Tuggerah

With plenty of urban amenities, a range of experiences for all ages and easy access to the pretty hinterland, Tuggerah is a destination the whole family will love. In this bustling regional centre on the Central Coast of NSW, explore treetops on a zip-line, go mountain biking and horse riding, and enjoy kayaking or sailing on the beautiful Tuggerah Lake.

Things to do

The lovely ocean beaches of Bateau Bay, Toowoon Bay, The Entrance and Norah Head are an easy drive from Tuggerah. Pick up holiday supplies from Westfield Tuggerah, which has hundreds of stores, a cinema and amusement centre full of arcade games. Enjoy the local brew at Central Coast Brewery.

Located west of Tuggerah is Ourimbah State Forest, which is part of The Watagans, a network of state forests. Ourimbah State Forest is a favourite for mountain bikers, bushwalkers and off-road driving, with a fun network of tracks to explore through regrowth forest.

Family-friendly attractions

In the state forest, you’ll find TreeTop Adventure Park, home to fun flying foxes, cargo nets and suspension bridges, with supervised courses for young children. Teens and adults will get a rush on the TreeTop Crazy Rider, one of the longest rollercoaster zip-lines in the world. For an exhilarating 1km, you’ll swoop, soar, twist, turn and even spiral around a tree.

For indoor thrills, the Slam Factory skatepark in Tuggerah is perfect for skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX riders. You can even book in for a skateboard, BMX or scooter lesson. Change pace at the Amazement Farm and Fun Park, where kids can find their way through magical mazes, meet farm animals and enjoy pony rides. Little animal lovers won’t want to miss breakfast with the alpacas at Iris Lodge Farm in nearby Jilliby.

Getting there & where to stay

Tuggerah is a 1hr 10min drive north from Sydney and one hour south of Newcastle. Alternatively, you can catch the train direct from Sydney’s Central Station, with the journey taking about 90min. You can also hire a car in Tuggerah, and explore the region’s beautiful valleys, beaches, waterways and forests.

There are plenty of accommodation options around the glittering Central Coast, ranging from cabins, camping and caravanning to farmstays, self-contained apartments, B&Bs, budget stays and high-end resorts.