Best of Central Coast
Free Things to Do on the Central Coast: Beaches, Lakes and Parks
The Central Coast has an excellent range of free activities, anchored by its beaches and coastal lakes. Terrigal, Avoca Beach, Umina Beach, Wamberal and Forresters Beach are all patrolled surf beaches free to access. The pelican feeding at The Entrance is free to watch. Bouddi National Park coastal walking is free to access (with paid camping). Brisbane Water National Park around Gosford has free bushwalking tracks through Sydney sandstone heathland and Aboriginal rock art sites at Bulgandlah and Kur-ring-gai. The Gosford Regional Gallery is free. The Jamieson Park foreshore at Narara offers free riverside walking. Umina Beach and Pearl Beach south of the Hawkesbury also have free beach access with a quieter character than the northern beaches.
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1
Terrigal Beach and The Skillion
A free walk along Terrigal's beach esplanade to the Skillion headland, with panoramic ocean views and a free clifftop walk, one of the Central Coast's best free lookouts.
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2
The Entrance, Pelican Feeding
A free daily pelican feeding at 3:30pm on the lake foreshore at The Entrance, with dozens of wild pelicans arriving from the lake.
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3
Brisbane Water National Park Walks
Free walking tracks through sandstone bushland along Gosford's waterways, with Aboriginal rock engravings at Bulgandry and Girrakool picnic area.
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4
Bouddi National Park Beaches
Free access to Maitland Bay, Little Beach and Putty Beach inside Bouddi National Park, with no entry fee and free parking at most trailheads (entry permit required for camping).
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5
Tuggerah Lake Foreshore Walk
A flat 5km foreshore walk around Tuggerah Lake at The Entrance and Toowoon Bay, with waterbirds, mangroves and views across the lake to the hinterland.
More Best of Central Coast
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The Entrance: Pelican Feeding, Tuggerah Lake and the Central Coast Tourist Town
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Terrigal Guide: Beach, Dining and the Haven
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Avoca Beach: The Central Coast's Boutique Beach Suburb
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Bouddi National Park Central Coast: Coastal Walk, Beaches and Killcare
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Central Coast Suburbs Guide: From Gosford to Umina Beach
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Best Cafes and Coffee on the Central Coast: From Terrigal to Avoca