Central Coast’s hidden gem: big experience without the price tag

PALM Beach is one of the best addresses in Australia – a beautiful position right on the water, white sandy beaches and stunning multi-million-dollar homes.

But how many know that less than half an hour by ferry from Palm Beach lies the picturesque seaside Central Coast suburb of Ettalong Beach, just as lovely but without the big price-tag.

Those who live in this small community already know what a special place it is with its safe, sandy beaches, beautiful waterways, proximity to Bouddi National Park and emerging food culture.

The trip across Broken Bay to Ettalong Beach on the southern tip of the NSW Central Coast has to be one of the best ferry rides in Australia.

You can drive from Sydney in under two hours but why would you when you can drive or take the bus to Palm Beach, park and take the passenger ferry?

One of the most popular places to stay is Ettalong Beach Resort. The soaring multi-level property, amid low-level development, may have initially upset some residents but there is no denying the view across the oddly-named Brisbane Water or down towards Umina Beach is unparalleled.

The Diggers Club Ettalong Beach, also in the complex, is a popular place for casual dining and live entertainment featuring some of the best shows, artists and bands touring the country. There is a visitor information table on the ground floor.

So, when you tire of swimming and walking the beaches and national parks or simply sitting and reading, what else can you do?

THE Edogawa Commemorative Garden, about 30 minutes’ drive from Ettalong, is a beautiful Japanese garden within the Gosford Regional Gallery complex in Webb Street, East Gosford. Donated to the people of Gosford as a symbol of friendship by Gosford’s sister city, Edogawa, near Tokyo, the gardens have meandering pathways, roofed Japanese pavilion overlooking the koi pond, raked dry stone garden and traditional Japanese teahouse.

GOSFORD Classic Car Museum, one of the top five privately owned car museums in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere., is home to more than 450 cars and motorbikes sourced from around Australia and the world.

The cars, which include 30 Ferraris and the full range of Holdens from 1948-1978 have a total value of more than $70 million. All are owned by entrepreneur Tony Denny, a man with a passion for classic cars.

“The stock is constantly changing because most cars are for sale,” said the museum’s procurement supervisor Murray Nettheim.

“Among them are a number of ‘barn finds’ – cars that haven’t been touched for as long as 30 years.

“You would be amazed what is still locked up in garages around the country.”

FIRES Creek Winery at Holgate produces award-winning wines made with fruits and berries such as kiwi, guava, stone fruits, raspberries and passionfruit in exotic combinations such as blueberry and lavender, mandarin and cardamom, elderflower and honey.

Nadia O’Connell, a university lecturer in Singapore, and husband Francis, who was working on an oil rig, were keen to do something different when they returned to Australia to live.

The couple, who candidly admit they had no previous wine-making experience, are now wooing customers with their blackcurrant and coffee, pear and basil, violet flower, orange and chilli, and fig, date and honey wines.

They hold tastings and talks for clubs and visitors are free to roam the grounds with grapevines, a lily-strewn pond and weeping willows.

FOR those whose tastes tend more to beer, Block’n’Tackle Brewery and Cellar Door is housed in a light industrial park 10 minutes’ drive from Ettalong at Kincumber. But don’t let the location deter you.

The constantly evolving beers are crafted in small batches on site for maximum freshness and are free of artificial additives and preservatives.

Co-owner and brewer Michael Pepper left the IT world three years ago to set up the business of educating palates to something a little different from mainstream beers. On the day we visited locals were enjoying a selection of beers.

The brewery has recently upgraded its cheeses and dips menu to WTF (Where’s the food) and now offer a lunch and dinner menu with beer pairings. There’s also a Meet the Brewer experience to take people through the brewery process.

(02) 4368-3333, www.blockntackle.beer

EXPLORE the waterways with Fantasea Cruising. As well as the regular ferry connection from Palm Beach, groups can enjoy an Ettalong lunch cruise for only $25 per person. This includes the return ferry ride and a complimentary shuttle bus from the Ettalong Beach Wharf to Ettalong Diggers Club for lunch. It operates Monday to Friday for groups of 10 or more. Book on (02) 4343-0140 or email kim.cole@ettalongdiggers.com

FOR those who prefer to explore Brisbane Water themselves, Andersons Boat Shed at Booker Bay has half-cabin, open and aluminium boats and you can pick up bait and fishing gear at the kiosk.

EAT: Any time of the day locals make a bee-line for Re:Publik Cafe – and you should too.

With its retro windows, distinctive ceiling, subtle lighting and original floorboards, the cafe resides in one of the most distinguished shops on Ocean View Road. It has been a furniture store, a haberdashery, newsagency and an office. Now, its best incarnation yet, it’s a cafe run by Catherine McDonald. It has an all-day menu – “we crack eggs all day” – great coffee, freshly baked pastries and cakes, and healthy and hearty meals sourced from local produce. Hung on the walls are constantly changing works by local artists, which are all for sale.

JUST down the road at Ettalong Market you will find Sardinia, an Italian seafood restaurant at offers casual dining options by day with seafood snacks such as semolina lemon and pepper baby squid, polenta dusted shark bites and spanner crab cakes. You can order a box to take across to the beach. At night the rustic restaurant becomes a fine dining experience.

Executive chef Vito Sechi comes from Sardinia and his policy is to serve only sustainable catch sourced by local fishermen.

Hideaway Cafe on Broken Bay Road is another delightful spot for breakfast and lunch, while La Palma Pizza Cafe on Oceanview Road serves up delicious traditional and gourmet pizzas along with pastas.

RELAXATION: If staying here isn’t relaxation enough, there’s always Advanced Skin Care on level 1 of Mantra Ettalong Beach offering a range of facials and relaxation and therapeutic massages as well as full body scrubs and wraps.

INTERSTATE visitors can fly to Sydney and pick up a rental car for the two-hour drive north. However, an easier option (to avoid Sydney traffic) would be to fly to Newcastle and drive south to Ettalong Beach.

NSW residents can drive the entire way or take the lovely ferry ride from Palm Beach. Alternatively enjoy the train ride from Sydney to Woy Woy, crossing the Hawkesbury River, and then take the bus to Ettalong Beach.

Privately-owned holiday property management company Accom Holidays has a superb range of more than 100 quality holiday and short-term rentals – apartments, houses, townhouses and villas, including holiday apartments at Ettalong Beach Resort. Phone (02) 4344-6152, http://holidaysaccom.com.au/

www.visitcentralcoast.com.au

www.visitnsw.com/destinations/central-coast

Coming Up:

Opera in the Arboretum, an open-air festival with top Australian opera singers, will be held amongst the gum trees and kookaburras in the Pearl Beach Crommelin Native Arboretum, on Saturday, March 24.

www.opera.pearl-beach.com

* Sue Preston was a guest of Ettalong Beach tourism operators and travelled with the assistance of Destination NSW.