Inspired Cuisine

With veteran chef Manfredi on the helm, Bells of Killcare has transformed from just being another one of the Central Coast restaurants to being the belle of the ball. This was made possible by chef Manfredi, who has 25 years of experience in the fine dining industry. Here you’ll be treated to Mediterranean-inspired food, which still retains a very local Australian quality. Whether you’re having breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a cappuccino in the afternoon, you’re going to very much benefit from the attention and careful planning that chef Manfredi puts in the place.

Relaxing Atmosphere

Bells of Killcare is the place to dine when you want a laid-back experience. With all of the trees and nature surrounding the restaurant, it’s really a great way to leave the city behind and just enjoy your quiet time while having one of the best foods that any of the Central Coast restaurants offer. The restaurant provides outdoor seating that gives you a good view of the garden where the chef has planted some of the produce that they use in the restaurant. It’s also very romantic, which means this is a great place to spend any of your important dates with your special someone. And after the meal or before, you can walk the trails in the nearby national parks.

Fantastic Location

Being just two hours away from Sydney and a short drive from Avoca Beach, Bells of Killcare is definitely located at a convenient and fantastic spot. Even if you weren’t going to stay in Avoca Beach, you could definitely travel the two hours to get here and it would still be worth all of the trouble. But who wouldn’t want to spend time in Avoca Beach. With that said, Bells of Killcare is an experience that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Great Wine List

Wine is another great treat at this restaurant. This is the only one of the Central Coast restaurants where the chef takes time to personally choose or hand over the wine to diners. And there’s a very good listing of wine at Bells of Killcare, which is a good thing if you are very particular about pairing your food with the proper wine.

Bells of Killcare will put you back a couple of dollars, but if you’re willing to pay a little bit for elegance and quality then this is definitely the place for you. At Bells of Killcare you’re going to have a very memorable dining experience every time you come to Avoca Beach for a visit.

Officially opened on March 1, 2010, the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre provides your kids activities Central Coast residents are very proud of.

Meet and Greet

At the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre children will be able to see and get a chance to touch the marine life and local rock pool residents. Equipped with aquariums and educational displays, the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre lets children get up close and personal with the marine life providing them with a wonderful time learning about the animals and how to take care of the environment. The experience isn’t limited to just standing behind the aquarium glass, and the Centre wonderfully provides a Touch Pool.

Learning Theatre

The Centre also provides children with an interesting audio-visual programme entitled Sea Star Theatre. But that’s not all. There are also tons of other great activities that the children can immerse themselves in, like listening to a story at the Little Fishes Reading Room. They can even try out their and be a Junior Marine Scientist by taking the Junior Marine Scientist quiz. . Take the quiz and they get a certificate and a free gift.

Dive Simulator

While the children might be a little too young to dive and explore the nearby ex-HMAS Adelaide, the little marine adventurers can start getting an idea of how it would be like to dive and explore the artificial reef. It’s an adventure that they will surely remember and could get them excited about caring for the environment. This is definitely one of the best kids activities Central Coast provides for budding marine scientists.

A Place for Adults Too

Now the Centre just couldn’t let the adults running around the place like kids, right? Because aside from these kids activities Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre also offers a place where the parents can relax while the little ones have the time of their lives. There’s the Lagoon Café where Mom and Dad can spend their afternoon relaxing over a cup of tea, coffee, among other things. Parents should also make it a point to visit the bookshop and the Tourist Information.

The Centre isn’t just a place to have fun. It’s also a great place to bring you children to teach them about caring for the environment, which includes all bodies of water and the different animals that live in them. And what better way to make the learning experience a fun and enjoyable one than by making it a part of your holiday vacation.

Family Fun

Aptly named, Family Fun is where you and the rest of your family should go for a great time and to experience one of the best in Central Coast Cycling. Starting from the Ettalong Ferry Wharf you and your family will then head on to the Umina Recreation Facility which offers skate parks, BMX tracks, a junior track. Back and forth the ride is a total of 7.5 kms, perfect even for beginners riding any of the Central Coast cycles.

The Garden Ride

The Garden Ride will will provide you a great time riding along Gosford City. Beginning at the Gosford Information Centre you’ll be provided with different scenery ranging from cityscapes to garden areas. This is a 14-km, leisurely ride that is ideal for anyone and for any fitness level. The Garden Ride is therefore a great ride for beginners to Central Coast cycling.

Points to Pelicans

Another good ride to have early in the morning is the Points to Pelicans ride. This 13.5 km ride will take you around the Brisbane Water Cycleway. It begins at Point Frederick’s Pioneer Park with the next destination being Woy Woy. Along the way, you’ll be able to take in the great view of the waterways that also make the place famous. Once in Woy Woy you can spend the time and enjoy the place or take the train home, whichever you wish.

Terrigal by Twilight

A bit of a challenge is offered by the Terrigal by Twilight ride. If you’re more the experienced cyclist and willing to experience the extreme of Central Coast cycling, this is the rid for you. There are some undulating hills along the way and as an added challenge, you can do the ride as the evening sets in. just remember to have lights installed in your bike before you take on this 22-km challenge.

Tour de Brisbane Water

Long and slow, these are the characteristics of this ride, which is probably one of the most diverse of all the Central Coast cycling rides. The ride begins at Gosford Train Station and will take you through an on-road and off-road path along the famous waterways and wetlands of the lower Central Coast. 41 kilometers all in all, you can take this ride slow but you still need to have had some previous experience to take on this ride.

If you’re planning to go on a wine-tasting adventure there are two Central Coast wineries that are very much worth visiting. Distillery Botanica and Firescreek Fruit Wines both offer different experiences, with each infusing Central Coast wines with their own tastes and character. Visiting these Central Coast wineries should be in every wine lover’s itinerary.

Distillery Botanica

Distillery Botanica will provide you not only with a wonderful time tasting their wine but with an equally wonderful time exploring their garden. Since Distillery Botanica wines are made purely of Australian botanicals, it’s fitting that you get to explore and enjoy the herbs by walking around and breathing the air in the 2.5-acre garden. You can tour the whole Distillery and even chat with Distiller Philip Moore while you partake of the wine.

Firescreek Fruit Wines

Boutique fruit flower and herb wines are the main attractions of Firescreek Fruit Wines, which makes one of the most recognizable of the Central Coast wines. Fires Creek offers a seasonal variety of wines. It is this variety which makes visiting the cellar always a treat depending on whichever season you happen to drop by. And with almost a decade of wine-making experience (they opened their cellar doors in 2003), Firescreek Fruit Wines are one of the best in the country.

Divine Tours

Aptly named, Divine Tours will take you and a small group of your friends to Hunter Valley. You and your friends can go on a private tour which will take you to around five other Central Coast wineries. Once there you will taste the different Central Coast wines that these different cellars have to offer. On the way to Hunter Valley, you will be given a commentary on the history of the region as well as the different wines that you will encounter during your divine trip.

Depending on the size of your group and your needs, Divine Tours offers the Gourmet Wine Tour, Private Tour and the Charter Service. The Gourmet Wine Tours will bring up to 11 persons to a day of wine tasting. Private Tours on the other hand can be personalised to meet your needs. If you’re looking for a ride then ride in class with Divine Tour’s Chartered Services.

Wine tasting in Central Coast is an adventure that no wine lover should miss. Once here, you should take some time to visit the different Central Coast wineries and enjoy the tastes of the local wines.

Fantastic Seaside Location

It’s located right there in the beach. That alone should give anyone who hasn’t stepped foot on the Cafe a good idea of just how picturesque and relaxing the place is. And of course words aren’t enough to show just how wonderful an experience it is enjoying your food and chatting with your companion while the sea breeze blows through the cafe. No wonder it’s one of the most popular Avoca Beach restaurants when it comes to ambiance and comfort.

Fantastic Prices

To some paying a little extra for quality and fine dining is normal, but for Avoca Point Cafe providing great food at fantastic prices is the normal. While some Avoca Beach restaurants would invite you to spend a little bit more to get the quality that you deserve, Point Cafe is actually doing quite the opposite. Pricing their food choices at very reasonable prices, Avoca Point Cafe has added another reason for diners to consider it as the best among the other Avoca Beach restaurants.

Great Food

Saving the best for last, the Avoca Point Cafe offers fabulous food – and as if providing great food isn’t enough, the establishment provides a very diverse menu. There’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re a first time visitor or a frequent guest of other Avoca Beach restaurants, you’re going to see why the Avoca Point Café trumps them all.

Open seven days a week, and offering breakfast and lunch from seven o’clock in the morning to three in the afternoon (dinners are served only on Fridays to Sundays, six o’clock in the evening and onwards), the Cafe offers a very diverse menu. For example, the breakfast menu alone gives diners about 20 menu choices to choose from. The lunch and dinner menus are just as diverse.

The Avoca Point Cafe is definitely one of the pleasant surprises in Avoca Beach. While the place already scores high points for providing visitors a beautiful place to eat or simply relax, it’s their accessibility – location-wise and price-wise – which makes Point Cafe so popular. If you haven’t been here yet, you are in for a gastronomical treat!

Week 1

The month starts off with a bang with a talented lineup at this week’s Love and Local. Get to hear Jess & Lachlan, Paul Rothenbuhler, Bird & I, and Jade Gannon & The Juveniles on Wednesday, May 2.

Follow that up with the young and very talented Daniel Champagne, singer-songwriter and gun-guitarist on Thursday, May 3.

Next up is an even younger performer and just as talented. Listen to Liam Burrows and his six-piece Band as Hollywood Goes Swing at Lizottes on Saturday, May 5.

Week 2

Start off week two of May with Canadian artist and song writer Steve Poltz on Sunday, May 6.

Followed on Tuesday by the fabulous Bic Runga. Watch the mother and singer perform once more after taking a five-year break to raise her child.

Wednesday comes up with Live and Local talents BB Acoustica, Rowan Falzon, Hipsister Trio and Mirabooka.

If you want to have a varied experience, you can listen to Nick Rheinberger – one of Australia’s most versatile entertainers. Listen to him perform a mix of the blues, comedy, poetry, and funk on Friday,May 11.

Top off the week with A Date with Effie’s Mary Coustas. This is one Saturday night out that you don’t want to miss. Have some great fun at Lizottes with the one and only Effie.

Week 3

Treat your mum to a great Sunday experience on May 13 with Mothers Day Lunch with Katrina Burgoyne. She’s one of Australia’s most promising young singer/sognwriters and you bet your mom will love her too.

Tuesday night will be a night filled with music as well. Listen to a Special Intimate Performance by Jimmy Barnes with his family and friends. It’s one of the best ways to listen to Jimmy – up close and personal.

Then listen to The Idea of North on Thursday, May 17 and follow it up with funny man Chris Wainhouse on Friday evening, May 18.

Saturday evening is going to be one of the best at Lizottes with Harry Manx. Get inspired by Manx blending of traditional Blues and classical Indian ragas. It’s one musical treat that you surely don’t want to miss.

Week 4

If you thought one show could contain Harry Manx, then you’re wrong. Get to listen to Manx once more on Sunday, May 20.

Dine on French-inspired cuisine and listen to the legendary Charles Aznavour featuring Milko Foucault – Larche. The great food and music happens on Tuesday, May 22.

On Wednesday, May 23 Lizottes is going to be the site of the launching of the single of Oscar Jiminez (Watussi). Follow this up the next day with The Black Sorrows Joe Camilleri who will be supported by Tim Wheatley (Crooked Saint).

Go back in time on Friday, May 25 and listen to John and Rick Brewster play Bob Dylan music in The Brewster Brothers – Blowin in The Wind (The Music of Bob Dylan).

Help a good cause and be entertained on Saturday, May 26. Help out Variety, the Children’s Charity and have a wonderful night at the same time with entertainment from Lianna Rose.

Week 5

May’s last week is short but sweet at Lizottes with Sunday the 27th starting off with An Intimate Night with Tex Perkins and Friends.

Live and Local follows on Wednesday with Daisy Ella, Rachel Summerell and Mark Cashin & The Lil Hussys.

Mal Eastick closes May 31 on Thursday with a night of really great blues music.

After all, this quiet beachside community offers a lot of activities for visitors just like you. Whatever you fancy doing you can be sure that there are a couple of fun and fantastic things to do in Avoca Beach. And if this is your first time visiting Avoca Beach, don’t worry because here’s a list of just a few of the things to do in Avoca Beach.

1. Visit the beach

Okay, so you’ve gone to the beach already, but that shouldn’t stop you from going again a second time, and then a third, and then a fourth, and so on and so forth. The Avoca Beach has a lot to offer when it comes to sun and sand, so why skimp on the fun. Go out; get some sand in-between your toes once more.

2. Enjoy the Avoca Markets

If you happen to be in the area during the fourth weekend of the month, then you owe it to yourself to visit the Avoca Beach Markets. Whether you simply want breakfast, or to buy a memorable knick knack, or to listen to great musical performances, a visit to the Avoca Beach Markets is always a great way to spend part of your weekend.

3. Explore the HMAS Shipwreck

Two words: HMAS shipwreck. Yes, that’s a big shipwreck that you can go exploring during a dive. Experience the thrill of underwater diving as you explore this large sunken vessel. This is one activity that you shouldn’t pass up. After all, it’s very rarely that you get to explore a once seaworthy vessel turned artificial reef.

4. Go to the Avoca Beach Theatre

Considered as part of the soul of the Avoca Beach community, the Avoca Beach Picture Theatre is a great place to visit. You can catch a film, try out some of the food, or meet up with the locals. Just ask around, visiting the Theatre is one of the best things to do in Avoca Beach. The community has made a lot of memories visiting the picture theatre, make sure you do too.

5. Try Barefoot Bowling

After getting some sand in your toes, it’s time to go Flintstones over the bowling lanes. Yep, it’s time to try barefoot bowling at the Avoca Beach Bowling Club. If you’re wondering just how fun that can be, the word “barefoot” is clue enough for you that you’re going to have a Yabadabadoo time with some friends, a bowling bowl, and some pins.

Kooindah Waters Golf Club

If you fancy a couple of rounds of golf, you can practice your swing and drive at the Kooindah Waters Golf Club. A beautiful 18-hole golf resort, the Kooindah Waters Golf Club, is located wonderfully in the rich natural wetlands of the Central Coast. Managed by Troon Golf and designed by master golf course architect Ross Watson, the Kooindah Waters Golf Club will surely whet your golfing skills.

The Entrance Cinema

Want to go catch a movie with the whole family? You can definitely do that at the Entrance Cinema, which is part of the Majestic Cinemas Family. This is a double screen complex that shows all of the latest films so you and your family can enjoy them. If you would rather watch arthouse and foreign films, you can do that as well, since you can easily phone in a reservation for whichever session you want to watch.

Whale Watching Cruises

If you happen to visit Central Coast during the whale season, you should not pass up the opportunity to see these water mammals in their natural habitat. Avail of the wonderful opportunity that Fantasea Whale Watching Cruise is offering you and take the opportunity to enjoy one of the best Central Coast attractions.

Aquafun

Have more fun with more water at Aquafun, one of the best water-themed Central Coast attractions. Prepare to get wet during your visit to Aquafun because that’s completely the point. Have fun with the kids during a picnic by going kayaking near the shores of Avoca Beach.

Australian Reptile Park

Fun with mammals and reptiles big and small is what you should expect when you visit the Australian Reptile Park. Watch all of the different animals perform or have lunch. And by “have lunch”, that means Elvis, New South Wales’s biggest and largest and apparently showiest crocodile. You can even have your picture taken with the furry and scaly animals like a python, a Tasmanian devil, a wombat, and a koala. If you’re an animal lover, this is one of the best Central Coast attractions to visit.

Amazement

When the kids need some more fun things to do, you can simply cart them all down to Amazement. There are tons of things that they can do and enjoy at Amazement. But parents don’t have to worry about being left out. At Amazement they know that parents and children alike need to have fun. That’s why they made the maze (for the kids to “lose” themselves in) and the barbecue area (for the picnicky parents).

Greenway Chapel

Choose to exchange wedding vows in a romantic garden wedding or a magnificent chapel wedding. Whether you choose to get married inside the 360-degree glass-walled Greenway Chapel or the beautiful Garden grounds, the Greenway Chapel will surely make your wedding day a day to remember. One of the most popular Central Coast wedding venues, and with great reason, the Greenway Chapel is the perfect choice if you want to be married in the company of friends and family, and surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings.

Kantara House

Want your wedding to be perfect? The Kantara House is a multi-awarded function theatre and restaurant and is one of the best Central Coast wedding venues. Kantara has 3.5 acres of rainforest gardens, with waterfalls, bridges and manicured lawns – this makes them the authority in garden weddings, which is why a lot of Central Coast weddings happen at the Kantara House come rain or shine.

Avoca Beach Picture Theatre

If you think getting married at a picture theatre isn’t quite romantic for you, well you’ve got another think coming. In fact, a lot of people started their married life at the Avoca Beach Picture Theatre, getting married in a historical place with the Avoca Beach as a beautiful backdrop. A lot of Central Coast weddings have been held at the decades old picture theatre, making it one of the most popular Central Coast wedding venues there is.

Sea Farm

If you really want to pull out all the stops and make sure that your wedding’s venue is the best there is, then you might want to take a peek at Sea Farm. The Sea Farm is the sanctuary by the sea, and has been the place of many Central Coast weddings – and it’s easy to see why. It’s situated in a 15 hectare expanse of land overlooking the ocean.

There’re the Main Residence and the Cottage, and both are fully furnished and ready for events such as your wedding. If you want to get married in a stylish and luxurious place surrounded by the beauty of nature, come to Sea Farm.

There have been many Central Coast weddings done in the area and all of the couples have been satisfied that they had their wedding in the Central Coast. If you’re planning to get married in any of these places, prepare for a magical experience and be counted as one of the many couples who have started their lives as husband and wife in Central Coast.

Go Explore

Central Coast is made up of different town and villages – each one with its own local history. You can get to learn more about the history of Central Coast and Avoca Beach and learn more about the reasons, why Central Coast is as popular today as it is. Now, there’s a history lesson that you will definitely enjoy.

Go Biking

A neat and fast way to learn more about Central Coast is by bike. Central Coast is bike friendly and proof of that is its many bike shops, clubs, and bike paths. There are bikes for adults (there are even bikes with baby seats so your toddle can go biking with you) and children. This is another great way to keep fit during your Central Coast Holidays.

Visit the Distillery

There are two places you can visit when you have drinks in mind during your Central Coast Holidays. One is the Distillery Botanica, (formally known as St Fiacre Distillery) while the other is Firescreek Fruit Wines. Distillery Botanica makes a unique range of Australian Native Liqueurs as well as Vodka. Firescreek Fruit Wines, on the other hand, makes fruit, flower and herb wines.

Oogle at pieces of art

When you’re in Avoca Beach once more for one of your Central Coast Holidays, paying the local art galleries are always a good idea – this is especially true if you appreciate art and haven’t been to any of the local galleries. You can visit Galeria de Arte or the Gosford Regional Gallery, which is one of the most popular attractions here. If you are more into photography you can view Ken Duncan’s gallery and experience the world through one of Australia’s most talented landscape photographers.

Feed the Birds

One of the most popular and fun things to do is to go pelican feeding. This activity happens year round. Not rain, hail nor shine is going to stop visitors from feeding these birds. While you’re feeding the pelicans, you’ll get to hear some funny and informative commentary about the pelicans and some other fun stuff.

When it comes to all the free stuff that you can do in Central Coast, these are just the tip of the iceberg. There are lots more offers and activities that you can enjoy for free, so you can spend your cash for something else during your Avoca Beach holiday trip.