4 Fresh Finds: New things to try on the Coast

With the Central Coast's celebrated status as a certified ECO Destination, winning the 2023 NSW Tourism Award,  finalists in the National Banksia Sustainability Awards, 3rd year in a row in the International 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 Spring calendar with the best places to enjoy something different on the Central Coast.

Now there is an easy way to get from A to B and even better, you can party while you travel! If you’re looking for transport with a twist, to get you to your next event why not book a specialised party bus!  The Central Coast’s Bangin’ Bus Tours have a fleet of buses ready to outshine a traditional bus ride! Whether you need a bus to transport your wedding guests to the venue, need a dedicated driver for your trip to the vineyards, are celebrating a bucks or hen’s night or even going to the airport, this local bus service will pick you up, drop you off and drive you home! Or if you rather, you don’t even need to leave the bus, stay onboard and party away. You party, while the team of local drivers, get you to where you need to be.

From starting with their first bus, the sleek Black Bus, the company has grown significantly.  Adding the colourful Blue Bus, the cosmic Green Bus with its own roof deck and the newest addition the Tropicana Purple bus. You can’t miss this fleet of four buses with their colourful and fun decals.  Each bus is kitted out with PA speaker, party lights, space for dancing, seating and plenty of room for BYO Esky’s. The fun isn’t just for adults, these buses are great for kids’ birthday parties too!

So, with formal season upon us and festival season coming up, why not cruise to your destination and have fun along the way!

With the Coast’s food scene exploding with fresh flavours and culinary goodness, it’s an exciting time to be on the Central Coast surrounded by wholesome food and creative cooking talent.  With this in mind, when we hear about success stories of local makers turning their passion into a dream, we have to share it. This is exactly what happened to Sophia Sohn the entrepreneur behind Soph’s Dumplings.   

From serving handmade dumplings around the coast at local venues and countless markets, the demand for her product grew resulting in Sophs Dumplings opening their very first shop in Erina. Opening last month, dumpling lovers and those late bloomers who have yet to try, will be spoilt for choice when deciding between K-BBQ Beef dumplings, Pork Gyoza, Prawn Wontons all finished off with Soph’s Chili oil or ‘Mum’s Dumpling Sauce’. But we know, you’ll ‘bao’ down to these dumplings once you’ve tried them! There is a range of products for sale on the website too and if you are going to heat your wontons at home, follow this handy tip.  To air fry your prawn wontons, spray with oil, pop int eh air fryer for 5 mins on high and voila, crispy wontons!

With weekly specials to try and freshly cooked produce, Soph’s Dumplings is open from Wednesday to Saturday 11:30am-3pm. Enjoy!

Local resident and owner of Mud House Studios, Teshia Gawne is a ceramic artist and opens her studio for people to create and explore their creativity.  Since taking her first pottery lesson in 2017, her love of ceramics grew.  Since starting her family, the registered nurse, now divides her time between parenting and running her ceramic business.

Gawne opened her studio to the public offering workshops to suit everyone and believes playing and creating is part of the creative journey. Try the Muma (Or Dad) & Mini workshop for a creative session with your little one or grab your partner for a Date Night session where the clay is provided leaving you to bring the wine. In the lead up to the festive season there is a Christmas Decoration workshop so you can gift your handmade ornaments to your nearest and dearest this holiday.

The workshops include local clay, all the tools and equipment’s you need plus unlimited tea and coffee and a seasonal grazing platter. After your creation is finished, it needs to be dried, kiln fired, glazed, fired again ready for collection.

You don’t need to be a professional artist to come along to Mud House Studios, just come with an open mind, a fun attitude and see where your creative journey takes you…

After a long week at work, you’ll be in need of a liberal dose of nature. You can experience the journey into the wilderness right here on the Central Coast. Just one hour north of Sydney, Fern cabin is an off grid tiny home set in a secluded clearing in the heart the Hinterland at Mangrove Mountain.  With nature trials taking you into the National Park and the wide-open space melting all your stresses away, you'll soon forget about the busy-ness you left behind.

Sustainability is at the core of this tiny cabin. Harnessing the energy from the sun to power the home, the cabin also has a composting toilet and rainwater tank to lessen the footprint on the planet. Along with hot water shower, gas stove, fire pit and bedding, the magic is in the uninterrupted views of the Australian bushland.

The spaces offer couples the privacy to explore the scenic destination or the option to invite friends to stay in the adjacent tiny home Yen. Set far enough away, it still allows you to share the experience and make memories together. 

Fern is perfect for a Spring getaway with sunshine drenched outdoor spaces and cosy nights in front of the firepit. A special place to take a slow weekend and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Central Coast's eco region.