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.

Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour. — Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

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3. The city as a canvas

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art. — Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

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5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude.

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background. — Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW. — Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor. Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection. — Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra. — Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.

The ultimate Central Coast summer itinerary