The Central Coast boasts a rich offering of national parks, state conservation areas and Aboriginal sites. The region covers diverse landscapes from stunning coastline and mountain ranges to forests and cultural sites.

Brisbane Water National Park
Magnificent views of the Hawkesbury River, Brisbane Water and Broken Bay are a feature of Brisbane Water National Park, which conserves more than 12,000 hectares of rugged sandstone country. Situated north of the Hawkesbury River, between the urban areas of Woy Woy and Gosford on the east and the Sydney-Newcastle expressway to the west, the park forms an important ecological link in the chain of conservation and recreation reserves which links the Great Dividing Range with the coast. It’s a great place to see wildflowers and Aboriginal engravings, go bushwalking, birdwatching and sightseeing. There are sweeping water views from Warrah Trig and Staples Lookout.

Bulgandry Aboriginal Engraving Site
Within Brisbane Water National Park is an excellent example of the rock engraving art of the Guringai people. Located off Woy Woy Road, 3 km south of the Pacific Highway, there's a 250 metre footpath from the car park to the engravings. The engravings include a large male figure, fish, axe grinding grooves, a wallaby and more.

Munmorah State Conservation Area
Munmorah State Conservation Area lies on the Central Coast between Budgewoi and Catherine Hill Bay. It preserves 1444 hectares of forest, woodland, heath, wetland and temperate rainforest and 12 kilometres of spectacular and rugged coastline. On its western side it fronts onto Lake Munmorah. The area has a warm coastal climate allowing recreational use throughout the year. Activities on offer include camping, swimming, walking, picnicking and fishing.

Bouddi National Park
Located on the north entrance to Broken Bay, between MacMasters Beach & Killcare, Bouddi National Park has a series of small, beautiful beaches beneath forests, steep hills and cliffs. In the eastern part of the park, Maitland Bay is at the heart of the 300 hectare Marine Extension, one of the first in NSW, where all marine life is protected. Bouddi National Park offers opportunities for walking, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, picnicking, camping and observing wildlife. Beaches include Little Beach, Putty Beach, Tallow Beach and the very secluded Maitland Bay.

Wyrrabalong National Park
Divided into two sections by The Entrance township, Wyrrabalong National Park conserves the last significant littoral (on the ocean shore) rainforest on the Central Coast.

Northern Section - Wyrrabalong National Park
Located on the North Entrance Peninsula, this section of the Park encompasses 480 hectares of the sand barrier that separates Tuggerah Lake from the Pacific Ocean. There is no formal picnic area or amenities in North Wyrrabalong and the only road access is via Wilfred Barrett Drive.
A walking track complex, 9km long, is accessed from two car parks on the western side of Wilfred Barrett Drive. Terilbah and Pelican Islands in Tuggerah Lake are an important addition to the Park providing valuable habitat for migratory wading birds.

Southern Section - Wyrrabalong National Park
The 130 Hectare southern section of the Park comprises a thin strip of coastline from Blue Lagoon to Forresters Beach. The Park is accessed from The Entrance Road, Bateau Bay. The 3.5km Coast Walking Track links Blue Lagoon to Wyrrabalong Lookout via Bateau Bay and Crackneck Lookout. Crackneck and Wyrrabalong lookouts provide panoramic views of the ocean are great spots for whale watching in season.

Yengo National Park & Parr State Conservation Area
A wild expanse of bushland between Wisemans Ferry and the Hunter Valley, Yengo National Park mainly conserves rugged sandstone country stretching along the foot of the Great Dividing Range.

Dharug National Park
Dharug National Park preserves a rugged sandstone landscape on the northern bank of the Hawkesbury River, 44 km from the centre of Sydney. You can camp, go bushwalking and bike riding or visit the spectacular convict-built Old Great North Road.

Watagan National Park
The Watagan National Park covers 7,751 hectares of an extensive mountain range north of Cooranbong and Morriset. It is great for touring the forest roads by car, mountain bike or on horseback. The vantage points at Gap Creek, Monkey Face and Narrow Place are excellent lookouts and are popular with photographers. Camping and picnicking facilities are available at a number of locations.

Popran National Park
Popran National Park lies just north of the Hawkesbury River, 25km west of Gosford. There are many important Aboriginal sites conserved here along with spectacular sandstone cliff lines and gullies. Rock art, axe grinding grooves, engravings and stone artefact are scattered along ridgelines, spurs or valley floors.