Accessible destinations on the Central Coast

While each person's mobility is experienced differently because we are all unique, we've gathered information in this guide on the accessible features of things to do on the Coast to help plan your visits. Whether you have a disability, limited mobility, are pregnant, or a parent with prams – this digital guide paves the way. 

Love Central Coast, and the Central Coast Visitor Centre located at The Entrance, also have great visitor information with helpful images for you to understand how you would like to participate. We recommend speaking directly with businesses to help them better understand what you need – if anything – to participate, so they can confidently meet those needs.

We want your visit and experience of our beautiful region to be inclusive and accessible built on positivity, openness and understanding.

If you have any feedback, we'd love to hear from you – see how you can reach us below.

To get your planning started, why not download the Central Coast Accessible Beaches brochure, or our Central Coast Accessible Nature brochure, each developed by Central Coast Council.

From lakeside foreshores, to picturesque promenades, and beachside boardwalks, there are plenty of adventures to discover our region’s beautiful waterways.

The Central Coast has 200km of off-road shared pathways following natural waterways, lakes and pristine coastline. Lined with hundreds of species of native flora and fauna, a foreshore walk is an easy way to reconnect to nature with lots of culinary pit stops, galleries, and lookouts along the way, or places to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea.

For accessible bushland destinations, reserves and foreshore areas on the Central Coast, the following locations are great options for parking, amenities and other features that help people living with a disability or restricted mobility to plan a day out in nature:

• Bateau Bay picnic area 
• Carawah Boardwalk, West Gosford 
• Marie Byles Lookout, Killcare 
• Saltwater Creek Boardwalk, Long Jetty 
• Somersby Falls picnic area, Somersby 
• St Johns Lookout, Katandra Reserve, Mount Elliot 
• Warriwarri Walk, Kincumba Mountain, Kincumber 
• Yaruga Picnic Area, Rumbalara Reserve, Springfield

The Coast to Lake pathway is considered a 'string of pearls' and is divided into four distinct sections of pathways. Sections one, three and four are shared pathways accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and bicycles. 

Along the pathway there are toilet amenities, and you can enjoy the picnic and barbecue areas, beaches, lookout, ocean baths, cafes and galleries. Be sure to take a hat, sunscreen, and a drink bottle, which can be refilled at numerous water stations. There are also beach wheelchairs available for free hire at The Entrance and Toowoon Bay, during the lifeguard season, and beach matting at Toowoon Bay, weather and beach conditions permitting. 

Start at The Entrance Ocean Baths, Memorial Park, or The Entrance Waterfront Playground. Section two between Toowoon Bay Surf Club and the Entrance is not a fully accessible pathway, and requires beach access and walking on rock platforms. Read more here.

Ettalong Esplanade to the Umina Peninsula Recreation Precinct is one of the Central Coast’s most accessible and scenic pathways! Start your journey at Ettalong Wharf, and follow the path along the water’s edge, stopping for a sip or bite wherever it pleases you between Ocean Beach and Umina Beach. Jasmine Greens Kiosk is handy for a takeaway lunch.

The Box on the Water is also a lovely spot to dine in or takeaway, and be sure to stop by the epic local homemade wares in Ettalong Galleria. The entire route offers an incredible outlook to Broken Bay, taking in the Bouddi Peninsula, secluded Lobster Beach and Wagstaffe Wharf, extending to Pearl Beach, protected Lion Island and the greater Pacific Ocean.

Follow the footpath or take the adventure down to the sand, travelling through Ocean Beach and onto Umina Beach. Here you will find the Peninsula Recreation Precinct, a vibrant playground with many accessible features, and a great outdoor café serving fresh bites and pick-me-ups before your return trip.

Both Ocean Beach and Umina Beach have Surf Life Saving Clubs along the way, perfect for grabbing a cold can or icecream treat. Umina beach also has a beach wheelchair when lifeguards are on duty and beach matting for when weather permits.

Why not book a stay? There are some award-winning accessible cabins at Ocean Beach Holiday Resort Umina that have received excellent reviews by parents from Have Wheelchair Will Travel for their fully accessible cabins and amenities. 

A stunning, flat pathway that traces the Brisbane Water’s edge. Start your journey either at Kincumber’s Carrak Road, or arrive by ferry at Davistown Ferry Wharf. Follow the shared path for roughly 3km (around 30-40 minutes one way) along one of the Central Coast’s most historic waterways. Explore Kincumber Broadwater by the Kincumber Jetty, famously photographed by Danny Irvine and used on an Australia Post Stamp.

The shared pathway has one steel bridge along the pathway. There’s public amenities at Broadwater Park, local cafes and pubs at both ends of the route, and four educational marquees along the way to soak up some local shipbuilding history since the 1820s.

As the gateway to the Central Coast, Gosford offers a beautiful waterfront walking path that hugs Brisbane Water. Stop off at Eat Street, Drifters Wharf or Gosford Sailing Club for a lunch with stunnig views at the edge of Brisbane Water.  All three stops are connected by the shared pathway along Gosford Waterfront.

Starting from the heart of Terrigal, at the War Memorial statues, head towards the rockpool at the southern end of the beach. Here you'll find the iconic boardwalk, an immaculately crafted, accessible wooden boardwalk connecting Terrigal’s main high street and beachside promenade directly over the crashing waves to The Haven and its surrounding parkland. Whether you approach Terrigal Boardwalk at sunrise, sunset or high tide, one thing is certain – you will feel closer to the ocean than ever, with some great pictures to prove it!

Plenty of good spots for lunch with picnic tables, alternatively grab some takeaway seafood from The Esplanade at Terrigal Fish and Chip Co. Enjoy lunch at the Terrigal Beach House with ramp access close to disability parking. Nothing goes better with sweeping ocean views than a delicious menu filled with sensational seafood.

Terrigal beach is also patrolled with a beach wheelchair during patrol season, and beach matting, when the weather permits. 

This waterway adventure path starts at Woy Woy Wharf (ferries connect here to Davistown and Saratoga), just off The Boulevarde. Pass through the waterfront reserve featuring local pelicans, picnic tables, public toilets, showers, and manicured gardens. Walk to Brick Wharf Road Waterfront and take the path by the water’s edge to Lions Park, offering an amazing view to Riley’s Island, and across one of the Central Coast’s valuable waterways, Brisbane Water. 

The shared pathway meanders through reserve along Woy Woy’s waterside community, ending at Macmasters Road in the neighbouring town, Blackwall. Time to loop back! When you finish your walk, seek out lunch at Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf, which you likely spotted on arrival. This local business is a popular family-run fresh seafood spot serving the latest catch to visitors and locals for decades.

The Central Coast is home to a number of jaw-dropping awe-inspiring national parks. Full of coastal wilderness, tranquil waterways and sublime beaches, they're a paradise for nature adventures. NSW National Parks and Wildlife have rated ten access friendly options. 

Visit Aboriginal sites on the Coast and connect to their spiritual presence. Brisbane Water National Park, near Kariong, is home to the amazing Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place, while Girrakool picnic area has a scenic loop that features Aboriginal rock engravings and waterfalls.

To truly take in the magnitude of Brisbane Water visit Staples lookout with views across Brisbane Water and Woy Woy Bay. Stop off at Somersby Falls picnic area nestled in Brisbane Waters lush rainforest boasting exhilarating waterfalls with accessible viewing decks and flat sandstone areas.

For beach adventures, there's Wyrrabalong National Park with Crackneck Point lookout and picnic area and top notch views over The Entrance and Shelly Beach providing the perfect photo opportunity. Alternatively, get closer to the beach down at Bateau Bay Beach accessible picnic area, close to The Entrance and The Coast walking track, with barbeques and toilets.

Accessibility improvements are underway at Somersby Falls and Crackneck to make these top destinations even more enjoyable for everyone. 

For the full list of accessible features nature on the Central Coast has to offer download the Accessible Nature brochure. 

The Central Coast has no shortage of beautiful beaches to choose from, but for wheelchair users and mobility aids, the options have been limited. Fortunately, thanks to new standards for outdoor spaces, the scope of accessible beaches is being expanded by Central Coast Council.

From rolling out beach access mats to offering all-terrain wheelchairs, these beach destinations are making the coast more accessible to all.

Portable beach matting is rolled out by lifeguards on duty providing a smooth and stable surface for wheelchairs, and people with walkers and scooters, to more easily access the beach. 

Throughout the summer patrol season beach matting is installed at Toowoon Bay, Umina Beach, Ocean Beach, and Terrigal Beach.

Not only is it easier to feel the sand between your toes but specially designed beach wheelchairs allow for getting salty. Beach wheelchairs have larger, wider wheels that more easily roll across the sand. There are also wheelchairs available which are specially designed for being submerged for swimming in the ocean baths.

To accommodate varied needs, there are three models of beach wheelchairs including the Sand Cruiser, plus the Hippocampe and Water Wheel.

While beach wheelchair hire can be arranged on site through the lifeguards at individual Surf Life Saving Clubs during the lifeguard season (September to April), online bookings are highly encouraged to ensure the preferred model of beach wheelchair is available. This is also the best way to arrange relocation of beach wheelchairs for individual or group bookings in advance. 

For beach patrol information, go to our beaches webpage and to book a wheelchair visit online bookings. Beach wheelchairs are available for use across the Central Coast from the south to the north at the following patrolled beaches:

• Avoca Beach 
• Copacabana Beach
• Killcare Beach
• Lakes Beach
• MacMasters Beach
• North Avoca
• North Entrance
• Ocean Beach
• Shelly Beach
• Soldiers Beach
• Terrigal Beach
• The Entrance
• Toowoon Bay
• Umina Beach
• Wamberal Beach

With rows and rows of orchards to choose from, fresh air and no crowds, the folks from Have Wheelchair Will Travel reccommend a 'pick your own' day out on the Central Coast is the perfect accessible adventure. Choose from orchards with lower hanging produce, or use a picking stick. You'll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour with a take home bag that you'll weigh your oranges in to pay by the kilo at the end of your pick.

Take a picnic to have between the orchards, but time your visit after a week of good weather so the grounds are firm for wheelchairs. The only issue is that some places don't have toilets, so you'll need to stop somewhere beforehand. Look out for a community hall with accessible toilets along the way.

Visit Pick You Own Oranges at Dooralong for more details. 

The Australian Reptile Park is a hands-on zoo located in a natural bush setting on the Central Coast of NSW. It is home to exotic reptiles from Australia and around the world, as well as a wide variety of Australian native animals. Enjoy live entertaining shows, themed exhibits and behind the scenes tours for a sensory experience.

Most areas of the Australian Reptile Park are accessible via wheelchair. All pathways are wide and made of concrete or grass with some bark paths. The path beyond the Main Park Area (through the Koala Enclosures and beyond), has varying gradients, terrain and uneven ground. The majority of animals in their exhibits are visible from a wheelchair, either through fencing, windows or over the top of barriers.

Bonus free entry for carers! The park offers free entry for accompanying carers with a NSW Companion Card.

Take in the Coast’s hinterland scenery at Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures spanning 3,000 acres of unspoilt wilderness offering horse and pony interactions and riding, quad biking, kayaking, abseiling, laser skirmish, axe throwing and more.

Talk to staff about how you would like to participate in adventures of your choice, so they can prepare (if necessary) and accommodate different needs accordingly.

A big highlight for visitors of all abilities is the ‘Man from Snowy River’ running of the horses, from 4 pm daily.

The venue’s accessible car park and entrance is next to the Valley Event Centre and reception with flat access straight to the elevator providing accessibility to the kiosk and shop. There are two accessible toilets, the main ones in the Valley Events Centre and the second in Mill Paddock.

All adventures and their activities are located at different areas around the property and accessible by vehicle. For example, staff can bring horses down into lesson arenas and House Paddock so people can be dropped to the paddock for their prearranged horse activity. Guests can also drive right up to the entrance of the axe throwing  with some minor coordination with staff and Glenworth Valley recommend people in wheelchairs have enjoyed this activity.

Sailors with a disability across Australia’s Central Coast have the opportunity to sail on Brisbane Water regardless of skill level. The sailboats are skippered by experienced volunteer sailors from Gosford Sailing Club. All sailboats are monitored from a radio equipped powerboat while underway.  

The Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre at Terrigal has something for everyone, children and adults. A treasure trove of sensational sea life! It’s a volunteer-run cottage in Terrigal, jam-packed with fascinating ocean artefacts and some amazing animals. Their aim is to teach the wonder of the oceans through displays and interactive activities. View a display of the sinking of the HMAS Adelaide, revealing the beautiful corals and fish proliferating on the artificial reef. Learn about local rock pools from an artificial touch pool, explore the whale, shark, bird and heritage exhibits and observe the fish feeding. 

Entry into the venue is accessible by wheelchair.

Bonus free entry for carers! The park offers free entry for accompanying carers with a NSW Companion Card.

Meet native wildlife in heritage-listed land at the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park a working wildlife sanctuary located in Calga. The ranger team here believes in conservation through education, as they care for and protect hundreds of rescued, orphaned, unreleasable, disabled and retired animals every year, as well as help protect the many wild animals living on their 180 acres of natural Aussie bushland.

Lots of groups from various disability services bring clients to visit the animals at Walkabout Park. It's always recommend pre-booking to let rangers know.

Bonus free entry for carers! The park offers free entry for accompanying carers with a NSW Companion Card and a prebooking. 

Elixir Journey's embrace nature, good food and wine in scenic settings on the Central Coast. The company does everything for you, from setting up, providing the food and drink plus all the accessories to packing away afterwards. The picnics are luxurious, and the views are breathtaking.

They offer wheelchair friendly deluxe picnics too in accessible locations including Hardy's Bay foreshore and Ettalong Promenade. Or, if you have a location in mind near Bouddi Peninsula, Elixir are all too happy to try and set up there for you too. 

Visit the Iris Lodge Alpacas farm which is a working grazing property on the Central Coast NSW where you'll meet alpacas, wiltipoll sheep, horses and cows and their maremma Lola. Experience life on the farm and get to know the animals with an introduction and feeding time.

People in wheelchairs / mobility scooters have visited Iris Lodge Alpacas, with their website reccommending 'most not experiencing any problems' with the site. However, please note there is no access to the top deck where breakfast is served and there is a step up to the bottom sitting area.

If there's one organisation that beleives in the healing power of animals it's the Riding for Disabled Association NSW, a charity that provides horse related activities to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. RDA (NSW) provides support to 38 centres around the state and assists them to provide diverse and individualised programs. The Central Coast's hinterland is home to one of their Centres at Somersby off Kangaroo Rd. Horse riding for people with a disability is both theraputic and recreational and RDA provides a multi-diagnostic service. Riding classes run on a weekly basis, with extensive support from trained and accredited coaches. With over 65 partipants attending their classes a week with varying disabilities from cerebal palsy, down syndrome, autism, developmental, intellectual and learning disabilities, its the real deal and time for you to give it a whirl!

Ken Duncan is an Australian landscape photographer best known for his stunning array of panoramic landscape images from Australia and around the world.

At the Ken Duncan Gallery you can watch a stunning audio-visual presentation in the venue’s intimate 45-seat theatre, browse through the Gallery Store, or wander amongst the spectacular artworks featuring photos from across the Central Coast and around the world in the gallery’s spacious viewing rooms. Then enjoy lunch or a coffee in Kew Dining, with its wonderfully colourful menu. There is accessible parking and access to all areas.

The Art House is the Central Coast's most exciting performing arts centre, bringing world-class theatre to a Central Coast audience.

Its joint focuses are on bringing national and internationally-renowned companies and performers to its stage and on providing a state-of-the-art performance space for the local community.

Visitors to the Central Coast will find a packed schedule of theatre and musical performances with something to suit the tastes of everyone.

See what's on at The Art House to book your tickets. Please let Box Office staff know when booking if you have a hearing aid or require accessible seating. All major areas of The Art House feature wheelchair accessibility and The Art House is accessible from street level.

Bonus free entry for carers! For patrons who require assistance of a companion or carer, a ticket for the companion is issued at no cost to the Companion Card holder. 

Gosford Regional Art Gallery maintains a rotating line up in The Foyer Gallery of local display works from established and emerging local artists in photography, sculpture, visual art and design. From its humble beginnings, this regional gallery is now renowned for hosting an impressive schedule of national and international exhibitions, including the annual Gosford Art Prize.

Guided tours of the Gallery are every Saturday morning at 11:00am and 11:30am.

Gosford Regional Gallery is wheelchair accessible. Level access from the car park and street leads into the gallery foyer, exhibition spaces and toilets. 

Assistance dogs are permitted in the gallery buildings and gardens.

Playgrounds offer the perfect remedy for families who need to entertain the kids for free, while also enjoying a healthy dose of the great outdoors. Playspaces offer children hours of free fun, socialising, outdoor exercise and creative stimulation, so it helps to have a list of the best local spots to hand.

The NSW Central Coast is home to a diverse network of inclusive outdoor playspaces, which includes some truly amazing playgrounds. And many of these are conveniently located near charming local cafes, shops, beaches, BBQ areas, and public amenities. After consulting those who know where to go – the savvy local parents at Playing in Puddles,– we’ve collected some of their favourites to get you through the school holidays and beyond! 

For more information visit the full list of inclusive play locations and their features. 

The excitement of taking the kids to The Entrance foreshore never fails to disappoint, especially with a waterplay area, known as Vera’s Water Garden, which doubles as interactive play and cools the kids down in balmy weather. There are accessible toilets, accessible picnic tables and accessible parking nearby.

Get instructions to The Entrance Waterfront Playground

This playground and adjoining parkland was specifically created to provide visitors with a unique sensory experience. Creators and builders set out with the specific goal in mind that would integrate and allow for inclusive play involvements for kids that are visually impaired and use a wheelchair. 

The designer’s considerations included a vast array of sensory experiences including touch, sound, and balance. There are mosaic fish scattered around the park, handrails with timber beads, various tactile elements on carved timber poles, and two mosaic tabletop games. 

Get directions to Canton Beach Playground 

A lovely big area of flat parkland and walkways that make it easy for wheelchairs to get around. There is also a Liberty swing which is a wheelchair swing located within the playground.

Get directions to Saltwater Creek Reserve & Playground in Long Jetty

This park and playground has been organised into play areas for different age groups, from young kids in a fully fenced, pirate themed play area; to the area for kids that are slightly older, with a basket swing, musical instruments and merry go round; a sensory play area, an incredible maze featuring sounds and textures, and accessible by wheelchair. 

Get directions to the Peninsula Recreational Precinct playground

Get directions to Susan Fahey Park 

Get directions to Sun Valley Regional Playspace

Looking for more accessible playspaces close to home? Here's another eight inclusive play locations on the Central Coast:

Kurraba Oval, Berkeley Vale

McKenzie Reserve, Budgewoi

Edgewater Park, Buff Point

Shaun Brinklow Park, Copacabana

Ettalong Foreshore Playground, Ettalong Beach

Tunkuwallin Oval, Gwanadalan

Memorial Park East, The Entrance

Memorial Park West, The Entrance

To help you find an accessible playspace near you Central Coast Council has developed the Accessible Playspaces brochure to provide you with a clear description of the playspace and location and lists the accessible features.