Gosford - Central Coast NSW

Gosford NSW 2250 (Pop 3 000)

Gosford is located on the Central Coast 79 km north of Sydney via the Newcastle Freeway & Pacific Hwy. It  is the commercial centre of the City of Gosford (area 1 029 sq km and population over 100 000). Original inhabitants were the Guringgai Aborigines and white settlement was slow to develop due to a nearby penal settlement & rugged terrain.  The town was named after the Earl of Gosford and the railway in 1889 helped the advent of tourism to the area. The area’s population continues to grow due to more commuters, retirees & families moving to the area for its proximity to Sydney, mild climate, beautiful bushland & beaches. Springtime Flora Festival (Sept), Gosford City Arts Festival (Oct), Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race (Oct/Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Gosford includes Gosford Courthouse (1848) oldest building on the Central Coast and Christ Church, Mann St. (1857). Pioneer Park facing Brisbane Water, contains a number of historic gravestones. Gosford City Art Centre beautiful gallery and Japanese garden established by Gosford’s Japanese sister city, Edogowa. Open 7 days. Henry Kendall Cottage, 27 Henry Kendall St. This museum was home to the famous poet from 1987-5 and a few of his possessions are still found here. Open 10am-4pm Wed, Sat, Sun and holidays. At nearby Kendalls Glen (Coorumbine Creek) is a peaceful area that inspired some of his poetry and where his initials are carved in a rock.

Nearby:
Katandra Reserve & Rumbalara Reserve comprise 53 ha of spectacular bushland with many walking trails including Waterman Walk (1.2 km), Toomeys Walk (2.3 km), Graves Walk (1.4 km) ,The Mouat Walk (5 km) and breathtaking views. Wyoming Cottage, cnr Pacific Hwy & Wyoming Rd built in 1842 with basic structure still intact. Forest of Tranquillity, Ourimbah Creek Rd. (14 km n-w) award-winning rainforest and bird sancturary with wildlife & bush walks. The Firefly Festival is held here mid Nov-mid Dec between 6pm-8pm. Carawah Reserve raised boardwalk pasing through mangroves, swamp forests and salt marshes. Brisbane Water NP (9 km s-w) This 11,000 ha park is rich in Aboriginal sandstone art, rainforest pockets, open woodland, beautiful bushland walks & the Somersby Falls. Great North Walk. The area west of Gosford is part of the Great North Walk, 1,250 km/14 day walk between Sydney and Newcastle. For information Dept. of Lands Tel. (02) 9228-6111.

Accommodation:
Gosford has 9 motels, a resort, 5 hotels, 1 B&B and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: 200 Mann St. Tel (02) 4385 4430 or 1800 806 258.

Airport:
Sydney International Airport – Kingsford Smith (SYD) Airport Dr, Mascot. Tel (02) 9667 9111. (90 km south).

Hospital:
Gosford Hospital, Racecourse Rd. Tel (02) 4320 2111.