3 Central Coast towns are finalists in the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards

FINALIST #1 - TERRIGAL

The NSW Central Coast’s most iconic seaside holiday destination, Terrigal, offers much more than a summer playground – its appeal lies in the town’s grand accessibility. Beach, boardwalk, boutiques, cafés, markets, ice cream parlours, hotels, bars, nightlife and fine dining burst out of stylish shopfronts dotted along the bustling Esplanade. Seek adventure below the surface in The Haven, or atop The Skillion with its 360-degree coastal vistas. Favoured as a city escape for Sydneysiders since the 60s, today Terrigal offers brunching, swimming, shopping, lunching, diving, dining, fishing, paddling, surfing and socialising. This place is quintessential Aussie summertime, bottled.

Spend three days of beach-side perfection in Terrigal:

Spend your days by the seaside exploring Terrigal's golden shoreswith the sun on your cheeks, the sand between your toes, and acold drink in hand. With every stop within a few minutes' stroll ofthe central hub of this town, it's easy to plan the perfect CentralCoast beach day.

The name 'Terrigal' originates from the Indigenous word ‘Tarragal’, meaning ‘place of little birds’. Whether flying the nest for a weekend or longer, your Terrigal staycation promises to deliver the attractive seaside lifestyle in a big way.

See the whole itinerary here or download it here.

FINALIST#2 - ETTALONG

Find coastal nostalgia, fresh food and family-friendly fun in spades at Ettalong Beach on the NSW Central Coast. Peering out across Broken Bay to the popular Bouddi National Park, Lion Island and several quaint, protected beaches, this charming beachside town invites you to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Under 1.5 hours north of Sydney by car or 30 minutes by ferry, Ettalong serves up a slower pace of life alongside its visibly rising wave of creativity. Seaside cafés, vintage boutiques, classy cocktail bars and award-winning dining are all just a stroll or cycle along the 4km foreshore, with local hotels on hand to revive between adventures.

Spend three days of waterside bliss in Ettalong:

Exceptional eateries, scenic bike rides on the foreshore, and small boutiques dotted along your journey. Ettalong is a fashionable seaside town locatedon The Peninsula; the southern gateway to the Central Coast. Looking out across Broken Bay to the Bouddi Peninsula, LionIsland, Pearl Beach and Palm Beach in Northern Sydney, Ettalong is a friendly community offering a slower pace of life alongside avisibly rising wave of creativity.

Start your stay with some of the finest coffee establishments onthe Central Coast, and wrap it up with some of the most colourful cocktail menus. By the end of this tour your thirst for the finer things will be quenched.

See the whole itinerary here or download it here.

FINALIST#3 - TOUKLEY

Perched lakeside, Toukley is a fast-emerging pocket of the NSW Central Coast. Connecting picturesque waterways and red gum forest, to pristine ocean pools and waves. Located in the Coast’s vibrant north, Toukley is framed by Tuggerah Lake, Budgewoi Lake and Cabbage Tree Harbour – home to postcard-perfect attraction Norah Head Lighthouse. Toukley’s foreshore invites stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, sailing, sailboarding, rowing and fishing, plus it’s a top spot for Insta-worthy panoramic sunsets over the lake. This laid-back holiday town sports a local sailing club, aquatic centre, skate park, tennis court, golf club, art gallery and waterfront playgrounds – but it’s Toukley’s understated level of cool and rising tide of cafes, boutiques, restaurants and bars attracting day-trippers and holiday-makers in droves.

Spend three days exploring Toukley to Norah Head:

There is no such thing as too much fun in Toukley! Thanks to Toukley's waterfront position, there's rafts of things to do here, especially along the foreshore and out on the lake.

Dot your days with delicious foodie stops, including ultimate brunch hubs, cantinas and a local craft beer bar, you won't need to travel far to have a good time.

See the whole itinerary here or download it here.

When exploring our finalist towns we’d love to see your photos! Share your best shots by tagging #LoveCentralCoast on Instagram and Facebook.

Find out more about the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards at Business NSW.