DETAILS

Getting there

The Central Coast is smack bang in the middle of Sydney and Newcastle, just over an hour’s drive from each.

Staying there

Try CROWNE PLAZA, Terrigal for a great stay in this buzzy little town (terrigalpacific.crowneplaza.com); BELLS AT KILLCARE for an upmarket Hamptons-style hideaway (bellsatkillcare.com.au); or PRETTY BEACH HOUSE, for ultimate luxury (prettybeachhouse.com). COASTAL RETREAT is a simple two-bedroom studio immaculately designed by Kyal and Kara Demmrich (The Block and The Living Room); it’s located just 100 metres from Toowoon Bay beach, close to Long Jetty and is listed on Airbnb.The COPACABANA BEACH HOUSE is a stunningly restored 1970s home with views of the ocean and headlands. Also on Airbnb, it’s the ultimate escape near the quiet enclave of Copacabana.

Eating there

A thriving culinary scene means there’s an incredible number of hip new places to eat and drink. Here, a few to try: YELLOWTAIL, Terrigal (yellowtailrestaurant.com. au) – A relaxed but sophisticated restaurant with a changing menu, focused on Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean flavours; MUMBO JUMBO’S, Terrigal (mumbojumbos.com.au) – A fun Caribbean-style rooftop bar; FISHERMEN’S WHARF, Woy Woy (woywoyfishermenswharf.com.au) – An iconic seafood spot that has been beautifully refurbished; YOUNG BARONS, Woy Woy (youngbarons.com) – Cosy restaurant serving delicious, handmade pasta and gelato; THE SAVOY, Long Jetty (thesavoylongjetty.com.au) – A brand new bar located in the heritage 840-seat Savoy Theatre; BOMBINI, Avoca (bombini.com.au) – Set on a lush property, this elegant restaurant offers modern Italian cuisine; AVOCA SURF HOUSE (avocasurfhouse.com.au) – This slick community hub offers yoga, workshops, talks and more alongside its bar and restaurant; SADDLES, MT WHITE (saddlesmtwhite.com.au) – Based on a stunning rural property, Saddles is all about homely bakehouse food; SIX STRING BREWING, Erina (sixstringbrewing.com.au) – The Coast’s first homegrown craft beer. Visit the tasting room, have a bite to eat and enjoy live music; THE BOATHOUSE HOTEL PATONGA (theboathousehotelpatonga.com. au) – The local pub at the cute coastal hideaway of Patonga has a new lease of life.

Playing there

For outdoor pursuits, check out BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK and FIVE LANDS WALK for spectacular coastal scenery; CENTRAL COAST MOUNTAIN

BIKE TOURS for adventures through the Coast’s national parks; GLENWORTH VALLEY for horseriding, abseiling and quad biking; and TREETOPS ADVENTURE PARK at Ourimbah for obstacle courses, high ropes, zip lines and more.