The beautiful Central Coast is a much-loved holiday destination. From my own childhood until present I have watched this little slice of heaven grown from sleepy to city. If you’re planning your own escape too and wondering what is there to do on the Central Coast for school holidays? Here’s our favourite suggestions – sure to please the whole fam!
Best of the beaches
You can’t spend the school holidays on the Central Coast without at least one day at the beach. Avoca is always a crowd pleaser and is surrounded by a buzzing surf culture scene with great dining and takeaway foods. Avoca Beach stretches between two rocky headlands. Avoca is ideal for surfing, boogie boarding and fishing. It also has picturesque ocean rock pools neat the Surf Life Saving Club which are wonderful to explore and paddle in.
Patonga however is our recommendation for those with smaller kids, whilst tucked away it’s quieter and more protected making the waves much more enjoyable for little ones. You can also enjoy a delicious meal at the newly renovated Patonga Beach Hotel, it’s Hamptons inspired décor is stylish, there’s life music on weekends and a relaxed, casual ambience suitable for the whole family.
Bateau Bay Skate Park
For the older kids you can’t beat the sheer scale and dare devil excitement of Bateau Bay Skate Park. This newly built skate park is absolutely bursting with ramps, rails and an international quality and specification bowl. There’s also basketball and parkour facilities if you don’t get your thrills on wheels. Known to the locals as ‘Bato Skate Park’ this world class facility is gaining attention across Australia as a must-do for skate and scooter fans alike.
Mingara
Not all Clubs are created equal and Mingara is our winner for relaxed family dining and heaps of free family activities during school holidays. Mingara knows just what families are looking for in their local Club and have nailed the offering to perfection! The activity calendar changes constantly for what’s on offer however there’s regularly family bingo, craft activities and many of the hallmark dates are marked with special activities such as Australia Day, Easter and Halloween. Check out their website to see what’s on when you plan on visiting.
Long Jetty Foreshore
This green and gorgeous stretch along the Tuggerah Lake is the ideal spot for a family bike ride. It also boasts multiple playgrounds and is just a stone throw away from cosmopolitan coffee shops for those needing a mid-ride refreshment. Start at the Tuggerah Lakes Cycleway Playground and travel north on this easy to navigate, pathway that’s suitable for all ages.
Central Coast Aqua Park (Brisbane Water, Gosford)
If you’ve ever watched TV’s ‘Wipe Out’ and thought it looked like fun visiting Aqua World is the closest you’ll ever get! This inflatable obstacle course is bursting with wet and wild action. With endless paths of challenges to explore including slides, swings, climbing and more this is a true highlight of school holidays on the Central Coast. Best suited to older kids you’ll need sunscreen and an adventurous spirit! Getting wet is guaranteed!
Our family loves the Central Coast – we know you’ll enjoy spending a school holiday break there as much as we do. There’s so much to do on Central Coast for School Holidays, the hardest part is fitting it all in. Happy holidays.
By Domenic Calabro, father of four and owner of DC Concrete Sydney.