Icons of the NSW Central Coast

Things to do

Adventure

Family

Icons of the NSW Central Coast

Things to do

Adventure

Family

The Central Coast packs a punch with world-class experiences, just 90 minutes north of Sydney. With iconic stops dotted from north to south along our east Australian coastline, connected via scenic roads west to our stunning hinterland, you can follow this unique itinerary to make a truly memorable trip.

Photo opportunity: Every stop below deserves a photo - can you capture a winning shot of each icon of the Central Coast? Share it via #LoveCentralCoast

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_{*This itinerary is intended as an inspirational guide only. We encourage you to check ahead of your visit that individual businesses are open, or book in advance to ensure the best experience.}

The Itinerary

10 Iconic stops touring the Central Coast

Start your Central Coast experience with an unforgettable tour of our region's most impressive icons. From the state's only pearl farm, to a 100 tonne dinosaur, to thousand year old sacred rock engravings - this is a special collection of stops found ONLY on the NSW Central Coast! This itinerary is your key to enjoying unrivalled landscapes with award-winning dining, boutique stays and outdoor adventures in between.

STOP 1

NSW’s only pearl farm

Sustainably growing Akoya pearls, which are far rarer than diamonds, Broken Bay Pearl Farm is the only pearl farm in New South Wales located on the sparkling Lower Hawkesbury River. Join a tour of the farm to learn the lifecycle of a pearl, browse the jewellery at the ‘Shellar Door’, or enjoy fresh local oysters. Skipper Chris Heywood, from the iconic film, The Man From Snowy River, is just one of many friendly faces you'll meet on this tour.

STOP 2

UNESCO World Heritage Listed Convict Trail

Dharug National Park covers rugged bushland north of the Hawkesbury River, with dramatic sandstone cliffs and key sites linked to convict era heritage. Take a walk, mountain bike or tour back in time following guided signs along the Old Great North Road - World Heritage walk, built by more than 700 convicts between 1826 and 1836. Download the Convict Road app to learn the hardships of convicts who constructed this iconic road.

STOP 3

Ploddy the Dinosaur

Before the Big Banana, Australia’s first ‘big thing’ was Ploddy the Dinosaur on the Central Coast! A fond memory for many Coasties was seeing the 26-metre long Ploddy paraded along the streets of Gosford in '96 to her current home overlooking the M1. When travelling up from Sydney, plan a visit to the Australian Reptile Park and give our iconic yellow Diplodocus a wave as you enter the Central Coast!

_{Image: The Australian Reptile Park}

STOP 4

Bulgandry Aboriginal Art Site

Walk on Country with a guided tour as part of Darkinjung Aboriginal Cultural Education Tours. Discover one of the Central Coast’s thousands of Aboriginal sites, via their Mundoe (footprint) tour at Bulgandry Aboriginal Art Site in Brisbane Water National Park. Here exists several thousand-year-old rock art, featuring a rare depiction of Creator God, Baiyami. Book your tour in advance directly.

_{Image: Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council}

STOP 5

Terrigal Boardwalk

Walk over waves at Terrigal Boardwalk, a new feat of engineering that safely connects people of all levels of ability to the surrounding marine environment. Installed in 2021 linkingTerrigal Beach's Promenade to The Haven, this architectural marvel is fully accessible and provides a stunning tour of the ocean below and beyond. With seating to admire the view, this is the perfect spot for family photos and dolphin spotting.

STOP 6

Grave of ex-HMAS Adelaide

Scuttled in 2011, the HMAS Adelaide is the largest, most accessible former naval dive wreck in the Southern Hemisphere. Located 1.5km off Terrigal, this dive site is complete with op room, missile launcher, torpedo magazine and bridge, plus an artificial reef thriving with marine life, and even turtles, dolphins, seals and whales visit! Dives can be booked via Pro Dive Central Coast or immersive history found at Terrigal's Marine Discovery Centre.

STOP 7

The Long Jetty

Walk, ride or scoot along the Long Jetty shared pathway running the foreshore of Tuggerah Lake and make one important scenic stop - walk the length of its famous heritage jetty - The Long Jetty - stretching 350m into the lake's centre.

STOP 8

Pelican Time at The Entrance

Possibly a mascot for the Central Coast region, you can't miss this amazing experience hosted by trained wildlife professionals every weekend at The Entrance on the water's edge. Pelican Time is designed to introduce visitors to this incredibly unique marine bird in its natural environment, sharing educational stories and live demonstrations of rescuing injured birds harmed by irresponsible fishing.

STOP 9

Norah Head Lighthouse

Visit this beacon of the north, standing tall on its headland since 1903, Norah Head Lighthouse is an award-winning experience mixing history, heritage and panoramic views! Also an iconic place for surfing in Australia, Norah Head has the honour of being the first National Surfing Reserve on the Central Coast, enclosing the ribbon of coastline between Hargraves Beach in the North and Pelican Point in the South.

STOP 10

Ultra-luxe sustainable bush stay

Taste the Hamptons in an Australian bush setting, minutes from the beach, with Bells at Killcare wowing guests since 2007. This boutique guesthouse is a romantic retreat, with a luxurious day spa to unwind before dining at the Wild Flower. Award-winning ECO Certified sister property, Pretty Beach House, takes things up a notch. A secluded, all-inclusive lodge with views of Bouddi National Park and Broken Bay.

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