The Central Coast region of Australia is located between Sydney and the township of Newcastle. It is home to a number of attractive coastal villages, beginning at the entrance to the Hawkesbury River and ending at the south end of Lake Macquarie. There are a great many reasons why you should plan a visit to the Central Coast, but here are the five main ones.
1. Getting up close and personal with the wildlife
The Australian Reptile Park is the place to visit to really study native Australian mammals as well as a number of other species such as crocodiles, snakes, spiders and much more. This park can be found about one hour’s drive from Sydney, and there’s a lot to do for the whole family. There are even barbeque facilities so you can pack up a picnic and spend the whole day there to make sure you don’t miss any of the organised feeding displays and interactive exhibits.
2. Skydiving and scuba diving
If you are looking for a little extra out of your holiday and want to get a birds’ eye view of the area, why not try tandem skydiving? There are trained and qualified experts who will be happy to take you up and support you through 60 seconds of freefall over the Central Coast coastline, before releasing the parachute and gently floating to earth with you while you take in some truly stunning scenery.
Alternatively, if you prefer to dive in the water, then about two kilometres from Avoca Beach is where you can dive down to the Ex-HMAS Adelaide. This artificial reef attracts visitors from all over the world and is a must see for those who love scuba diving.
3. Visiting the beaches
The Central Coast is well known for its beaches and inlets, so make a day of it and head out there for some sun, sea and surf. Top surfing beaches can be found at Terrigal and Soldiers Beach, Norah Head, while the family friendly beaches include Ocean Beach and Toowoon Bay, Umina.
4. Retail therapy
There is enormous range and variety when it comes to shopping in the Central Coast area. In addition to the regular markets showcasing everything from arts and craft wares to local produce and vintage stalls, Gosford also has a number of retail outlets for all your fashion and food requirements.
5. Camping
To really explore the Central Coast with its great expanse of marvellous bushland and beautiful beaches, you do need plenty of time and the freedom to move around and stay in a number of different places. Camping is one of Australia’s favourite pastimes, so bring the whole family along for the trip. Choose from the many holiday parks or campsites that can be found from Gosford and The Entrance right through to Ettalong Beach, Bateau Bay and Norah Head.