The Central Coast is renowned for its nature, beautiful scenery, pristine oceans, and the abundance of easy hikes as well as those a bit more adventurous. If you’re currently trying to keep the kids entertained on the weekends, heading out into the great outdoors might be on the agenda! In this article, we’ve put together a list of 6 of the best Central Coast family-friendly hikes which are perfect for families of all ages! Some of these are kid-friendly bushwalks and others feature some spectacular views which are unmatched on the east coast of Australia.
The Central Coast has an abundance of hikes featuring waterfalls, ocean views, and rain forests and will often feature native animals. On all of these Central Coast family-friendly walks, it is common to find wallabies, echidnas, lizards, and snakes on the track. It is important to keep in mind that a First Aid Kit should always be carried. We recommend this emergency first aid kit as it is designed for travel and can easily be placed in your day pack.
Check out more Central Coast family-friendly hikes here
6 Central Coast Family-Friendly Hikes
Bouddi Coastal Walk
Grade: Moderate Length 8kms one way
One of the most popular hikes on the Central Coast is the Bouddi Coastal Walk. This hike is great for families of all ages as it is a varied bushwalk that also features a boardwalk. The coastal walk itself is 8 km one way, however, it is easy to turn around at any time. On this hike, you’ll find secluded beaches, tessellated pavement, and some of the best views in Australia. Once completing this hike you’ll see what it has been named the best walk in NSW.
Second Point Trail
Grade Easy/Moderate Length 3.5kms
Second Point Trail is a secret lookout in the Bouddi National Park and offers some of the best views of Macmasters Beach and Copacabana. This lookout also offers views of the Sydney CBD on a clear day. This family-friendly hike is made slightly harder due to the sand on the trail, however, it is a short distance to the lookout.
To find this lookout and to read more about this hike check out the hiking guide!
Gosford Glyphs
Grade: Moderate Length 2.9kms
We love this hike so much that we’ve already dedicated an entire blog post to this hike, with all the info and directions here!
However, if you’re not after a bigger read here is a little summary.
Found in 1975, and with an unknown origin the kids will love exploring and looking for these rock carvings! Pretend you’re in Indiana Jones and explore the caves and rock formations near Kariong to try and find the rock cravings!
This easy hike will be a hit with kids who are up for an adventure. As they rock scramble their way to the glyphs, the moment they find them will be pure joy.
On this hike, you’ll also get to marvel at a spectacular red gum known as a grandmother tree, and impressive rock formations. This hike will be a hit with the whole family and will be something they tell all their friends about back at school. It’s not every day you get to see hieroglyphs after all.
Somersby Falls
Grade: Easy Length 600m
Featuring a 3 tier waterfall Somersby Falls is one of the most popular sights on the Central Coast! In fact, it’s a popular day trip from Sydney! This short and sweet hike will be a hit with the whole family as they marvel at the sight of the falls!
The hike itself is only 600m in total, however, there are countless stairs which makes for a harder hike than most people expect! Make sure you pack a lunch as there are free BBQ facilities too!
This is one of the best short walks Central Coast has to offer and will be a treat for the whole family. Marvel at the sheer size of Somersby Falls, and make sure you visit after rain to see the falls in their full glory.
Norah Head Nature Trail
Grade Easy Length 2.3kms
This is a popular trail not far from the Norah Head Lighthouse. The trail offers varied terrain and offers beautiful views of the jagged coastline and the lighthouse. The track also offers room for off-track exploration of the rock shelves during low tide. No navigation is required for this track making it easily one of the best options for families.
Mooney Mooney Aboriginal Area
Grade: Easy Length 2.5kms return
Take the kids back in time and have a look at some authentic indigenous engravings. This protected area in the Brisbane Water National Park sees very little traffic and has some of the best rock engravings on the Central Coast.
On this easy walk, you’ll find engravings of fish, men, and kangaroos which are all still in pristine condition. These ancient aboriginal engravings hold great links to the past for local indigenous communities and because of this, they hold cultural significance and need to be treated with respect. When visiting this area it is important to keep the leave no trace principles in mind.
When visiting the area please note the engravings should not be stood on.
We hope that this list helps you get the family outside and explore the beautiful Central Coast!
While you’re here make sure you check out the best hike in Brisbane Water National Park.
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