Parks and Wildlife

The Central Coast has a very special natural resource with over 210,000 ha of natural vegetation set aside for conservation as National Parks and other reserves.

The Parks of the Central Coast cover areas from the coast, including a marine extension to Bouddi National Park, through coastal lakes and lagoons, areas along the banks of the Hawkesbury River to its tributaries and up into the rugged sandstone country along the foot of the Great Dividing Range.

This mixture also means that there is a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife for people to observe.  A simple afternoon walk can take you through coastal shrubs and dunes, rainforest gullies and Eucalypt forests in only a few hours.

The Parks provide the opportunity for people to partake in many different types of activities.  You can go bushwalking, camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, surfing and whale watching (at the right time of year).  Bushwalkers can visit historical sites, both Aboriginal and European, observe the vast array of spectacular wildflowers and even catch a glimpse of some of the unique wildlife or just take in the breath-taking views from the lookouts.

The above activities can all be undertaken at your own time and pace or if you wish to add to your experience in our wonderful natural bush, you can join one of the NPW Discovery Tours.  On these walks, which sometimes also include a spot-light walk at dusk, you not only get to enjoy our native bush, but also learn more about the wildlife, bush and history of the area from the friendly animals and birds.  The Discovery Program also caters for the more adventurous nature enthusiast, with four-wheel drive tours, abseiling courses, canoe trips, camping, camp fires and mountain bike rides.

As the seasons change, so do the parks.  Different plants and trees are flowering, while different animals and birds are in the area.  The parks are a great place to visit all year round, forever changing.

Brisbane Water National Park
Bordering the Hawkesbury River, 70kms north of Sydney's city centre, Brisbane Water National Park conserves 12,000 hectares of rugged sandstone country.  It's a great place to see wildflowers and Aboriginal engravings and you can go bushwalking, bird watching, sightseeing.

Munmorah State Conservation Area
On the Central Coast, 40kms north of Gosford, Munmorah SCA offers opportunities for surfing, fishing, picnicking, camping, bushwalking and geological study.  It's a great place to see wildflowers and magnificent ocean views.

Bouddi National Park
On the northern entrance to Broken Bay, 20kms south east of Gosford, Bouddi National Park offers opportunities for walking, swimming, fishing, snorkelling, picnicking, camping and observing wildlife.

Wyrrabalong National Park
Divided into two sections by The Entrance township, Wyrrabalong National Park conserves the last significant littoral rainforest on the Central Coast.  You can bushwalk, swim, picnic and observe wildlife.

Yengo National Park & Parr State Recreation Area
A wild expanse of bushland between Wisemans Ferry and the Hunter Valley, Yengo National Park mainly conserves rugged sandstone country stretching along the foot of the Great Dividing Range.

Dharug National Park
Dharug National Park preserves a rugged sandstone landscape on the northern bank of the Hawkesbury River, 55 kms from the centre of Sydney.  You can camp, go bushwalking and bike riding or visit the spectacular convict built Old Great North Road.

Strickland State Forest
A small but special forest of 472 hectares, just ten minutes drive from Gosford.  With dry eucalypts, heath and wildflowers on ridges, tall eucalypts on the slopes and lush rainforest along creeks, Strickland is the perfect spot for a picnic or bushwalk.  And your dog is welcome too!  Walk quietly and you might see rare wildlife including sooty owls, giant burrowing frogs, red-crowned toadlets.

The State Forests of the Watagans
Camping and picnic areas, walking trials and lookouts beckon.  Explore State Forests' extensive road network on mountain bikes, trail bikes, four-wheel drives, horseback or on foot.  Dogs are welcome in State forests, but are not allowed in adjoining National Park areas.  The area has a logging history stretching back to the 1830's.  Today's sustainable forest management practices ensure that no more timber is removed from the forest than can grow back in any one year.