Gosford

A bustling regional centre on Brisbane Water, Gosford has all the creature comforts you need for a getaway on the Central Coast of NSW. Enjoy plentiful shopping, artistic discoveries and an array of food experiences, as well as great bushwalking, mountain biking, water sports and joy flights. There’s even a reptile park.

Restaurants, cafes & breweries

There’s plenty to please foodies in Gosford, with oodles of restaurants and bars, stylish cafés, a chocolate factory and breweries. Indulge in a bottomless brunch at The Bon Pavilion, a creamy latte at Lil' Bean, a long lunch at South End Social or an Italian dinner at Pinocchios Wine and Pizza Bar. There is also a burgeoning craft beer scene. Enjoy a tour and tasting at Six String Brewing, Bay Road Brewing and Oak Haven Brewery.

Artistic & cultural experiences

Gosford hosts plenty of events, cultural festivals and exhibitions. Check out the events calendar to see what’s on, from music festivals to a traditional family-fun agricultural show. Art lovers will enjoy the Gosford Regional Gallery, where you can admire regional exhibitions and stroll through gorgeous Japanese gardens.

Nature & wildlife

Somersby Falls in the magnificent Brisbane Water National Park is a picturesque picnic area surrounded by rainforest. The protected park is popular for bushwalking, cycling, kayaking and fishing. For an immersive cultural experience, Girri Girra Aboriginal Experienceswill take you to ancient Aboriginal rock engravings.

Australian Reptile Parkis a marvellous wildlife experience. Get up close to koalas, kangaroos and wombats; watch a captivating reptile show; and see Elvis, the resident saltwater crocodile. The funnel web spider is considered the deadliest in the world; watch the arachnids being milked to produce antivenom.

Getting there & where to stay

Gosford is just over an hour’s drive north from Sydney and 1h 20min south from Newcastle. You can also catch the train direct from Sydney, with the trip taking around 1hr 20min. Buses connect from Gosford to other towns on the Central Coast. Accommodation options include motels, holiday villages and coastal cottages.