10 wild outdoor adventures on the Central Coast

Water or land, four wheels or four legs – endless adventures await on the Central Coast. From golden beaches and a maze of waterways to lush national parks and tumbling waterfalls, here’s how to get your heart racing.

Destination NSW

Jan 2025 -

min read

Fly through the treetops

Adrenaline junkies of all ages can get their fix at Treetops Adventure Central Coast, in the Ourimbah State Forest just outside of Wyong. The ropes courses range from just one metre off the ground to high up in the canopy at 20 metres, with climbing, jumping and swinging obstacles. You can also fly through the trees on the 500-metre Zipcoaster or bounce around in Networld.

TreeTops Adventure, Wyong Creek

Explore unspoilt wilderness on horseback

With 3,000 acres of unspoilt wilderness, Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures offers the perfect mix of nature and adventure. Set out to discover its winding trails, bubbling streams and tranquil forest on horseback. Their well-trained horses are suitable for any level of experience, and you can tackle everything from a short trail ride to gourmet picnics and the full-day Cattle Drive Ride, mustering a herd on horseback. There are also lots of other activities available, like quad biking, kayaking, abseiling and laser skirmish.

Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures, Glenworth Valley

Discover a world beneath the surface

Wonders await beneath the sparkling blue seas of the Central Coast. Terrigal has many excellent shore dives, like Terrigal Haven and Skillion Cave. Spoon Bay in nearby Wamberal is also popular, known for its prolific sponge garden. Experienced divers can visit the wreck of the SS Kiama in Toowoon Bay or the Lord Ashley on Terrigal Reef. Pro-Dive Central Coast runs a range of dive tours and courses, or you can join one of their regular social dives.

Divers exiting the water after a scuba dive, Terrigal, Central Coast

Scuba diving, Terrigal

Lace-up your hiking boots for a coastal walk

There are spectacular trails all along the Central Coast, crossing sandstone cliffs, passing through lush rainforest and looking out over the endless Pacific Ocean. The six-kilometre Coast Walking Track runs between Forresters and Bateau Bay beaches inside Wyrrabalong National Park, and promises wildflowers in spring and whales in winter. The Bouddi Coastal Walk is slightly longer at eight-kilometres, but can easily be broken into smaller sections. Running from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach, make sure to leave time for swim stops and picnics.

Scenic coastal views from Bouddi National Park in Bouddi, Central Coast

Bouddi National Park, Bouddi

Get up-close to local wildlife

Meet the native and exotic wildlife that call the Central Coast home at its two immersive animal parks. At Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary in Calga, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, possums, bandicoots and endless birds live free range in 80 acres of natural bushland. You can also book a private animal encounter to meet the echidnas, baby wombats, Tasmanian devils or dingoes face to face. At the Australian Reptile Park near Gosford, the crocodiles and alligators are the real stars. Watch them being fed every day at lunchtime, then visit more of the furry, scaly and feathery creatures on site.

Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, Calga

Chase waterfalls in national parks

Turn inland to explore more watery wonders inside the Brisbane Water National Park. The stunning Somersby Falls is the most famous waterfall on the Central Coast, with multiple falls along the length of the cliffs. Look out for birds, water dragons, skinks and goannas enjoying the freshwater cascade. The Girakool Loop Track is a two-kilometre trail that passes by scenic waterfalls and quiet creeks, as well as an Aboriginal rock engraving site.

Waterfall Girrakool Loop Track, Kariong, Central Coast - Credit: John Yurasek | DCCEEW

Girrakool Loop Track, Central Coast - Credit: John Yurasek | DCCEEW

Catch one of the coast’s famous waves

You’re never far from a great wave on the Central Coast. Experienced surfers will want to dive in at MacMasters Beach, Wamberal, Norah Head and Forresters Beach. If it’s your first time, sign up for a lesson with Central Coast Surf School or Central Coast Surf Academy. Lessons run from a number of the coast’s quieter beaches, where the gentle waves and expert guidance will have you standing up in no time.

Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view from a small plane

Get a new perspective on the beauty of the Central Coast with a scenic flight. The experienced pilots of the Central Coast Aero Club can take you high above the beaches, lakes and bush in a Cessna 172. Or take things up a notch with an exhilarating adrenaline flight. Strap in to an ex-military CT4 with an expert acrobatic pilot for a heart-pumping series of loops, rolls, stalls and spins.

Central Coast Aero Club, Lake Macquarie - Credit: Andrew Smith

Spot whales on the move

According to the local Indigenous people, the Central Coast is ‘whale dreaming country’. In June and July, and again from September to November, thousands of humpback and southern right whales will be just off shore on their annual migration. On land, Norah Head, Terrigal Skillion, Captain Cook Lookout at Copacabana and Crackneck Point Lookout at Bateau Bay are prime vantage points. If you want to get closer, join Terrigal Ocean Tours and get out on the water for a front row seat.

Whale watching with Terrigal Ocean Tours, Terrigal

Terrigal Ocean Tours, Terrigal - Credit: Terrigal Ocean Tours Pty Ltd

Tackle an on-the-water adventure

On the Central Coast, there are endless ways to enjoy the water. In Terrigal, the calm bay is perfect for stand-up paddleboarding – see Terrigal Paddle Boats to hire a board or join a guided lesson. Boat, Bike, Paddle Hire in Killcare can rent you everything from a kayak to a pontoon barbecue boat to explore the waters of Hardys Bay. Tuggerah Lake is popular with both waterskiers and windsurfers. Or join Central Coast Reef & Game Fishing Charters to venture out into the deep blue in search of marlin, tuna, shark and sailfish.