The central coast has hidden gems

IT’S QUITE EXQUISITE AND YOU’D NEVER SUSPECT THAT YOU’RE CLOSE TO A BUILT-UP AREA

There are parts of the NSW Central Coast where development has been less than subtle. But scratch a little further and you’ll discover some wonderful, unspoilt beaches and national parks, as well as superb guesthouses and resorts.

In addition to its wonderful beaches and wilderness areas, the golf courses, excellent restaurants, the reptile park, and its scuba-diving and horse-riding opportunities, make the NSW Central Coast one of the best short-break destinations barely an hour from Sydney. You don’t even have to drive there, as there’s a good ferry service that takes passengers directly to Gosford and Hardy’s Bay from Palm Beach. Be sure to carry a map when travelling around the Central Coast, as the topography can be a challenge due to the many waterways cutting into the landscape. The prawns don’t come fresher than at Woy Woy, where you can enjoy them overlooking the waterfront under the impatient gaze of seagulls and pelicans on the lookout for a titbit.

Killcare has the sweeping crescent of Putty Beach before a boardwalk takes you along the cliff face to the often-deserted Maitland Bay in the Bouddi National Park. It’s quite exquisite and you’d never suspect you’re close to a built-up area, as your views are nothing but golden sandstone buttresses, sparkling white sands and beautiful blue ocean. This spot could barely have changed from the way it was when the British first settled Port Jackson.

Hardy’s Bay boasts the timber-finished Hardy’s Bay RSL, as well as Lizotte’s Bistro, serving the best in modern Australian fare.

Avoca is one of the more fashionable villages on the Central Coast and has a lovely swimming beach and excellent local cinema. Some nights they even show the movies outdoors. Terrigal is perhaps the best known of the Central Coast holiday destinations, boasting several 5 star quality hotels and guesthouses. The area is also well positioned for a day excursion to the cellar doors and restaurants of the world-famous Hunter Valley.

>> Central Coast accommodation

The Reptile Park at Somersby near Gosford, just off the F3 Freeway, is one of the best in Australia and a must for any visitor. The feeding of the pelicans at The Entrance at 3.30pm at Memorial Park is another of the natural highlights of the area.

Art and crafts are everywhere on the Central Coast, with galleries and pottery and craft shops in most of its villages. There’s a wide range of styles and products on offer, from traditional watercolours and sculpture, through to locally made pottery.

Pearl Beach does not have quite the profile as a haven for Sydney celebrities as it did 15 years ago, but it’s still a beautiful beach with several eateries worth travelling to. One only needs glance at the property prices to know that the Central Coast is being rediscovered at quite a pace. It’s certainly worth a visit.