Twelve kilometres southeast of Gosford, TERRIGAL is one of the most enjoyable spots on the Central Coast, a family-oriented beach resort with foodie and New Age inclinations. Central Coast Tourism at Rotary Park, Terrigal Drive (summer daily 9am-5pm, winter closed Sun; tel 02/4385 4074, www.cctourism.com.au ), is a good source of information on the whole region, and can make free accommodation bookings. If you're after a holiday unit (from around $400 weekly) contact Hunters Real Estate, 104 Terrigal Esplanade (tel 02/4384 1444, hunters@ozemail.com.au ). The deluxe YHA-affiliated Terrigal Beach Backpackers Lodge , at 12 Campbell Crescent (tel & fax 02/4385 3330, yha@terrigalbeachlodge.com.au ; rooms $35-50, dorms under $20), is only one minute's walk from the beach, and is run by a friendly, well-travelled Canadian. Bikes and boogie-boards are provided free. Terrigal is a popular spot for sailboarding: contact Erina Sail 'n' Ski (tel 02/4365 2355) for lessons and hire if you want to join in. For eating, there are plenty of adventurous cafés along the Esplanade, though the nicest, Patcino's , is tucked away in Church Street near the hostel. The best restaurant meal - with a contemporary Mediterranean/Middle Eastern twist and fabulous balcony views - is at the eastern end of the beach at The Gallery Beach House (BYO; tel 02/4385 3222; lunch daily, dinner Wed-Sat). If it's beyond your budget (mains around $26), then Haven Seafood is just nearby for fish and chips. To get to Terrigal, take Peninsula Bus Lines #80, #81 or #82 from Gosford; #81 also links Terrigal and Avoca Beach.

Six kilometres to the south, and altogether quieter, AVOCA BEACH is especially popular with surfers. A large, crescent-shaped and sandy beach between two headlands, it has its own surf lifesaving club and a safe children's rock pool. Its pleasant small-town atmosphere is enhanced by the Avoca Beach Theatre on Avoca Drive (tel 02/4382 2156), a surviving early-1950s cinema that has changed little. You can learn to surf here and at other local beaches with Central Coast Surf School (tel 02/4382 1020; 1hr group lesson $20, including gear). Accommodation includes a caravan park, The Palms , at 160 The Round Drive (tel 02/4382 1227; cabins $70-90), but the best bet is to rent a holiday unit (from $450 per week) - call George Brand Real Estate (tel 02/4382 1311) for listings. For eating , grab fish and chips from the Prawn Star Cafe , across from the beach at 168 Avoca Drive (eat-in or take-away), or there's fine dining at the expensive French-run Feast at no. 200 (tel 02/4381 0707), teamed with fabulous beach views. To get here , take Peninsula Bus Lines #79 from Gosford.

Further north, Tuggerah and Munmorah lakes meet the sea at THE ENTRANCE , a beautiful spot with water extending as far as the eye can see. It's a favourite fishing spot with anglers - and with swarms of pelicans , which turn up for the afternoon fish-feeds daily at 3.30pm (free) at Memorial Park, near the visitor centre. The beaches and lakes along the coast from here to Newcastle are crowded with caravan parks, motels and outfits offering the opportunity to fish, windsurf, sail or waterski: although less attractive than places further north, they make a great day-trip or weekend escape from Sydney. Pro Dive Central Coast, 96 The Entrance Rd (tel 02/4334 1559), arranges scuba-diving lessons, daily boat dives and rents out snorkelling and dive gear. The Entrance Visitors Centre , Marine Parade (daily 9am-5pm; tel 02/4385 4074 or tel 1300/13 0708, www.cctourism.com.au ), has a free accommodation booking service.