Central Coast Holiday With Kids: Parks and Planning

Seventy-eight kilometres is all that separates the Central Coast from Sydney, about 72 minutes by road. For parents weighing up a short break, that is an easy drive with children in the back seat. It is the main reason a Central Coast holiday with kids works so well for families.

The region sits between Sydney and Newcastle, and it is known for The Entrance pelicans, Terrigal and family caravan-park country. Below we cover the waterways, the weather, holiday parks and drive times, so you can plan with realistic expectations.

What makes the Central Coast suit families

The Central Coast is a peri-urban region on the Pacific Ocean, just north of Sydney. It takes in subtropical national parks and forests, plus the coastal waterways of Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lakes and southern Lake Macquarie. For children, that means a choice between ocean beaches, calmer lagoons and lakes, and bush.

The region is known for coastal towns such as Woy Woy, Terrigal, The Entrance, Ettalong Beach, Budgewoi and Bateau Bay. They feature resorts, holiday parks and many expansive beaches and lagoons, along with surfing, coastal tracks and scenic views. Gosford is the main commercial hub and gateway.

The hinterland adds fertile valleys, rural farmland and wineries, and it includes the Watagan Mountains. Wineries are not an obvious kids' outing, so we would treat the hinterland as a scenic drive rather than a main event.

Central Coast weather for a family trip

The climate is humid subtropical, with warm humid summers and mild winters. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly through the year, slightly more often in autumn. Winter is the driest time.

The figures below are 1991-2020 averages for the area.

January and February are the warmest months, with highs of about 26 degrees. February is also the wettest, at roughly 100 millimetres over 11 rain days. If beach time is the priority, pack for showers as well as sun.

Winter is drier and still bright, with 28 sunny days in both July and August. Highs of about 16 to 17 degrees are too cool for most children to swim, but they suit walking and sightseeing. We reckon the shoulder months of October and November are a good compromise, with highs of 22 to 23 degrees and fewer rain days than summer.

Where to stay with children

The Central Coast has a strong reputation for holiday parks, and for families they are often the simplest option. Space, a kitchen and a cabin at the beach beat a hotel room for most households. Our Central Coast accommodation page covers the wider choice, and Central Coast apartments are worth a look if you want a separate bedroom for the children.

These parks are on this site, all with powered sites and cabins. Contact each park for current rates and availability before booking.

• NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort at Umina Beach, in the Central Coast Council area.
• NRMA Toowoon Bay Holiday Park at Toowoon Bay, also in the Central Coast Council area.
• Bouddi National Park at Bouddi, for a camping style stay.
• Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park at Swansea and Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Park at Blacksmiths, both in Lake Macquarie City Council, at the northern edge of the region.

BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park at North Narrabeen is in the Northern Beaches Council area, so it sits south of the region. We would treat it as a Sydney-side alternative.

Waterways, beaches and bush

Children rarely need much more than water and sand. The Central Coast offers three kinds. Ocean beaches suit surfing and swimming. Lagoons and the lake systems, including Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lakes and southern Lake Macquarie, give gentler settings. Coastal tracks and national parks offer the walking.

The Entrance is the place associated with pelicans, which makes it an easy stop for younger children. Terrigal is the other name families know, and Bateau Bay and Woy Woy are also among the region's best known towns.

For things to do beyond the sand, browse Central Coast attractions and Central Coast activities. Guided options are gathered under Central Coast tours, and Central Coast cruises cover time on the water.

Rainy days and indoor options

With rain on eight to twelve days in many months, it pays to have a wet-weather plan. The region has four operating theatres. The Gosford Musical Society, based near Laycock Street Community Theatre at Wyoming, presents five musicals a year, including two specifically for young performers. Laycock Street seats 396 patrons and opened in 1988.

The Art House at Wyong is the largest theatre on the coast, opened in May 2016, with a 500-seat theatre. The Peninsula Theatre at Woy Woy has 122 seats. Check each venue for current shows and age suitability.

Getting there and getting around

Driving times by road from the Central Coast area are below. Long drives are hard on small children, so we suggest keeping day trips to the nearer destinations.

If you would rather not drive, see Central Coast transfers. For a broader picture of the region, our Central Coast travel guide is the place to start. Visit NSW, the official state tourism site at visitnsw.com, is useful for current information, and the background on the region is at Wikipedia: Central Coast (New South Wales).

Frequently asked questions

How far is the Central Coast from Sydney?

It is 78 kilometres by road, about 72 minutes. Newcastle is 91 kilometres away, about 79 minutes.

When is the best time to visit with children?

January and February are warmest, with highs of about 26 degrees, but February is also the wettest month. July and August are the driest and sunniest months, though cooler at about 16 to 17 degrees. October and November sit in between.

Which holiday parks suit families?

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort at Umina Beach and NRMA Toowoon Bay Holiday Park at Toowoon Bay are in the Central Coast Council area. Each has powered sites and cabins. Contact them for current rates.