Love Local List: Family feasts and Easter treats

Easter is early this year — and the Central Coast is packed with family-friendly events, chocolatey adventures and long‑weekend experiences. Here’s your go‑to guide for Good Friday 3 April to Easter Monday 6 April 2026, plus school-holiday activities that roll on afterwards.

We hope you enjoy our latest Love Local Guide this Easter season on the Central Coast…

Wyong Milk Factory: Good Friday festival + FREE Easter egg hunt

If you want a full day out (food + fun + atmosphere), Wyong Milk Factory has Easter sorted:

• Good Friday Easter Festival 2026: Fri 3 April 
• FREE Easter Egg Hunt: Sun 5 April 
• Check their “What’s On” page for RSVP/ticket links and other school-holiday activities.

Firescreek Botanical Winery: annual Easter egg hunt 

A gorgeous setting for kids to hunt while adults enjoy the winery experience:

• Runs Sat 3 April + Sun 4 April 2026
• Hunt starts 11:00am; winery open 10:30am–4:30pm
• $5 per child; adults free; bookings required 

Aquafun Avoca: Easter Egg Hunt on the Lake

For something different (and very Coastie): a kayak-based egg hunt on Avoca Lake.

• Runs Fri 3 April to Mon 6 April
• Sessions listed as 11:00am and 1:00pm 
   

Parklife Coffee, Terrigal: sensory-friendly + general Easter hunts

A popular option with structured sessions:

• Good Friday 3 April 2026
• 8:30am sensory-friendly + 10:30am general admission
• $15–$18 per child
   

Australian Reptile Park: Ploddy’s Easter Fair (school holidays)

For families who want a “big day out” style program:

• Ploddy’s Easter Fair runs April 3–19
• Includes activities like a baby animal petting zoo, egg-and-spoon races, scavenger hunt, face painting, roaming Easter characters, plus a daily “Golden Egg Hunt”.

Mercure Kooindah Waters: Easter Sunday Funday (Wyong)

A classic family Easter set‑up: lunch, live music, kids’ activities and a timed egg hunt.

• Sun 5 April 2026, 12:00pm–3:00pm
• Includes spit roast lunch, live music, cupcake decorating, face painting/balloon twisting, craft packs
• Easter egg hunt at 1:00pm
• Adults $45 / Children (3–12) $20

Distillery Botanica: Easter Cocktail Class (Erina)

A fun long‑weekend plan for friends (or a date idea):

• Sat 4 April 2026, 2:00pm–3:00pm
• Learn to make two Easter-inspired cocktails in a hands-on class

Broken Bay Pearl Farm: Kids go free (school holidays)

A standout “experience gift” option — educational, scenic, and very on-brand for the region.

• Offer dates: 7–17 April 2026
• Booking code: kidforfree
• Applies to select tours with one free child per full price adult/senior ticket.

Cake & Plate: Easter cookie class (kids)

A hands-on decorating activity with take-home goodies:

• Easter Cookie Class (Kids – 10am) on 9 April 2026
• Includes 8 pre-baked cookies and fondant decorating, with a take-home box.

Chocolate & Nougat Factory Gosford (The Chocolate Factory) – West Gosford

If there’s one place that truly earns the title of sweetest spot on the Central Coast, this is it. Home to beloved Australian brands Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate and The Sydney Marshmallow Co, the Chocolate Factory invites visitors behind the scenes to see how the magic is made. Inside the rustic retail space you’ll find hundreds of locally made chocolates, nougat and marshmallows, with free tastings available on select products. There’s also a café on site serving hot chocolates, patisserie treats and house‑made ice cream, plus factory tours and hands‑on workshops for kids and adults alike.

Luka Chocolates – Wyong Milk Factory

An artisan favourite for those who appreciate handcrafted chocolate, Luka Chocolates creates Belgian‑style chocolates made fresh on the Central Coast. Located at the historic Wyong Milk Factory, visitors can watch the chocolate‑making process through an observation window before sampling and shopping the finished product in the factory store. The range includes boxed chocolates, bars and gifts, with Australia‑wide delivery also available for those wanting to take the Coast home with them.

Nougat Limar – West Gosford

Made on the Central Coast since 1985, Nougat Limar is renowned for its soft, handmade nougat. Produced at the Gosford Chocolate Factory site, this long‑standing local producer specialises in traditional nougat flavours and forms a key part of the factory’s chocolate and confectionery offering. If nougat is your sweet weakness, this is one to seek out while visiting the factory store.

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar – Tuggerah

For those craving a full dessert‑style chocolate experience, Max Brenner at Westfield Tuggerah delivers indulgence in spades. Known for its rich hot chocolates, waffles and chocolate‑based desserts, this is a popular stop for families, groups and anyone wanting to sit down and savour their chocolate rather than take it home.

San Churro – Erina Fair

A go‑to for classic Spanish‑style chocolate treats, San Churro offers churros, dipping chocolate and dessert drinks in a relaxed café setting. Located at Erina Fair, it’s an easy add‑on to a day of shopping — or a reward after ticking off errands.