Tiny seaside villages, secluded swimming beaches and areas of national-park wilderness are tucked away all over the leafy, hilly Central Coast. Take the Gosford turn-off from the F3 Freeway and turn left towards Green Point and you'll soon see the less developed, cosier side of the coast, carved up by the deep blue inlets of Broken Bay and Brisbane Water.
This is a beautiful spot for a weekend drive - especially in the bright sunlight of a winter day. If you fancy staying longer, there's plenty to do all year round. Activities include bushwalking, mountain-bike tours, sailing, fishing and visiting galleries and homely cafes.
In summer, you can beach-hop your way down the coast starting at MacMasters Beach, where many well-heeled Sydneysiders have their palatial, beachside weekenders. This is a classic Aussie surfing beach that hooks around at the southern tip, creating a nicely sheltered bay with more manageable waves.
The next swimming beach is Little Beach in Bouddi National Park, but it's small and a headland to the north makes it shady for some of the day. Instead, mosey down the hill through Killcare Heights and Killcare to Putty Beach, also in Bouddi National Park. Stop the car at Killcare Heights lookout on the way down for striking views of Sydney's northern beaches, from Palm Beach to Manly.
You can walk to Putty Beach from the Visitor Information Centre on The Scenic Highway in Killcare Heights. A track takes you through coastal heathland to Maitland Bay, named after a ship that broke in two over the rocks of Bouddi Point in 1898 - the old boiler of the shipwreck sticks out above the water. You then climb the headland over to Putty Beach via Gerrin Point. The path hugs the coastline and the views over Broken Bay are breathtaking.
Putty Beach is a wide, sweeping strand that's a popular swimming and surfing spot. With picnic tables, gas barbecues and running water, Putty Beach is an obvious place to rustle up lunch. In summer it's patrolled and the surf-club kiosk is open.
You can walk up into the wilds of the national park from here. If you've marched through our native wilderness and wondered what all the fuss is about, try a guided bushwalk - it could reveal enough about native wildlife to explain the attraction. Central Coast Bushworks has trained guides who lead you on interpretive walks through Bouddi and put on lunch, too.
There are three camp sites in Bouddi National Park - call National Parks and Wildlife to book a spot. Little Beach is only for the dedicated bush camper as it's a 750-metre walk into the site and you have to carry all your essentials with you, including water - the nearby creek water is not safe to drink. Tallow Beach, although very pretty, is also a dedicated 'bushie's' camping experience with similar facilities to those at Little Beach.
Putty Beach is by far the most popular camping ground and it's easy to see why. The swimming beach is right by the camp site and although it's basic, there is enough here to make camping relatively civilised - and you can drive in with a car loaded up with food and equipment.
Central Coast daytrippers in search of a nice spot for afternoon tea should head for the Old Killcare Store in Hardy's Bay, a small town a short drive from Putty Beach, on the shores of pretty, peaceful Brisbane Water. Neighbouring Pretty Beach is worth a look too, with its weatherboard houses lining the waterfront.
Summertime rentals can be quite pricey in Killcare, Hardy's Bay and Pretty Beach but the trade-off is plenty to do and easy access to watersports on Brisbane Water and surf beaches.
For a sea-level view of Brisbane Water try a kayaking adventure from Central Coast Kayak Tours. Paddlers can explore the mangroves in the area, devouring fresh oysters along the way, before enjoying a delicious lunch on a remote beach.
If you'd like to soak up a bit of culture make sure you visit Gallery 460 at Green Point. It has a sculpture park in landscaped grounds that you can literally run around. Children can learn more about the fun and humour of art here than in many a stuffy gallery.
And you might find you've learned more about the Central Coast by going off the beaten track than by staying on it.
NSW National Parks can be closed at times of bushfire and bushfire danger. It is advisable to check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you set off. Either phone 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600 or visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.
I always buy my kids a cheap disposable camera when we go away. It keeps them happy & busy. If you are going on a beach holiday, a waterproof disposable is a good idea, they will take or try to take pics of all sorts of sea creatures. When you get back home they can make collages of their photos to hang in their bedrooms to remind them of their holiday.
Alicia, Roselands
Blue Bay Beach, next door to the beach at The Entrance is an unknown little secluded beach for lovers to stroll along hand in hand or just to enjoy a dip.Very quiet, unspoilt location. Next door again Toowoon Bay beach is great for families with small children.
Gary Holland
4WD
