With the winter school holidays just around the corner, the NSW’s Central Coast is the ideal destination for easy day trips, fun-filled mini breaks and longer getaways. Less than an hour’s drive from Sydney and with activities for everyone from toddlers and tweens to hard-to-please teens, here is your go-to guide to escape the everyday, connect and make memories without the stress of air travel or budget-breaking long-haul holidays.
Plus, to find top spots to fuel up in between activities, check out the Central Coast’s kids eat free guide, and keep an eye on the local deals page for the latest offers.
Wonderful wildlife
Kids of all ages (and grown-ups too) love a walk on the wild side. Across the Central Coast, hands-on animal encounters bring you face to face with everything from venomous spiders and friendly alpacas to farmyard favourites and native wildlife.
At the Australian Reptile Park, see scaly superstars put on a show, check out Dingo Puppy Playtime or Tassie Devil talks, visit the new Weigel Venom Centre or add a special encounter, like feeding Elvis the cranky crocodile or having a happy snap with a baby alligator. At Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary in Calga, the two-hour ranger-led Wild Night Out is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet the native creatures after dark. Extend the experience by staying in an on-site eco-cabin to share stories around the campfire after your adventure.
Farm animal fans will love Moo to Ewe in Palmdale where you can meet rescued and rehomed farm animals including cows, pigs, goats and more, or check into the award-winning Yarramalong Valley Farmstay and spend time collecting eggs for breakfast, feeding ponies, sheep and alpacas or yabbying in the on-site dams. The Giving Farm in Jilliby is a hands-on farm where you can book in a busy morning of cosy farm animal cuddles, feeding experiences and farm games. Still in Jilliby, and a meet and greet with the famous furry friends at Iris Lodge Alpacas is a heartwarming activity – bring carrots and bananas if you want to become an instant hit with the four-legged residents.
From furry friends to the feathered variety, Pelican Time at Pelican Plaza, The Entrance, is an education talk lead by Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast held every day during the school holidays at 3.30pm.
The region’s rockpools are home to all sorts of unexpected delights, and the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre offers hands-on discovery activities and daily fish feeding for budding marine biologists. You can even join a guide on an exciting expedition to learn about the local rockpool residents. Still on the marine theme, ‘Whale Tales’ at Crackneck Point Lookout in Wyrrabalong National Park is a two-hour workshop and coastal walk on Tuesday 7 July to learn about migrating whales from prime lookouts.
Hi-octane outdoor adventures
Head to Treetops Adventure in Ourimbah State Forest for adrenaline-fuelled fun for all ages. Conquer ropes courses up to 20-metres high, soar along NSW’s longest Zipcoaster for 500 exhilarating metres, or bounce about with inflatable balls at Networld. Energetic kids will also love Umina’s Peninsula Recreation Precinct to burn off some energy at the skatepark, basketball courts, bouldering walls or bike track. For a sporty experience with a different pace – but plenty of challenge – kids aged 5-17 can try their hand at golf at one of Gosford Golf Club’s junior golf clinics, and beginners are welcome!
Spend the afternoon at Australia’s largest outdoor activity centre, Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures. Highlights of a visit to Glenworth, set amidst 3000 acres of unspoiled wilderness, include horse riding, meeting Hilda the Highland cow, kayaking, abseiling, quad biking, stand-up paddleboarding and the spectacular weekend ‘Running of the Horses’, when over 200 majestic horses run through the field from 4pm in a true ‘Man from Snowy River’ moment. During the school holidays, kids can join half or full-day camps packed with age-appropriate activities from kayaking, horse-riding and quad biking to scavenger hunts, damper-making, shelter-building and frolicking with farmyard favourites. For a fully immersive experience, book a glamping stay in a beautiful belle tent and BYO dinner and roast marshmallows while resident horses nap in the field nearby.
Slow down and look around
When it’s time to swap screen time for green time, the Central Coast has plenty of options to slow down and look around. Hike through lush rainforest to spectacular Somersby Falls, stroll through Strickland State Forest, or expend some energy cycling (or strolling) along the Long Jetty Foreshore, including walking the 350-metre length of the namesake heritage jetty for terrific views of Tuggerah Lake and its resident black swans, ducks and pelicans.
Become a junior ranger for a day on Tuesday 14 July and walk part of the spectacular Bouddi Coast Walk to Gerrin Point Lookout. Keep an eye out for frolicking whales off the coast and learn from an expert National Parks and Wildlife Services ranger as you spot local birdlife and mammals during this two-hour experience.
Learn while you look during an Aboriginal Cultural Tour in beautiful Brisbane Water National Park. On Monday 13 July, a ranger will offer insight into the world’s oldest living culture, including the plants Aboriginal people used for food, shelter and traditional medicine.
Creative, crafty, techie or sporty – indoor activities for rainy days
Swap outside fun for indoor fun with a raft of classes, workshops, games and sporting activities to fire up the family competitive spirit and nurture their imagination.
Art Barn Plaster Painting in Gosford offers walk-in plaster painting activities which little kids love, whilst the House of Ellery in Wyong runs workshops to create everything from soap and beaded keyrings to mini preserved flowers. At Aroma Shak in Kariong, soy candles and bath bombs take the stage for younger kids, while teens can join a DIY skincare workshop to make their own products using organic essential oils and flowers. Kids are front and centre at The Ary Toukley throughout the holidays with activities including science workshops, magic shows, take-home-pet creation, discos and K-pop dance running on various dates.
High-octane activities aren’t only for the outdoors, half and full-day school holiday circus camps at Roundabout Circus in Gosford including juggling, tumbling and aerial skills, while the Bungee Fitness studio in Tuggerah is a favourite for thrill seekers keen to have a crack at aerial silks, hoop, trapeze or aerial yoga – brave parents are also welcome to join in. At BattleKart in Tuggerah, kids can immerse themselves in a real-life game of Mario Kart on an electric track – or try to beat their parents. Get into the winter spirit with Erina Ice Arena‘s school holiday camp. Perfect for beginners with age-appropriate small groups, these fun classes include skills, games and free skating time to build confidence on the ice. At Ready’s at the Doyalson RSL Club the whole family can compete in games of mini golf, baseball, tennis, cricket or try to cross the finish line first in the virtual F1 race car simulator.
From plays and musicals to dinosaur delights, the Central Coast will host a range of enthralling performances during the school holidays, including family favourites Where is the Green Sheep?, The Farmy Farm and The Dinomaniacs. Check out the local events calendar for full dates and details.
Where to stay while you play
Family-friendly accommodation options include Oaks The Entrance Waterfront Suites overlooking Tuggerah Lake with spacious apartments and a heated pool and spa; and Mercure Kooindah Waters which will host plenty of school holiday activities through the winter break including nightly movies, snowman marshmallow making, crazy shakes and cookie decorating. At Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, families can choose from apartments and villas in a beachfront setting with a golf course and on-site spa for parents and kids’ activities including movie afternoons, balloon twisting, cupcake decorating, face painting, pizza-making and toasting marshmallows around the firepit. The Beachcomber Hotel & Resort is another standout option, offering family-style rooms alongside sweeping waterfront views, a Hamptons-inspired ambience, boutique-style accommodation and multiple dining options, making it an inviting place to settle in and unwind.
The Central Coast is also home to a range of holiday parks offering cabins, powered and unpowered sites in prime locations such as Budgewoi, Canton Beach, Norah Head and Toowoon Bay. The Blue Lagoon Beach Resort in Bateau Bay is a favourite, with direct beach access, an outdoor pool and spa, a basketball court and a games hub.
