Gosford is a town in the southern part of the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
Gosford is one of the local government areas of the Central Coast, along with Wyong. The local government area takes in some of the most spectacular and tourist friendly areas of the coast, lakes and bushland. However, the Gosford town centre (near the railway station) has to compete with major shopping malls in the surrounding suburbs, and great beach areas only a short distance away. As a result the town is a little lifeless on a weekday, catering mainly to the office crowd. On a weekend it can be totally dead, with the visiting crowds in The Entrance or Terrigal, the local shoppers in Erina mall, and just the pie shop in the main strip for food, and the pokies of Central Coast Leagues for entertainment.
Gosford includes the suburbs of Wamberal, Avoca, Copacabana, Forrester's Beach, McMaster's Beach and Terrigal.
- The Australian Reptile Park is one of the best wildlife parks in Australia and is 3 km from Gosford in Somersby. This park is situated amongst bushland and attracts many tourists and locals. It has many Australian animals including crocodiles, snakes, wombats, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and emus, which are not fenced! There are also daily crocodile and bird shows. To get there by public transport get a taxi from Gosford station. There is no local bus service to the park. Some tour coaches operate.
- Sommersby Falls is just down the road from the Australian Reptile Park. It's a picturesque walk down into the valley. There are two falls - an upper falls and a lower falls. Make sure you wear shoes as it can get slippery at times. Parking is available but will cost you $7 big ones. To get there, follow Sommersby Falls Rd or take a taxi as there is no public transport.
- The Australian Rainforest Sanctuary at the Forest of Tranquility is a true rainforest in Northern Sydney suburbs, with true humid climate, nice walks, wallabies running around and rare birds occasionally showing up. $12/adult.
- Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures, 69 Cooks Road, Peats Ridge, NSW (20 min drive from Gosford, +61 2 4375 1222. Glenworth Valley has many outdoor activities to participate in. Horse riding, kayaking, quad biking, and abseiling are the main activities, but others are offered. You can usually do up to two in a day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
- Wamberal beach. Considered one of the best on the NSW east coast
- Forrester's Beach. Renowned for its clear seawater and truly breathtaking view. If you are not particularly enthused by saltwater, freshwater swimming pools are available in facilities around the beach. Golf courses and mini golf courses, tennis courts, bowling, and shopping facilities are also available in the area. The national park is also close to the beach.
The Australian Reptile Park is one of the best wildlife parks in Australia and is 3 km from Gosford in Somersby. This park is situated amongst bushland and attracts many tourists and locals. It has many Australian animals including crocodiles, snakes, wombats, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and emus, which are not fenced! There are also daily crocodile and bird shows. To get there by public transport get a taxi from Gosford station. There is no local bus service to the park. Some tour coaches operate.
The Australian Rainforest Sanctuary at the Forest of Tranquility is a true rainforest in Northern Sydney suburbs, with true humid climate, nice walks, wallabies running around and rare birds occasionally showing up. $12/adult.
Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures, 69 Cooks Road, Peats Ridge, NSW (20 min drive from Gosford, +61 2 4375 1222. Glenworth Valley has many outdoor activities to participate in. Horse riding, kayaking, quad biking, and abseiling are the main activities, but others are offered. You can usually do up to two in a day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Wamberal beach. Considered one of the best on the NSW east coast
Forrester's Beach. Renowned for its clear seawater and truly breathtaking view. If you are not particularly enthused by saltwater, freshwater swimming pools are available in facilities around the beach. Golf courses and mini golf courses, tennis courts, bowling, and shopping facilities are also available in the area. The national park is also close to the beach.
Whilst the centre of Gosford doesn't offer a lot of interesting shops, there are two large shopping centres nearby. Buses from Gosford and most areas of the Central Coast travel regularly (albeit not always so frequently) to Erina Fair, which contains many mid-range clothing shops, hairdressers, coffee shops, newsagents, department stores, shoe shops, fast food outlets, restaurants and bookshops. There is also a library, gym, cinema and ice rink on the grounds. A similar shopping centre is found at Tuggerah although it is smaller and has less facilities than at Erina Fair.
- Byblos Restaurant & Bar, 124 Donnison St, +61 2 4324 6006. Upscale Lebanese and Mediterranean dining amid modern decor.
Byblos Restaurant & Bar, 124 Donnison St, +61 2 4324 6006. Upscale Lebanese and Mediterranean dining amid modern decor.
- Gosford doesn't have much to offer travellers, so getting out of Gosford is likely to be on the minds of those who find themselves in the town. Luckily the Central Coast region has some lovely beaches and coastal resorts, including Terrigal and The Entrance.
- Travel to Sydney's Northern Beaches on the Palm Beach ferry and go walking in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Travel to Sydney's [[Sydney/Northern Beaches|Northern Beaches]] on the Palm Beach ferry and go walking in [[Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park]].