A handy guide to the NSW Central Coast with kids
Central Coast
Explore the NSW Central Coast with your family
Halfway between Sydney and Newcastle, the Central Coast region of NSW is just 1.5 hours’ drive north from Sydney, and stretches from the mouth of the Hawkesbury River to the southern end of Lake Macquarie.
The NSW Central Coast is renowned for its beautiful waterways, patrolled beaches, secluded bays, and national parks dotted with walking trails.
Get outdoors or simply sit back and soak up the tranquillity of the lake and beaches – the Central Coast is known for its relaxed coastal lifestyle making it a perfect escape for parents.
Story of the month
A 'Legendary' Grand Pacific Coast road trip
Between shining Port Stephens and peaceful Patonga, on the southern slip of the NSW Central Coast, LIZ GINIS and her two daughters are ‘totally wowed’!
All Central Coast Stories
NSW Central Coast highlights
Your NSW Central Coast family holiday guide
Home to a selection of family-friendly accommodation, plus a multitude of children’s activities and ways for parents to escape, families will love the Central Coast.
Of course, the NSW Central Coast is famous for beaches, beaches and more beaches! Near The Entrance, there is patrolled Toowoon Bay Beach, with popular surf spot Shelley Beach and Blue Bay Beach on either side. Protected Little Bay is another great paddling spot.
Further south the safe surfing beaches of Terrigal and Avoca are family favourites, and the very pretty Pearl Beach is perfect for families who like calm beaches and peaceful surroundings. If the few souls on Copacabana Beach are a few too many, follow the Maitland Track through bush (off the Scenic Highway) to unpatrolled and deserted Maitland Bay.
Learn more about each of these family-friendly Central Coast destinations below:
The Entrance
Enjoy the panoramic views over land and across the ocean at The Entrance, including the iconic Coast to Lake Scenic Walk. During whale-watching season (May to November) you might even spot some humpback whales offshore on their annual migration. Head to the boardwalk for daily pelican feeding at 3.30 pm, plus plenty of family rides at the waterfront carnival, including a ferris wheel and dodgems.
Avoca Beach
Popular Avoca Beach drawcards include the rock pools and the adorable weatherboard-house cinema. Whether you like to paddle sitting down in a kayak or standing on a SUP board, explore the coastal lagoon wetlands around Avoca Lake and get up close and personal with birdlife and the marine life in the shallows. If you’re not a paddler, hire a pedal boat, perfect for young families, and explore the waterways with some gentle exercise thrown in.
Toowoon Bay
Toowoon Bay is ideally located on a peninsula between Tuggerah Lake and the Pacific Ocean. It’s just a few minutes’ drive to The Entrance, and close to Long Jetty and Bateau Bay.
Stay at Toowoon Bay for easy access to Toowoon Bay Beach, where you can swim between the flags, just a short walk away, next to the protected Little Bay. Walk across the rocks, or exit via another track, and you’ll find yourself at North Shelly Beach, which is great for surfing. Other highlights include Swadling Reserve Park and the 18-hole Tuggerah Golf Course.
Copacabana Beach
Copacabana Beach is one of the most beautiful and relaxing beaches on the Central Coast, ideal for families! Located at the north end of Macmasters Beach, the picturesque holiday spot is bordered by bush, beach and a coastal lagoon.
In addition to the tranquil four-kilometre-long Copacabana Beach, kids will love playing at the Cochrane Lagoon and sandbar, surfing at Copa Point, and the stunning view from Captain Cook Lookout. Parents will appreciate the local coffee shops and the relaxing local village of Macmasters. With no hotels or resorts, holiday home rentals are the best for finding the perfect Copacabana beach house.
Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie is the largest coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere. At twice the size of Sydney Harbour, the immense size often surprises first time visitors. It also means Lake Macquarie is an aquatic playground; a haven for boaties and fisherman.
Explore the caves and rockpools at Caves Beach, ride your bike or scooter along the abundance of family-friendly shared pathways, and blow off steam at award-winning Speers Point Variety Playground – this award-winning playground is a 2 hectare, fully fenced playground highlighted by a 9m giant slide.
Get out and enjoying sightseeing in Lake Macquarie with Tree Top Adventure parks, the Watagan Mountains, or the great surfing at nearby Catherine Hill Bay.
What to do on the Central Coast with kids
The NSW Central Coast is a popular outdoor playground for families and offers fun activities year-round. Discover a whole day of seaside enjoyment in places like Terrigal and The Entrance, bushwalks and horse riding, lakeside fishing and nature experiences, ice-skating at Erina Fair, daily pelican feeding at The Entrance, Norah Head Lighthouse and so much more.
Top Central Coast attractions for kids include The Australian Reptile Park, TreeTop Adventure Park and Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures.
Cycle the Central Coast's bike paths
What better way to explore the Central Coast’s lakeside and beaches than by pedal power? Bring your own bicycles or hire bikes for the whole family at Boomerang Bikes kiosks at The Entrance, Ettalong or NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort.
Tackle the local MTB trails
Tommos Loop and Rocky Ponds loop along with the Warrah Trigg Loop are two popular mountain bike trails on the Central Coast. If you want to venture off the flat tracks around the lakes, then Central Coast Mountain Bike Tours have adventures for all ages, with options from a short one-hour-long ride to a full day.
Go for a spin on a jet boat
Buckle up for an action-packed adrenalin-fuelled jet boat ride on Lake Macquarie. Experience thrills and spills with a combination of high-speed slides, 360° spins, power brake stops and fish tails. Hang on and prepare to get wet!
Climb and zipline at Treetops Adventure Central Coast
Visit Treetops Adventure Central Coast for a fun-filled adventure in nature. Spring, climb, fly and bounce into adventure with a range of active activities for all ages. Treetop ropes courses, zip coaster lines and rock climbing walls are suitable for teenagers while youngsters bounce around in the trampolines.
Go horse-riding at Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures
Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures is one of Australia’s largest horse riding centres spread over 3,000 acres. Ride a horse through free-range country or take a guided ride along wilderness trails – perfect for beginner riders. For something a little more adrenalin charged, there’s also quad bikes, abseil courses, laser skirmishes and kayaks to hire.
Meet the critters at AUstralian Reptile Park
See one of Australia’s largest reptile collections at the Australian Reptile Park, with over 2000 animals on display. Settle in for an entertaining reptile show, learn about snake venom and walk with a giant tortoise from the Galapagos. Get up close with native Australian wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils and wombats. The wandering roos, emu and tortoises provide entertainment for toddlers and teenagers alike.
Family accommodation on the Central Coast
You can’t beat a cabin in a holiday park for convenience and value. With Central Coast Holiday Parks, you’ll have access to BBQs and playgrounds onsite and be walking distance from some of the best-patrolled beaches. Choose from a powered campsite to 3-bedroom cabins in Budgewoi, Canton Beach, Norah Head and Toowoon Bay.
If you prefer Terrigal’s up-market social centre, with bars and restaurants on your doorstep, the 4.5-star Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, with its day spa and heated pool, might be more your scene. The hotel has spacious family rooms, balconies overlooking Terrigal Beach and one of the best breakfast buffets on the entire east coast.
There’s also Raffertys Resort for self-contained accommodation situated right on the water’s edge of Lake Macquarie.
Table of Contents
Opening image: Swing through the canopy at Treetops Adventure. © Treetops Adventure