Eco Stop 1 - Frazer Beach

Munmorah State Conservation Area

The northern reaches of the Central Coast offer some amazing marvels of nature - many of them hidden within Munmorah State Conservation Area! Visit at the crack of dawn for the best experience to see sunrise and explore the Frazer Beach area, or park up at Snapper Point to witness the power of the waves viewed from the headland above.

 

 

Eco Stop 2 - Avoca Beach

Breakfast at Like Minds

Avoca's friendly community café offers a fresh, sustainable menu and pursues a zero waste ethos. Owners James and Melissa also use their café’s modern lakeside space to host farmers markets, produce swaps and the work of local artists. But the menu - that's why you're here! Don't miss the lavish avo smash garnished with garden-grown herbs!

 

Eco Stop 3 - Avoca Lake

Eco paddle with Aquafun*

Open from Spring each year through Summer to mid-May, this family-run small business has been operating with ECO Certified sustainability credentials for years. With a safe, enclosed lagoon with an island, bays and inlets waiting to be explored, this is a stunning way to tour the Central Coast's waterways. Choose from kayaks, pedal boats, stand-up boards and large waterbees!

 

Eco Stop 4 - Holgate

Firescreek Botanical Winery*

This is an ECO Certified, immersive experience in the heart of Holgate, where you can relax in a permaculture garden and taste award-winning wines hand crafted from local fruit and flowers! Pre-book a tour before your visit such as a chocolate and wine pairing, foraging & mixology workshop, meet the winemaker behind the scenes tour, or an Aboriginal bushtucker and tasting experience.

 

Eco Stop 5 - Somersby

Conservation at the Australian Reptile Park

Voted Australia's #1 Major Tourist Attraction in 2023, this is a must visit when exploring the wild side of the Central Coast! Home to exotic reptiles and cute Aussie critters, this diverse bushland park is committed to conservation. Check out the park's sister organisation, Aussie Ark, conducting research and breeding programs right on site. Witness life-saving venom milking and interactive educational ranger shows.

 

Eco Stop 6 - Glenworth Valley

Running of the Horses

There's no better way to wrap up your eco adventure of the Central Coast than with a chance visit at dusk to watch the majestic Running of the Horses at Glenworth Valley. This takes place daily, for free, usually as the sun is setting on the valley. Located off Tourist Drive 33, this is a great last stop if you're travelling home via the M1.

  

Eco Stop 1 - Killcare

Bells Bakery & Larder*

Awake to the sound of birdsong in your luxury accommodation, and simply head to the on-site bakery from 8am to pick up a fresh barista coffee and quality pastry for your morning exploring Bouddi National Park. Enjoy in the Bells at Killcare garden grounds, or package your treats up for a mid-morning snack on your journey.

  

Eco Stop 2 - Bouddi National Park

Girri Girra Aboriginal Experience

Ensure you have pre-booked a tour with the Central Coast's cultural walking tour guides, Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences, a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned business certified with a Parks Eco Pass and on their way to achieve national ECO Certification. Meet your authentic guide in Bouddi National Park to learn about the world's oldest living culture and the Country you travel in.

 

Eco Stop 3 - Copacabana

Perspective at Captain Cook Lookout

Take steps to be aware of the history of the place you're visiting. Make a pit-stop in the village of Copacabana to find Captain Cook Lookout atop a headland. This vantage point shared European history and its impact, showing the journey of the First Fleet from Sydney as the crew navigated the coastline. There's also an accessible northern lookout at this location.

 

Eco Stop 4 - LUNCH

Burnt Honey

Tucked in Copacabana visit ethical and eco-conscious Burnt Honey cafe and bakery. Run by Hayley and Jo, this sustainable business creates a positive sense of place with locally-sourced ingredients for high quality cakes, pastries, pies, loaves and lunch options! Grab lunch with an Aboriginal Flag Biscuit to support their socially responsible Where We Bake initiative.

 

Eco Stop 5 - KILLCARE

Indigenous-inspired day spa massage*

Bells at Killcare day spa apply traditional Aboriginal techniques to their massage therapy service, with a special experience known as the highly-popular Indigenous Clay Earth & Ocean Dreaming Ritual. Created to encourage rest in the guest's mind while replenishing energy levels through the natural healing powers of the earth. Book ahead and enjoy.

 

Eco Stop 6 - DINNER

Barretts Restaurant, Magenta

Take the scenic coastal road to Barretts Restaurant to relax and enjoy food sourced at least 80% locally, with stunning vistas of the Magenta Shores Golf Course and lake. This restaurant sits alongside your evening accommodation, with Pullmans Australia-wide committed to achieving Sustainable Tourism certification to support more responsible hospitality and less environmental impact.

 

Eco Stop 7 - STAY

Pullman Magenta Shores Resort

Nestled along the border of Wyrrabalong National Park in the north of the Central Coast, Pullman Magenta Shores take pride in offering a luxurious retreat with the opportunity to connect with the natural surrounds. Sustainable practices implemented daily, such as the property's electricity all from renewable sources, eco-friendly toiletries and cutting out single-use plastics.

 

Eco Stop 1 - YARRAMALONG

Breakfast & browse at Angel Susssuri Manor House*

Just a short drive from your overnight stay at Noonaweena, nestled within the Hinterland village of Yarramalong, you'll find Angel Sussurri Manor House and its charming cafe and produce store. Focused on serenity, community and sustainability, this is a place to rediscover the beauty of unhurried living, and of course enjoy fresh coffee and pastries from 7:30am!

 

Eco Stop 2 - Glenworth Valley

Kayak or abseil in the wilderness

Currently on their journey to ecotourism certification, Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures knows how to show you a wild time in the stunning Central Coast hinterland! Choose an exhilarating abseiling adventure with some of the best views in the region (Beckham has done it!), OR book a guided eco-kayaking tour along Popran Creek waterways.

 

Eco Stop 3 - Calga Springs

Walkabout with wild animals

On their journey to ecotourism certification, Australia Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary is a working wildlife park with a powerful history and sense of place. This Heritage-listed Aboriginal cultural landscape is home to hundreds of resident kangaroo, wallaby, emu and turkey roaming freely in the foxproof-fenced site in the Aussie bush, with daily ranger talks, bush tucker tours and more.

 

Eco Stop 4 - LUNCH

Parklife Coffee by Terrigal Lagoon

Time to refuel before your next stop and this locally-run cafe in a park will get you there! Catering to all kinds of dietary requirements with a mostly plant-inspired menu, food here is handmade fresh daily and sustainably with local ingredients. The team even use food scraps in their edible garden and regularly take part in food projects to support local charities. Order up...

 

Eco Stop 5 - TERRIGAL

Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre*

Pop into this much-loved mini museum; a treasure trove for curious kids and adults, the Centre is Advanced Ecotourism Certified and Climate Action Certified. Run by passionate volunteers and filled with fossils, sealife specimens and interactive experiences - such as digitally diving in 3D to the ex-HMAS Adelaide shipwreck off the Terrigal coastline!

 

Eco Stop 6.1 - TERRIGAL HAVEN

Whale watching with Terrigal Ocean Tours*

This ECO Certified ocean tour experience is not to be missed! Choose from Whale Watching, Dolphin Watching and Seal Tours taking off from Terrigal Haven with a qualified Marine Biologist on board to identify marine species and provide expert commentary. See the Central Coast from a new angle in a high performance Eco Tour vessel and visit the Humpback Highway!

 

Eco Stop 6.2 - ETTALONG BEACH

Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Bombora

Visiting outside of whale season (May-November), or prefer not to venture out to sea today? Try a calming Stand Up Paddling (SUP) experience! All levels of ability and fitness are welcome: you're in the expert hands of Karl who runs this Academy of Surfing Instructors-accredited business. Book a SUP tour or class of SUP pilates, SUP yoga or SUP ball.

 

Eco Stop 7 - DINNER

The Wild Flower, Bells at Killcare*

Dine in a room with decor inspired by ‘Bouddi by the sea’. Enjoy a menu of seasonal dishes featuring fresh produce grown and harvested in Bell's famous vegetable garden, with its orchid, olive trees, honey bee hives and free-range hens. With the "Best Regional Wine List" awarded several times over, there's no better way to end today than this ECO Certified business.

 

Eco Stop 8 - STAY

The Lodges, Bells at Killcare*

Just a few steps to your accommodation! With several stay options available with Bells at Killcare, we suggest The Lodges for families or small groups. With stunning panoramic ocean views, each lodge has three stories and two luxurious bedrooms with their own en-suite opening onto a private outdoor rain-room and heated pool. Luxury inclusions are available too.

 

Before your adventure

Be a sustainable guest

We ask respectfully for all those who tread from headland to hinterland in our region to explore responsibly by observing some simple ‘house’ rules. Just like you wouldn't walk into a friend's home with muddy shoes or leave rubbish behind, we've got the no-brainer Central Coast Sustainability Pledge to embrace to leave our beautiful region as you found it...

 

Eco Stop 1 - Jilliby

Breakfast with Alpacas*

Ecotourism Certified since July 2021, Iris Lodge Alpacas let you get up close with their herd of 140+ alpacas, 12 llamas and 75 wiltipoll sheep. Book breakfast in advance, available as an accessible experience. Open every day during school holidays and during the week for groups of 10 or more. You can also try an afternoon alpaca farm visit on Saturdays from 3pm.

 

Eco Stop 2.1 - Ourimbah State Forest

Treetops Adventure experience*

Are you ready to climb up in the eucalyptus tree canopies, or jump and tumble around in Networld like a kangaroo? Hidden in Ourimbah State Forest you'll find the ECO Certified Treetops Adventure park, where you can sign up for a level of activity that suits you. Instructors set you up safely to enjoy exploring the beautiful forest surrounds above.

 

Eco Stop 2.2 - Ourimbah State Forest

Central Coast Mountain Bike Park

More of an MTB enthusiast? Just enjoy cycling in nature? Ourimbah State Forest also has 22km of Forestry Permit-approved, community-maintained trails to traverse on two wheels - for free! All you need is your bike and a helmet. Routes include a simple family-friendly loop, to the XC and Gravity trails. Park at the trail head and read the on-site signage to get rolling.

 

Eco Stop 3.1 - LUNCH OPTION

Central Coast Wetlands Pioneer Dairy

Go via Wyong town centre to pick up lunch (there's bakeries, cafes, Korean fried chicken, sushi and more!). Head just 5 minutes drive over the bridge for a stunning picnic at the old Pioneer Dairy, saved from becoming a power station 20+ years ago! Now home to the Sustainable Wetlands Agricultural Makers Project (SWAMP) it's free for visitors. Nature stroll, twitch for 200+ bird species, or visit the Heritage-listed building.

 

Eco Stop 3.2 - LUNCH OPTION

Strickland State Forest

Go via Wyong town centre to pick up lunch (there's bakeries, cafes, Korean fried chicken, sushi and more!). Head to Strickland State Forest for a picnic and post-lunch walk to a waterfall or through their Arboretum Trail (a tree museum!). Strickland has some exotic tree plantings established since the late 1800s which are among the oldest known in Australia!

 

Eco Stop 4 - Lower Hawkesbury River

The Shellar Door

Prepare for an afternoon on the Central Coast waterways! Start by visiting New South Wales’ only pearl farm at their 'Shellar Door'! At Broken Bay Pearl Farm, see a beautiful selection of locally grown pearls, shells and jewellery. Enjoy tasting fresh local oysters by the riverside, or choose to take one of their famous guided tour experiences, like pearl grading.

 

Eco Stop 5 - Mooney Mooney

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours*

Get ready to immerse yourself in one of the Central Coast's luxury tourism experiences! This is NSW's only ECO Certified, family-owned oyster farm, led by Sheridan Beaumont, offering you an unforgettable in-water oyster shucking and dining experience. Stand in the very waters oysters are harvested from, surrounded by nature, and topped off with bubbly.

 

Eco Stop 6 - DINNER

Saddles Mount White

The Saddles menu is modelled on the chef's simple and ethical approach to food along with showcasing Australian native ingredients - and tonight you may be lucky enough to try the new edible seafood delicacy found only on the NSW Central Coast: the locally grown Broken Bay Akoya pearl oyster! Otherwise, their venue and menu will showcase the culinary clout of the region.

 

Eco Stop 7.1 - STAY

Noonaweena, Kulnura*

Your 'resting place in the bush' for tonight is Noonaweena in Kulnura, in the heart of the Central Coast Hinterland. Whether you're a couple, solo traveller or with a group, there's lovely accommodation options to suit. This includes a glamping bell tent for the brave, who really want that natural eco experience sleeping under the stars in the wild! 

 

Eco Stop 7.2 - STAY

The Rustic Nest Yarramalong

Another nature-based accommodation option for tonight is this charming Hinterland property originally established in 1856! Evolving over the years, today The Rustic Nest is a historic sandstone house and garden studio cottage surrounded by quaint gardens, citrus orchards, birds and mountain views, with modern comforts for guests.