It was once called the Venice of Australia because of its idyllic location surrounded by pristine waterways, but since those good ole days when vintage Sydneysiders used to day trip north for the beach, Woy Woy has struggled with its identity. In recent years, an influx of city-slickers and commuters has started to change the fabric

Up and down the Coast, there is no shortage of niche shops selling beautiful beachy bits and bobs, and hot homewares  which can transform anyone and any home into a coastal chic haven. Taking Central Coast shopping to the next level, the latest batch of boutiques combine a striking mix of coastal style, handcrafted goods, vintage

Every weekend, somewhere on the coast, bunting is being strung, marquees erected and tables dressed with handmade goodies as local markets spring to life. But none has the cult status of the Avoca Beachside Markets, which has been drawing big crowds to the coastal hamlet of Avoca for ten years. From 9am to 2pm on

One of the highlights of the Coastie summer is the annual Christmas Fair, the Central Coast’s largest outdoor Christmas shopping experience. Offering a chance to grab some stocking fillers and Christmas presents while perusing market stalls at the picturesque parklands at Kariong, the Christmas Fair heralds the start of the Coast’s festive season. We’re thrilled

A new generation of hip Coasties has taken over Long Jetty’s main strip, injecting their on-trend sense of style into the run-down lakeside suburb. It’s a long overdue dose of love for a suburb that recently celebrated a big milestone – 100 years since the long jetty it’s named after was built. The tiny community of Long

On the third Sunday of the month, the Peninsula Recreation Precinct at Umina Beach bursts into life with market stalls filling the grassy knoll from the surf club to the skate park. After launching at the end of last year, the Umina Beach Markets are among the newest market offerings on the Coast but have

Bit by bit, Gosford is coming to life with steps (albeit lollipop ones) being taken to revitalise the city, paving the way for it to fulfil its sparkling waterfront potential. Amongst the development that is helping to change the face of the suburb is the transformation of the Imperial Centre. The light and bright shopping centre

A chic, new store has been born in Kincumber and in it’s first six months it has already grown into a beautifully curated collection of art and homewares from all over the world – and the Coast. Born – which stands for borrowed, old, refurbished, new – is the stylish baby of former Sydneysider Mark Patrick, a PR guru

There is a boutique at the eastern end of Ettalong’s main road that sums up the way we feel about Ettalong – Amour Ettalong. We love it. With its trendy cafes, seaside dining, bustling bars and simple, natural beauty, there’s a lot to love about Ettalong. Since its waterfront has been revitalised, we’ve been spending

On first glance, Drift Home and Living at Forresters Beach appears to be like so many other coastal homeware shops. But as one of the first to set up shop on the Central Coast, Drift has had the advantage of time to develop its own character and style. Even after three or four sweeps of

We love an excuse to visit Patonga. It’s worth it for the drive alone. Spotting waratahs as we cruise through Brisbane Water National Park, we descend on the sandy streets of the usually sleepy fishing village. Today it’s alive and kicking thanks to the unseasonably warm weather, the long weekend and one of the Coast’s