One of the best ways to experience the magic of the Central Coast is to explore its many scenic walking trails, and Wood Glen is close to it all.
From majestic ocean panoramas to enchanting forest trails, the walks surrounding Erina literally provide mountains of inspiration to lace up and get active.
From June to November every year, our oceanside hilltops provide perfect vantage points for watching humpback whales on their annual journey from Antarctica to the southern Great Barrier Reef.
An abundance of nature reserves meanwhile cater for walkers of all fitness levels, featuring 20-minute circuit tracks to full-day hikes and terrain varying from lush rainforests to ridge-top woodlands.
And when you’ve filled up on your fair share of exercise and sightseeing, continue to soak up the countryside with a relaxing coffee or cuppa. The region is renowned for its many cafes celebrating the beauty of the waterfront or nestled in delightful nooks.
Here’s a selection of what’s on offer:
The Skillion: The climb to the top of The Skillion at Terrigal is short but spectacular. The ocean views are breathtaking. Bustling with sightseers, the headland’s lookouts and elevated sections offer vistas to rival any in the country.
Afterwards, take time out at one of the many beachside cafes or simply sit and sip a coffee while watching the waves roll in.
Tackle The Skillion in the late afternoon and stay on to savour the international street food delights of the Greedy Guts Markets on the second Friday of the month at Florida Beach Bar at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific.
Kincumber to Davistown: Part of the beauty of coastal life is the abundance of cafes and eateries celebrating the beauty of the waterfront.
Why not make a morning of it by exploring the Kincumber to Davistown pedestrian and cycle path, which starts at the Broadwater park playground.
Learn about the area’s rich shipbuilding history at the same time. Memorial plaques line the flat pathway which runs for approximately three kilometres and ends at The Little Teapot Cafe.
Kincumber Mountain Regional Reserve: Catering for walkers of all fitness levels, tracks are rated from leisurely to challenging.
The Kanning Walk is a short trek showcasing a variety of interesting plants and rock formations, while the Sid Pulsford fire trail offers a longer experience for walkers as well as bike riders.
5 Lands Walk: If you want any more evidence that the Central Coast is a walker’s paradise, look no further than the 5 Lands Walk.
More than 20,000 people were estimated to have attended this year’s event in June, a day-long festival taking in 10 kilometres of beaches, headlands, bush tracks and back roads from McMasters Beach to Terrigal.
Those walking the route were encouraged to enjoy the views, witness Aboriginal ceremonies and ethnic cultural displays along the route as well as catch sight of the whales.
Rumbalara Reserve: Just minutes from Wood Glen, Rumbalara Reserve has numerous walking trails ranging from the 125 metre Bayview Fire Trail.
There’s plenty to see, even if you are just out for a short stroll. Weave through some beautiful scenery on walks such as the Flannel Flower. The Iron Bark Loop takes in Nurrunga Point Lookout.
Katandra Reserve: About 11 kilometres from Erina, the reserve is home to a range of walking tracks through bushland and rainforest.
Check out some of the shorter hikes such as the 1.2 kilometre Waterman Walk which passes through some dramatic transitions in countryside.
The 2.3-kilometre Toomeys Walk meanwhile leads walkers up to St John Lookout, offering panoramic views east towards Matcham Valley and Erina Heights to Terrigal and the ocean.
Carawah Reserve Walk: A wooden boardwalk winds its way through mangroves, salt marshes and sea grasses on a short circuit about seven kilometres from Erina.
Signage provides visitors with information about the local vegetation and wildlife and there are numerous viewing platforms to take it all in.
For more information about our Central Coast villages, click here.
