Australia’s Central Coast Region – So Near and Yet So Far!

Everyone has heard of Sydney, Australia; the bustling city in the state of New South Wales which has earned its reputation as one of the most popular cities in the world. But did you know that within just a short drive or train ride you could be enjoying the beautiful and relaxing Central Coast region?

A plethora of attractions awaits visitors to the Central Coast, one of the top tourist destinations in Australia, including long sandy beaches, wonderful coastal scenery, natural beauty, culture, boutique shopping, exquisite dining, and more. The Central Coast region is the perfect place to come for a family holiday where you have the option to do as much or as little as you please!

Being so close to the cities of Sydney and Newcastle is just one of the reasons why the Central Coast region is so popular. The Central Coast is conveniently placed exactly halfway between Sydney and Newcastle. Sydney is 77 kilometres (48 miles) to the south, while Newcastle is 76 kilometres (47 miles) to the north and there’s a railway line that runs between the two cities, stopping in many of the Central Coast’s smaller towns and villages. Of course you can get here by car too, and the Sydney Newcastle Freeway is a fast and convenient route to take, getting you to the Central Coast in about an hour from Sydney.

The clear waters of the Pacific Ocean, and the majestic Watagan Mountains that protect the Central Coast region set the scene for some outstanding natural beauty. When you add in the stunning lakes and lagoons it’s not difficult to see why this is one of the country’s top tourist destinations. Much of this natural beauty is being preserved within protected areas such as the national parks, conservation areas and state forests which exist here today, meaning this area of outstanding natural beauty should be here for generations to come too.

There are plenty of natural attractions in the Central Coast region, but its attractive little towns and villages offer many attractions themselves. Stretching from the peaceful seaside village of Patonga in the south, all the way up to Lake Macquarie in the north, there are numerous towns and villages in the Central Coast region, each with their own unique appeal.

One of the quieter villages, Patonga offers great swimming conditions so it’s the perfect place for a family holiday though this is by no means the most popular destination – the resort town called The Entrance is one of the top Central Coast destinations, as is the cosmopolitan little town of Terrigal.

Named as such because it sits at the entrance of the channel to Tuggerah Lake, The Entrance has long been popular with visitors from the nearby cities. In fact it was way back in 1885 that the first guest house was opened here. Now you’ll find many different options for accommodation in The Entrance, including hotels, guest houses, B&B’s, and holiday rental properties.

The Entrance offers some lovely beaches, and it’s fairly unique in that you can swim in the Pacific Ocean ‘and’ Tuggerah Lake. This means there’s loads of opportunity for enjoying water sports including surfing, water skiing, boating, fishing, and of course swimming!

The Entrance is most famous for being the ‘Pelican Capital of Australia’ as it’s here that you can see the daily pelican feeding that takes place every day of the year at 3.30pm. This is one of the most famous and most popular attractions in the Central Coast region, so get here early to secure the best viewing spots! This may be the only chance you ever have to see pelicans up so close. You also get to find out all about them because the feeders provide a running commentary, telling you about these large birds, and answering any burning questions that the audience has, so it’s educational too!

The Entrance is a popular destination throughout the year but the first week in December is particularly popular, for the Mardi Gras! The whole week is filled with family fun, events, and attractions, making this a great time to come for a holiday.

About half way between Patonga and The Entrance is the village of Terrigal. Terrigal is famous for many things too including its long sandy beach, its café culture, fine dining, and great accommodation; this really is quite a cosmopolitan little town!

Terrigal’s beach is one of the best in the Central Coast region, spanning 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) it’s a great place to spend a day of relaxation or a day of fun-filled water-based activity. Between the months of May and October this is also the perfect place for whale watching as whales are often seen a little way off the coast, migrating through the area.

At one end of the beach is a famous Terrigal landmark, called the Skillion. This huge chunk of rock is perfect for climbing and you’ll be rewarded with great views of the village, the beach, and the coast from the top of it.

Terrigal has earned its reputation as a centre for café culture, fine dining and boutique shopping. There are many great cafés here that are perfect for enjoying a drink al fresco, while relaxing in the warm sea breezes. The restaurants of are of an excellent quality too, plus there are some great boutique shops to browse. Terrigal warrants a stay of longer than a day, and with a selection of quality accommodation in Terrigal there is something here to suit all tastes.

At the far northern end of the Central Coast region, at the border with the Hunter Region, is Lake Macquarie. This beautiful lake is the largest salt water coastal lake in Australia and it too provides a relaxing environment for visitors of all ages.

Sailing and yacht racing on Lake Macquarie are very popular and there are many sailing and yacht clubs in the towns and villages surrounding the lake. Perhaps you could rent a yacht or a motor boat and spend some time out on the water, fishing or water skiing.

The largest town in the Lake Macquarie area is the city of Lake Macquarie, but there are also many charming smaller towns and villages to visit here too. Like the villages further south in the Central Coast region, these too have their own unique appeal – Charleston for example is the retail capital of Lake Macquarie and offers many fine boutiques and a shopping centre, while Morisset offers a different retail experience with the weekend Morisset Mega Market.

Away from the towns and villages Lake Macquarie has some wonderful scenery too. In the Southlakes area there is the Watagan Mountain National Park and State Forest Area; Belmont offers the Greenpoint Nature Reserve, and Wangi Wangi has the Wangi Point State Recreation Area, all of which present an abundance of outdoor recreation.

As you’ll know by now the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie region has so much to offer, but we’ve only just touched on the surface. There are many other towns and villages, picturesque beaches, scenic mountains and parks, and plenty of culture to discover here. And with an abundance of accommodation in the Central Coast region you’ll never be short of somewhere to stay.