Itinerary
Overview
Journey 90mins north of Sydney and you’ll discover remote beaches, incredible waterfalls and kangaroo-inhabited campgrounds. Don’t miss this introduction to the beaches and breathtaking walking tracks of the Central Coast. It's a great 2-day break away.
Read more about Itinerary: Central Coast
The views from these lush national parks are great for locals and international visitors alike. You’re likely to see migrating whales in wintertime and colourful wildflowers in spring. These are also important cultural landscapes, with both national parks sheltering ancient Aboriginal engravings.
Swim and fish from golden beaches, cool off beneath waterfalls, join a boating adventure, or go mountain biking and hiking. After your exertions in the fresh air, bunk down in a beachfront campground.
Drive around 90min from Sydney to Brisbane Water National Park, which envelops rainforest, coastal escarpments and inland waterways. Follow walking or cycling trails and enjoy the views across Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River from Warrah lookout. Drive further north and have a barbecue picnic at wheelchair-accessible Somersby Falls, or take a break at Girrakool picnic area and go for a walk along Piles Creek loop after lunch. Visit Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place and admire the ancient engravings at this sacred cultural site. Before sunset, do the easy 40min drive south-east to Bouddi National Park, and set up camp at Putty Beach campground or Little Beach campground.
Warrah lookout, offering scenic views of Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River, is just a short walk from the carpark. It’s a great place to see Waratahs in season.
A great place to picnic on the Central Coast, Somersby Falls picnic area is wheelchair accessible and offers barbecues and picnic tables in a lush rainforest setting, with waterfalls and a walking track.
A great spot for a family picnic, Girrakool picnic area has barbecues, lots of green space to run around and a scenic walking track that features Aboriginal engravings.
This short but challenging walk threads through dry eucalypt forest along Piles Creek, passing waterfalls and crossing a suspension bridge.
Brisbane Water National Park, near Kariong, is home to the amazing Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place. Visit this sacred Indigenous site respectfully to see incredible Aboriginal rock art.
Discover Putty Beach campground in Bouddi National Park for your next camping trip. This great central coast campground is a top spot to fish, swim or bushwalk.
Wake up with the waves at Little Beach campground, near Gosford on the NSW Central Coast. You can go surfing, bushwalking or fishing while camping right by the sand.
Wake to the sounds of Bouddi National Park – rolling waves and casting fishing lines. Put your hiking boots on and head out on the spectacular Bouddi coastal walk, or tackle the entire 8km between Putty Beach and MacMasters Beach. Be sure to stop at Gerrin Point lookout for panoramic views of Maitland Bay. In winter and spring, this is a great vantage point for viewing migrating humpback whales. Swimming and fishing is a must anytime from November right through summer.
Experience stunning views at Gerrin Point Lookout, a short walk from Putty Beach in Bouddi National Park on the NSW central coast. Enjoy whale watching during the winter months, birdwatching or just absorb the view.
Located near Gosford, Bouddi coastal walk is known for its beaches, boardwalk and birdlife. Go whale watching, picnic or swim at Maitland Bay, or simply absorb the ocean views.
