Central Coast region

Covering an area of approximately 1,700 square kilometres, the Central Coast stretches along the coast 81 kilometres from the Hawkesbury River in the south to Lake Macquarie in the north, and west to the Dooralong and Yarramalong Valleys.

It is located between Sydney and Newcastle and includes the main centres of Gosford, Tuggerah-Wyong, Woy Woy, Erina, The Entrance and Toukley.

More than half the region is made up of national parks, bushland, open space, conservation areas and waterways.  Water is integral to the history and development of the region – with major waterways include Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lake, and the Hawkesbury and Wyong rivers.  These vast waterways make the Central Coast vulnerable to rising sea levels associated with climate change.

The region's steep topography and conservation value has influenced settlement patterns and growth opportunities.  The region's residents are dispersed across a variety of urban settings and the local transport network has developed to reflect these circumstances.