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Back-to-nature trail with Dan Jee

Things to do
Adventure
Trails
4-Day - short stay
Add to Wishlist

Back-to-nature trail with Dan Jee

Things to do
Adventure
Trails
4-Day - short stay

As founder and adventurer behind the nature-based tour guide operation Hikeandseek, Dan Jee knows some of the most breathtaking spots on the Central Coast map. He’s a guide who's keen to take people on the lesser-known trails, encouraging them to hike with minimal trace during his tours and beyond. In this curated itinerary Dan shares some of his favourite Central Coast spots for enjoying nature.

Photo opportunity: Whether seeking whales or simply an epic view, two good Central Coast vantage points can be found beneath Norah Head Lighthouse at Norah Head, and the somewhat hidden Captain Cook Lookout at Copacabana.

Keen to be featured in one of our Itineraries? We’d love to hear from you.

The Itinerary

YOUR ITINERARY GUIDE

Dan Jee, Hikeandseek

Passionate about connecting people to nature, Dan Jee founded Hikeandseek, an Ecopass-licenced adventure and itinerary guide focusing on tours around New South Wales, including the Central Coast. Dan’s been lacing up his boots and regularly setting off on hikes since 2013, and it's from discovering wild places that his desire to guide like-minded travellers grew.

Image: Dan Jee

TERRIGAL HAVEN

Whale watching

The Central Coast has plenty of great lookouts for winter whale watching, and Dan suggests getting up high for the best views. One of his favourite spots - and easy to reach for holidaymakers - is The Skillion at Terrigal Haven. Scale the stairs to a wide platform with views south to Avoca Beach and north towards Forresters Beach.

Image: James Vodicka

BRISBANE WATER NATIONAL PARK

Family hiking

Whether you love coastal tracks or heading into the bush, find fun, fascinating trails to take kids on. Dan suggests Brisbane Water National Park where you’ll find Girrakool loop track. The 2km trail features pretty waterfalls, an Aboriginal rock engraving site and takes 30 mins to 1 hour, depending on the age of your children. For keen hikers, Dan recommends the Patonga to Pearl Beach trail, a challenging 3km one-way route for up to 2 hours.

Image: Dan Jee

POPRAN NATIONAL PARK

Wild swimming

If you’re seeking peace and stillness, Dan recommends heading to the secluded Emerald Pool in Popran National Park, west of the Pacific Motorway, near Mount White. He says the picturesque swimming hole is named after its emerald coloured water. There is a two- to three-hour round walk through bush to get there, so pack a snack.

Image: James Vodicka

BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK

Car camping

If you love camping but want easy access to your car, there's several picturesque choices, like Putty Beach Campground in Bouddi National Park. Easy to reach from Sydney, at the southern end of the Central Coast, it's only steps from a quiet beach. It’s also a great base for visitors eager to explore the national park’s hiking trails, near the start of popular 8km Bouddi Coastal Walk, from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach.

Image: James Horan

STRICKLAND STATE FOREST

Bush picnicking

Fill a hamper and grab a blanket to discover one of the Coast’s top picnic spots in Strickland State Forest. Turn off the Pacific Motorway at Somersby to immerse yourself in a landscape of vibrant rainforest and towering eucalypts. There are extensive walking tracks through this relatively small pocket of forest, and afterwards you can enjoy lunch at Banksia Picnic Area (with tables and firepits).

Image: Isaac Tseng

TUGGERAH LAKE

Waterway wandering

Further north, Dan says there are some great grassy picnic spots along Tuggerah Parade, in Long Jetty. There are also a handful of playground toddlers will love and the big wharf that gives the suburb of Long Jetty its name.

Image: Dan Jee

Where we are

This article was originally authored in collaboration with local writer Jennifer Ennion, as part of a Love Central Coast grant project brought to you by Destination Central Coast, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. To maintain accuracy, some editorial changes may have been made since publication.