Travel guide Central Coast & Lake Macquarie

  Lake Macquarie is one of Australia’s largest coastal salt water lakes, four times the size of Sydney Harbour. It is a fabulous aquatic playground for boating, skiing, fishing, swimming and more and includes more than 90 villages between the coast, lake and mountains.   This is such a vast area, with so many things to do and see, and so close to Sydney!     Top 5 things to do and see   1. Caves Beach The caves at Caves Beach rate a first mention. Accessible from the southern end of Caves Beach at low tide, an area carved out by the sea with multiple caves, water channels and rock pools. You can even walk through some of the caves. You could literally spend hours here sitting in the shade, or the sun, climbing over rocks and discovering all the life ... Read more

A Touch of Bali is a relaxing,comfortable and affordable adult getaway at Point Clare on the beautiful Central Coast, close to beaches, cycle ways, train station and buses. Ferries are a short drive away. Our guests have total privacy and exclusive use of the outdoor areas and pool. We have two bedrooms, bathroom, lounge dining area and a kitchenette. All towels and linen are supplied. We offer barbecue facilities, DVDs, CDs karaoke and wireless internet. Surrounded by tropical gardens, and views of the beautiful Brisbane Waters, with a daybed and hammock to relax in on the under-cover deck, we pride ourselves in making it a very personal experience for each of our guests. Candles, perfumed incense and the sound of trickling water set a relaxed mood outside. Inside we have created a com... Read more

Bell Chapel B&B, situated on the western side of Lake Macquarie - one of the jewels of the Hunter, is ideally placed to explore other parts of the Hunter Valley, such as vineyards, national parks, beaches, historic villages, rural environs and major urban attractions. Located in Carey Bay, this unique and delightfully refurbished and fully self-contained former church caters for romantic getaways, special occasions or just recharging work-wearied batteries. Bell Chapel is just over an hour's drive from the Sydney start of the F3 Freeway and offers an ideal combination of B&B and self-contained accommodation. Providing open plan living, also suitable for those with access needs, Bell Chapel B&B is tastefully decorated and retains charming features of the historic 1920 church,... Read more

Visitors to Secret Waters always go away happier than when they came. During their stay they experience the peace and tranquillity of panoramic water views from every room of their two bedroom self-contained flat, that contains everything they need to enjoy a relaxing break away from the stress and noise of city life. With Australia's largest salt water lake at your door step, bush walks 100 metres away, rolling surf beaches two minutes away and major supermarkets seven minutes away, there is always something to occupy guests of all persuasions. Nords Wharf is just 1 hour up the freeway from Sydney, and offers the best of all worlds. Whether you are looking for that romantic getaway weekend, just some time to relax and unwind or a family holiday full of lots of activity and adventure thi... Read more

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

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