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Gosford, NSW

The focal point of the New South Wales Central Coast, Gosford is a picturesque town known for its beautiful beaches, scenic hiking trails, and rich culture, and is a popular weekend getaway destination for visitors from Sydney.

Known For

  • Bustling town with a relaxed culture
  • Spectacular beaches nearby
  • Hiking trails and lush national parks

Gosford

The City of Gosford is just over an hour from Sydney on the Brisbane Water. With its sleek sailing boats and sparkling water and positioned on the doorstep of the beautiful Brisbane Water National Park and Bouddi National Park, it is an attractive city with so much to experience in the great outdoors.

Gosford City

Gosford, like many other cities in Australia, has undergone a significant amount of development in recent years. While the city has a mix of different types of development, including single-family homes and townhouses, there has been a notable increase in high-rise apartments in the city center.

The city center has also seen a number of new office and retail developments, as well as the construction of new hotels and other tourism-related facilities. This development has brought a renewed energy to the city and attracted many new residents, businesses and visitors to the area.

Things To Do In Gosford

Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, culture, or just a relaxing day at the beach, you’ll definitely find lots of interesting things to do that suit your interests in Gosford.

1. Learn To Sail

The Gosford Sailing Club is located on the beautiful Brisbane Water and offers a variety of sailing activities for members and visitors, including racing, cruising, and training. The club has a fleet of boats available for members to use, including keelboats and dinghies.

Gosford sailing club

The Gosford Sailing Club also offers a range of sailing courses and training programs for sailors of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced sailors. The club has certified sailing instructors who can provide training on everything from basic sailing skills to advanced racing techniques.

The club has a strong racing culture and regularly hosts local and regional regattas and sailing events. The club also has a bar and a restaurant where members and visitors can relax and enjoy the view after a day on the water.

Sailing at Gosford

2. See a game of Footy

Central Coast Stadium, a multipurpose stadium on the corner of Dane Drive and Central Coast Highway in Gosford, is a local icon. It is home to the Central Coast Mariners, the local soccer team that competes in the A-League. The stadium has a seating capacity of 20,000 and it is known for its unique and modern architecture.

The stadium also regularly hosts other football matches, rugby games, and concerts. It’s a great place to catch a live sporting event or concert while in Gosford.

Central Coast Stadium

3. Go for a hike

The Bouddi National Park is a stunning park located just minutes from the city center and offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the area. Take a hike along one of the park’s many trails and enjoy breathtaking views of the coast and the bushland.

Bouddi National Park

4. Explore the Gosford Regional Gallery

The gallery has a diverse program of exhibitions and events, including major touring exhibitions, solo exhibitions by Australian and international artists, and curated group shows. The gallery also hosts a range of public programs, including artist talks, lectures, workshops and school holiday programs, making it a great destination for art lovers and those interested in learning more about the art world. Additionally, the art gallery features a collection of over 2000 works of art and is a great place to see the works of local and international artists.

5. Taste the local produce

Taste local produce at the Gosford Regional Farmers Market. Visitors can sample delicious local produce, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses. You can also find handmade crafts and souvenirs from local artisans.

6. See the Wildlife

Visit the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby (just west of Gosford) – a family friendly place where you can see a wide range of Australian reptiles, mammals and birds. It’s a great place to learn about the native animals and how they are cared for and protected.

Australian Reptile Park

One interesting place to visit near Gosford is the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park located west of the city near Calga. It’s a wildlife park that allows visitors to get up close and personal with a wide variety of Australian animals including kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils, as well as reptiles and birds.

Visitors can also take part in interactive shows and feeding sessions to learn more about the animals and their habitats. The park also offers a variety of experiences such as overnight camping with the animals, up-close encounters with the marsupials and reptiles, or even the chance to hold a koala. It’s a great place for families and animal lovers to visit and learn more about the unique wildlife of Australia.

7. Let the Kids play

Monkey Mania is an indoor playground and activity center located in the Central Coast Leagues Club in Gosford. It is a great place for kids to have fun and burn off energy.

The playground features a variety of activities and attractions, including play equipment, bouncy castles, and inflatable slides. There is also a laser tag arena, mini-golf, and a go-kart track, which are sure to keep kids entertained for hours.

In addition to the physical activities, Monkey Mania also has a café on site where parents can relax while keeping an eye on their children.

8. Surf, swim, and relax

The Gosford Olympic Pool is located in the city and is a popular spot for swimming, fitness, and leisure activities. The pool is an outdoor, 50-meter pool with eight lanes, making it suitable for both serious swimmers and recreational users. It also features a diving board and a children’s pool. The pool is open year-round and offers a range of programs and activities, including lap swimming, aqua aerobics, and swimming lessons for all ages and abilities.

Gosford Olympic Pool

And of course, no visit to Gosford would be complete without a trip to the city’s famous beaches – definitely one of the best things to do in the area. Avoca Beach and Terrigal Beach (pictured below) are popular spots for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. Both beaches offer a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops to explore as well.

Terrigal Beach

Weather and Climate

Gosford has a comfortable temperate climate throughout the year, with mild temperatures and occasional rain, making it a great destination to visit all year round.

Summer (December – February) temperatures average around 25-30 degrees Celsius with occasional heat waves. The humidity can also be high during these months. It is a popular time to visit for swimming and beach activities.

Autumn (March – May) temperatures start to cool down with average temperatures around 20-25 degrees Celsius. It’s a great time to visit for hiking and outdoor activities.

Gosford Climate

Winter (June – August) temperatures can drop to around 10-15 degrees Celsius and occasional rain is more common making it a great time to visit for indoor activities such as visiting museums and galleries.

Spring (September – November) temperatures start to warm up again with average temperatures around 20-25 degrees Celsius. It’s a great time to visit for outdoor activities such as hiking and picnics.

How To Get To Gosford

Getting to Gosford from Sydney is quite easy and convenient. The city is located about 80 km north of Sydney and can be reached by car, train, or bus.

The quickest and most convenient way to get to Gosford from Sydney is by car. The drive takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Simply take the M1 motorway and follow the signs to Gosford. There are several parking options available in the city, including street parking and paid parking lots.

M1 roat to central coast

Another great option for getting to Gosford from Sydney is by train. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and trains run regularly from Sydney’s Central Station. From Gosford railway station, it is a short walk to the city center.

There are also several bus companies that offer regular services from Sydney to Gosford. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and buses depart from the Sydney Central Bus Station.

Regardless of how you choose to travel, Gosford is a great destination for a day trip or weekend getaway from Sydney. With its beautiful beaches, scenic hiking trails, and rich culture, it’s well worth a visit.

Nearest Airport: Sydney

Where to stay?

Experiences

  • Romance
  • Nature based
  • Relaxation

Popular Activities

  • Mountain Biking
  • Trail bike riding
  • Bush Walking
  • City Sightseeing
  • Golfing
  • Horse Riding
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Sightseeing
  • Swimming
  • National Park
  • Fishing
  • Wilderness
  • Wildlife
  • Beach
  • Surfing
  • Food and Wine

About Gosford

  • Locality: Suburb
  • Gosford Postcode: 2250
  • State: New South Wales
  • Region: Central Coast
  • Latitude: -33.42694
  • Longitude: 151.34184
  • Elevation: 9m
  • Population: 3499
  • Median Income: $37388
  • Area (Sq/km): 2.951
  • Timezone: Australia/Sydney

Tours In Gosford

Discover some of the tours options around Gosford

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Luxe Accommodation

Enjoy a distinctly Australian luxury experience, such as the unforgettable reefs, islands, beaches and coast; rugged mountain ranges, rainforests and vast national parks; and the many vibrant food and wine regions. Take a once in a lifetime adventure and discover the sheer indulgence of experiencing the wonders of Australia in style and stay in total luxury.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes. The sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only the hardened rock spiremountain cores we see today. Learn more about this awe-inspiring landscape.

Glasshouse Mountains