Central Coast Australia isn’t known for its mountains, if anything it’s probably known for its lack of mountains. Overall, compared to many other places around Sydney the Central Coast is very flat and lacks the enormous structures needed. However, with this being said, this does not mean that the Central Coast lacks hiking trails or even awe-inspiring lookouts. The best Central Coast hikes tend to be those hidden gems that most people don’t talk about, and whilst there are the famous hikes in the area, such as the Bouddi Coastal Walk many of the hikes on the Central Coast are lesser known. With this being said, the lookouts on our smaller-scale mountains are still to die for. Many of the Central Coast mountains are family-friendly hikes as well and do not miss the mark if you’re looking for a beautiful view.
Below we have listed the 3 best Central Coast mountains which are 100% worth hiking.
Mount Wondabyne
Grade: Moderate: Length 8kms
Located in the Brisbane Water National Park you’ll find Mount Wondabyne the tallest on the Central Coast. Overall, the hike itself is relatively easy until the summit which does require some navigation and rock scrambling skills. However, this mountain does not miss the mark. Mt Wondabyne is a unique mountain as it offers 360-degree views of the Central Coast. This is not often seen in the Sydney mountains. Those who summit this mountain will be treated with views of Woy Woy, endless valleys, and on a clear day even the north shore of Sydney.
Nearby at Wondabyne bush campsite, you’ll also find basic toilet facilities, which are open to hikers passing through the area.
To find the best way to summit this mountain make sure you check out our hiking guide for this hike here.
Blackwall Mountain
Grade: Moderate Length: 3kms return
Located in Blackwall on the southern end of the Central Coast you’ll find Blackwall Mountain. This relatively small mountain offers some of the most spectacular views of Lion Island, Wagstaffe, and the bays around Ettalong and Broker Bay. This suburban mountain is lightly trafficked by outsiders to the local area, and most times you’ll receive the summit to yourself.
It is a short and steep ascent to the summit of this Central Coast mountain, however, the view from the top is one of the best lookouts Central Coast has to offer.
Mount Ettalong
Grade: Easy: Length 1.3kms return
Located south of Umina Beach you’ll find the Mount Ettalong lookout. This short hike is perfect for a picnic date or watching the sunset. On this easy Central Coast hike you’ll have the opportunity to drive most of the way, and parking is available near the water tower on Patonga Drive. On the hike, there are multiple lookouts overlooking Pearl Beach and Lion Island, including the Pearl Beach lookout and many informal lookouts which offer multiple vantage points of Pearl Beach.
This Central Coast family-friendly hike is the perfect place to end the day or to the perfect addition to a day on the Central Coast. Make sure you pack some snacks and a picnic rug for this one as there are so many lookouts along the way you’ll want to take your time to take in the views.
Looking for more family-friendly hikes on the Central Coast? Check out our list!