62 Central Coast Attractions for Families!

THE AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK, Somersby

The Australian Reptile Park is open! Visitors can head along to pat the kangaroos, watch the crocodiles being fed and see the lizards out for their regular walk! Guests to the park will also get to take part in their new Interactive Keeper Stations where they’ll interact with some of the park’s amazing animals and learn more about them.

For all information on how the Australian Reptile Park is taking extra precautions to keep visitors, staff and animals safe, please visit the website.

AMAZEMENT FARM & FUN PARK, Wyong Creek

Under new management, Amazement Farm and Fun Park at Wyong Creek invites little ones to meet goats, donkeys and bunny rabbits. Families can also explore the multiple hedge mazes, bird sanctuary, giant board games, kids playground and The Big Barn Cafe, plus heaps more!

Visit their website for more details.

The Outlook Riding Academy, Terrigal

Located on 18 acres and just minutes from Terrigal Haven, you’ll find the Outlook Riding Academy – a new family-run horseriding centre. Children can take a lead pony ride along a rainforest track, have a private horseriding lesson, undertake games on horseback with a parent or embark on a trail ride. During the holidays they run riding camps, and they also host pony birthday parties. Little party guests can enjoy a lead pony ride and decorate their pony’s hair in plaits and bows, while teens and more experienced riding groups can try their hand at mini show jumping and horsemanship skills.  

GRACE SPRINGS FARM, Kulnura

Watch the cows be milked, cuddle the chicks, collect the eggs and pull veg straight from the patch at this local working farm. You can join a group tour or book a private one.

AUSTRALIA WALKABOUT WILDLIFE PARK, Calga

The Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga is now open for visitors! Guests to the park can spend the day with some of Australia’s favourite animals including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, wallabies and heaps more!

Set on 80 acres of land, there’s heaps of space to make social distancing easy for visitors. For further details on safety measures being taken at the park, visit their website.

Firefly Magic at the Forest of Tranquility, Ourimbah 

UPDATE: The Forest of Tranquility is closed due to COVID-19.

Firefly Magic is a unique festival of nature that takes place during November and December at the beautiful Australian Rainforest Sanctuary in Ourimbah.

Guests are invited to enjoy a twilight stroll  and a BYO picnic under the stars in this beautifully serene setting. Then as dusk falls, be prepared to spot the fireflies as they come out to bask in the humidity.  Since this is a natural display, it’s worth mentioning that the fireflies will come out at their own will and so you may see a handful or there may be too many to count! However, just the experience of the sun setting in the magical surrounds makes this 100% worth the visit.

Online bookings for this event will open in mid-October.  

Moo to Ewe Farm Tours, Palmdale

Moo to Ewe is a gorgeous Central Coast animal sanctuary with a very special purpose – to rescue, to rehabilitate and where possible, to re-home. Their mission is to provide a forever home to orphaned farm animals and to give them the freedom to live out their lives in their own unique ways.

Families are invited to attend pre-arranged sanctuary tours where’ll they get to meet and feed snacks to piglets, ducks, sheep, alpacas, cows, hens and roosters!

Advance bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment. Tours can be booked for 12pm and run approximately 1.5 hours.

GLENWORTH VALLEY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures is open for horse riding and their popular outdoor activities! Sessions are currently capped at a maximum of 10 guests to ensure the health and safety of staff and guests so make sure you book prior to visiting. Bookings can be made online or by calling 4375 1222.

PLUS, the camp ground is also now open along with their lovely self-contained cabins which are available for short stays.

For more information on how Glenworth Valley are taking precautions to keep their staff and guests safe, visit their website.

MANGROVE MOUNTAIN MEMORIAL CLUB AND GOLF COURSE

If you’ve never tried FootGolf, now’s the time to give it a go! Rally the family together for an afternoon of healthy competition as Mum, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa attempt to kick a football into nine specially designed holes in as few kicks as possible! This is an activity suited to little (and big) kids of all ages and is the perfect way to build up an appetite before grabbing a chicken schnitty at the Club’s bistro afterwards.

TREETOPS ADVENTURE PARK, Ourimbah

If you’re planning your next family adventure, Treetops Adventure Park in Ourimbah should be next on your list! Families with very young children can experience Net World, a network of interconnected spaces where they’ll bounce around while enjoying a heap of fun games with gigantic inflatable balls! For children aged three and over, there’s a lot of fun to be had at one of their self-guided rope courses. Or for slightly older children who’d like to test their sense of adventure, there’s the vertical challenge or their LONG zip line that will get the adrenaline pumping!

The Paintball Place, Kulnura

Look out parents of active teenagers – there’s a new, high-octane activity in town! Whether it’s birthday party ideas, activities for the school holidays or just plain old weekend family fun you’re looking for, The Paintball Place in Kulnura promises a fabulous day of entertainment.

The well organised series of mini-adventure games set on a 200 marker field will impress Central Coast locals as well as visitors from Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter region, so it’s well worth the trip.

Visitors can make sure they’re prepared in advance of their trip by paying a non-refundable deposit of $50 per head to confirm their booking.  Each player will then be able to sign a waiver which will need to be shown on the day of play.

Sessions prices start at $50 and go up depending on session length and how many paintballs are required. It’s also important to note that by law in NSW, all players must be 12 years or older.

Thomas Train and Carnival, The Entrance

The Entrance ticks all the boxes for a family day of fun with its picturesque setting, variety of carnival rides, kids waterpark and a whole host of eating options. 

On the weekend, Thomas the Tank fans can jump aboard the Pelican Express – a small blue train that circles the Entrance’s foreshore. The Entrance’s famous carousel from the 1800s is also guaranteed to produce ear-to-ear grins and a nostalgic experience that’ll be remembered for years to come.  Expect fairy floss, laughing clowns and kewpie dolls on sticks as part of an epic day out at the Entrance.

Flip Out Trampoline Arena Gosford

If you’ve got kids bouncing off the walls then Flip Out Gosford is the remedy! Kitted out with two Olympic trampolines, a wall runner, foam pit and an under-10s trampoline area, the super-fun Flip Out arena in Gosford is the perfect place for kids to go wild. Mother’s groups will love their term time, daily Play Groups where kids under six will be entertained with puzzles, colouring and Play-Doh as well as lots of bouncing fun – plus there’s coffee available at the on-site cafe!

AUSTRALIAN WARRIOR FITNESS, North Gosford

Got kids doing forward-rolls off the sofa and somersaults across the coffee table? You may have a mini ninja on your hands! Australian Warrior Fitness in North Gosford are open for regular term-time ninja training classes, school holiday clinics and for “Open Play” sessions for kids aged 12-16 – just what your budding warriors need to burn off that energy! Whatever their fitness level, AWF caters for beginners right up to elite champions.

SLAM FACTORY indoor skate park, Tuggerah

Calling all skateboarders, scooter riders, BMX and mountain bike riders, roller bladers, roller skaters and anyone who loves to roll on wheels – Australia’s longest-running indoor skate park Slam Factory in Tuggerah re-opens to riders of all abilities from Saturday 13 June! There’s also a cool shop where you can purchase protective gear, apparel and all types of boards, scooters, bikes and accessories – plus if you spend in the shop, you will receive FREE skatepark entry!

Due to current social distancing restrictions, only 40 riders are allowed per session with one spectator for every rider so it’s important to pre-book your spot to avoid disappointment. Session times are currently two hours on weekends and three hours on weekdays. To view the timetable or book your spot, visit the Slam Factory website.

PULSE CLIMBING CENTRAL COAST, West Gosford

Got active tweens or teens? Pulse Climbing at West Gosford is an indoor bouldering and rock climbing facility that promises to challenge kids both mentally and physically. Children as young as five can join in the fun, with the climbing walls ranging from the basic beginner level to “super-hard climbs for the hard-core”.

A number of measures have been taken to ensure the safety of visitors and staff at Pulse Climbing. Please read a summary of these changes here before heading in for a climb.

CLIP ‘N CLIMB CENTRAL COAST, Gosford

The vibrantly themed Clip ‘N Climb arena in Gosford is an exciting space where kids can challenge themselves in a fully supervised environment. With 28 different climbing walls, kids will have fun racing each other as they make their way to the top, jump off, glide down and start their next climb all over again! Clip ‘N Climb is suitable for children aged six and above – no experience is necessary.

To secure your spot, be sure to pre-book!

KARTATAK RACEWAY TUGGERAH

The Central Coast’s only indoor Go-Karting track is now open to the public with social distancing rules in place and only 6 karts operating at any one time. Less than 500 metres from Westfield Tuggerah and Tuggerah train station, Kartatak Raceway is easily accessible and ready to fulfill your thrill-seeking needs! This exciting venue has karts for juniors and seniors as well as double karts so there’s something for the whole family!

Click here to learn how they’re operating during COVID-19.

LASER TAG MANIA, GOSFORD

Located inside the Central Coast Leagues Club at Gosford, Laser Tag Mania offers a state of the art laser tag game that is bound to excite the whole family! Kids, teens and adults can head along 7 days a week for a casual game of laser tag before grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many dining options within the club! Plus, you can get a discount on the entry price if you’re also visiting Monkey Mania which is right next door!

Laser Tag Mania is open every day throughout the school holidays. Bookings are essential.

OBSTACLE COURSE RACING SCHOOL, TUGGERAH

The incredible custom-built space at Obstacle Course Racing School in Tuggerah is equipped to provide a variety of fitness sessions and ninja training to kids aged 3 – 80! Children will strengthen their bodies through climbing, improve their balance and cardio fitness and enhance motor skills and coordination – all while having fun and doing something different!

Term-time classes are available for mini ninjas and school-aged children, plus they run a fun and affordable school holiday program for kids wanting to challenge themselves and try something new. Bookings are essential so make sure you reserve your spot!

Kincumber Indoor Sports and Play Time

Kincumber Indoor Sports and Play Time has been spruced up and is ready for little explorers to burn off lots of energy! The awesome Play Time area is packed with huge inflatables, cubbies, ride-ons and toys – just perfect for little tots and children under seven. Plus, there’s a cafe serving coffee and a variety of hot and cold snacks conveniently positioned right next to the play equipment!

Play Time has re-opened and resumed its daily hours of 9am – 3pm.

Mini Mania, Gosford RSL

UPDATE: Mini Mania has closed from 24 July 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Parents can enjoy a cuppa or a feed at the Brasserie while the kids monkey around at the Mini Mania play area located inside Gosford RSL. The little centre is best  suited to children aged between 0-5 but bigger kids can have fun too at the adjoining lounge where they can play computer games, a claw arcade game and watch flicks on TV.

The play centre is FREE and open daily between 9am and 9.30pm. 

MONKEY MANIA, GOSFORD

Another great wet weather option is Monkey Mania in Gosford (situated inside Central Coast Leagues Club). Inside you’ll find a three-storey soft-fall play zone filled with slides and obstacles – there’s even a wind-activated foam ball arena! If that’s not enough to run the kids ragged, they’ll also find a jumping castle, a race-car track and a designated area for the under-fives featuring a cubby house, mini slides, foam animals to bounce on and wall activity panels. Plus coffee, cakes and lunch are available from the on-site cafe!

Impact Kids World, Erina

Kidsworld at Impact Erina is a play centre with a touch of class! Kids love it for its bright colours and its exciting variety of play equipment including ball pits, balance beams, flying foxes and slides. Parents love it because there are lots of adult features that make it an easy place to meet and stay for a while. The coffee and food is cafe-quality, there are plenty of lounge seats to relax on and there’s even a separate toddler zone close-by, so little ones can play safely away from tumbling bigger kids in the larger play area.

Other Indoor Play Centres on the Central Coast

There are lots of indoor play centres located across the Central Coast. Click below to learn more about each centre and to find their pricing and opening times.   

• Jo Jo’s Play Gym, Gosford | A purpose built play centre located on the main road of Gosford.  
• Inflatable World, Charmhaven | Open weekends and school holidays, this is the land of jumping castles.
• Jump N Jungle, West Gosford| Bubs under 6 months go free plus there are discounts available for multiple children.
• The Playhouse at Mingara, Tumbi Umbi | The Playhouse at Mingara is perfect for a casual visit, or you can become a member and enjoy great value childminding.

Virtual Reality at the Entrance

Kids don’t have to be a technical whizz to get a breathtaking and transformative experience at the Central Coast Virtual Reality studio. Whether your kids are into horror, outer space, cute baby dragons or the zombie apocalypse, this awesome studio at The Entrance offers heaps of experiences catering to all tastes!

CCVR are currently open Thursday – Sunday from 10am – 6pm and every day during the school holidays. Total maximum capacity restrictions apply with two people sharing a station at any one time. To pre-book, visit their website.

Sons of Obiwan – light saber training facility, Tuggerah

Ever wanted to be a Jedi? You can at Tuggerah! Sons of Obiwan, Australia’s first and only light saber training facility is located right here on the Central Coast!

In a centre packed with Star Wars paraphernalia (think R2-D2 statues and Stan Lee-signed posters), staff train participants in European Longsword and Balintawak using light sabers made from aircraft-grade aluminium alloy. “It’s theatre combat,” says Sons of Obiwan founder Luke Boyton, “choreographed fighting like you see in movies”.

“I used to be a behavioural learning teacher,” says Luke, “and I started this as a way to teach kids on the autism spectrum.” Sons of Obiwan continues to run weekly general spectrum group classes and customised special needs classes.

“We have people aged 10 to 60. We have hard-core Star Wars fans, we have people who are looking to try something different,” says Luke. “Anyone who comes through the door can learn something fun”.

Bowling Alleys

There’s no one that doesn’t enjoy the friendly competition of ten pin bowling and it’s super cute watching kids give it their best go! A couple of games are always well accompanied by a bowl of fries and a play on the arcade games too, so it’s a great option for either a very hot or very wet day!

• Gosford City Ten Pin Bowl
• Bateau Bay Ten Pin Bowl

ART BARN PLASTER PAINTING, GOSFORD

Update July 2020: Please note, The Art Barn is currently only open to buy take away plaster moulds and paint packs. You canot stay to paint.

Art Barn Plaster Painting in Gosford is the perfect alternative to play centres on a rainy day! Children will “ooh” and “aah” over the great selection of figurines to choose from – will they pick a Disney character, superhero, fairy or truck? They’ll each get their own palette of paints, brushes and a paint apron to explore their artistic side decorating these cute ornaments – plus The Art Barn is open every day so it’s a great option for a Mother’s Group weekday catch up or a family weekend activity.

Family Entertainment Centres

Conveniently located inside two of the Central Coast’s largest shopping malls are these cool family games arcades. Whether you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day or just somewhere for dad to usher the kids into while mum finishes the shopping, these family entertainment centres are guaranteed to put smiles on faces.

• Intencity, Erina Fair
• Time Zone, Westfield Tuggerah

The Factory, Gosford

Home to renowned Australian confectionery producers Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate and The Sydney Marshmallow Co. The Factory in Gosford would have to be the sweetest place to visit on the Central Coast.

Visitors to The Factory can peak through porthole windows to see their favourite chocolate coming to life or take part in a guided tour of the factory floor where they’ll learn about how the delicious treats are made. Children can also have their own fun at the Junior Chocolatiers Workshop.

Afterwards, big and little guests can indulge in a warming cup of The Factory’s signature hot chocolate and a yummy cake. 

Movie theatres and cinema complexes on the Central Coast

There are multiple cinema complexes located across the central Coast. Click below to learn more about each theatre and to see their current screenings.   

• Event Cinemas, Tuggerah | Event Cinemas Tuggerah have V-Max, Gold Class and original screenings. They used to offer Sensory Screenings and Mums ‘n’ Bubs screenings, but are not able to run these at the moment.   
• Hoyts Cinemas, Erina
• Avoca Beach Picture Theatre | This beautiful old-school picture theatre hosts regular screenings, film festivals and open caption screenings. 
•  Cinema Paradiso, Ettalong | Boasting six screens and showcasing the latest releases, this cinema offers a nostalgic old-school cinema experience that still excites.
• Metro Cinemas Lake Haven 
• The Savoy Long Jetty | A bar with a big-screen cinema. This historic 1956 cinema was restored in 2018 into a fun cocktail bar. They host occasional film screenings through the week and in school holidays.  
• Majestic Cinemas The Entrance | Historic twin-screen cinema at The Entrance village. Built in 1934 and refurbished in 2007.

GOSFORD REGIONAL GALLERY AND EDOGAWA COMMEMORATIVE GARDEN

If you’re looking for somewhere to stretch little legs, the Edogawa Commemorative Garden at Gosford Regional Gallery is the place. Tots can explore the winding paths of the Japanese garden, sit and enjoy a picnic in the peaceful surrounds or feed the koi for $2 per bag of fish food. Plus there’s also something for the parents – a yummy coffee from the Point Cafe!

Are you an art lover? Now’s the time to visit the Gosford Regional Gallery as they reopen with the beautiful solo exhibition, “Coastal Sanctuaries” by Central Coast painter Robyn Pedley. Entry is FREE but booking is essential.

The Gallery is open 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.

CENTRAL COAST MARINE DISCOVERY CENTRE: RE-OPENING FOLLOWING RENOVATIONS IN late september 2020

At the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre you can see Port Jackson sharks, handle shells, look at shark teeth under microscopes, paint pelican plasters and watch a cartoon about sea dragons! It’s a fun informative space run by local volunteers and it’s currently under renovation. The Centre is due to re-open just in time for the October school holidays, so add it to your to-do list.

Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve

In the coastal suburb of Norah Head on the Central Coast is Norah Head Lighthouse – a working lighthouse that offers guests the opportunity to climb the 96 stairs to the top where they’ll find spectacular views out across the ocean and headland.

Exploring families can wander the grounds of the lighhouse and take in the view at their leisure – and if visited between July and October, they may even be lucky enough to witness the spectacle of the migrating whales.   

There are many surrouding beaches that offer hours of family friendly activities and when everyone starts to get hungry, they can grab a bite at the Keepers Watch Cafe.

For information on tour opening times and bookings, visit the website.

ALISON HOMESTEAD, Wyong

Take a trip back in time to Wyong’s Alison Homestead where little historians can peruse the Museum filled with memorabilia, photos, furniture, toys, machinery and tools from as far back as 1825. Learn about the early settling of Wyong and its surrounds, see the Old Schoolhouse set up with classroom furniture and equipment from days gone by, take a wander around the stunning gardens or enjoy a morning tea of coffee and scones in this beautiful historical setting.

There’s also a picnic area with BBQs available for self catering and the outdoor areas are dog friendly so furry friends are welcome!

The Museum is open Sunday to Thursday from 10am – 2pm. Morning tea costs $10 per head and includes the entry fee and a free tour of the Museum. Bookings are essential.

Henry Kendall Cottage and Historical Museum, West Gosford 

Set on two and a half acres in a peaceful spot of West Gosford is Henry Kendall Cottage. The now museum was built by convicts in 1836 and was home to poet Henry Kendall, the Fagan and Adcock families.

Families can spend a few hours exploring various sheds dotted throughout the property – each containing industry equipment and farm machinery of the past. For those wanting to make a day of it, the grounds have a designated picnic area that has tables and BBQs and there’s parking available on site.

Vera’s Water Fountain, The Entrance

Next to Memorial Park on The Entrance Foreshore is Vera’s Water Fountain – an aquatic Mecca for kids! A favourite haunt for summer time play when it’s just too hot to do anything else, this vibrantly coloured mini park is an oasis of fun for toddlers and preschoolers. In fact, the bigger kids still love a visit to Vera’s Water Fountain no matter what their age!

This is a great free activity for families and a perfect way to cool off during the warmer months.

Council Leisure Centres and Swimming Pools: Limited Services Open Now

While “leisure and play swimming” are not yet permitted, Central Coast Council’s local recreation centres and swimming pools have re-opened with selected services for exercise. 

Swiming pools:

• Peninsula Leisure Centre, Woy Woy | Facilities include an aquatic centre, gym, two full-sized indoor courts equipped for a variety of sports and an on-site creche. Outdoor water play area opening Spring 2020. 
• Gosford Olympic Pool | Indoor heated 25m pool and outdoor 50m pool, plus outdoor toddler pool 
• Toukley Aquatic Centre |25m indoor pool
  
• Wyong Pool | Outdoor pool. Open from October through to the end of Summer.
• Grant McBride Baths | Ocean pools at 88 Ocean Parade, The Entrance.

Recreation Facilities and Sporting Complexes:

• Lake Haven Recreation Centre | Facilities include a fully equipped gym (with group fitness, spin studio and an outdoor training area), 2 indoor basketball courts, squash courts and an on-site crèche
• Niagara Park Stadium | A large sports hall

Mingara Aquatic Centre, Tumbi Umbi

 Mingara Aquatic Centre is part of the Mingara Recreation Club – a hive of activity for kids and adults of all ages.  With its Olympic sized pool for lap swimming, play area including a whirlpool, multiple fountain sprays and a sloping beach entry for little ones finding their fins, the aquatic centre isn’t just your ordinary pool!

The centre also features a hydrotherapy pool for learn to swim lessons and during the school holidays, kids can make the most of the huge inflatables.

 Once shriveled fingers have made an appearance and appetites have peaked, parents can avoid “Hangry” kids by popping in to one of the many eateries at the Mingara Recreation Club. With options ranging from egg and bacon rolls or a smoothie bowl at The Roasted Berry to black bean chicken or steamed prawn dumplings at the Fortune Cookie Noodle Bar, there’s something to tickle everyone’s fancy at all times of the day!

Waterworld Central, Doyalson

Waterworld Central is a mobile water park that lands in Doyalson each January. The park includes a giant twin slide which shoots out of a dragon’s mouth and, for the very daring, a colossal long drop to plummet down. Plus they have paddle boats, chill-out pools and some awesomely fun zorb balls that allow you to walk on water!

Terrigal Paddle Boats

Central Coast Aqua Park, Gosford

Central Coast Aqua Park lands at Gosford Waterfront during the Summer months. This on-water inflatable obstacle course includes slides to slip down, pyramids to climb up, trampolines to bounce on, “Icebergs” to scurry across and the Sky Rocket – the biggest water swing in the world! 

Water Inflatables at Local Swimming Pools

Perfect for burning off energy during the Summer school holidays, these local Central Coast pools are packed with inflatable fun that’ll have your kids bouncing, jumping and splashing for hours!  Grab yourself a coffee, find a comfy spot and spend the morning watching your kids do hot laps of these giant slides while you escape the summer heat!

Aquafun on Avoca Lake

We hope to see these fantastic businesses and theatres open again soon 

A few businesses, theatres and activities have not yet re-opened since the on-set of COVID-19. We hope to see these wonderful spaces and activities open again soon.   

• The Art House, Wyong 
• Laycok Street Theatre, Gosford
• Raw Challenge 
• The mini trains at Narara