The Ultimate Central Coast Summer Itinerary

It’s the perfect place for a summer holiday, so we’ve done the work and planned the itinerary for you.

Stretching for 80 kilometres between the Hawkesbury and Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast is epitomised by its beaches and chilled-out seaside towns, making it the perfect summer getaway. Choose a base and balance out beach days with countryside drives, coastal bushwalks and delicious dining.

Day 1: Arrive via the Hinterland

scenic views across Glenworth Valley, Central Coast — Immerse yourself in the peaceful wilderness across Glenworth Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

If you’re driving from Sydney, detour for breakfast or lunch at Saddles at Mount White (around 50 minutes north of Sydney). Set on an 11-hectare bushland property, Saddles has been recognised as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. The paddock-to-plate menu is cooked with local ingredients and plated in style. It’s a great place to dine if you have kids, with plenty of space for them to stretch their legs in the pretty gardens and around the dam.

From here you can follow Tourist Drive 33 if you’ve got time. Highlights along this route include Australian Reptile Park, Somersby Falls, and Glenworth Valley . Within this 1214-hectare wilderness, you can get thrills from a range of adventure activities such as horse riding, quad biking, abseiling, kayaking and laser skirmish. Girrakool Walking Track at Kariong is somewhat of a hidden gem, with wildflowers and waterfalls along an easy two-kilometre loop.

Hot tip: Terrigal or Avoca are ideal places to base yourself for a summer break – both are beachside towns that are centrally located to most attractions on the Coast. They can be very busy during summer though; check out the list of other accommodation options at the end.

Days 2 and 3: Avoca and Terrigal

students of Central Coast Surf Academy heading out to surf — Learn how to ride the waves at Central Coast Surf Academy. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life in Avoca revolves around its beach: it’s got a great rock pool for kids, a surf club with popular cafe, and Central Coast Surf Academy (which also runs lessons at Copacabana and MacMasters). Avoca Beach House has front-row beach views, so you can dine as you watch the waves roll into shore.

If you’re in Avoca on the fourth Sunday of the month, browse the stalls at Avoca Beachside Markets. Pick up some local produce, quality arts and handmade products, or just enjoy the live music and food trucks.

In neighbouring Terrigal, take a walk around The Haven, which has a small kid-friendly beach and dog park, as well as The Skillion, an imposing headland that you can climb. This is one of our favourite places to come with the kids to relax outdoors.

Terrigal Ocean Tours leaves from the boat ramp here and, during summer, offers a scenic cruise with dolphin watching, led by a marine biologist.

waterfront dining at Terrigal Pavilion, Central Coast — Dine on succulent seafood with dreamy views at Terrigal Pavilion. (Image: Megann Evans Photography)

The Haven is also home to the Central Coast’s newest dining and drinking hotspot, Terrigal Pavilion . Walk between Terrigal’s main esplanade, lined with shops and cafes, and The Haven via its pretty boardwalk, which is suitable for prams, scooters and wheelchairs. It’s a lovely evening walk along here too, after dinner in town.

Beer aficionados should take the five-minute drive to Six Strings Brewing at Erina , which was the Coast’s first craft brewery and has 16 taps, a dog-friendly outdoor area, and a restaurant.

Hot tip: Neighbouring Wamberal Beach is often less crowded than Terrigal Beach and North Avoca Beach less crowded than Avoca Beach (with a fun rock pool for the kids). On warm summer days, get down and set up your cabana early!

Day 4: Patonga, Umina, Ettalong

a couple enjoying drinks with a view at The Box on the Water, Central Coast — The Box on the Water has panoramic water views. (Image: Destination NSW)

In the southernmost region of the Central Coast, also known as ‘The Peninsula’, the town of Umina Beach is a popular summer getaway for families. The beach itself is our go-to for surfing – it’s gentle and not overly crowded, which makes it ideal with our small children. Umina Beach is also home to an epic skate park with BMX track and play space.

The neighbouring seaside town of Ettalong is another great spot for families to swim, stand-up paddle board or go for a walk or scooter ride along the esplanade. Here, The Box on the Water has sophisticated dining with panoramic water views (incredible for a sunset cocktail), as well as a casual kiosk for takeaway and a playground next door.

Be sure to check out Chillis Deli at the Galleria Ettalong, which has a casual but flavourful menu including paninis, pasta and gelato – combine with coffee or Campari spritz, depending on your mood. The Galleria is home to multiple dining venues, as well as a weekend undercover market and quaint cinema.

Drive a little further south of Umina, around the winding headland, to the quiet beachside village of Patonga. Its beach is great for kayaking, fishing and beachcombing. The Boathouse Hotel is the place to go for a long, lazy summer lunch, with the classic coastal style synonymous with The Boathouse Group and set right across from the beach.

Hot tip: The spectacular Warrah Lookout just 10 minutes down the road from The Boathouse is worth a post-lunch walk, with views of Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.

Day 5: Killcare, MacMasters and Copacabana

the Bouddi Coastal Walk, Central Coast — Trace the rugged coast from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach. (Image: Nikki To)

The Bouddi Coastal Walk stretches for eight kilometres from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach and is a must-do on your summer itinerary. It is a beautiful way to spend a sunny morning or late afternoon, tracing the rugged coast with breathtaking views of the ocean, past quiet beaches and through rainforest. It’s relatively easy – we have walked from Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout many times with our small children – but the entire track is spectacular and can take up to four hours one way. Pack your swimmers!

If you’re a keen surfer, MacMasters Beach, or ‘Macs’ as the locals call it, has a variety of waves and a great rockpool for kids. Just north of Macs, ‘Copa’ has a world-class point break for advanced surfers and is also home to bright and cheery Cabana Café.

Hot tip: See Bouddi National Park – which has more than 100 significant Aboriginal sites including rock engravings, middens and shelters – with Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences, led by proud Aboriginal man Tim Selwyn.

Day 6: Long Jetty and The Entrance

seafood dishes at The Entrance Social Club — Grab a pub-style feed at The Entrance Social Club.

Take a drive to the Newtown of the Central Coast. The hip hood of Long Jetty has an urban aesthetic blended with a laid-back coastal vibe. Browse stores such as Shadow Bang and Plain Janes for casual but cool fashion, and Three Donkeys for chic and quality furniture and homewares. Be sure to take a walk along the town’s namesake, a 351-metre jetty that juts out into Tuggerah Lake.

Just north of here, The Entrance is a popular spot during summer. Visitors and locals alike come to spend time at the splash park on the waterfront or fish and boat around the waterways. The Entrance Social Club is a great spot for a pub-style lunch and a cold glass of wine or beer with live music on the weekends.

Hot tip: Long Jetty has an excellent, flat bike track along the foreshore that leads to The Entrance. Begin at Saltwater Creek Park and ride along the lakeside into town for a coffee break or lunch (approximately five kilometres).

Day 7: Norah Head

sun setting over Norah Head Lighthouse, Central Coast — The historic Norah Head Lighthouse holds many untold shipwreck stories. (Image: Destination NSW)

If you are driving north, don’t just head for the freeway: Norah Head is a beautiful detour. Take a walk around its heritage-listed lighthouse down to the rockpool. Or spend time at Soldiers Beach, which has white sand, cerulean water and good surf, to top off your summer week on the Central Coast.

Best places to stay

the pool at voco Gosford — The glittering resort-style pool with views at voco Gosford. (Image: voco Gosford/IHG Hotels & Resorts)

Terrigal is centrally located, beachside and has sophisticated dining, lots of hip small bars and trendy shopping. It’s the perfect locale for a summer getaway on the Central Coast. Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific is right in town, with elegant dining, a pool and day spa, and views over the beach.

The Hinterland offers a unique Central Coast experience of tranquil bushland, farm gates and rainforest. Glenworth Valley has camping, bell tents and eco cabins nestled in the bush. If you plan on spending time exploring the hinterland, this is a great spot to stay.

Umina and Ettalong are neighbouring beachside towns, with gentle beaches, great family activities and lots of dining options. Mantra Ettalong has views of Brisbane Water and Broken Bay, while NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort is a family favourite packed with fun facilities from a waterpark to a jumping pillow.

Killcare is a secluded town where national park meets the ocean and is close to the Bouddi Coastal Walk. Stay overnight at the luxurious Hamptons-style retreat Bells at Killcare, which also has four-people, tri-level lodges with views towards Palm Beach.

Gosford is an emerging hub with the recently opened luxury hotel voco Gosford , which has a sexy rooftop bar that looks over Brisbane Water.

Toukley is a five-minute drive from Norah Head and 15 minutes north of The Entrance. The Beachcomber is a chic Hamptons-style hotel perched lakeside with restaurants and a pool club.

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

The ultimate Central Coast summer itinerary