4 Fresh Finds: New things to try on the Coast

With the Central Coast's celebrated status as a certified ECO Destination, finalists in the National Banksia Sustainability Awards, Green Destinations Top 100 List, and recognition as an Outstanding Region in Australia's most prestigious food award...

...There's many exciting natural, culinary, creative and cultural experiences emerging across the region in 2023!

With more than 40 beaches to wade into, a network of wildlife-rich lakes, lagoons and waterways for the aqua-enthusiast, five national parks and five state forests with walking and cycle trails, seaside villages dotted with casually-cool dining and al fresco bars, a produce-rich hinterland and variety of accommodation styles from holiday properties, hotel resorts, tiny homes and boutique stays. There is just SO MUCH to choose from when exploring the Central Coast right now.

We've simplified your research and each month your planning can start with 4 fresh experiences. Take your pick of what’s new below to dot your Winter calendar with the best places to enjoy something different on the Central Coast.

In the heart of Gosford CBD, you can now have an unapologetically unconventional wedding ceremony in the old funeral parlour besides Lyons Den.   The newly opened City Hall Registry is a beautiful heritage listed Art Deco building complete with Romeo and Juliette balconettes and the ideal venue for the bride and groom who want a playful quickie wedding embracing the scaled down alternative to a traditional wedding.  So now you can get hitched in true Viva-Gos-Vegas style right here on the Central Coast!

There are two kinds of packages available that include space for 25 guests, celebrant and paperwork, a polaroid snap and glass of champagne or beer. ‘Quickie Nuptials’ is for those wanting an in and out, we do, we did ceremony or a ‘Longer Lovvin’ ceremony gives you 1.5 hours of photography and canapés. City Hall has joined forces with local cake maker Ever So Sweet and florists The Petal Sisters, so you can have a fabulous cake and romantic bouquet for your special day. 

This is a one-of-a-kind experience bringing the excitement of a registry style wedding with all the sophistication and glam of a grand celebration. Contact them today to book your Big Day, you could be hitched in less than a month from now!

Explore more things to do on the Central Coast here

Continuing in Gosford, Bay Rd Brewing one of the Coast’s microbreweries has a brand-new beer, and it’s one us Coasties should feel very proud of! Offering trendy vibes in their converted warehouse and delicious craft beers to locals and visitors alike, the new addition to their craft beer range will have you thinking of summer in no time! Gossy Good Times taps into the sweet aromas of vanilla custard and berries, with flavours of lemon meringue pie and zesty hops. It’s bright yellow in colour and perfect for Good Times in Gossy!

Enjoy this new hazy pale in the ultra-hip, light and airy tap room with friends during the week from 2pm and onto the weekend from midday. While you’re sipping and chatting, watch the brew teamwork in the 6 hectolitre brewhouse making 10,000 litres of the crisp lagers and hop filled IPAs, a real ‘tank to tap’ experience! Another great thing to do, is book into the Booze and Brushes class in September and create a textured piece of art while enjoying that Gossy Good Times.

Goosy Good Times is also available to buy online by the can, in a 4 pack or 16 pack. 

Explore more places to eat & drink across the Central Coast here

With the coast buzzing with makers and creators at our local markets, it's exciting to see talented artists share the wares. One such artists is Meg, a ceramicist who has a love for mugs! From her studio in Avoca Beach, Meg's Mugs was born. Her love for clay started in 2017 with slip casting processes and building methods. She found the process relaxing and rewarding and decided to take a leap of faith in 2020 and share her clay work on her Instagram page. This is where her small business really took off. 

Meg specialises in making mugs, purely because she loves nothing more than the feeling a handmade mug gives you when you are sipping a hot drink. Her process is intricate and involved. From hand building, pinch potting, coiling, slab building and slip casting means each mug is a true dedication of art in itself.  She loves to experiment and learn new methods, and this allows her designs to continually evolve plus makes each mug unique and a one of a kind. With a range of earthy colours with beautiful glazes and styles including handless mugs, her designs have become quite a statement on the coast. Local artisan bakers Burnt Honey stock her mugs as does the brand-new Central Coast Visitors Centre at The Entrance. 

If you are looking for special gift or need to warm your hands this Winter, Meg's Mugs are perfect. Be sure to find her at the local Central Coast markets and markets around Sydney and let her tell you the joy she gets from making these exquisite creations.

  Explore more makers & creators on the Central Coast here

With the days warming up but the evenings still a little chilly, a beach getaway is not out of the question. Let’s be honest, nothing says ‘holidays’ more than a beach front cabin metres from the ocean on our beautiful Central Coast. Imagine yourselves sitting on the deck with friends and family, listening to the waves crash peacefully on the beach, a gentle sea breeze in the air and if that isn’t enough to tempt you, a brand new refurbished interior to make you have renovation envy. The Beachcomber cabins at Toowoon Bay Holiday Park have recently had a mini make over and are quite simply a beautiful reflection of the coastal charm that surrounds them.  

With blissful tones of coastal whites and pops of aqua blue, the cabins now offer a tranquil setting where rest and relaxation is a priority. Choose either a garden view or an ocean view cabin. Both sleep 5, have large balcony’s with private BBQ’s and all the modern amenities to make your stay extra comfortable.

If you do feel like leaving the comfort of the cabin, the holiday park has a resort style pool, jumping pillow and kids playground plus free activities in the school holidays. With The Entrance and Long Jetty a short drive away both offering plenty of places to grab a morning coffee, restaurants to have dinner at and boutique shops to explore,  this is a great location to unwind and relax.

  Explore more places to stay on the Central Coast here