A leading ecotourism region in New South Wales
We’re proud to be one of Australia's first ECO Destinations, certified by Ecotourism Australia and supported by WWF-Australia’s Wildlife & Nature Recovery Fund. We welcome you to immerse yourself in our community connected by culture, place, and a love of nature.
The NSW Central Coast offers superb natural beauty alongside a great sense of freedom, space and connection to the land. Locals and guests who explore our region and call it home are all shaped in some way by our unique natural environment – so to protect it for future generations we’re now guided by this destination-wide approach to sustainability led by the internationally recognised Green Destination Standard.
The Green Travel Guide
The Central Coast features in the NEW Green Travel Guide, a trusted resource for planning an environmentally-friendly holiday filled with sustainable experiences.
Find eco minded experiences
The Central Coast is proud to be the home of 17 passionate ecotourism businesses committed to their ECO journey! This community includes 7 ECO Certified experiences plus another 10 'ECO Applicants' on their journey with Ecotourism Australia. These dedicated, locally-run businesses are leading the way for our region's ecotourism, offering quality experiences in nature for locals and guests.
You can easily plan your own eco-adventure of the Central Coast, one of Australia's first ECO Destinations, with our list of nature-based, eco-conscious options below...
The Central Coast is now a certified Australian ECO Destination!
Inspired by World Environment Day 2022, the Central Coast is proud to announce we're now a certified Australian ECO Destination! Our beautiful NSW Central Coast is one of the first ECO Destinations certified by Ecotourism Australia.
Rocky Trail Entertainment (ECO Certified)
One of the major mountain bike events promoters in Australia based right here on the Central Coast! Be a #rockytrailracer at their family-friendly annual events hosted at the Ourimbah State Forest: the Shimano Mountain Bike Grand Prix & Fox Superflow.
Terrigal Ocean Tours (ECO Certified)
Spot whales, dolphins and seals in the wild. Enjoy a 40 to 60 minute scenic cruise along the Central Coast's pristine beaches and bays on a high performance Eco Tour vessel with Terrigal Ocean Tours.
Aquafun Avoca Lake, Avoca (ECO Certified)
Australia’s largest selection of modern, human-powered water crafts to explore the beautiful expanse of one of the Coast’s tranquil waterways - Avoca Lake. Hire from a fleet of easy to use pedalboats, single and double kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.
Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre, Terrigal (ECO Certified)
Since 2009, the CCMDC sustainably educates, protects and explores the Central Coast marine environment. A family-friendly educational experience where children can explore, learn and interact with the world under the waves through interactive tours.
TreeTops, Ourimbah State Forest (ECO Certified)
Outdoor, adrenalin-pumping Adventure Park for kids and adults, where you scale a Eucalyptus tree with Vertical Challenge, or bounce around in the canopy with Networld.
Iris Lodge Alpacas, Jilliby (ECO Certified)
Iris Lodge Alpacas offer a popular Breakfast with Alpacas experience and family-friendly Alpaca Farm visits. Guests have the opportunity to experience life on their farm in the Central Coast hinterland with their playful resident animals.
Noonaweena, Kulnura (ECO Certified)
Accommodation for couples, families, groups and special events on scenic Tourist Drive 33. Inspired by the Aboriginal word for ‘resting place in the bush’, Noonaweena is a luxury nature retreat set high in the hinterland with sweeping national park views.
Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences (ECO Applicant)
Girri Girra is a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned business engaging and educating on the beautiful NSW Central Coast. Come on a guided walking tour with Girri Girra; a journey of timeless stories, smoking ceremonies, cultural singing and dancing.
Australian Reptile Park, Somersby (ECO Applicant)
Australia’s original hands-on zoo, home to over 2,000 animals, located in a natural bush setting. Discover their 50+ year-running antivenom and spider milking program, plus their important conservation work saving wildlife through Aussie Ark.
Firescreek Botanical Winery (ECO Applicant)
Firescreek Botanical Winery handcraft an innovative and diverse variety of award-winning wines from fruit and flowers. Wines are made following the seasons of mother nature, so every season there is something new and interesting to try.
Bells at Killcare (ECO Applicant)
Boutique Hampton’s style hotel, multi-award winning restaurant, and luxury spa located in the stunning neighbourhood of Killcare Heights on the Central Coast's Bouddi Peninsula.
Pretty Beach House (ECO Applicant)
Experience the peak of luxury accommodation at Pretty Beach House, one of Australia’s most prestigious, award-winning properties, offering an unforgettable escape to nature hidden within Bouddi National Park.
Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, Mooney Mooney (ECO Applicant)
Sydney Oyster Farm Tours offer immersive culinary oyster farm tours one hour from the city in Mooney Mooney. This is a family owned oyster farm operating for over 15 years, offering luxury tourism experiences with sustainability at its heart.
Jake Cassar Bushcraft Tours (ECO Applicant)
Jake Cassar is a Central Coast Bushcraft teacher, tour guide and youth mentor specialising in edible, introduced and medicinal wild plants. Jake's immersive bushcraft courses & tours are guaranteed to change the way you look at the Aussie bush forever.
Bombora Ettalong Beach SUP (ECO applicant)
On the stunning shores of Ettalong Beach experience everything SUP including Stand Up Paddle classes, SUP Pilates, SUP YOGA, SUP Ball, SUP Tours, Corporate events and even birthday parties.
Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures (ECO applicant)
Escape the city for an unforgettable adventure whether it's horse riding, abseiling ridges, laser skirmish in the bush, kayaking in Popran National Park or glamping with horses in the valley.
Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park, Calga (ECO applicant)
Meet native Aussie wildlife and hike through Heritage-listed bushland. This 180 acre working wildlife sanctuary looks after a diverse community of wild, rescued & vulnerable animals, with ranger talks, accommodation, night tours & virtual tours available.
Canton Beach Paddleshack (ECO applicant)
A family-owned and operated business offering kid-friendly and dog-friendly paddleboard, kayak and kiteboarding hire, lessons and sales on the shore of Tuggerah Lakes.
The best bushwalks to experience nature on the Central Coast
In need of some bush medicine? Take a hike in the great outdoors of the Central Coast.
Paddling guide to SUP and Kayaking on the Central Coast
Unwind on a kayak or bring the 'cool factor' on an SUP
The great outdoors with Ranger Laurie
Local of 30 years, Laurie Pasco is a Central Coast eco warrior based Based in Girrakool at Brisbane Water National Park. We asked her why the Central Coast is special - and where is best to hike!
Ultimate Guide: NSW Central Coast’s most scenic picnic spots
From north to south, we've gathered some of the best grassy spots for a picnic on the NSW Central Coast.
Cycling guide to tour the Central Coast
Ready for some people powered adventure? Get outdoors, take to two wheels and enjoy the best cycling routes across the region.
The coastal café crawl keeping our beaches clean
You’re invited to explore our coastal region sustainably with our eco-friendly café crawl inspired by Green Caffeen.
3 Amazingly easy ways you can help keep the Coast green
Get involved in any of these three amazing everyday ways to keep the Central Coast region clean and green.
Waterside walks: Tour our most scenic shared pathways
From lakeside foreshores, picturesque promenades to beachside boardwalks, it's easy to take a self-guided tour of our region's beautiful waterways.
Where to find our destination’s hidden gems
A great opportunity to branch out of the ordinary and visit some of the Coast's lesser known (but truly remarkable) hidden gems.
Travel with heart: How to embrace cultural experiences respectfully
You can’t truly know a place until you know its story, so who better to bring the local landscape to life than a Traditional Custodian of the very earth you walk on.
6 Wild waterfalls to seek out on the Central Coast
Rain or shine, you can explore the natural beauty of these six Central Coast waterfalls.
Slow travel guide
Take a moment to find out what slow travel on the NSW Central Coast has to offer the soul.