There may be no harbour bridge or opera house but NSW Central Coast has its own maestro. The Central Coast has changed a lot over the years. My last memory of visiting the Central Coast was many, many years ago where I attended a work conference at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal. The organisers then probably thought it was remote and sleepy enough so that we would not be distracted. The pace has picked up; there is a buzz now on the Central Coast with traffic on occasion to match as Sydney siders are seeking a sea change. It’s also become a destination for the gourmet traveller who love good food as much as they love the mix of scenic coastline and lush hinterlands. With it only being one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast is blossoming into a beautiful coastal holiday destination for foodies. Here are the things I discovered on the NSW Central Coast courtesy of This Is The Central Coast and I can’t wait to head back.
Things to See, Taste and Do
See
Under this category, I was looking for places on the Central Coast that were visually appealing and enough for me to take my DSLR out and because the visual impact was spectacular.
Running of the Horses
Yes, the Central Coast is about the coastline but the lushness of the hinterland scenery is just as breathtaking. We meandered our way into the bush by car on a Saturday afternoon to Glenworth Valley to witness the iconic Running of the Horses. And it means just that. Witnessing the Running of the Horses was the most magical and thrilling sight on my trip to the NSW Central Coast where on 430pm on a Saturday we watched around 200 horses being mustered out of the horse riding yards, gallop across the paddock, over the river and into greener pastures where they graze and rest overnight. The photos we captured tells all of what we saw.
Glenworth Valley is set on 3,000 acres of unspoilt wilderness. Not only can you see the running of the horses but the venue is also Australia’s largest outdoor activity centre that features horse riding, quad biking, stand up paddle, kayaking, abseiling, and laser skirmish.
Glenworth Valley
Cooks Road, Glenworth Valley, NSW Central Coast
T: 02 4375 1222
Instagram: @glenworth_valley
Saddles Mt White
We stopped at Saddles Mt White for afternoon tea on the way home to Sydney from Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast and this is a luxe countryside homestead experience worth stopping for. It’s a restaurant or an eatery set on 10 hectares of bushland just north of Brooklyn that is perched on a private dam. It was a Sunday afternoon and the place looked pretty booked out when we arrived. We sat along the wrap around veranda facing the dam whilst we sipped tea and ate Italian donuts with spiced sugar and custard and brioche ice cream sandwich with house churned ice cream. The sweets were freshly made and a real treat before the drive back to Sydney. Saddles Mt White is the fourth venture for restaurateurs Cameron and Hayley Cansdell, who come via Bombini and Bombini Pizza at Avoca Beach and Fish Dining at Point Frederick, and worked with The John Singleton Group and White Dickson Architects to bring the eatery in the bushlands to fruition. It’s definitely a place I need to come back to.
Saddles at Mt White
20 Ashbrookes road, Mount White NSW
T: 02 4370 1152
www.saddlesmtwhite.com.au
@saddlesmtwhite
Terrigal beaches and coastline
There is a relaxed and airy, cosmopolitan beauty about Terrigal and the soaring Norfolk pines along The Esplanade lend character and beauty to the beachfront which you can see as you stroll along the street or from your hotel room if you are staying at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific. Best times to appreciate Terrigal Beach is early in the morning when it’s quiet and the sun is not as harsh.
Taste
NSW Central Coast is a haven for food enthusiasts. The food we tried at every venue we visited was fresh and delicious and the location of some were so picturesque I would spend a good 30 minutes checking out and taking photos of the location before sitting down to order your menu and the good thing is it’s only an hour drive from Sydney. Here are places I would suggest you try if you are visiting the Central Coast.
For breakfast …
The Box on the Water
Waterfront breakfast is what this place is about. The Box on the Water is located on the newly redeveloped foreshore in Ettalong Beach. It’s absolute waterfront location has panoramic views out across Broken Bay to its namesake, Box Head, and over to Sydney’s northern beaches. Architecturally designed with a stylish, contemporary aesthetic, The BOX is just an hour and a half’s drive from central Sydney or twenty five minutes on the passenger ferry from Palm Beach. It’s a great alfresco dining space for a casual breakfast or lunch with your family or friends. Yes it was busy but not overly crowded. We tried their smashed avocado on sourdough toast, tomato and basil salsa with Danish feta; porridge and big breakfast and all ingredients were fresh and delicious.
The Box on the Water
The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach Waterfront Reserve, NSW
T: 02 4339 3369
www.theboxonthewater.com
@thebox_ettalong
For lunch …
Bombini Pizza
We were booked in to try Bombini situated at Avoca Beach, on a leafy two acres in one of the Central Coast’s oldest homesteads, also run by Cameron and Hayley Cansdell which offers modern Italian cuisine. However, that Saturday was unusually hot for Spring and we felt like eating pizza instead so headed to Bombini Pizza which is situated above Bombini and separate to the main house restaurant featuring a selection of pizzas all made in their wood fired oven under this tiny tin shed. Their pizza styles are traditional and Neapolitan style thinner crust pizzas. If you feel like an exceptional pizza fix, Bombini Pizza is the one to try. The turn off is just after a roundabout you might miss it when driving from Terrigal. We missed it at first but just note it is a left turn into their driveway if you’re coming from Terrigal. Try the Gambero pizza with poached prawns, zucchini, pistachios and feta. The crust is beautiful.
bombini pizza
366 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach
T: 02 4381 1436
www.bombini.com.au
@bombinigram
The Lucky Bee
From Longrain Sydney to New York, now a new home in Woy Woy, Chef Matty Bennett and Rupert Noffs opened The Lucky Bee in July 2018 at Frankie’s rooftop. It’s refreshing to see some high quality and fresh Asian flavours on the Central Coast. At The Lucky Bee, the menu has a blend of Asian flavours of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese influencing the menu. We tried the Betel Leaf, Poached Prawns, Peanut, Ginger, Kaffir Lime, Thai Chilli; Szechuan Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings, Prik Nam Pla; Green Papaya Salad, Snake Beans, Roasted Peanuts, Tamarind & Lime
The Lucky Bee at Frankie’s Rooftop
Upstairs at The Bayview hotel, 2 The Boulevarde Woy Woy
T: 02 4341 2088
www.luckybeenyc.com
@theluckybee_
For dinner …
Yellowtail
This restaurant was the first venue I visited when I arrived at the Central Coast and it was my favourite. Yellowtail brings influences from the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Asia to their menu. Their food is elegant, high quality but in a casual fine dining coastal settingthat lends itself to sharing, but can be enjoyed just as much the old fashioned way, with the menu made up of smaller items, and larger plates with a small cheese and dessert offering. We tried the Eden John Dory fillet with cauliflower puree and almond romesco and the dry-aged flat iron steak with shimeji mushroom and mustard, leek chips and aioli. The steak is one of the most tender steaks I’ve tasted for awhile paired with a 2016 Ocean 8 Pinot Noir. For dessert, we tried the Holy Goat La Lune cheese with honey, walnuts, apple and linseed crackers. Poached rhubard with pistachio pastry, yoghurt and rose and the chocolate brulee tart with orange, hazenut and crème fraiche. I would highly recommend a visit here for dinner.
Yellowtail Restaurant
3/1 Campbell Crescent, Terrigal
T: 02 4384 6656
@yellowtailrestaurant
fish dining
If you like fresh seafood near the water then fish dining is the awesome place to dine. This was a wonderful stopover for dinner after we watched the running of the horses at Glenworth Valley. Situated on the Gosford Waterfront, fish dining by again Cameron and Hayley Cansdell offers a modern seafood menu with a strong focus on sustainability. The menu is designed to be iconic and fun, dishes which exhibit nostalgic memories from travels local and afar. Featuring a three course a la carte menu for the more formal occasions with variety of snacks for a quick bite. The fish curry with rice was my favourite.
fish dining
61 Masons Parade, Point Frederick, NSW Central Coast
T: 02 4325 7874
www.fishdining.com.au
@fishdining
Do
Stay at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
For a 2 night / 3 day weekend stay on the NSW Central Coast, there was enough eateries to explore for a foodie which meant it left little room to do anything else and I will need to come back and explore the Central Coast a bit more next time!
If you are looking for a luxe place to stay then you can’t go wrong with an Ocean View room at the iconic Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific. I found the sound of the waves soothing which ensured I drifted off soundly to sleep.
Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
Pine Tree lane, Terrigal NSW
T: 02 4384 9111
www.terrigalpacific.crowneplaza.com
@crowneplazaterrigalpacific
Shopping suggestions
I didn’t get to go these stores but I would definitely visit when I return to the Central Coast.
Bohemian Traders
Bohemian Traders stock classic styles for the modern bohemian, seeking to blend classic European styles and cuts with a bohemian twist. Since our inception, our aim has been to provide size inclusive fashion basics for the modern woman, and with a newly launched range for men and kids.Shop
2A, 490 Central Coast Hwy, Erina Heights
T: 02 4367 8126
https://bohemiantraders.com
@bohemian.traders / @mister.bohemian / @little.bohemian.traders
Haven at Home
Located in the same block as Bohemian Traders, Haven at Home is a home and lifestyle store, including furniture items and furnishings, clothing, accessories and beauty.
490 Central Coast Hwy, Erina Heights
T: 02 4365 4618
http://www.havenathome.com.au
@havenathome
La Boheme Lifestyle
La Bohème Lifestyle was born in 2018 by two local girls, Renee + Stephanie, who share a love of fashion, arts, styling and interiors. Renee, a hair salon owner for over 10 years was born and bred on the Central Coast. Stephanie, a Scottish lass who moved to the coast with her young family back in 2014, her background in fashion styling and personal shopping. Together they wanted to create a bohemian hub for the community on the coast, showcasing some incredible brands and offer something a little different in a unique location.
271 Scenic Hwy, Terrigal
T: 0435 310 885
https://laboheme.shop
@laboheme_lifestyle
With its rich diversity of landscapes and seaside towns, NSW Central Coast is becoming a hip coastal destination for Sydneysiders, easily accessible by car in an hour, and blossoming with city worthy restaurants and cafes run by talented big city chefs who wanted a sea change and bringing to the region some high quality food served in the most picturesque locations. A weekend stay won’t be enough. You’ll want more time.
www.thisisthecentralcoast.com.au
See.Taste.Do toured the NSW Central Coast courtesy of Scout PR and This Is The Central Coast.