Planning your Central Coast Holiday

When planning your Central Coast Holiday, it is good to start with where you are going to stay. Apartments Ettalong offers beautiful 1- 2 bedroom apartments and stunning penthouse apartments with spectacular ocean views.

The Central Coast is an hour north of Sydney and a favourite holiday destination for many Sydney siders escaping the city and tourists looking for a beachside location not too far away. The Central Coast offers some of Australia’s best beaches, beautiful National Parks, little villages, holiday resorts and some of the best cafes and restaurants in Australia. The Central Coast makes for the perfect holiday location, and planning your Central Coast holiday is exciting.

Planning your Central Coast Holiday – Things to do

The Central Coast is a dream holiday destination, and we really need to explore the local areas to realise how amazing it is. Only an hour’s drive from Sydney and Newcastle, The Central Coast has everything you need to satisfy everyone in your family, young and old. Whether you want to relax, have an adventure or just have a fun holiday with the family, there is something for everyone. The Central Coast is famous for its stunning beaches, local villages, great accommodations, boutique shops and national parks. In this planning you Central Coast holiday guide, we will share our favourite locations with you, all why keeping it central to our holiday apartments at the Mantra in Ettalong Beach.

Central Coast Holiday – Best time of year to visit the Coast

There are many popular suburbs on the Central Coast that are perfect for tourist stays including:

Ettalong Beach
Terrigal
The Entrance
Killcare
Patonga
Pearl Beach

When planning a Central Coast holiday, it depends on what you enjoy doing and what style of holiday you are looking for. We are lucky here on the Coast as we enjoy warm to hot humid summers with mild winter months. Often our winters are still perfect for enjoying time on the beach, hiking on our national parks and just enjoying what the Coast has to offer. We enjoy beautiful sunny days with crisp mornings and nights. It really is beautiful all year round.

If you want to enjoy the beach and spend days swimming in the surf, it is best to visit the Central Coast during October – March, when the weather is warmer and the sunshine is abundant. The weather is on the Central Coast is always usually warm, but during winter the temperature does drop. Fortunately, there is still plenty to do in those colder months. Overall, based on your interests, you can plan a Central Coast Holiday any time of the year. It is one of those locations where time of year doesn’t depend on the quality of your holiday.

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Penthouse 707

4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, sleeps 11. All the modern comforts and an outdoor entertainers paradise with magnificent views.

Bayview Bliss Apartment

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette, sleeps 6. Bayview Bliss is a stylish and newly refurbished terrace apartment offering stunning views from every room of Broken Bay waters and beyond in the Ettalong Beach Resort.

Ocean- Panorama Apartment

1 Bedroom, fully equipped laundry, Sofa Bed in the loungeroom, kitchenette, sleeps 4. Ocean Panorama is a single bedroom apartment with spa bath located on the 7th floor of Ettalong Beach Resort. With stunning 180-degree water panorama from its living spaces.

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Things to do on your Central Coast Holiday

The Central Coast is the only place in the world where 5 seperate waterways meet. Central Coast Council describes out waterways – From the southern shores of Lake Macquarie and the valleys and floodplains of Tuggerah Lakes to the delicate coastal lagoons, rugged Brisbane Water and the shores of the mighty Hawkesbury.

The Central Coast, as the name surely suggests, provides a coastal and country holiday experience for the entire family. The Central Coast region has an enviable mix of bays, inlets, pristine beaches, estuaries and lakes. It is 60 minute from both Sydney and Newcastle and offers endless possibilities of adventure and relaxation. The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby which is one of the best wildlife parks in Australia, is a huge draw card for the Central Coast and there are picturesque villages along the coastline and many beaches and bays like Pearl Beach, Ettalong Beach, Hardys Bay, Avoca Beach, Terrigal, Bateau Bay and Toowoon Bay.

With so much to offer, it’s not surprising that the Coast truly is a magically place to visit and you won’t be disappointed in the beauty of the Central Coast region.

Things to do

The greater Central Coast Region has attractions such as the famous Reptile Park at Somersby, Tree Top Networld and Adventure Park at Wyong and Firescreek Winery in Matcham. Plenty of fun things to do for everyone.

Scenic Bushwalks

One of the best aspects of the Central Coast apart from its vast coastline is the bushland and wildlife. Several bush walks will take you into the heart of the rainforest, or to waterfalls, up on clifftops and mountains. There is plenty of marked trails for various fitness levels and the scenery is to die for. Our favourite walks include:

Bouddi Coastal Walk
Somersby Falls
Girrakool Loop Track
Strickland State Forest
Patonga to Pearl Beach

So bring your hiking boots, pack a picnic and get ready to hike through some of the most stunning National Parks in Australia.

Central Coast Beaches

You can’t visit the Central Coast without spending some time at the beach. Whether you like swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, exploring rock pools or fishing, with over 40 beaches, the Central Coast has a beach that suits your interests. Even if it is in the colder months, the popular areas of Avoca, Terrigal or the Entrance are great places to enjoy a meal, a stroll or even shop. There is always something on! See the pelicans being fed at the Entrance or listen to the local buskers on the mains trip of Terrigal. Whatever you are into, you can’t plan a Central Coast Holiday and not see the beach. Best Beaches

Terrigal
Avoca
Copacobana
Spoon Bay
Wamberal
Patonga
Umina
Toowoon Bay
Killcare Beach
Putty Beach
Macmasters Beach

Australian Reptile Park

The Australian Reptile Park is one of the best and well-known attractions on the Central Coast. The Australian Reptile Park is home to different reptiles, birds, mammals, creepy crawlies and cute koalas. There are live shows, animal talks, petting experiences and fun activities running every day, so not only do you get to see some amazing native wildlife, but you get to learn some valuable information too! The Australian Reptile Park is an important contributor to the community, helping hospitals with their supply of anti-venom, aiding in wildlife conservation and breeding and education. Only a thirty-minute drive from Avoca, check out the Reptile Park and see why it’s known as one of the best attractions on the coast. Can’t get enough? Check out the animals at Wildlife Walkabout Park!

Norah Head Lighthouse

Norah Head lighthouse is one of the last classical style lighthouses in NSW and began operating in 1903. It is still operational today. The walk up 96 stairs is well worth the effort with stunning 360-degree views on offer. It is a great view and a good workout all in one.

Learn more about Norah Head Lighthouse here.

Adventure

The Central Coast is home to some really fun attractions. Enjoy ziplining through the trees at Treetops, running through a water obstacle course at Aquafun, horse riding through the valley and abseiling down waterfalls. Thrillseekers will be very satisfied here.

Whale Watching

Between May and November, the Central Coast region becomes a popular spot to witness whales migrating. Thousand of whales travel along the NSW coastline every year and with multiple coastal lookouts, there is a great chance you will witness these stunning creatures in their natural habitat. Sometimes you can even spot dolphins! The best lookouts for whale watching are:

Captain Cook Lookout
The Terrigal Skillion
Gerrin Point Lookout
Crackneck Lookout
Norah Head Lighthouse

Where to eat on the Central Coast

Good food and the Central Coast go hand in hand. From classic fish and chips on the beach to more refined dining experiences and everything in between. The Central Coast has it all.

If you are looking for a fine dining experience, consider The Cowrie, which offers modern Australian cuisines and breathtaking views of Terrigal Beach. Other Fine Dining Restaraunt recommendations:

The Boathouse
The Reef
The Box on the Water
Pinocchios
Bells at Killcare

For a more casual experience, Motel Mezza at Wyong is a fantastic place to go with a group or with family. With share mezze plates and banquet feasts, this middle eastern restaurant will knock your socks off. Breakfast culture is a huge thing on the Central Coast and we have some of the best cafes around. The Green Tangerine at Long Jetty serves delicious coffee and fantastic breakfast feeds to keep you full and happy all day. Other cafe favourites are:

The Point Cafe Avoca
Glee Coffee Roasters, Erina Heights
Farenheit Cafe, East Gosford
Island Time, Terrigal
Tommys Cafe, Gosford
Link Minds, Avoca
The Boy and the Rose, North Avoca
Bamboo Buddha, Matcham

Where to Drink

Want to kick back and enjoy a glass of wine, get giggly with some friends over cocktails or enjoy a pint with some mates? The Central Coast has a great nightlife and has some fantastic bars and pubs with fun music and cool vibes.

Pocket Bar Terrigal
The Terrace, Gosford
Margarita Daze, Ettalong
Mumbo Jumbos, Terrigal
Rhondas Bar and Restaurant, Terrigal

Planning your Ettalong Beach Holiday – Getting there and Where to stay

Ettalong Beach is 1 and 1/4 hours drive north of Sydney. You can catch the train which takes you around the Hawkesbury River or the Ferry ride from Palm Beach, across the Hawkesbury River to Broken Bay and Brisbane Water.