The Central Coast is a region of New South Wales just north of Sydney. Stretching about 1,681 km2 it covers the coastal area roughly between Swansea in the north and Woy Woy and Killcare to the south. It is the sixth-largest urban area in Australia and packed with so much to do.
We're currently living full-time in our campervan, a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter, and exploring Australia, with a plan of "driving the lap" (completing the entire perimeter of the country). I first visited Australia in 2019, following the classic backpacker route, mostly visiting big cities, staying in hostels and traveling by public transport. This time, with the freedom of our campervan, we're trying to hit the lesser known spots and go slower.
Heading north out of Sydney, we explored hikes, beaches, towns and viewpoints all around the Central Coast, now home to more than 350,000 people.
For over 40,000 years, the Darkinjung people lived on this land, long before any Europeans arrived. The first European land grants of the Central Coast were given in 1811 and this first European contact also brought disease and war, both of which contributed to the decrease in Aboriginal numbers, today making up just 5% of the Central Coast population.
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Below is some useful information for preparing for your trip to the Central Coast. In all cases, please be sure to check with the relevant local authorities for the latest and accurate information.
Language: The official language of Australia is English. In the Central Coast, traditional language of the Darkinjung people is Darkinyung.
→ Learn more about the language of the Darkinjung people.
Currency: The currency used in Australia is the Australian dollar, denoted as AUD $. I use a Wise account when I travel which allows me to have a single, free account with multiple currencies. I only have to pay once to convert my money in the app and then I can pay in AUD $!
→ Check the latest currency conversion between AUD $ and your local currency.
Data/WiFi: Before you arrive, I recommend purchasing an eSim on your phone so that you can access data the moment you land. eSims are much more convenient as it means you don't have to put a separate physical Sim into your phone. AirAlo offers great deals for eSims of various data sizes and time lengths with Optus.
→ Load an international eSim on your phone with AirAlo.
If you are visiting Australia long term, you might wish to put a physical Sim in your phone as AirAlo is geared more towards short term visitors on holiday. This way you can access a local phone plan. There are three main mobile phone network providers in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Telstra has the best coverage across the country whereas Optus and Vodafone are good within cities. I recommend Telstra as it means you have the best coverage while you travel around the country, especially in rural areas.
Many businesses offer free WiFi in the Central Coast. There is free WiFi at most train stations along the Central Coast Line.
Visa: All passport holders except New Zealand require a visa to visit Australia. All arrivals must fill out an Australian arrival card before landing.
→ Check which visa you need for Australia.
Time of year to visit: Australia can be visited all year-round. The Central Coast, situated on the southeast coast of the country, north of Sydney in New South Wales, can get very hot in the summer and cool in the winter months. I recommend visiting in spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May) for pleasant, sunny days.
Length of stay: We spent two days on the Central Coast exploring the beaches, towns, hikes and viewpoints. It would be a great day or weekend trip to do from Sydney.
Mount Ettalong Lookout
By flight: The closest major airports are Newcastle to the north and Sydney to the south, both approximately 100km away from the Central Coast, depending on which part of the region you're heading to.
By car: If you're driving around the country as we are in our campervan, then the easiest way to get to the Central Coast is with your own wheels. The most popular way of exploring Australia is by camping - whether with a motorhome, campervan, caravan or a roof tent on top of a car. This gives you the ultimate freedom of going as fast or as slow as you like.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Sydney or Newcastle.
You might want to start in Sydney as your base for renting a campervan to explore Australia.
→ Rent a campervan in Sydney with Apollo, Camplify, Indie or Juicy.
By public transport: Sydney connects with Newcastle by train, stopping along the way at many stations in the Central Coast, with the Central Coast line. Buses connect with each station to transfer you to where you wish to go.
→ Plan your trip with public transport to the Central Coast.
By guided tour: There is a full-day guided tour of the Central Coast that starts in Sydney.
Black swans at the Long Jetty
The Central Coast is Australia's sixth-largest urban area and has a great transport system for getting around easily.
By public transport: Sydney connects with Newcastle by train, stopping along the way at many stations on the Central Coast, with the Central Coast line. Buses connect with each station to transfer you to where you wish to go.
→ Plan your trip with public transport to the Central Coast.
By car: If you have your own wheels, of course you can drive yourself around. Parking is readily available.
By Uber: Uber is readily available on the Central Coast and is a popular and convenient way of getting around the area.
By guided tour: There are plenty of guided tour options for exploring the Central Coast, either as a day trip from nearby Sydney, or once you've already arrived in the area. This is a great option if you don't have your own wheels or simply want to go the guided route.
Hiking on the Bouddi Coastal Walk
In Woy Woy, before we hiked the Mount Ettalong Lookout and the Bouddi Coastal Walk, we had a delicious lunch at One Lucky Duck Cafe, an adorable cafe with a plant-filled courtyard. We loved their soup and their cakes to fuel us up before our walk.
In Norah Head, we had yummy tapas and pizza (gluten-free available!) at Johnny Tapas, a vibey spot near the beach. Reservations are recommended!
One Lucky Duck Cafe
Johnny Tapas
We spent two days exploring the Central Coast area although, as Australia's sixth-largest urban area, there is so much to do here to keep you going for much longer!
Here is everything we did in the area to get you started in geographical order from south to north:
Hike to the Mount Ettalong Lookout
The Mount Ettalong Lookout is located in Pearl Beach, a cute coastal town in the south of the Central Coast. Starting at a water tower, you'll head towards a number of stunning coastal viewpoints overlooking Umina Beach, Brisbane Water, Bouddi National Park and Pearl Beach.
→ Check out my complete guide to hiking the Mount Ettalong Lookout!
See the view from Gerrin Point Lookout
The Gerrin Point Lookout is on the Bouddi Coastal Walk, a gorgeous hiking trail in Bouddi National Park in the south of the Central Coast. Bouddi National Park stretches 3,790 acres, part of which reaches into the Tasman Sea with the park covering land, shore and marine areas.
The entire Bouddi Coastal Walk stretches 8.5km each way from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach; hiking to the Gerrin Point Lookout is a great shorter alternative to doing the full trek.
→ Check out my complete guide to hiking the Bouddi Coastal Walk to Gerrin Point Lookout!
Look out over Spoon Bay
We made a quick trip to Wamberal, parking at the end of Spoon Bay Road to take in the view of the pretty beach laid out in front of us. You can carry on walking down to Wamberal Beach and make a beach day out of it!
See the black swans at the Long Jetty
The Long Jetty lives up to its name as the longest jetty in New South Wales at a length of 351 metres into the ocean. It's a relaxed spot, home to black swans and pretty walking and running tracks along the coast.
Watch the sunset at Canton Beach
We stepped outside after our dinner at Johnny Tapas in Norah Head and the sky was beginning to turn the most amazing shades of pinks, yellows and purples so we Googled sunset spots in the area and beelined it to Canton Beach. Looking westward over Tuggerah Lake, it's at the perfect angle and spot for sunset.
Hang out at Caves Beach
At the northern end of the Central Coast, you'll find the popular Caves Beach, named so for its many caves lining the sides of the beach, only visible at high tide.
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
