Cumberland State Forest is a 40-hectare haven for nature lovers nestled in the Hills district in Sydney’s north-west. Visitors can meander along one of the three walking trails, admiring tall eucalypts, rainforest palms or mysterious pine trees. A rich diversity of birds brings the forest to life, including dynamic cockatoos and brightly coloured rainbow lorikeets. Well-maintained picnic areas and barbeque facilities make Cumberland State Forest a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

On the water's edge of the legendary Avoca Beach, this is one of the best kept secrets on the Central Coast. The Point Cafe Avoca Beach, with its white sands, blue ocean, a natural rock pool where children can play and the regulars of the cafe can watch the surfer's battle the waves. Our menu is extensive, with something to please the most discerning customer. The food is both innovative and fresh with attention to detail and service is always with a smile. The Point Cafe offers an all day breakfast as well as lunch 7 days a week and special theme nights throughout the year.

Avoca Beach has been the mecca for visitors to the Central Coast for over a century. With its cosmopolitan ambiance and stunning beach, Avoca will delight even the most discerning traveller. With something for every holiday-maker from surfing to swimming, fishing to diving, or just relaxing, discover the white sand, rolling waves and wooded hills that make up this legendary holiday hotspot.

The Australian Reptile Park is the hands-on zoo and boasts loads of animal interaction and exciting wildlife shows. Have a close encounter with some of the park’s scaly and furry animals during Snappy Hour 11am-2pm daily, including a walk with Hugo the giant Galapagos tortoise. Elvis, NSW's biggest crocodile, is fed at 1:30pm on weekends and school holidays. Have a photo with a snugly python, wombat or cuddly koala. Enjoy the children’s adventure playground, cafe and picnic area, free BBQs and hand feed friendly kangaroos.

The Ken Duncan Gallery and the Sanctuary Cafe is an expansive purpose-built facility featuring spacious viewing rooms, an intimate theatrette designed to present spectacular audio-visual presentations, plus an ultramodern cafe offering exquisite coffee and fine food created by award-winning chefs. Browse through the gallery and have a meal and make a day out of it.

The only place you can touch friendly wild Aussie animals in the bush, visit Aboriginal sites, go walkabout with the rangers to find bush tucker and bush medicine, throw a boomerang, get nose-to-nose with kangaroos, koalas and their animal friends. Try a Wild sleep out ranger-led camping adventure with tents supplied. Drop in today for something unique for all Aussies and international visitors.

At the Bamboo Buddha, you are surrounded by hippy iconography, tropical rainforest and chiming bellbirds. Tables are spaced widely, so you can dine almost alone. The food is killer vegetarian and there are wonderful nooks that you can occupy all to yourself. It is a nirvana of tranquility set in Bali style gardens featuring koi and goldfish ponds. The funkiest Cafe & Gallery on the Central Coast.

The multi-hued sandstone landscape forms part of Sydney’s green belt and protects vital clear-water tributaries to the Hawkesbury River. Enjoy a picnic, try the 1.6 km Grass Tree Circuit or stroll a section of the convict-built Great North Road, one of the great construction feats of the early colony and now World Heritage listed. Discovery tours are available year round. Car-based and trailer camping is available at Mill Creek and backpack camping at Ten Mile Hollow.

Mingara is the Central Coast’s ultimate entertainment destination, located between the F3 and The Entrance. Sit back, relax and enjoy our award winning casual dining area, Indigo – Eats, Treats & Bar, and listen to some great live entertainment. The kids will love The Playhouse, our child minding area, plus there’s adventure golf and Mingara One Aquatics for some great aqua fun. And there’s so much more....come and discover us during you stay on the Central Coast and see why life’s great at Mingara.

Popran National Park, on the Central Coast, is just an hour and a half north of Sydney, so it makes for an excellent day trip or weekend getaway. From hiking to mountain biking and horse riding to fishing, there’s plenty to do in this iconic Australian setting. Boasting 4km of Hawkesbury river foreshore, you can paddle through the mangroves, enjoy a spot of fishing, smell the coastal banksia and explore the rich Aboriginal heritage.

The park’s two scenic and forest-clad sections of coastline are separated by The Entrance. The southern part has high headlands, cliffs and rock platforms. The north is sandy and protects red gum forest and coastal rainforest. Swim at Tuggerah Beach (north) or Bateau Bay (south). There’s good birdwatching, great surfing and several walking tracks. Visit Crackneck Lookout, ideal for whale watching, or enjoy a walk through the red gum forest. Join a Discovery tour for a special experience.