all ages can gain hands-on experience.

Get up close with live sea creatures in the artificial touch pool, meet Dave the Port Jackson shark, unleash your creative side within the craft activity area or view the recorded sinking of HMAS Adelaideand how it has become an artificial reef with corals and an abundance of fish.

Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts alike, the centre invites you to connect with the Central Coast’s vibrant marine life.

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WORKING WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, Calga

Photo courtesy Walkabout Wildlife Park

Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary is a working wildlife sanctuary that has been caring for Australia’s iconic wildlife since 2005. Many of the animals free-range through the 32 hectares of natural bushland. Meet free-roaming kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroo as well as free-roaming emu (Happy Feet loves to introduce himself when you’re having lunch).

Join one of the many informative talks or tours included in your entry fee to learn about the wild animals living among the acres of natural bushland as well as the historic and protected, sacred Aboriginal Sites nearby, with sandstone engravings dated over 4,000 years old.

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A PACKED VISIT AT THE ALPACA FARM, Jilliby

Photo courtesy Iris Lodge Alpacas

Iris Lodge is a working grazing property guarded by the wiliest of alpacas, named Billy. He’ll demand a banana, and possibly a neck rub if he’s not too pre-occupied welcoming the next guest. After Billy, there’s a line-up of animals demanding your attention: Coby and Andy the horses, a collection of baby lambs, a flock of Wiltipoll sheep and the all-important Lola, the Maremma who guards the sheep from any night-time monsters.

If you come for breakfast (yours), you’ll also get the chance to bottle-feed the lambs theirs before you get to sit down.

And because it’s an alpaca farm, the highlight is, of course, giving the alpaca their feed-mix and carrots. It’s one bowl after another as they all gather around you. It’s amazing what you learn of their different personalities over a bowl of grain. After they’ve been fed, and only then, you’ll discover that alpacas can be quite affectionate too – loving a bit of a cuddle and a neck rub. (Don’t forget to bring your camera.)

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RUNNING OF THE HORSES, Glenworth Valley

Photo James Vodicka. Courtesy Destination Central Coast

At around 4.30 each afternoon, the 250 horses at Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventure are set free to run through paddock and creek to their night-time pastures. It has all the adrenalin drama of tossing manes, the crescendo of hooves, and the released energy of freedom. You can watch it all and feel the pounding of hooves from the safety of a viewing area.

Earlier in the day you may have explored a hidden and unspoiled part of Glenworth Valley’s natural rainforests, creeks and native bushland on horseback. And you can also choose to extend your stay overnight in one of the self- contained luxury cabins or to sleep beneath a blanket of stars in a creek-front campsite or glamping tent. The adventure is all yours to experience.

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