Discover the rich heritage of the Central Coast region

Dip deeper into days gone by

Step back in time to immerse yourself in the Central Coast's vast past

Discover the Central Coast’s rich history from hiking to ancient rock art sites, to unique dining experiences in heritage buildings. Join an Aboriginal guided tour to learn about the world's oldest living culture as you visit significant and sacred Aboriginal sites. See how early European settlers built their life on the Central Coast at Wyong's Alison Homestead and Gosford's Henry Kendall Cottage. Climb to the top of Norah Head Lighthouse for million dollar views and spend the night in its Heritage-listed Keeper’s Quarters.

All this and more awaits you when entering the Central Coast's fascinating timeline today.

Image: Old Great North Road by James Horan x Destination Central Coast

Credit: Nicholas Price x Destination Central Coast

The Central Coast's UNESCO World Heritage listed route

Step back in time on the Old Great North Road in Dharug National Park, right by the Hawkesbury River. With this historic nature-based attraction tucked within the impressive Central Coast Hinterland west of the M1, the Old Great North Road is a brilliant adventure for travellers seeking a bushwalk with a story. It's also ideal for families with many interactive signs along the route telling both the Aboriginal and European settlement heritage of the place.

Visitor's guide

Around the twists of the historic Norah Head Lighthouse

The Heritage-listed Norah Head Lighthouse turned 120 years old in November 2023! Incredibly, it is also one of the few lighthouses in Australia that remains open to the public for visiting, so there's some fascinating slices of history to be found in its narrow nooks and crannies. As well as being a unique wedding venue, guests can spend the night in the Heritage-listed Light Keepers Quarters on site.

The lighthouse also looks out over some great surf breaks and in November 2022 Norah Head became the first National Surfing Reserve on the Central Coast!

Why not take a guided tour to learn more about this towering historical landmark and all the treacherous and life-saving tales it has to share from the past century standing tall on the headland.

LEARN MORE
spiral staircase of norah head lighthouse
Credit: James Vodicka x Destination Central Coast
A Wyong wetlands hidden gem for the whole family
Discover a wetlands wilderness where conservation and community farming make for ripe pickings. On the site of Wyong's oldest homestead is Pioneer Dairy which was saved from being turned into a power station and now boast beautiful walks around the heritage buildings and offers some of the best birding watching in the region. 
DISCOVER MORE

Meet our locals who are keeping the Coast's heritage and history alive

The Four Villages Shipbuilders' Heritage Walk

The historical Four Villages Shipbuilder's Heritage Walk leads you along the foreshore of Brisbane Water where hundreds of timber vessels were built between 1829 to 1953 when it was home to one of the busiest shipbuilding hubs in Australia.

Along the walkway are seven sandstone plinths sharing tales of the Central Coast’s shipbuilders between Kincumber and Davistown. 

PLAN YOUR TRIP
Shipbuilders Memorial Sculpture at Kincumber
Discover the Coast's rich past for yourself
Follow our two day itinerary as we take you to the Coast's historical sites. Dine in heritage buildings, trek on ancient bushwalks and stay in historical landmarks. We are sure our guide will give you a little more understanding of just how significant the NSW Central Coast is.
WEEKEND GUIDE

Explore some of our historical hubs

Wyong

and surrounds
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Gosford

and surrounds

Spencer

and surrounds

Kincumber

and surrounds
This project has been funded under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments.gov logo gov logo