The Central Coast - A Centre for Fun. Located in New South Wales, a state within Australia, the Central Coast is one of the largest urban areas in New South Wales. Its population is just under 300,000. The area is actually a small network of towns that have been joined together by the expanding development of the suburbs. In some ways, this region is the ‘bedroom community’ of Sydney, with many of its residents commuting to town on a daily basis.
This region is a major centre for tourism. This is partly because of its proximity to Sydney. Tourism in the area is overseen by the Central Coast Tourism Board. They have three major visitor centres in the region. These are Mt. Penang Parkland, Memorial Park and Mann Street, Gosford. The most popular tourist destinations in the area are Terrigal, The Entrance and Ettalong. The popularity of these areas is growing. This is becoming more apparent as several major chain hotels have recently opened properties in the region. These hotels are the Mantra, Crowne Plaza and Oaks Resort.
The infrastructure of the area is considerably well developed. The road network is extensive and intelligently laid out. The major traffic veins through the area are: the Sydney Newcastle Freeway and the Central Coast Highway. Rail lines are another popular transportation mode and the Central Coast receives rail service from CityRails’ Newcastle and Central Coast line. This line is used mostly by commuters to Sydney. There are multiple stops on this line, making it very convenient and easy to use. There are also three separate bus lines that service the area: Busways, Coastal Liner Coaches and Red Bus Services.
The Central Coast is well known for its many sports ventures. There are several local teams and leagues in the region and Central Coast would like to secure its position as one of the premier locations in the country for sports. As such, they have recently added several national teams that compete on a national level. The most renowned of these are the football (soccer) team known as the Central Coast Mariners and the Central Coast Rhinos, a hockey team that plays in the Australian Ice Hockey League. The basketball team from the region is the Central Coast ‘Oxigen’ Crusaders. The area is jam packed with sporting venues including ovals, swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts and skate parks. There are also a large number of biking, walking and hiking paths available. Water sports have seen an increase as well, with many tourists enjoying sailing, water skiing and rowing. Perhaps most interesting, scuba diving off the coast is a treat and the government is considering sinking a wreck (the HMAS Adelaide) for divers to enjoy.
The Central Coast is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination for travellers. Many tourists take day trips to the area from Sydney. They are drawn primarily by the many sporting events and venues as well as the beautiful beaches and diving. The infrastructure supporting the tourist industry is by far one of the best, making this an excellent place to visit and stay.