Great Southern Nights Is Set to Rock the Central Coast
How to make the most of one of Sydney's top daytrip destinations for Great Southern Nights.
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All across New South Wales, stages are being swept, setlists are being finalised, speakers are being stress tested, and crowds are gearing up — all for the long-awaited return of Great Southern Nights in 2025. Great Southern Nights sees well over 300 gigs taking place in major cities across the state — stretching from Byron Bay to Broken Hill and beyond.
The Central Coast, just north of Sydney, is one of the festival's main regions. If you're planning to head up for a gig or if you happen to be in the area between Friday, March 21 and Sunday, April 6, we've teamed up with Great Southern Nights to tell you when and where the hottest gigs are taking place and where to catch your breath between them.
The Lineup
So who is actually on the lineup? The highlight acts start with The Rions, hitting the stage at The Sunken Monkey in Erina on Saturday, March 22. The next day, Australian Idol star Marcia Hines takes the spotlight at The Art House in Wyong, a fittingly flashy venue for such a star. Later on, the fun returns to Erina in the form of indie trio Telenova on Thursday, March 27.
That's not all — next on the roster is the ARIA-nominated Ngaiire, who will make a memorable appearance across Lake Macquarie in Warner's Bay Theatre on Saturday, March 29. And among the final weekend roster are two examples of what Great Southern Night does best: homegrown talent. The Art House in Wyong will set the scene for Troy Cassar-Daley while 90's Aussie rock icons Baby Animals bring the noise to Doyalson RSL on Friday, April 4, and Melbourne rock trio The Grogans end things with a show at Drifter's Wharf, Gosford on Sunday, April 6.
Local Eats and Treats
The Central Coast is a big place, so there are plenty of fantastic bars, cafes and restaurants to discover all over. However, allow us to offer some suggestions and hints to get you started. If you're near Erina, seek out the fine flavours of the Tuscan countryside at La Gioia; get a cosy garden meal and a boutique gin cocktail at Bar Botanica; or enjoy drinks by night and coffee by day at the Tame Fox.
In Wyong, one of the most popular spots for patrons of all ages is the historic Wyong Milk Factory — it boasts breakfast and lunch menus (the former available from 7.30am and the latter from 10.30am), a kid's play area, the secluded Holy Cow Bar and a range of local dairy-based products for sale. Another favourite is Woodblock Bar & Grill, which dishes out hefty plates of comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Otherwise, Terrigal boasts one of the highest concentrations of quality restaurants in the area and is definitely worth a visit during your stay.
Terrigal Ocean Tours
Things to Do and Places to See
You'll need breaks between gigs of course, so where can you take some time off? The Central Coast is home to some of Mother Nature's most stunning and accessible sights spanning beaches, bushland and beyond. In addition to excellent dining options, Terrigal also stands out as one of Sydney's top seaside suburbs for visitors. Be it whale watching or a simple swim, this is one heck of a beach trip.
Another divine coastal destination is Bouddi National Park, which traces the shoreline from Broken Bay to MacMasters Beach. Here, you can lace up the boots and hit a walking trail, pitch a tent and camp on one of its beaches and keep your eyes peeled for protected marine life, a shipwreck and more.
Elsewhere, take a sunny boat tour on a working oyster farm (with tastings included) in Broken Bay, enjoy a close encounter with native wildlife at the free-range, heritage-listed Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary or spend two-and-a-half hours scrambling, climbing and bouncing through the tree canopy at Treetops Adventure Central Coast.
Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
Where to Spend the Night
Rest assured there are plenty of ideal overnight stays scattered around the Central Coast. If you're on a budget, the Pacific Highway offers motels aplenty, but if you're willing to splash a bit of cash, we have some suggestions.
If you can't bear to part from the always-buzzing and beautiful Terrigal, Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific is your best bet. Just across the road from the water and with sunrise views to boot, it's one of the most luxurious stays in the area. With an onsite luxury restaurant, Meribella, offering breakfast, dinner and luxe set menus and the ground floor eatery Terrigal Beach House serving beers, snacks and seafood platters, you're certainly not going to leave hungry.
Further north is another great pick that oozes luxury, Pullman Magenta Shores, resting between The Entrance and Soldier's Beach. This more secluded stay is easily accessed but further from any hustle and bustle, ideal for anyone seeking a bit of serenity. Though it's not far from the beach, Pullman Magenta Shores offers swimming, dining and relaxation en masse within its property. Rooms vary from villas to studios, and you'll have your pick of dining from two on-site venues for maximum convenience.
If you want something a touch more rustic, the Central Coast is home to quite a few countryside stays in its western districts. Close to Wyong in the Yarramalong Valley is Lost Ranches Farmstay, a barn situated on 50 acres of historic farmland, perfect for larger groups who want to avoid staying within earshot of the action. Head out west even further, and you could end up glamping in Noonaweena to really get out into the wilderness of the Central Coast.
Great Southern Nights is set to take over venues across NSW between Friday, March 21 and Sunday, April 6. Check out our gig guides for Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle or visit the website for more information.
