Travel guide Central Coast & Lake Macquarie

Terrigal is the perfect base to explore the Central Coast as there is so much to see and do. It is halfway between Sydney and Newcastle, which makes it a great holiday destination without having to travel too far, although we came from further afield and it was definitely worth the trip.   Things to do Terrigal has something for everyone... one of the great pleasures is walking along the beach with your loved one and hearing delighted squeals as children play in the water and build sandcastles on the beach. There are many activities in the area from sailing to kayaking, and pelican feeding tours to horseriding, which are all available on Holiday Inspirations under Terrigal activities.   If shopping is your thing, then you will enjoy the many great shops, with everything fr... Read more

If you have ever had a guided tour that was less than informative, moved too fast or too slow, or just didn’t have the sort of information you were looking for, then Talk’N Tours may be the answer for you.   There is a series of tours in podcast format, allowing you to go at your own pace, stop, start and rewind at will. The company provides tours in and around Sydney and Melbourne at this point, with more to come.   I took the ‘Central Coast Day Tour’ from Sydney and found it to be an interesting and informative way to learn more about the areas mentioned. The tour leaves from Wynyard bus stand and has bus, ferry and rail legs.   At all points there is something new to be learned and as a Sydney local and frequent visitor to the areas covered i... Read more

4/40 Oceanside Drive Caves Beach NSW   This is a beautifully presented apartment with wonderful ocean views and quality finishes and appliances. There is a lock-up garage and security entry as well.   Overall rating? Outstanding   What makes Beachside Beauty different? The apartment is in a small block and you don’t really notice that there are other units in the complex, giving you a feeling of privacy.  You are only a 100 metre walk through bush from gorgeous Hams Beach, Caves Beach is only 200 metres further south and the location is peaceful and serene.   Accommodation overview This modern and open apartment has two bedrooms, the main has a queen-size bed and the second bedroom has two singles, making the configuration perfect for our family of... Read more

It’s the kind of place where many people wistfully imagine growing up – a small town where everyone feels like they belong, alongside a beautiful beach with sparkling ocean continuing into what appears like an infinite distance. It’s a place where crime rates are low, but camaraderie is high; a place where people nod and smile as they pass each other by, unless they have time for a yarn. Avoca Beach is an awesome place for the lucky 5000 or so who live there, but for the rest of us – we get to capture a piece of the magic during the spring and summer months. Each year as the days become warmer, the population rises when families, couples, and friends travel to the area to enjoy a beach holiday without the hustle and bustle of popular tourist destinations. For man... Read more

TakeABreak Awards 2008 - Best Hotel/motel holiday accommodation Located on the beautiful NSW Central Coast, this privately rented, self-contained one bedroom apartment is situated within The Mantra (formerly Outrigger) complex at Ettalong Beach. Just 90 minutes (85kms) from Sydney, (located between Woy Woy and Umina), Ettalong Beach is the perfect destination for a weekend away or relaxing family break. The complex sits opposite Ettalong Beach with views of the pool and ocean from the large balcony. The charming beach town (population 4,100) is the perfect place to spend a relaxing long weekend with a host of activities available for the whole family. You can spend your Saturday morning browsing through the Ettalong Village Seaside markets (open 9-4 Saturdays, Sundays and public holi... Read more

18 Killcare Road Killcare Central Coast NSW Blue Moon on New South Wales’s Central Coast is a great retreat only one minute from the beach and close to the shops. Come and enjoy this beautiful cottage. Overall rating?           Excellent What makes Blue Moon different? This cottage in charming Killcare is a great escape from the city. There is so much to do with the nearby beach, national park, shops and more. Robyn makes you feel very well looked after and the house is beautifully prepared, the only thing you need to do is relax.   Accommodation overview This wonderful three bedroom cottage sleeps up to seven people. The upstairs area is a huge open plan expanse with large windows looking out to the view and access to th... Read more

Monterey Avenue Mannering Park NSW This is a large and well-priced property in a lakefront location, with fabulous views. Overall rating?      Excellent What makes Big 4 Lake Macquarie different? This is a caravan park, but once you are inside you feel as though you have your own space and privacy.  The park is in a waterfront lake location; with plenty of trees for shade and the local shops are only a stroll away. Accommodation overview The cottage has two bedrooms, there is a parents’ retreat upstairs, with a queen-size bed and balcony, air conditioning and fan. The second bedroom is downstairs and also has a queen-size bed, along with two bunks. Facilities overview This is a lakefront spa cabin, so the bathroom has a great spa bath and there is a lar... Read more

Bell Chapel B&B - Winner Best Accessible Accommodation Bell Chapel B&B in Carey Bay on Lake Macquarie was recently announced as the TakeABreak National Award Winner for best accessible holiday accommodation for 2008. The deserving recipients, Tricia Hunt and Tony Stephens, won this award for their charming refurbished old church, which offers an open plan space perfect for those with access issues and certified to AS1428 standards. The Lake Macquarie area is a quick 90 minutes drive from Sydney and is a perfect location for a romantic getaway. The abundance of attractions close to the cottage offer plenty of choice and the ambience of the cottage and tranquillity of the landscape will provide a perfect escape. The location is the ideal mix of lake, beach and village and ensures a... Read more

Lives are so busy these days that for many of us, long holidays are a thing of the past.  We seem to be taking shorter but more frequent breaks and one of the most important points in deciding where to stay is the distance between home and the property.  Count yourself lucky if you live in Sydney, as Tilba Cottage, nestled in the serene bush and national parks of the central coast, is only 90 minutes from Sydney – but miles away from the everyday. It is rare to travel such a short distance from the centre of a major city and find such a sense of peace and seclusion, but Tilba Cottage has all that and more.  Located at Pretty Beach near Hardy’s Bay, this gorgeous property seems to float among the treetops in its bushland setting, but is only moments from glorio... Read more

Covering a large expanse of coast about an hour south of Newcastle and an hour north of Sydney, the Central Coast region has something for everyone. Each of the towns and hamlets along the stretch have their own unique character and history, along with stunning beaches, lakes, rivers, galleries, boutiques, national parks, and friendly locals. It is an area of Australia well worth visiting – frequently. Things to do Here are a few ideas to get you started. 1. Stroll along a different beach every day. 2. Try your hand at fishing. There are so many great fishing spots along the Hawkesbury River, Pittwater, and Broken Bay to name a few. Take your own boat, or book a charter. 3. Sample some fine fruit wine and take a tour of the vineyard at Firescreek in Holgate, just ... Read more