About Central Coast, NSW Australia

The Central Coast is a region that is situated in New South Wales. It is an area of coastal land that occupies the lower reaches of Newcastle and extends south to Sydney’s northern beaches. The Central coast of New South Wales is a beautiful stretch of coastline known for its beaches, surf and fishing. This article will give you some information about this great place including a short history, some of the best things to see and do whilst visiting the area and some other useful information about the Central Coast NSW.

History of Central Coast NSW

Early history: Some of the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians around the Central Coast and Hunter regions include Darkinjung (Central Coast), Awabakal, Worimi, Bahtabah, Biraban, Mindaribba and Wonnarua people. The traditional lands are now covered by suburbs such as Gosford, Wyong, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Shellharbour, Wollongbar, Kempsey, Morisset, Maitland, Tuggerah, Terrigal, The Entrance, Boggab.

The Traditional Custodians of Central Coast

The area was inhabited for thousands decades by Aboriginal people. They were the local Kuringgai group were the very initial Aboriginal people to make contact with British colonists. The Aboriginal person from this region of Bungaree was one of the more famous inhabitants of the early establishment in New South Wales. He was among those first Aboriginal people to master English and became friends with the first Governors Phillip, King and Macquarie. He was with explorer Matthew Flinders in circumnavigating Australia. Macquarie was later to declare Bungaree “The King of the Broken Bay Tribes”.

Alongside the Kuringgai-speaking population (referred by”the “Pittwater tribes” and “Broken Bay tribes” by the colonists of the early days), Awabakal resided around Lake Macquarie, and Darkinyung people resided inland and to the west of Mooney Mooney Creek. They spoke the Kuringgai (GuriNGgai), Awaba and Darkinyung languages are closely related to each other, however they differ in their own way from Dharrug as well as the Sydney languages spoken to the south from the Central coast. Post-settlement diseases and disruption drastically reduced the number that were Aboriginal people.

First Land granted to a European Settler

In 1811 In 1811, The governor of New South WalesLachlan Macquarie was the first to grant a granted land within the area for William Nash, a former marine from the First Fleet. The grant was not renewed within the region until 1821.

From the colonial era to late in the century of 20th, rapid expansion of suburbs led to the creation of the Central Coast & Newcastle Line which opened the region up to the tourism industry.

Geography Of Central Coast NSW

The region is comprised of a number of towns which have been connected in recent times by the expansion of suburbanization. The major urban cluster in the region is located along the northern part of Brisbane Water and is home to the largest city, Gosford, which extends eastwards to the centre of retail in Erina. Other significant commercial “centres” located on the Coast include Wyong, Tuggerah, Lakehaven, The Entrance, Terrigal The Entrance, Lakehaven, Tuggerah, along with Woy Woy. A large number of people living in the southern portion of the region commute every day into Sydney. 

Central Coast is also a major tourist destination. 

Central Coast is also a well-known tourist destination and preferred location to retire in retiring. It is also a popular place for retirement. Central Coast has significant employment which includes tourism, services manufacture, finance construction retail, and industrial. In the end, the identity for the Central Coast is distinctive from the sprawling and diverse city of Sydney as well as the Hunter region which has its mining ports, heavy industry, and mines. On December 2, 2005, Central Coast was officially recognised as a separate region. Central Coast was officially recognised as a distinct region, instead of as an expansion of Sydney as well as it being part of the Hunter Valley.

Population of Central Coast NSW

Suburbs, such as Woy Woy are among the most densely populated regions in Central Coast region. Central Coast regionIt is the Australian Bureau of Statistics provides census data on population as well as regular estimates of population on the Central Coast under a Significant Urban Area. In June 2018, the estimated population of the region was 333,627 with projections of a population increase by 20 percent to reach 415,050 in 2035. Estimated population of residents 30 June 2018.Earlier in 2001, during the Census it was 304,753 including males at 146,926 and females at 157,827. It was reported that the median age of 41. The ABS also includes the Central Coast region population wholly within Greater Sydney which makes Greater Sydney’s population exceeding the population in Greater Melbourne.

Media in Central Coast

TV

The Central Coast has 4 broadcast translators across the Central Coast region. They are in Bouddi (between Killcare & MacMasters Beach), Gosford and Wyong ( Forresters Beach) and Mount Sugarloaf (Newcastle). Because being the Central Coast being split between the Sydney (metro) and Northern NSW (regional) licence regions, these translators have stations from both regions.

In total , eight television stations serve Central Coast:

The stations broadcast a main channel as well as a number of multichannels. Of the three major channels, NBN produces an annual bulletin that includes regional as well as international news every evening at 6:00 pm in channel 9. In addition, both WIN Television and Prime7 offer brief local updates in order to meet local content limits. Foxtel can also be accessible through satellite.

Radio

It is believed that the Central Coast has a number of radio stations that are local to the area. Three of the major commercial stations include Triple M 107.7, Star 104.5, Hit 101.3, all of which are part of national networks.

It is the ABC is an outreaches station at 92.5 FM, which broadcasts a local breakfast show between 6am and 9am on weekdays Outside of this, it broadcasts Sydney programming on ABC 702 AM. CoastFM 96.3 is a community-based radio station. CoastFM 96.3 is a popular audience, and so do Radio Five-O-Plus 93.3. It is The station is It is a 24-hour Country music station, TodayCountry94one, is located at Gosford and broadcasts online as well as through syndication across the United States. The station also operates an Christian radio station called rheema FM on 94.9fm.

In the majority of areas on the Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle radio stations are heard at acceptable levels, particularly on the AM frequency.

Print

Central Coast Central Coast is not serviced by its own daily newspaper, but the area has three successful weekly local papers along with an fortnightly newspaper as well as a variety of famous monthly publications.

Locally owned local newspapers has grown in popularity with time. Coast Community News provides services to in the Central Gosford region and the Coast Community Chronicle serves the northern portion of the region. Pelican Post provides postcodes for 2257 and 2256. All of them are published by the local publishing house that is independent Central Coast Newspapers that is defying the downward trend of declining sales of newspapers. Its Peninsula News run by an association of community members serves the southern portion of the region, which is located around Woy Woy. Woy Woy area with a weekly newspaper. 

A popular monthly business magazine called the Central Coast Business Review has been published and sold for more than 20 years. Prior to that, the most important print publication in The region’s weekly Central Coast Express Advocate, produced in conjunction with News Limited’s News Local, though that was discontinued in the year the year 2019. The publication is now solely an online service that is subscription-based.

Theatre in Central Coast NSW

The region includes three theatres that are operating. Laycock Street Theatre, located in North Gosford, is a proscenium arch structure and can accommodate 392 patrons. The theatre also houses an multi-purpose area that is suitable for board meetings, conferences and annual general meetings. It also hosts small musical shows and cabaret. The group of amateurs who reside there is Gosford Musical Society, Gosford Musical Society, currently provide five shows per year.

Central Coasts Largest Theatre

The biggest theatre in the Central Coast is The Art House, Wyong, which was opened in May of the year [19The Art House opened in May 2016 and has replaced the previous Wyong Memorial Hall which was mostly used by the Wyong Musical Theatre Company as well as the Wyong Drama Group. It is a multi-purpose venue. Art House has been described as a multi-purpose theatre that can accommodate 500 people in a proscenium arch theater with the size of a stage that measures 12m x 9m and an automated fly tower and an 285m2 studio area with seats that retract to accommodate 130 people , and an AV connection directly to Wyong’s Main Theatre. This Art House also features a 500m2 space that can be used for functions and occasions, and an exhibition space that is ideal for photography and art exhibits. 

The opening of the location saw a rapid growth of theatre-related companies within the region. These include Endless Night Theatre Company, Gosford Theatre Company, Nate Butler’s Studio, the Salt House Theatre Company and the region’s only youth theater body, Jopuka Productions. The Art House also has a stage for performances.

The Peninsula Theatre in Woy Woy features a 122-seat raked auditorium, 49m2 stage area and professional standard staging, lighting and sound capabilities.

Sport in Central Coast NSW

Soccer

Central Coast Mariners represent the region in the Soccer A-League. Central Coast Mariners FC are a part of the A-League. Mariners were A-League premier two times ( 2007-08 and 2011-12) as well as A-League champions back in the year 2013. The Mariners are based at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford which is the biggest stadium in the Central Coast with a capacity of just over 20,000.

Rugby

Wyong Roosters Wyong Roos currently are part of the Intrust Super Premiership at Morry Breen Oval in Kanwal. The Kanwal Roos are the feeder club from the Sydney Roosters National Rugby League team which has signed the agreement for them to participate in one normal season game each calendar year in Central Coast Stadium for five years. The agreement will begin in the year 2015. They are the South Sydney Rabbitohs also play regularly.

Ice Hockey

The Central Coast Rhinos participated in the Australian Ice Hockey League between 2006 and 2008, as well as from 2006-2008 and the Australian International Ice Hockey Cup between 2009 and 2012. They played at the Erina Ice Arena at Erina Fair, which is the only Central Coast Ice arena. Erina Ice Arena Erina Ice Arena has been closed since 19th August, 2019, for repairs and will open on the 2nd of January 2021.

Basketball

The other teams are The Central Coast Crusaders – the top senior basketball team of the region and the Centurions – the junior league representative team, who play at the S.G. Ball Cup and the Harold Matthews Cup.

NRL

There have been several attempts for teams to be entered into other national tournaments. The most prominent of these was an attempt to be part of into the Central Coast Bears as the 16th team to the NRL.[22The effort was funded through a consortium led by John Singleton, but the Gold Coast Titans were ultimately successful. Northern Eagles Northern Eagles, an amalgamation with NRL club Manly Warringah as well as North Sydney began their existence playing half of their matches at Gosford However, after three years, the team had been playing exclusively at Brookvale. 

South Sydney were also unsuccessfully invited to play in Gosford despite the few games held at the Central Coast attracting large crowds.[23 Central Coast Storm Central Coast Storm rugby league team participates in a variety of NSWRL lower grade competitions in addition, they also play in the Central Coast Waves rugby union team is part of the Shute Shield. It is the Central Coast Rays rugby union team, which played in the disastrous Australian Rugby Championship‘s single season in the latter part of 2007 called Central Coast Stadium home.

Sporting Locations in Central Coast

Central Coast Central Coast has numerous sporting ovals and skate parks, golf courses tennis courts, and swimming pools that are accessible to the public. There is also a shooting range for target shooting. There are plans to construct bicycle trails. A velodrome is accessible to the public in West Gosford. National parks in the Central Coast have a large selection of walking paths as well as mountain bicycle trails. Water sports such as sailing rowing, and water skiing are a popular sport in these Central Coast lakes. The effort is underway to bring professional championship golfers in Magenta Shores (located at The Entrance). In 2011 The frigate HMAS Adelaide was sunk off North Avoca Beach as an artificial reef.

Infrastructure in Central Coast NSW

Health

It is the Central Coast has two large public hospitals, both with ED departments. Gosford Hospital is the biggest with just over 450 beds. Wyong Hospital is located at Kanwal and is home to 274 beds. There is also an unnamed hospital that is small located in Woy Woy and a Health Care Centre at Long Jetty. The biggest private hospital in the Central Coast is Gosford Private Hospital located in North Gosford. Tuggerah Lakes Private in Kanwal in Kanwal, Brisbane Waters Private in Woy Woy and Berkeley Vale Private are also major health care providers. The area has twenty-one aged care centers. They are part of the Ambulance Service of NSW has seven ambulance stations along the Central Coast located at Doyalson, Bateau Bay, , Ettalong, Point Clare, Terrigal, Toukley and Wyong.

Transport

The Central Coast is serviced by an extensive and growing road network. Bus and rail provides only a few public transportation alternatives for locals. There are also a variety of taxis that are operated through Central Coast Taxis. Transport has been an ongoing problem for the region and is ranked as priority in the past twenty years, in plans for regional development and priority areas by the federal, state and local agency of the government, making the incremental investment mostly in roads infrastructure.

Road

Sydney Newcastle Freeway

Main article: Sydney-Newcastle Freeway

The principal route to Central Coast Central Coast by road is through the 127-kilometre (79 miles) Sydney-Newcastle Freeway which is designated National Highway 1 and is commonly referred to by The F3 Freeway. Since January 2013, it has been official part of the M1 Pacific Motorway. The freeway serves as the primary connection between Sydney and in the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Newcastle and the Hunter Region.As of December 2009, The F3 freeway has three lanes each direction for 43 kilometers in length between Wahroonga along with the Kariong Interchange. 

There is an 8-kilometre stretch that runs from to the Kariong interchange up to Peats Ridge that is two lanes in each direction and then the freeway becomes three lanes each directions between Peats Ridge as well as Tuggerah. Between Tuggerah to north towards Beresfield the freeway has two lanes in every direction. The two-lane section that runs in between Kariong as well as Peats Ridge, as well as the two-lane section that runs between Tuggerah and the Doyalson interchange are currently expanding to three Lanes per direction. The work was completed in 2020.

Central Coast Highway

Main article: Central Coast Highway

The roads that connect Kariong and Doyalson (Pacific Highway, Dane Drive, Masons Parade, York Street, The Entrance Road, Oakland Avenue, George Street Coral Street, Wilfred Barrett Drive, Budgewoi Road and Scenic Road) was renamed The Central Coast Highway since the 9th of August, the year.

The roads of the Central Coast are maintained by local councils and state roads maintained by the NSW government. However because of the massive geography, issues with maintenance frequently occur.

Rail

The western suburbs on the Central Coast are serviced by the Central Coast & Newcastle Line. The line is utilized to offer mass transportation for commuters to Sydney and hence services are most frequent at the peak commuter hours (typically an hour prior to Sydney peak hours in the morning, and an hour later in the evening because of its distance). Gosford station serves as the main station along the line that connects with the majority of bus services and taxis.

Central Coast stations on the line (from from south):

Trains stop from the Gosford as well as Wyong stations that are used by long distance trains.

Bus

Central Coast Central Coast has no government-owned bus service, however it is served by three different private operators. The bus companies that operate privately within the region include Busways with depots in Kincumber as well as Charmhaven, Red Bus Services and Coastal Liner. All of them operate in their particular areas that cover almost all regions of the region and rarely cross-pollinating.

Busways provides services through Lake Haven, Tuggerah, Erina and Gosford as central locations. The south-facing services go the entire south of Woy Woy, Umina, Ettalong and Pearl Beach/Patonga and extend out towards Kincumber, Erina, Avoca and Terrigal in the east. Some services go towards Kariong and then on towards Mangrove Mountain in the west. 

Busways Northern Services

Busways Northern Services cover the entire region from Gosford along the north side of Tuggerah (through Tuggerah, the Narara Valley and Ourimbah) and then north until Wyong via Tuggerah and Tuggerah, which provides services to the northern region which includes Lake Haven, Charmhaven, Gorokan, Toukley, Noraville Budgewoi, Buff Point and San Remo. Other services also use routes like Blue Haven, Gwandalan, and as far as Swansea and Charlestown in Lake Macquarie. In Feb. 2008 Busways has more than fifty buses that are wheelchair accessible on their buses. (17 at Charmhaven, 33 at Kincumber)

Red Bus Services

Red Bus Services operate services predominantly in the area between Wyong as well as The Entrance as well as The Entrance and Gosford, but some routes do go to Ourimbah as well as Wyong Hospital in Kanwal. They also provide services from West Gosford, Wyoming, Holgate, Matcham, Point Frederick and Springfield. While most services run to/from Wyong Hospital via Westfield Tuggerah and Berkley Vale, one service (Route 29) operates from Bay Village to Wyong Hospital via The Entrance, Toukley, Gorokan, Magenta Shores and Lake Haven. Red Bus have around 25 buses which are wheelchair-friendly.

Coastal Liner Services

Coastal Liner operate limited route buses that travel around Westfield Tuggerah, Wyong, Wyee, Hamlyn Terrace, Woongarah, Warnervale, Dooralong and Jilliby. Routes 10, (Tuggerah-Wyee through Hue Hue Road and Wyong) and 12 (Tuggerah-Jilliby via Dicksons and Mandalong Roads) and 13 (Tuggerah-Dooralong via Jilliby Road) all operate only on weekdays and have restricted services. Route 11 is the most well-known route, connecting Lake Haven with Warnervale via Hamlyn Terrace and Woongarah. The service is offered on weekdays and often is extended into Westfield Tuggerah and Wyong Station via Hue Hue Road.

Telecommunications

Central Coast is part of the fixed phone 43xxxx region. Central Coast falls in the fixed phone 43xx xxxx area and is classified as Regional 1 for billing, with the exception of the northern suburbs Gwandalan and Summerland Point, which fall within the fixed phone region of Newcastle as well as Lower Hunter 49xx xxxx. Fixed-line telephone services are universally accessible. 3G and 4G mobile service is available through Optus, Telstra and Vodafone although a number of black spots are present due to the remoteness and topography of certain parts within the regions. The steps to increase coverage along the railway line have been declared in the Federal Government [31]. Federal Government 

ADSL Broadband

ADSL and high-quality broadband fixed-wireless services are readily accessible, but significant blackspots remain. High-speed ADSL2 is accessible at all exchanges via Telstra. There are few other providers which means that Telstra has a costly broadband service that is high-speed for the area. In many areas, there is a slow and/or insecure ADSL connections because of the age and the quality in the network.

 

Fiber Optic Broadband

Fiber optic broadband services are offered in certain regions that are covered through NBN. National Broadband Network NBN. This includes Kincumber, Gosford, East Gosford, West Gosford, Springfield, Berkley Vale, Tumbi Umbi & Long Jetty. The residents of these areas are offered 50 broadband retail service providers to select from. Connecting to the network will cost nothing but they are required to sign an 12 – 18-month contract. Monthly fees start at $29.50/month.

In 2011, the area was selected as one the first regions to be rolled out to be part of the National Broadband Network‘s fibre to the premise (FTP) installation that will deliver reliable speeds of 100 and 40 Mbit/s up/down load, and 40 Mbit/s up load. Two Points of Interconnect (POI) can be found in the area, at Gosford and the Berkley Vale exchanges. Regional rollouts will be radiated through these super exchanges. Services within the two POIs are accessible. The introduction of NBN to the rest area is in doubt due to a change in government in September of 2013. Tests of fiber to the node technology are scheduled to be conducted for Umina as well as Woy Woy.

Retail

Central Coast Central Coast is home to Erina Fair, the largest single-level shopping center located in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest non-metropolitan retail centre in Australia. It offers numerous amenities for the region including cinemas, restaurants and fast food outlets, as well as shopping. Another shopping center is in North, Westfield Tuggerah.

Smaller local malls are found in the area, such as in Woy Woy, Umina, Kincumber, Gosford, Wyoming, Bateau Bay and Lake Haven.

 

Education in Central Coast NSW

The University of Newcastle is situated at Ourimbah. The university has three campus: Hunter Institute of TAFE situated at Gosford, Wyong and Ourimbah as well as a number of private colleges. Central Coast has a large amount of secondary and primary schools.

Climate of Central Coast NSW

It is believed that the Central Coast has a humid subtropical climate ( Koppen climate classification Cfa) that is characterized by warm, humid springs, and cool winters. The rainfall is distributed fairly all through the day but it tends to be more frequent in autumn. Winter is the driest time and often with little or almost no rain.

Things To Do In Central Coast NSW

Top things to do in Central Coast NSW: The town of Gosford is the commercial centre and has many attractions including the Reptile Park and Somersby Falls. Some of the central coast waterways are one of the region’s best-known tourist locations because they are home to endangered Bilbies and near-extinct Drop bears.

If you prefer the beach and enjoy surfing and fishing, the Central Coast has some great places to visit such as Palm Beach, Avalon, North Curl Curl.

Diggers @ The Entrance – Located midway between Sydney and Newcastle and overlooking the stunning Tuggerah Lakes on the Central Coast.

Breakfasts with Alpacas @ Iris Lodge Alpacas – Iris Lodge Alpacas is located in the Central Coast hinterland where you meet our 60+ alpacas, 42 wiltipoll sheep, horses…

Maitland Bay Track – Maitland Bay track is one of Bouddi National Park’s most popular bushwalks.

Gosford Regional Gallery and Edogawa Commemorative Garden The Gosford Regional Gallery is located on the shores of Caroline Bay in East Gosford.

Bouddi Coastal Walk – The eight kilometre Bouddi coastal walk runs from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach. Boasting beaches, boardwalks and iconic views

Starship Cruises – Starship Cruises are a family owned and operated business providing the most scenic tour of the Central Coast.

Slam Factory – Slam Factory is an indoor skatepark at Tuggerah, catering to skateboarders, inliners and BMX riders.

Bouddi Ridge Explorer – Bouddi Ridge explorer is the longest mountain biking trail in Bouddi National Park. The trail is a 10 kilometre loop is not for the faint hearted!!

Mooney Mooney nature walk – Mooney Mooney nature walk links Mooney Mooney and Girrakool, leading through some of the most picturesque parts of the Central Coast

The Entrance Ocean Baths – Have a dip in the Entrance Ocean Baths – the only ocean pool on the Central Coast. There is a 50 metre pool and dreamy phot opportunities!

Glenworth Valley Laser Skirmish – Laser skirmish is an adrenalin-fuelled, team combat simulation played outdoors. Glenworth Valley’s bush setting provides an excellent location for this fun filled game

Box Head Track – Amble along Bouddi National Park’s most southern ridge, taking in breathtaking water views over the Tasman Sea.

Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place in Brisbane Water National Park is a special landscape, rich in ancient Aboriginal history

Mount Olive lookout – Mount Olive lookout is only a short walk from Ironbark picnic area in Popran National Park and offers scenic views.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park – Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park was Heritage Listed to preserve its Aboriginal Heritage in 2019.

Pelican Beach Road lookout – Take in the golden sands and sapphire waters of Pelican Beach from Pelican Beach Road lookout.

In conclusion, tourists and locals alikehave plenty of beaches to explore, great food to taste, and good people to meet. If you are looking for a break from the city life, Central Coast NSW Australia is an excellent choice.