Located just 50km north of Sydney, Mooney Mooney is a small waterfront village and suburb of the Central Coast.

Renowned for its rocky foreshore leading onto the Hawkesbury River, the quiet suburb offers wide-open views of both its neighbouring suburbs and local surrounds.

With several scenic walking trails and popular local businesses, Mooney Mooney has become a hotspot for both interstate and international tourists. The coastal suburb has also become known for its popular Oyster tours, providing guests with an up-close educational experience.

1. Walk   

Passing through rainforests, waterfalls and grassy woodlands, Mooney Mooney nature walk is a scenic trail through Brisbane Water National Park. Roughly 4.km in distance the popular nature walk features several lookouts, picnic spots and benches for walkers to stop and rest. 

Crossing the scenic Piles Creek suspension bridge, walkers will experience views from all directions including a selection of local flora and fauna – think yellow acacias and orange banksias.

Whilst many know the track to begin from Old Pacific Highway, it can also be commenced from the Girrakool end of the track. 

2. Tour

Recognised as one of the Central Coast’s most popular activities, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours offer a unique culinary experience that both locals and visiting tourists can't get enough of. 

Operating now for over 15 years, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours is not only a family-owned business but the first oyster farm in NSW to offer in-water dining – meaning, yes you can stand in the same water your oysters have been harvested and caught from.

Despite being located in Mooney Mooney, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours attracts a variety of visitors from across Sydney and Australia. With each tour designed to engage and educate tour participants, guides take guests on a scenic boat ride out to the oyster leases to learn about the evolution of aquaculture farming.

With a spike in popularity and seasonal festivities, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours now operate every weekend and weekdays on request.  

3. Dine

Situated on the shores of the Hawkesbury River with waterfront views, Coastal Dinning restaurant is the perfect spot for a mid-week meal or Sunday brunch.

Located inside of Mooney Mooney Club, Coastal Dinning Restaurant offers a seasonal menu of local produce and a relaxed atmosphere to dine in. With a large open-air balcony and several seating options, the restaurant caters to both families and larger groups.

Aside from their water view restaurant, the Mooney Mooney Club also offers several other facilities including a lounge area with bar meals and snacks, a children’s playground, lawn bowls and a courtesy bus to get you to and from the club.  

4. Experience  

Currently taking the title as the only pearl farm in New South Wales, Broken Bay Pearl Farm is located on the Hawkesbury River in Mooney Mooney.

Established in 2003, the popular Central Coast business has been in operation for nearly two decades. After a decade of successfully growing Akoya pearl oysters quietly on the Central Coast, in 2017 Broken Bay Pearl Farm founders Ian and Rose Crisp began a partnership with James Brown and his team from the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.  

With several tour options on offer, those looking to book a tour are encouraged to mix and match the Shellar Door pearl and oyster tours, to build a tailored experience most suitable to them. 

Whether you are looking to learn more about the secrets of pearling or taste the oysters in which they are found in, each tour offers an educational experience quite like no other. With tours ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours, partakers can select a timeframe and tour that works best for them and their schedule.

5. Drive

Whether you are planning on holidaying in Mooney Mooney or are currently en-route there with your family, the Central Coast’s route of the Tourist Drive 33 acts as the perfect road trip to explore both Mooney Mooney and beyond. 

With various eateries and lush hinterlands along the way, Tourist Drive 33 is a stunning route to enjoy via either bike or car. No matter which way you choose to follow the route, it weaves through the small Suburb of Mooney Mooney allowing you to take a pit stop and explore the town as you wish.

If you are starting the route at Mooney Mooney, Tourist Drive 33 will lead you to Mount White, Somersby and beyond. Showcasing several small businesses and eateries along the way, this activity is one the whole family can partake in.   

With the Central Coast’s picturesque Hawkesbury River, Mount White and Peats Ridge close neighbours with Mooney Mooney when exploring beyond the small suburb expect to find a series of popular small businesses and eateries including Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed and Saddles Restaurant at Mount White. 

Set on a beautiful 125 acres in Peats Ridge NSW, The Springs is also a gorgeous destination to eat and explore just outside of Mooney Mooney. With a luxe restaurant that utilises local produce and an impressive 18-hole golf, The Springs has grown to become a popular tourist spot all season round.

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This article was originally authored by Phoebe Blogg, 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.

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