Things to Do on the Central Coast with Kids: Beaches, Wildlife and Family Days Out

The Central Coast is one of New South Wales's best family holiday and day-trip destinations, with a combination of ocean beaches, calm lake swimming and accessible wildlife experiences. The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby, off the Pacific Motorway, is a full-day drawcard for children with snake shows, giant tortoises, Galapagos tortoise encounters and spider milking demonstrations. Gosford Regional Gallery and Arts Centre on Mann Street is free and has rotating family-oriented exhibitions. The Central Coast Mariners' Centre of Excellence at Gosford has youth football programs. Patrolled beaches at Terrigal, The Entrance and Avoca Beach are the most popular for families, with The Entrance's pelican feeding a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Tuggerah Lake's calm water is ideal for younger children not yet ready for surf.