Overview
After a long and chilly weather, things are starting to thaw out as regional hubs across New South Wales renew their focus on warm-weather activities for visitors and residents alike. This month, the Central Coast will join the fun and play host to an exciting array of events to keep people coming back for more.
Central Coast is an easily accessible day trip or weekend destination for Sydneysiders. The towns along the coast are peaceful enough to avoid feeling overcrowded — and yet are lively enough to ensure there is always something to see or do.
We've rounded up some of the can't-miss events happening on the Central Coast that you must add to your itinerary for your next drive up north this spring.
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Spring is the season of Fringe and LGBTQIA+ Festivals all over the world, but did you know the Central Coast has its own Fringe equivalent? We’re talking, of course, about the Coastal Twist Festival, a multi-venue LGBTQIA+ celebration taking place from Tuesday, October 1 to Sunday, October 6.
The “sparkliest festival on the Central Coast” is all about celebrating the local queer community, with this year’s theme of ‘Rise and Shine’ seeing cabaret, film, dance and music events taking place across Gosford, Woy Woy, Ettalong Beach and Umina. The highlight takes place on October 6, with events taking over the coast all at once to promote a happier, healthier and more welcoming Central Coast.
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If there’s one thing about the Central Coast that’s plain to see, it’s that everybody loves the water. Every day visitors and residents hit the rivers, channels, lakes and beaches for a spot of swimming, surfing, fishing or sailing. It should be no surprise then to hear that there’s a waterfront celebration dedicated to the humble heritage putt-putts and wooden boats that dot the waterways of the region.
On Sunday, October 13, the Davistown waterfront will host a family-friendly celebration of these nautical beauties. You can take in the fleet of local vessels while anchored or on the move in the Grand Parade or when they compete for first place in the putt-putt challenge. Beyond the boats, Illoura Reserve will host an artisan goods and food market, dedicated kids’ areas, live performances and additional maritime vehicle viewing opportunities from 9am to 4pm.
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The Central Coast is a playground for nature lovers. With maritime destinations, dense national parks and beaches aplenty, local residents go to great efforts to ensure the region’s natural beauty is preserved for future generations. It’s plain to see at the annual Woytopia Sustainable Living Festival, which takes place at Woy Woy South Public School on Sunday, October 13.
This all-day festival is all about encouraging attendees to look after the Central Coast peninsula with sustainable practices and conscious reductions of their carbon footprint. You can pick up some healthy new habits with green talks, gardening workshops, bushtucker classes and wildlife shows. There will also be 50+ artisan stalls selling organic food and eco-friendly products, free kids entertainment, yoga classes and more from 9am to 4pm.
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Ooh this festival is automatic, it’s systematic, it’s hydromatic. No, it’s not Grease Lightning, it’s ChromeFest. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Danny Zuko with the sleek Greased Lightning car at this festival of vintage vehicles and nostalgia for the good ol’ days. It is taking over The Entrance from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27 for three days of cars and chrome.
There will be 450 show cars from across the Central Coast with vehicles that can be traced back to between 1950 and 1979. The immersive nostalgia extends to the tunes, too, as rock and roll and rockabilly bands will play live on five stages throughout the festival precinct.
Beyond that, the festival will feature retro market stalls, themed food, vintage fashion parades and pinup pageants. Be sure to attend the opening night of Chrome After Dark, a free night of live music in Memorial Park, to get your best boogie on and kick off the weekend with a bang.