Central Coast

ECO Certified Destination (Nature Tourism) since 2022.

The Central Coast is one of Australia’s first certified ECO Destinations offering locals and guests abundant natural beauty to experience from headland to hinterland. Located on the east coast of New South Wales, Australia, the Central Coast is conveniently halfway between the cities of Sydney and Newcastle.

The Central Coast is a region ripe for exploring, featuring a network of inviting waterways, more than 40 pristine beaches, five national parks and five state forests, plus a Hinterland rich with natural produce you can taste at farm gates along Tourist Drive 33.

The Central Coast is dotted with charming Town Centres to explore local makers, creators and producers, including Umina Beach, Ettalong Beach, Woy Woy, Gosford, Kincumber, Avoca Beach, Terrigal, Long Jetty, The Entrance, Wyong, Toukley and Budgewoi.

As a leading ecotourism destination in New South Wales, more than half of the Central Coast is national park, state forest, bushland, open space, nature reserves, beaches and waterways. This includes some of New South Wales’ most popular immersive nature experiences – such as the spectacular Bouddi Coastal Walk, the waterfalls of Brisbane Water National Park, the awe-inspiring Humpback Highway, and the World Heritage Listed Old Great North Road in Dharug National Park.

Across the Central Coast your story starts wherever your heart is headed… Choose from a raft of nature-based, eco-conscious activities, immersive experiences and sustainable businesses. Add wild bushwalks, outdoor pools, vast lookouts and hidden beaches to your bucket list. Or take tips from passionate Local Guides on where to explore.

The Central Coast region is home to a diverse range of people, places and natural spaces, including an innovative network of makers and creators, who are at the heart of what makes the Central Coast such a magnetic destination to live, work and play.

We encourage you to tread lightly and go slow when exploring our slice of paradise on the east coast of Australia. Check out our Sustainability Pledge to soak up the best of the Central Coast responsibly.

The Central Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and play and pays respect to Darkinjung country, and Elders past and present. We recognise the continued connection to these lands and waterways and extend this acknowledgement to the homelands and stories of those who also call this place home. We recognise our future leaders and the shared responsibility to care for and protect our place and people.

The Central Coast local government area is one of the largest and fastest growing Aboriginal communities in Australia.. There are thousands of registered sites of cultural significance exist on the Central Coast, and it is a very treasured place to First Nations Peoples. The region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are also to be celebrated with many inspiring young people, high achievers and respected Elders all calling the Central Coast home.

Sustainability Commitment

The Central Coast hinterland’s interactive alpaca lodge – Jilliby-based Iris Lodge Alpacas offer a popular Breakfast with Alpacas experience and family-friendly Alpaca Farm visits. Guests have the opportunity to experience life on their farm in the Central Coast hinterland with their playful resident animals.

NSW’s first ECO Certified oyster farm – Sydney Oyster Farm Tours offer immersive culinary oyster farm tours one hour from the city in Mooney Mooney. This is a family owned oyster farm operating for over 15 years, offering luxury tourism experiences with sustainability at its heart.

Cycling in nature on the Central Coast – Riding through a forest, navigating technical trails and connecting with the local MTB community can contribute to sustainability with Rocky Trail Entertainment.

The Central Coast’s marine tour guides – ECO Certified sealife adventurers, Terrigal Ocean Tours, are a nature-based business combining marine adventure with marine conservation. Spot whales, dolphins and seals swimming in the wild on a scenic cruise along the Central Coast’s pristine beaches and bays on a high performance Eco Tour vessel.

Take 3 for the Sea – Launched on the Central Coast, this now global environmental initiative encourages beachgoers to simply Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, the waterway… or anywhere and you have made a difference.. #Take3fortheSea

Accessible beach matting for wheelchair use – To improve access and inclusion for people with limited mobility or living with a disability, Central Coast provides beach wheelchairs at 13 beaches and has installed beach matting at four popular locations.

Share the shore in summer with Little Terns – The Little Tern is listed as an Endangered species in New South Wales and their rare chicks are spend summer on their favourite Central Coast beach – The Entrance North! We’re calling on beachgoers to help continue their record-breaking breeding seasons by opting to #SharetheShore and follow several key visitor tips.

Green Caffeen swap and go cups – Try an eco-friendly café crawl inspired by reusable cup company, Green Caffeen. In 2021 the region introduced 4,000 ‘Love Central Coast’ reusable coffee cups into 30+ cafés, aiming to remove over 960,000 single-use disposable cups from the streets, beaches and bush and saving 14,400kgs of plastics from landfill.

Born to be wild

Platypus, Koala, Echidna… it’s incredible to witness a wild animal up close! But never invade their space or pat their face. Take photos from afar, leave wild things where they are.

Explore our waterways

Explore the Central Coast’s vast waterworld via the Love Our Waterways interactive website featuring recreation, fishing and birdwatching opportunities, plus six free iBooks.