Central Coast Activities

The best activities on the Central Coast of NSW include ziplines and ropes courses at TreeTop Adventure Park, jet ski safaris on the Hawkesbury River, pearl and oyster farm sessions at Mooney Mooney and whale watching on Lake Macquarie. Some run in any weather and some suit the school holidays. For a wider look at the region, see things to do on the Central Coast.

Ziplines and ropes courses at TreeTop Adventure Park

The TreeTop Adventure Park at 1 Red Hill Road, Wyong Creek, gives you a 2.5-hour session on four adult courses with more than 10 ziplines. Helmet, harness and safety training come with the ticket, and the park is open seven days a week.

The Central Coast Kids Treetop Ropes Adventure is a separate junior course with wobbly bridges, stepping logs and mini flying foxes. Wear closed-in shoes, and bring a camera for the ziplines.

Jet ski tours on the Hawkesbury River

Jet Ski Safaris NSW runs from the Hawkesbury River Marina at 9 Dangar Road, Brooklyn, a minute's walk from Hawkesbury River Station. You don't need a licence, and everyone does a safety induction and training session before heading out under the sandstone cliffs.

Four lengths are available. The 30-minute tour suits a first go, the 1-hour tour can be ridden tandem or solo, the 90-minute tour passes under the bridges, and the 2.5-hour tour runs from September to April past the HMAS Parramatta and Spencer Island.

Indoor and wet-weather pearl farm sessions

Broken Bay Pearl Farm at 12 Kowan Road, Mooney Mooney, is the best bet when the forecast is poor. Secrets of Pearling is a 1-hour guided session indoors, and the Oyster Tasting is a 30-minute undercover session with a shucking demonstration and Sydney Rock, Pacific and Akoya oysters, subject to availability.

For more time on the river, the Pearl Oyster Farm Cruise is a 1-hour trip to a working oyster lease. Shell to Showroom is a 2-hour outing that includes the pearl grading room, and the Oyster and Pearl Farm Complete Immersion is a 2.5-hour outing that adds the oyster tasting.

Whale watching on Lake Macquarie

The Lake Macquarie Whale Watching Cruise is a 2-hour humpback trip with CoastXP from Chalmers Street Jetty, Swansea, between May and November. It runs as a small group on an eco-tourism vessel, and weatherproof jackets are provided.

Choosing a Central Coast activity

Pick TreeTop for a full active morning, the jet skis for speed, and the pearl farm when you want something that runs in any weather. Whale watching is limited to the migration months, and the longest jet ski tour is seasonal. See Central Coast cruises for more time on the water.

Frequently asked questions

What indoor or wet-weather activities are there on the Central Coast?

Secrets of Pearling at Broken Bay Pearl Farm in Mooney Mooney is a 1-hour guided session held indoors in all weather. The Broken Bay Pearl Farm Oyster Tasting is also undercover and runs in all weather.

Do you need a licence for the Hawkesbury River jet ski tours?

No. The Hawkesbury River jet ski tours need no licence, and a safety induction and training session comes first. Riders must be at least seven years old.

Where do the Hawkesbury River jet ski tours leave from?

The jet ski tours leave from the Hawkesbury River Marina at 9 Dangar Road, Brooklyn, a one-minute walk from Hawkesbury River Station.

How long is a session at TreeTop Adventure Park?

A TreeTop Adventure Park session is a 2.5-hour experience. The park at Wyong Creek is open seven days a week, and the operator confirms your session time by email once you book.

When can you go whale watching on Lake Macquarie?

The Lake Macquarie Whale Watching Cruise runs between May and November. It is a 2-hour trip leaving from Chalmers Street Jetty, Swansea.

From the zipline platforms at Wyong Creek to the Hawkesbury River, Central Coast activities are easy to fit into a weekend.