Central Coast, New South wales, Australia

Central Coast Overview

The Central Coast is the region just north of the Greater Sydney boundary marked by Brisbane Waters and Broken Bay; Palm Beach is just about the furthest north one can go in Greater Sydney and the strip of land over the waters of Broken Bay is the Central Coast.

The Central Coast has grown substantially in recent years thanks to it being around an hours commute from Sydney.

The region is booming as more and more people choose the unique lifestyle it offers and its good accessibility to Sydney. Property prices have risen significantly in recent years and the area is expanding with light industry and more facilities to cater for the burgeoning population.

A Scenic Drive North

The journey from Sydney to the Central Coast is a pleasant ( and at times dramatic ) hours drive (or train journey) north on the F3 Freeway.The trip will take longer if you opt to take the old Pacific Highway (Tourist Route) but it is less frantic and is often considerably quiter than the busy F3.

The route takes you through some impressive man made cuttings through solid rock from Berrowa to Brooklyn and over scenic bridges crossing Brisbane Waters at Brooklyn.

The older and newer roads almost run parallel to each other, the Freeway being the newer and more direct route, designed to take the large volume of daily commuters.

The Central Coast can also be reached by the Ettalong ferry from Palm Beach or by train from Sydney.

The Hawkesbury river divides Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park and Brisbane Waters National Park. Houseboats, tinnies and all sorts of watercraft are available for hire from different marinas from the mouth of the river to further upstream.

If you’re interested in snakes then Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is worth a visit (it is well signposted as you drive north from Sydney).

Gosford-Capital of The Central Coast

Gosford is also known as the 'capital' of the Central Coast and has grown rapidly with large shopping centres and extensive residential developments. Gosford is obviously a place on the move and with great ambition to rival Sydney to the south.

Although the town is not located by the sea, however, it does have an enviable location on Brisbane Waters. Sailing is a popular pursuit in Gosford and much of the Central Coast for that matter.

Woy Woy close to Gosford also has a spectacular waterside location and many residents have boats moored at the bottom of the back garden.

A Strip Of Beach Side Towns

The Central Coast's character comes from the beach side towns of Avoca Beach, Terrigal, Wamberal, Foresters Beach, Bateau Bay, Blue Lagoon, Shelly Beach, Toowoon Bay, The Entrance, Norah Head and Budgewoi.

A scenic road links each town and makes a more pleasant but slower drive north, as an alternative to the F3 Freeway.