First published on 20 Feb 2012. Updated on 21 Feb 2012.
When you arrive in Central Coast after an hour and a half hop up the F3, it doesn’t take too long to wonder why you didn’t come up here sooner. All the way along the coast, from Killcare in the south to the Entrance, Magenta and Budgewoi in the north, you’ll find golden sandy beaches where you can claim a spot, friendly locals, great service, good food and affordable digs.
In the heart of the coast is Terrigal, a town that’s been well known to Sydneysiders thanks to a burst of development in the 1980s and 1990s that saw the arrival of a large hotel (originally Peppers and now Crowne Plaza), along with shops, cafés and restaurants.
For good value, 4.5-star accommodation,
Crowne Plaza Terrigal is a stone’s throw from the sand at the south end of the beach and is still the place to stay up here. Rates start around the $200 mark for a room with a balcony and that’s exactly what you need to make sure you book, because sitting outside with a glass of Brokenwood Shiraz from the nearby Hunter Valley in hand after dinner is a great way to finish a night. Pine Tree Ln, Terrigal 2260, 02 4384 9111.
When it comes to food, Terrigal isn’t short of options for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you’re here for a weekend away, aim to arrive around mid-afternoon so you can sneak in a walk along the beach, which is one of the longest on the coast.
Grab a drink on the outdoor terrace at
Florida Beach Bar, which is located at the base of the hotel. The bar staff here are known to make a good Mojito, or keep it simple with a Bluetongue Lager, which is made an hour away in the Hunter. Pine Tree Ln, Terrigal 2260.
For a great dinner, make sure you book a table at
Reef restaurant, which is a short walk south, near the headland. Reef won a swag of industry awards in 2011 and for good reason – the food and wine on offer here is exceptional, as is the service. Start with some Sydney Rock Oysters ($34.5/doz), sourced from the nearby Brisbane Waters, fit in some pork belly ($24.50) or Yamba prawns ($27), save space for the beef fillet ($39) or blue eye cod ($39), and then contemplate the passionfruit soufflé ($15) for dessert. The wine list includes some gems from the Hunter – particularly the Scarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay ($54). During summer the restaurant’s windows are wide open and that means the constant sound of waves crashing just a few metres away, adding a soothing aural backdrop to your meal.
The Haven, Terrigal 2260, 02 4385 3222.
If Reef is booked out then grab a table at
Rojo Rocket. Part-owned by Big Day Out founder Ken West, this Mexican joint taps in to the current culinary obsession with all things south of the US border. It’s just a short drive away in Avoca, but if you feel like having a margarita or two (and we highly recommend theirs), order a pick-up and drop-off from their chauffeur service – Miss Sabrina, the converted Cadillac hearse, will get you around in style.
366 Avoca Dr, Avoca 2251, 02 4382 2255.
Margaritas, Mojitos and tequila shots aside, the Central Coast is a great place to simply relax. Walk along the beach, grab a coffee or lie by the pool. You don’t come up here to keep yourself busy - you hit the Coast to leave the hustle and bustle behind.
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