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Feeling those post-festive season blues? If you’re looking for one of the best weekend escapes from Sydney to help soften the blow of the official holiday period being over, the Central Coast is one of our favourites.
How to Get There
This idyllic beachside region is just an hour from the Sydney CBD and an hour from Newcastle and has you covered with great restaurants, cafes and plenty of unique experiences you won’t find in the big smoke. Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work and come up with a killer itinerary for your next holiday on the Central Coast. All you have to do is grab your swimmers (and waders, if you have them) and hit the road.
Attractions
As soon as you see the rocky cliffs of the M1 Pacific Motorway, those holiday feels will set in. There’s also another site that officially screams ‘you’re out of Sydney and heading up the coast’, and that’s none other than the iconic yellow dinosaur (fondly known as Ploddy) signposting The Australian Reptile Park, located at Somersby just off the M1 near Gosford. Rather than be a mere spectator, this time, why not turn off and go check out for yourself what all the fuss is about?
The Australian Reptile Park
Beyond the playful facade and the impressive display of reptiles like Eric the croc, Hugo the 74-year-old tortoise as well as Toby the Southern Cassowary(who poos out passionfruit tree seeds!) and the hundreds of alligators, there is also some really cool (and important) work happening behind the scenes at the Reptile Park.
Currently, The Australian Reptile Park is the sole supplier of terrestrial snake and funnel-web spider venom for the purpose of antivenom in Australia, currently home to 250 venomous snakes that are a part of the venom program that are milked on a fortnightly basis. The process is actually a lot simpler than you may think – a (very brave) person handles the snake, gets him down on the floor in a pillow of sorts and then grabs the snake’s head with their fingers (!!) and places a shot glass with a very tight cling-wrap-like material cling wrap with a rubber band for the snake to bite into, releasing its venom. The park is also the only place in the world producing anti-venom for the deadly funnel web spider, home to so many funnel webs we don’t even want to think about it.
You will also be able to get up close and personal with the cutest Koalas, roos and dingoes. The staff are super knowledgeable and friendly and happily share fun little anecdotes, making your visit feel intimate as well as educational.
After witnessing some of the most dangerous animals on earth bite into a shot glass just metres from your face, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend the early afternoon than drinking whiskey. Luckily, Amber Lane Distillery is just a short drive away in the pristine, lush foothills of the Yarramalong Valley. On the way there, stop by one of the quaint towns if you’re feeling hungry, like Ourimbah, Palmdale or Wyong Creek.
Amber Lane Distillery
Once you arrive, keep driving past the donkeys and you will come across a big shed where all the magic happens. The brainchild of friends, fellow whiskey-lovers and amateur astronomers, Rod Berry and Phil Townsend, Amber Lane was born from a moment of chance. When the pair were stargazing at Coonabarabran in 2017, a daytime excursion led them to a small whisky distillery, and like true entrepreneurs – they decided they could do the same thing.
Fast forward eight years, and the result – Amber Lane – is now widely regarded as one of Australia’s best whisky distilleries, having taken out multiple national and international gold medals, which is very impressive for a young Australian producer.
And it doesn’t take a genius to see why the distillery is raking in the accolades. The whiskey is simply delicious. Even if you’re not the biggest whiskey drinker, you will happily be able to indulge in these smooth blends. Think of flavours like butterscotch, honey, currents and maple. And don’t worry, Rod will teach you all about the way to drink whiskey so you can get the most out of your tasting experience.
The whiskey is unique in that it ages in the best-seasoned barrels sourced from premium producers of Spanish Pedro Ximenez, Oloroso Sherry and Kentucky Bourbon, using larger barrels than many other Australian whisky producers. Rod also spent years visiting other distillers in France, specifically Cognac, where they experience a similar climate to the Central Coast, learning the best ways to maximise ageing to produce more complex flavour profiles (spoiler – humidity is key.)
Beyond the accolades, after spending time chatting with Rod, who is extremely passionate, sitting amongst the barrels and ‘The Mary Rose’, the 3600 litre Copper Still, it’s hard not to see why Amber Lane has taken Australia (and the world) by storm. You can taste Rod and Phil’s passion and you can feel the real reason behind making the brand – not to sell mass amounts, nor to win awards, but, refreshingly – to create quality whiskey that people can enjoy together, connect and forge memories. Because at the end of the day, that’s what whiskey is all about.
Where to Stay
It’s probably around about now when the need for a nap hits, especially after all those whiskeys. Take the scenic route along the Old Pacific Highway to Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures. Depending on what mood you’re in, you can choose to stay in a deluxe eco-cabin (we recommend booking one with a hot tub) or you can also opt for camping or glamping.
Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures
Driving to your accommodation, you immediately feel miles away. Cacooned in the endless gumtrees cascading the valley, we promise you, you will never see so many horses in one place. You will feel like you’re in a scene out of Yellowstone, rather than a ranch on the Central Coast. Our tip? Drive slowly and be wary of inquisitive horses peeping their heads into your car windows!
Once you settle in, you will also spot rare bird species, goannas and plenty of laughing kookaburras. If you’re staying in the Eco Cabins, expect understated luxury that makes you feel instantly relaxed. Our favourite thing (besides the hot tub) has to be the bath – with a window that overlooks the grazing horses and the swaying gums – it’s hard to get out. As tempting as it is to stay in the bath for hours on end or lounge on the armchairs on the deck, the 3,000 acres at your doorstep has plenty of adventures waiting for you, like horse riding along unspoilt wilderness trails, quad biking, kayaking, abseiling and even laser skirmish.
Where to Eat
When hunger inevitably calls, one of the best places to hit up on The Central Coast for an indulgent dinner experience is The Cowrie Restaurant in Terrigal. Tucked away from the main strip perched on a hill, it’s easy to miss this hidden gem. As soon as you step inside, attentive waiters, tantalizing wafts from the kitchen and panoramic ocean and bay views of the coastline signal a good night ahead.
The Cowrie Restaurant
The menu is equally considered, blending fine dining with a casual, coastal energy perfectly befitting of its location. Start with Sydney Rock Oysters dressed with sake, green apple and eschalot or the Pacific Oysters roasted over hot coals with miso butter. Standout entrees include pan-fried gnocchi with sage, pea, sunflower, smoked stracciatella or the octopus carpaccio with romesco, caper, preserved lemon and seaweed. For mains, we opted for the miso glazed eggplant with baby spring vegetables, toasted seeds, tempura zucchini flower and ricotta – melt-in-your-mouth eggplant balanced with the fresh crunch of seasonal veg. Don’t leave without ordering dessert – the menu transforms classic Australian flavours (like a paddle pop) into indulgent sweet treats.
The wine list has a balanced offering of local and international wines, with a delicious selection of cocktails. It’s been over a week and we’re still thinking about our meals here. Unpretentious, considered and with epic views – this new dining haunt is set to change the foodie game on the Central Coast.
Saddles
After a big day, nothing beats a hearty brunch to help get rid of the cobwebs. During our time on the Coast, we were recommended one place for brekky by almost every local – Saddles – and for good reason. Located on Mount White, Saddles is a destination gourmet eatery, restaurant and bakehouse with a distinct country charm. Sit back in a beautiful setting overlooking a damn, with macaws from the adjacent sanctuary flying overhead and indulge in the fresh flavours of the seasonal menu.
If you’re feeling something sweet, try the banana bread with wild honey mascarpone, granola, caramelised banana and Davidson plum compote, or the Farmhouse benedict with poached eggs on sourdough English muffins, spinach, honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata for something savoury. Don’t forget to take a walk around the damn afterwards and sit in the sun and soak it all up.
Sydney Oyster Farm Tours
No trip to the coast is complete without a boat ride and enjoying your body weight in oysters, and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours offers just that, as well as an immersive insight into oyster farming.
Continue along the scenic, windy route of the Old Pacific Highway to the Hawkesbury River and jump on a boat, where you will learn all about the oyster farming process. Having learned the ins and outs, you will then put on waders (which are provided) and enjoy a meal of oysters, prawns and champagne, literally in the waters of the river where the oysters are farmed. Learn how to shuck your own oysters and indulge in as much fresh seafood as you can handle while you bask in the views and the Hawkesbury. A truly unique experience, not many people can say they dined on water in one of the most pristine coastal enclaves in the world. We really can’t think of a much better way to end a memorable weekend exploring the Central Coast.
