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More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Find the best high teas for kids in Sydney.

Bulgandry Aboriginal Art Site, Central Coast

February 3, 2021 / Australia, Central Coast, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Bulgandry Aboriginal Art Site

The Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place is a sacred Indigenous site in the Brisbane Water National Park, near Kariong.

This incredible Aboriginal rock art site is a short stroll through the bush from the car park, with a boardwalk placed around the site to protect it from visitors.

Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place is truly a special place, with so many ancient engravings in the one space, so well preserved considering that most of them are over 200 years old, with many perhaps ten times that age.

The name “Bulgandry” comes from the name given to a large engraving of a man who was thought to represent an ancestral hero. He is depicted in the engravings with an impressive headdress.

Other engravings include wallabies, fish, a dolphin and some stone tool sharpening grooves.

Bulgandry Aboriginal Engravings — Tool sharpening grooves.

Please treat the site with respect and keep on the boardwalk when exploring the Bulgandry Aboriginal Art Site.

The site can be a bit tricky to find as it’s not signposted well. From the Central Coast Highway, take Woy Woy Road at Kariong. Travel approximately 3km towards Woy Woy and you will see a very small sign indicating a turnoff to the Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place on your right. The walk starts at the far end of the car park – there is no sign but it is the only path that is there to take.

There are no bathroom facilities in this area.

Bulgandry Aboriginal Art Site
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Amazement Farm and Fun Park Wyong

February 3, 2021 / Australia, Central Coast, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Amazement Farm and Fun Park Wyong

The Amazement Farm and Fun Park in Wyong has plenty for the whole family to enjoy, from mazes to friendly farm animals, train rides and giant board games.

A family-friendly attraction on the Central Coast, the Amazement Farm and Fun Park is a great outing with plenty to explore.

The Amazement Farm and Fun Park offers several attractions that can be enjoyed all day as well as timed activities, making it a perfect road trip stopover or a way to spend the entire day.

Kids will enjoy running through the three hedge mazes, swinging through the playground and playing giant board games, as well as feeding the farm animals.

If you want to do all of the activities on offer, arrive by 10am and follow the presentation schedule. When we visited it was as follows:

10am – 11am – Farmyard Animal Petting
11.30am – Reptile Presentation
1.00pm – Donkey Walk and Pat
1.30pm Baby Animal Bottle Feeding
1.45pm – Baby Emu / Black Swan Presentation
2.00pm – 3.00pm – Farmyard Animal Petting
3.30pm – Baby Donkey “Cadbury” Meet and Greet

There are also pony rides on offer between 11.30am – 12.30pm and ferris wheel rides between 10am-2pm – both for an additional cost.

To see all of the animals at Amazement Farm and Fun Park you’ll need to take a train ride, which lasts 15 minutes and runs at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3pm (additional cost). Camel feeding can be done only when taking the train.

There are also optional animal encounters for an additional cost: reptile holds, emu chick encounters and possum encounters.

There is a cafe onsite or bbq facilities and picnic tables to BYO food.

Find more things to do on the Central Coast.

Amazement Farm and Fun Park Wyong
170 Yarramalong Rd, Wyong Creek NSW
Hours: Wed-Sun 9:30am-4pm (Last Entry: 3pm)
Open every day in the school holidays
Open all public holidays except Christmas Day
https://sydneykoala.com.au/

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Wyong Milk Factory, The Perfect Central Coast Outing

February 2, 2021 / Australia, Central Coast, Travel / 0 comment

Wyong Milk Factory, The Perfect Central Coast Outing

The Wyong Milk Factory has something for everyone: great food, a playground and locally-made treats.

The Wyong Milk Factory was originally built as a Butter Factory in 1907 by a cop-op of 56 local farmers to take advantage of the newly completed Sydney to Newcastle railway. The Butter Factory burned to the ground in a fire in 1921, and was rebuilt as the current Milk Factory by the 200+ dairy farmers who had by this time become shareholders in the Co-op.

Today, the Wyong Milk Factory is more than just a pitstop on a road trip, it’s a destination worth visiting on its own. The Factory is home to two eateries, the Milk Factory Café and Wyong Milk Factory Tavern, plus a variety of local businesses, a playground and leisure activities.

The Wyong Milk Factory Café is a kid-friendly spot open open seven days a week, offering light and hearty breakfast and lunch dishes with plenty of options for kids and dietary requirements. You really need to have a milkshake if you visit!

The cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is closest to the outdoor playground. You do however need to cross the road area where cars might drive through when parking, so please walk kids there and back yourself.

While we had a delicious breakfast at the Wyong Milk Factory Café, they’re also well known for their wood fire pizzas.

The Wyong Milk Factory Tavern is the other dining option, offering a mix of hearty pub food, burgers and pizzas, along with a Thai menu. There’s also daily specials made with local produce, local and craft beers and a fine wine menu. The Tavern is open Wednesdays through to Sundays and is a family friendly venue, with a special Kids Zone indoor play area to keep little ones occupied while waiting for food to arrive.

The outdoor playground was a hit for us. Fully fenced, it features a pirate ship, swings, cubby houses and picnic benches. It’s fully-fenced as well.

Make a day out of your visit to the Wyong Milk Factory with a kayak, stand up paddle board or row boat on the river. These can all be hired from All Sorts by calling 4352 3811.

Before you hop in your car and head back home, stop by the little local stores who are set up inside the Wyong Milk Factory.

When we visited, we highly enjoyed watching chocolate being made (and then sampling some!) from Luka Chocolates, as well as watching donuts being glazed at Daily Dough Co. Next time we will try some cheese from Little Creek Cheese.

Wyong Milk Factory
141 Alison Rd, Wyong
wyongmilkfactory.com.au

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Visiting Somersby Falls on the NSW Central Coast

July 23, 2020 / Australia, Central Coast, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Visiting Somersby Falls on the NSW Central Coast

A popular place for family picnics and bushwalking, the Somersby Falls are located on the NSW Central Coast, an hour-and-a-half drive from Sydney.

The Somersby Falls picnic area has plenty of picnic tables and free barbecues available, plus lots of space to throw down a picnic blanket and set up your own table a chairs.

Set up either under the shade of the tall trees at the end of the carpark or next to Floods creek before it descends over the cascades.

The Somersby Falls walking track is a 500m return walk that takes in views of the top and bottom waterfalls. Note that the walk is steep and can be slippery in places.

.The falls themselves can be a bit dry depending when you visit, so the best time is after a heavy rain (but mind how slippery that will make the track and be prepared).

There is an $8 entry fee into the park per vehicle per day. The park has coin-operated pay and display machines – please bring correct coins.

There are bathroom facilities available at the picnic area.

Somersby Falls
Somersby Falls Rd, Somersby
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

More things to do in Sydney

More things to do on the Central Coast.

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Chocolate Factory Gosford: Things To Do On The Central Coast

May 11, 2020 / Australia, Central Coast, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Chocolate Factory Gosford

Make a sweet stop at the Chocolate Factory Gosford, home of Australian confectionery producers Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate and The Sydney Marshmallow Co.

The factory is open for visitors to enjoy trying and buying locally made chocolate, nougat and marshmallows, take a guided tour or enjoy a signature hot chocolate and cake in the cafe.

Kids can take part in a fun-filled Junior Chocolatiers Workshop.

The café is generally open Wednesday to Sunday 9am-4pm for all-day breakfast and brunch, serving up simple meals and a kids’ menu.

Factory tours are approximately 30 mins in duration and cost $10 pp, $8 for seniors and children under 14. Book your tour online in advance to ensure it’s not sold out.

Junior Chocolatiers Workshop run during the school holidays, for 60-80 mins in duration and cost $40 pp. The workshops are available to kids between the ages of 5 and 14.

Chocolate Factory Gosford
Hours: Daily, 9am-4pm
6 Jusfrute Dr, West Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: 02 4322 3222
chocolatefactorygosford.com.au

More things to do on the Central Coast

Visit the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park on the Central Coast.

Spend a day at the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast. Get close to animals with their Mini Kids 2 Keeper program.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Find the best places to stop on a Sydney to Brisbane drive.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park: Central Coast NSW

March 13, 2020 / Australia, Central Coast, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park: Central Coast NSW

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is a wildlife sanctuary on the Central Coast of NSW. It is located in Calga, which is about an hour to an hour-and-a-half from Sydney’s CBD.

The park is a sanctuary for animals who are unable to be released back into the wild. Also on the property are several Aboriginal sites with ancient petroglyphs.

Walkabout Park provides refuge for a animals that have recovered from injury but have some residual problem that makes it impossible for them to be returned to a completely wild environment. The park also breeds endangered animals for release back into the wild and provides an experiential learning space for students.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park has plenty of free roaming animals to meet, including some very friendly kangaroos, wallabies and emus.

There are range-led activities from 10am to 4pm daily, included in the entry fee.

Typical Daily Activities

09:30 Meet “Waffles” the Pig

10:00 Emus & Kangaroos

10:30 Dingo Encounter

11:00 “Tonka” the Teenage Wombat

11:30 Boomerang Throwing

12:00 “Kambala” Koala

12:30 Pat a Python

1:00 Echidna Encounter

1:30 Bush Tucker Walkabout

2:00 Cockatoo Encounter

2:30 “Gumnut” Koala

3:00 “Ally” the Wombat

3:30 Devil Encounter

4:00 Kangaroos & Emus

4:30 Flying Fox Feed Time

If you want a personal tour with a ranger, this can be arranged for an additional price.

Animal Loop

The Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is a large property that includes the animal walk loop, plus longer walks that go to the Aboriginal sites. The animal loop can be completed in about 10 mins if you walk very fast and don’t stop to look at the animals. It can take all day if you go slowly and participate in the ranger talks.

The animal walk loop starts at the Visitor Centre, which is where the cafe, bathrooms and animal camps are located, along with the majority of the free-ranging animals.

The animal loop is pram and wheelchair-friendly but be warned it is a dirt track with rocks and twigs etc.

Aboriginal Sites

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is on Darkinjung and Guringai land and features sites with ancient petroglyphs. The Aboriginal Sites Walk takes about 45 minutes and is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.

This walk takes you past ancient petroglyph sites and to the hand stencil cave dated at more than 4,000 years old. Please be respectful of these sites if you visit them.

The Mt White Lookout Walk

A longer bushwalk, the Mt White Lookout Walk takes about a hour and 15 minutes to complete and is also not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. The walk goes to the highest point on the ridgeline where you will be able to look south and see Mt White and all the way to the Blue Mountains on a clear day.

Visitors Centre

The visitors centre is where you’ll find maps, the shop to buy souvenirs and animal feed, bathrooms and a cafe.

There is a baby change table available in the bathrooms and also a disabled bathroom.

You will also find a few residents in the visitors centre, including the park’s eldest resident, an 18-year-old wallaby named Matilda, who gets a special feed from staff to keep up her health.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park Rules

There are lots of rules for the safety of the animals.

When touching the free-roaming animals, pat them on the back, not the head, neck or chest.

Remember the animals are wild, not domesticated, so approach with caution.

Do not feed the wildlife.

If you wish to feed animals, buy some bags of feed at the front desk (3 bags for $5) and feed the alpacas, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Be respectful of the Aboriginal sites and don’t damage them.

You may bring your own food into the park but please eat it in the enclosed picnic area only.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park: Central Coast NSW
1 Darkinjung Rd, Calga NSW
http://www.walkaboutpark.com.au/

More things to do in Sydney and beyond

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Get more info on the Chocolate Factory Gosford.

Things to do on the Central Coast.

The best places to stop on a Sydney to Brisbane drive

September 19, 2018 / Australia, Brisbane, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Newcastle, NSW, Queensland, Sydney, Travel / 0 comment

The iconic Sydney to Brisbane drive is a breathtaking 920km, or 10 hour, road trip past some of the most beautiful towns and peaceful beaches Australia’s coastline has to offer. While you can do the drive in a single day, why not spread it out over a few days or even weeks, and soak up the pristine beaches, delectable cafes and fascinating history that is on offer throughout the Sydney to Brisbane road trip.

The best places to stop on a Sydney to Brisbane drive

Central Coast

The Central Coast is only an hours drive north of Sydney, and is home to beautiful beaches and delightful cafes. Set aside a few days if you can to visit beaches and seaside towns like Copacabana, Macmasters Beach, Terrigal and Avoca Beach. We loved visiting the Australian Reptile Park in Gosford, and have often enjoyed the daily pelican feeding at The Entrance.

Read more about things to do on the Central Coast here.

Newcastle

The industrial and coastal city has so much to offer. We love Newcastle’s gorgeous beaches, delicious cafes and stunning ocean baths. You can also visit historic Fort Scratchley, the Newcastle Museum and Nobbys Lighthouse.

Read more about things to do in Newcastle here.

Port Stephens

Located 2 1/2 hours drive north of Sydney, the area has a stunning 26 beautiful beaches and bays to explore. Port Stephens is renowned for whale and dolphin watching, sand dunes and gourmet restaurants.

Read more about things to do in Port Stephens here.

Port Macquarie

Located four hours drive north of Sydney and six hours south of Brisbane, Port Macquarie is a seaside town at the mouth of the Hastings River. It’s a gorgeous spot to spend a few days enjoying the beaches, wildlife and penal colony history.

Visit the Port Macquarie’s Historic Courthouse that was built in 1869 and is located in the town centre. Read more about historic and cultural attractions in Port Macquarie here.

We loved the colourful graffiti rocks on the break wall that stretches down to the very popular Town Beach. Along the walk we spotted plenty of dolphins frolicking in the bay.

Town Beach has modern bathroom and shower facilities, grassy areas, picnic facilities, a skate park, kiosk, an outdoor gym and a modern playground.

We also loved Mrs York’s Garden, a peaceful spot with lovely water views. Read more about Mrs York’s Garden here.

Other popular attractions in the area include the 19th-century Tacking Point Lighthouse, whale watching, Billabong Zoo, the Koala Hospital and the hand-painted giant koala sculptures on the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail.

Dining at the Pancake Place is an absolute must. They serve up delicious pancakes and crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, making it a popular stop on the quintessential coastal road trip. While the mid north coast town might be just a convenient place to stay a night or two for those making the longer journey, we were pleasantly surprised to find so many things to do in Coffs Harbour, and would recommend it for a holiday destination.

Read more about things to do in Coffs Harbour here.

Yamba

Around 7.5 hours north of Sydney and 3 1/4 hours south of Brisbane, Yamba is a quiet little gem with beautiful beaches, fresh seafood and stunning national parks surrounding it. We loved the chilled out vibe in this little seaside town and its excellent cafes.

Take a dip in the usually calm waters of Main Beach, or try the ocean pool at its south end if the waves are choppy.

Stroll up a bit further to Turner’s Beach where you’ll find a rock shelf and the South Break Wall, plus a path and steps that lead up to the Lighthouse. We spotted pods of dolphins in the water from the break wall.

The Lighthouse, built in 1955, offers gorgeous views up and down the coast.

Ballina

Located roughly 8.5 hours north of Sydney and 2 hours south of Brisbane, Ballina is an old school seaside town that’s a great base for exploring the local attractions. Check out the local beaches, take a river cruise or enjoy a kayaking tour if you like being on the water. The town is close to Broadwater and Bunjalong National Parks for nature-lovers.

We highly enjoyed Ballina’s Big Prawn, which was built in 1989 and given a $400,000 makeover in 2013. It’s located adjacent to Bunnings Warehouse in River Street.

While in Ballina we stayed at the Ballina Homestead Motel and highly recommend it.

Read more about things to do in Ballina here.

Lennox Head

A 10 minute drive north from Ballina is Lennox Head, a charming little seaside village with oodles of charm. We loved the beautiful 7 Mile Beach and strolling the main street with its boutiques and cafes. There’s a great playground for kids in the park near the beach.

We enjoyed the most delicious Italian dinner at the supremely kid-friendly Quattro Classic Lennox Head and homemade gelato from gelato from Lennox Gelato & Coffee Co. They had chilli gelato on the menu but we weren’t game to try it!

Byron Bay

8.5 hours north of Sydney and 2 hours south of Brisbane lies the ever-popular Byron Bay. Once a hippy town Byron has of late attracted more of an upmarket, hipster clientele, and the hotels, restaurants and shops have started to reflect the new visitors. The vibe is still relaxed, but the town has started to get a whole lot trendier!

Byron Bay has plenty of natural attractions on offer, including stunning beaches included Main Beach, Clarkes, Wategoes and Little Wategoes. The later is Australia’s easternmost beach. Main Beach has an excellent playground for kids.

There are also plenty of bushwalks in hinterland rainforest, coastal trails and loads of wildlife to spot.

We love visiting Cape Byron, the easternmost point of the mainland of Australia and home to Australia’s most powerful lighthouse.

Take the easy 4km Byron Bay Lighthouse walk (parking is available if you prefer to drive) and look out for marine life in the Cape Byron Marine Park below. Dolphins, turtles, rays and whales can all be spotted – we were lucky enough to see a few whales.

The Cape Byron Lighthouse and lighthouse keepers cottages were built in 1901. Light food and drinks are available.

We highly enjoyed dining at Bayleaf Cafe, which really embodies how far Byron has come and what its future might hold. Delicious, fresh food, beautifully prepared and creatively presented, in a buzzy cafe with open windows and tables spilling out onto the footpath.

To get a real feel for the spiritual side of Byron Bay, visit the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens. The gardens are speckled with the beautiful crystals and statues that pay tribute to various spiritualities around the world, including the largest stone Blessing Buddha in Australia. Our daughter loves crystals, so we visited to see the world’s tallest geode pair. We really enjoyed the gardens but thought it was an extremely expensive outing for what it was.

We found the accommodation in Byron Bay to be double the price of neighbouring towns, so opted to stay in nearby Coolangatta instead.

Find more things to do in Byron Bay here.

Gold Coast

Queensland’s Gold Coast is a family-friendly stretch of coast lined with spectacular beaches, famous theme parks and lush hinterland rainforests.

Coolangatta

9 hours north of Sydney and 1 1/4 hour south of Brisbane, Coolangatta is the southernmost suburb of the Gold Coast, just over the NSW border. It was named after the schooner Coolangatta, which in 1846 was wrecked there.

Coolangatta is only a short drive from Surfers Paradise but it feels like a different world. The town has a relaxed vibe to it and a stunning beach so that when combined with its excellent restaurants and hotels, makes for the perfect Gold Coast destination in our opinion.

Kids will love the excellent, shaded playground just across from the main strip of restaurants and the wide path that runs along the beach for scooting.

Sunset at Snapper Rocks is incredible. If you visit during winter you might see whales passing by like we did.

We dined at O Sushi which had a huge variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes including haloumi skewers. Gelato Messina is not to be missed.

While in Coolangatta we stayed at the Greenmount Beach Hotel, which was an excellent budget find.

Currumbin

Currumbin is famous for the beautiful Currumbin Creek waterway that offers sheltered conditions for swimming and watersports – Tallebudgera Creek is particularly popular with the locals.

You’ll also find the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in this peaceful beach suburb. Arrive at8am to participate in their daily free lorikeet feeding.

Read more about visiting Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary here.

Burleigh Heads

The relaxed vibe in Burleigh, as the locals call it, gives it an entirely different feel to its neighbouring beaches to the north. While you can see the Surfers Paradise high rises in the distance, it feels like a whole world away.

The beach is protected and calm, making it popular with families. We loved climbing rocks and trees at the south end and sitting on the headland and watching surfers showing off their moves.

We dined at the excellent Paddock Bakery in the neighbouring suburb of Miami. With its relaxed vibe and pretty, tasty food, it’s an iconic Gold Coast cafe well worth the visit.

Broadbeach

Getting further into the bustling centre of the Gold Coast, Broadbeach has a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and accommodation choices, with a family-friendly vibe. It’s a great base for a Gold Coast holiday if you’re after plenty of things to do and see. Broadbeach also has a beautiful beach, large playground for kids, and the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Surfer Paradise, which was located halfway between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.

Read more about our stay at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise here.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers is a hotspot for tourists visiting the Gold Coast. The iconic Surfers Paradise Beach and its sign draw in overseas visitors while the nightlife attracts school leavers. There are loads of attractions in Surfers Paradise that make it a great spot to stay if you’re keen to do and see the sights, especially with older kids. Attractions include SkyPoint Observation Deck, Infinity Attraction, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and Timezone.

Surfers Paradise is also where you’ll find all of the Gold Coast’s theme parks.

Read about things to do on the Gold Coast with kids here.

The Sydney to Gold Coast drive is one of our favourite holidays trips to make, and often we will stop here rather than proceeding on to Brisbane. The Sydney to Gold Coast road trip is around 9.5 hours drive, or 848km.

Brisbane

The capital city of Queensland, Brisbane is a 10 hour drive from Sydney. It’s a vibrant city, filled with art, music, restaurants, man-made beaches and the beautiful river that runs through the middle.

In Brisbane, we stayed at the Novotel Brisbane, which we highly recommend.

Read about our stay at the Novotel Brisbane here.

Read about things to do in Brisbane with kids here.

And thats it! The Sydney to Brisbane drive is an epic journey through some of Australia’s most beautiful scenery. I highly recommend taking your time to see the sights along the way.

14 Things To Do On The Central Coast, NSW

September 12, 2018 / Australia, Central Coast, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

14 Things To Do On The Central Coast

The Central Coast is only an hours north of Sydney, and is home to beautiful beaches and delightful cafes.

Copacabana and Macmasters Beaches

Copacabana and Macmasters Beach are both quiet beaches away from the hustle and bustle. We stayed in a holiday rental at Copacabana Beach and loved the serenity of the location. In the morning we would walk from Copacabana Beach all the way south to the end of Macmasters Beach and watch the sun come up over the ocean. Sunsets in the evening were some of the prettiest we have seen.

There are a few little cafes including the surf club and a small general store. A whale watching platform is at the Copacabana end of the beach. Visiting the beaches is one of our absolute fave things do to on the Central Coast.

Captain Cook Lookout

The Captain Cook Lookout is a short drive or long walk from Copacabana Beach. A scenic viewpoint jutting out from Tudibaring Head, the lookout is one of the best spots in NSW for watching whales migrate between late May and early August.

Terrigal Beach

Terrigal is a large, popular town and attracts the most visitors, which means great facilities and cafes are on offer.

There is an ocean pool at the south end to swim in as well as the beach which has great waves for giving surfing a try.

We enjoyed scooting down the Esplanade, which has plenty of vibrant cafes and restaurants to choose from, all with a pretty ocean view. You might even spot a dolphin or whale during migration season between May and November. We dined at the excellent Bellyfish cafe.

Drop by the Cold Rock ice creamery for a special treat. This one has gummy bears in it!

If you’re up for a walk, head south from the Esplanade and follow the walking trail to the Skillion lookout on Broken Head. Be warned, it’s a bit of a steep walk and there are stairs along the way.

Find more places to eat in Terrigal here.

Caves Beach

Caves Beach is located on the Swansea peninsula between Lake Macquarie and the Pacific Ocean in New South Wales, Australia. It is named for the large number of caves at its southern end which can be explored at low tide.

Read more about visiting Caves Beach here.

Avoca Beach

Avoca Beach is a pretty little seaside community that features buzzy cafes and a popular beach lined with Norfolk Island Pines.

It’s a relaxing spot that’s a popular choice for families thanks to its large rock platform and protected rock pool at its south end, as well as it’s excellent, partially shaded playground.

Read more about visiting Avoca Beach here.

The Australian Reptile Park

The Australian Reptile Park in Gosford is a great day out on the Central Coast. The park features native Australian wildlife and other exotic, international species. We had an excellent day at the reptile park and high recommend it for families in particular as one of the top things do to on the Central Coast.

Get more info on visiting the Australian Reptile Park here and their excellent Mini Kids 2 Keeper program here.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is a wildlife sanctuary for animals who are unable to be released back into the wild. Also on the property are several Aboriginal sites with ancient petroglyphs.

Read more about visiting the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park.

Saddles Restaurant and Bakehouse Mount White

A stunning new bush restaurant on the Central Coast, Saddles Mount White is the perfect destination dining location for those wanting to escape Sydney for the day and immerse themselves in nature. Saddles is super kid-friendly, so it’s a great spot to take the whole family. Saddles makes for a great day trip from Sydney just for lunch, or combined with a longer stay in the region.

Get more info on visiting Saddles Mount White here.

Pelican feeding at The Entrance

A visit to the Central Coast isn’t complete without seeing the daily pelican feeding at The Entrance. Every afternoon at 3:30pm a gigantic flock of pelicans descend on the waterfront to be fed fresh fish. A visit to the pelicans at the Entrance is one of the most popular things to do on the Central Coast.

Get more info on the daily pelican feeding at The Entrance here.

Image courtesy of Destination NSW.

Chocolate Factory Gosford

Drop by this sweet spot to buy some delicious chocolate treats made in-house, take a factory tour or just enjoy coffee and lunch at the cafe. During the school holidays the chocolate factory runs kids’ chocolate-making workshops.

Somersby Falls

A popular place for family picnics and bushwalking, the Somersby Falls are equipped with plenty of picnic tables and free barbecues, and the falls themselves are located on a short but steep 500m return walk.

Read more about visiting Somersby Falls.

Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place

The Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place is a sacred Indigenous site in the Brisbane Water National Park, near Kariong.

This incredible Aboriginal rock art site is a short stroll through the bush from the car park, with a boardwalk placed around the site to protect it from visitors.

Read more about visiting Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place.

Amazement Farm and Fun Park

The Amazement Farm and Fun Park in Wyong has plenty for the whole family to enjoy, from mazes to friendly farm animals, train rides and giant board games.

A family-friendly attraction on the Central Coast, the Amazement Farm and Fun Park is a great outing with plenty to explore.

Read more about visiting Amazement Farm and Fun Park.

Wyong Milk Factory

The Wyong Milk Factory has something for everyone: great food, a playground and locally-made treats.

Read more about visiting the Wyong Milk Factory.

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