Your great family escape

Start the day by filling your bellies with pancakes, eggs or a healthy smoothie bowl. Sit inside or out, choose from an abundance of wholesome food and delicious coffee. A relaxed, friendly vibe.

Next stop: 3 mins

Pack your togs and head to Terrigal Beach to learn how to surf. Founded by ex-World Tour Surfer Amee Donohoe, classes are designed to help build water confidence and beach awareness.

Next stop: 2 mins

Worked up an appetite? Head to Terrigal for award-winning fish and chips. Delivering light, crispy batter with gluten free options and yummy sides. Pack the blanket for a picnic by the beach.

Next stop: 12 mins

Burn off those delicious chips with a little water adventure. Hire pedal boats, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards. Not a pro? Book a lesson in stand-up paddling or a guided kayak eco-tour.

Next stop: 1 min

Time to chill. Head to the playground for an afternoon kip under a tree. A fully fenced toddler play area will keep them safe while you take a breather and take in the view.

Next stop: 3 mins

Dinner is sorted with la carte and yummy kids’ menus at this beachside balcony & bar. The bistro raises funds for Avoca Beach SLSC, so take advantage of the awesome Movie and Dinner deal.

Next stop: 1 mins

Entertain the family at the local community theatre. Family run and owned for four generations since 1948. Check the local paper for information on their movie programme and live events.

Next stop: 5 mins

Keeping everyone entertained is easy at this resort. Set on 15 acres of bushland and gardens, facilities include: two pools, tennis court, BBQ areas, bistro and live entertainment.

Next stop: Sleep, revive

This warehouse-style café serves delicious coffee and brunch using organic, local produce. Kids will love the fresh pastries and ricotta hot cakes. Grab treats for the day ahead.

Next stop: 20 mins

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the only NSW wildlife sanctuary with free-roaming Australian animals and Aboriginal rock art sites. Open every day. Pre- book online for 10% off.

Next stop: 9 mins

Nestled over cascading ponds of the Mount Penang Parklands, the perfect setting for morning tea. Sit at the balcony overlooking the pristine waterways then stroll through the lovely gardens.

Next stop: 9 mins

Craving more fun? Head to Central Coast Leagues Club. This 3-level venue will keep the kids entertained for hours.

Next stop: Stay right where you are

Time to get competitive with a laser tag session. This state of the art game offers casual play that the whole family will love — from adults to primary school kids and tweens.

Next stop: Stay right where you are

The first registered club on the Coast. This place prides itself on being a one-stop-shop for all ages, especially young families, with its amazing range of dining options.

Next stop: Stay right where you are

They’ll sleep better after a good climb, and so will you. This fully supervised climbing centre, with 28 themed climbing walls, is a great place for one last activity before bed.

Next stop: 11 mins

Your bed at this premium budget hotel will look so inviting. Recently upgraded and restyled, you and the kids can kick back with a new Smart TV and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

Next stop: Sleep, recover

Start the day with a yummy breakfast before tasting Little Creek Cheese and Luka chocolates. Originally a Butter Factory, this café has a playground and kayak hire.

Next stop: 4 mins

Get ready to take to the tree tops. Experience the world's longest rollercoaster zip line, a 250-metre flying fox, and suspension bridges 15 metres above forest floor.

Next stop: 2 mins

Grab afternoon tea in the big barn at this picturesque farm. Pet the animals before going on an adventure into the magical mazes.

Next stop: 8 mins

At your next stop, you can get some air with a fun fitness class while your kids are supervised. There's an open-air trampoline, dodge ball, dunking trampolines and a foam pit just for toddlers.

Next stop: 5 mins

Unwind at the local's favourite fashion hub or check out family events and activities. Grab some dinner before finishing with a movie at Event Cinemas.

Next stop: 12 mins

Unwind on Shelly Beach at the only local holiday park with an absolute beachfront location. Enjoy a range of accommodation and School Holidays Kids Club.

Next stop: Sleep, renew

Start your day at this espresso bar, famous for their unique coffee blend and delish food with vegan options. Check out the Gallery Space then take a walk on the long jetty.

Next stop: 4 mins

Hit the bowl or dust off your basketball skills as you watch the pros at one of Australia’s top skate parks. On the last Saturday of each month, you can head next door to Shelly Beach markets.

Next stop: 1 min

Grab some American style burgers and classic diner shakes with hand-scooped ice- cream for your picnic at Saltwater Park. This is the first Carls Junior to open in Australia.

Next stop: 7 mins

Stop by Lakeside Shopping Centre in The Entrance for a spot of shopping. Plenty of parking and a range of shops, a medical centre, bank and more. Pick up afternoon tea and coffee while here.

Next stop: 3 mins

Make your way to the foreshore next to Memorial Park at The Entrance. Kids can splash around while you kick back with your takeaway coffee under the shaded seating. There’s also free Wi-Fi.

Next stop: 1 mins

The Entrance’s famous Pelican Feed began 20 years ago. Today, staff at Jimbo’s Seafood continue the tradition, feeding the day’s scraps to the pelicans on the waterfront at 3.30pm daily.

Next stop: 11 mins

Head to Shelly Beach Surf Club for another local fave. Opened on Boxing Day, 1946, you can sit on the terrace and watch the sunset as you dine. Delish platters and nipper’s menu available.

Next stop: 3 mins

Before the night’s over, head to The Angry Pigeon Pizzeria for some well-deserved dessert. Serving up bucket loads of tasty, homemade gelato, choosing which flavour will be tough.

Next stop: 4 mins

Enjoy your own piece of paradise right near the beach. This resort has an exciting new water park and swimming pool, with a fun beach theme including surfboards and beach balls.

Next stop: Sleep, recoup

Awaken with a fresh brew and all-day breakfast at this tranquil café, surrounded by lush tropical plants and beautiful water features. There's even a huge nursery and gift store to explore.

Next stop: 13 mins

It's time to bounce! Inflatable World is fun for all the family. Two hour sessions let you try the inflatable activities as many times as you like and are fully supervised.

Next stop: 16 mins

Sit outside and relax at this beach themed café next to Norah Head Lighthouse. There's live music at the weekend and an unforgettable view 356 days a year.

Next stop: 1 min

The Coast's most spectacular icon is a magnificent place to play or stay. Watch the sunset, book a tour, climb the 96 stairs and enjoy the 360-degree view from the balcony.

Next stop: 9 mins

After working up an appetite on the lighthouse stairs, indulge in the best Italian pizza and pasta outside Italy. Lucky for you, this restaurant's bringing Rome to you.

Next stop: 4 mins

A quaint place for you to rest up. But don't sleep in - wake early to trek through the national parkland and marvel at the stunning lake, flora and fauna that surround you.

Next stop: Sleep, surrender

Start the day at this picturesque café and fuel up on great food and coffee. Then stroll the serene gardens and discover the lake, waterfall and bird life. Regional art gallery onsite.

Next stop: 16 mins

Time to make some new friends at this world-renowned, hands-on zoo. Don't miss the funnel-web spider milking and dingo walk show. Book a Kids 2 Keeper or VIP Tour online.

Next stop: Crazy and lazy animals

Learn about the largest conservation-breeding program for Tasmanian devils (they're cute, not scary). Meet Hugo the giant Galapagos tortoise and hang with free-range kangaroos.

Next stop: Lunch

Book ahead to enjoy an Aussie BBQ with top quality meat, salad and drinks. Watch Elvis, the famous 5 metre cranky croc, be fed his lunch.

Next stop: All shapes and sizes

Meet some smaller reptiles like snakes, turtles, lizards and crocodiles and learn about how they live and keeping them as pets. Snap a selfie with an alligator, python or cuddly koala.

Next stop: 13 mins

Say farewell to your new friends and take a short drive to your delicious club dinner. Choose from a-la-carte, weekly specials and fun, free activities - the perfect place for the whole family.

Next stop: 19 mins

Bellies full? Stop by Erina Fair for a spot of shopping or a skate at the Erina Ice Arena. Want more chill? Catch a flick at HOYTS Erina and go big with HOYTS Xtremescreen.

Next stop: 8 mins

End the day at this newly refurbished retreat. There's a heated pool and Balinese open-air hot tub. Across the way there's the Terrigal lagoon, boutiques, restaurants and bars.