The Central Coast is a bite-sized version of the much larger story of Australia’s entire coastline.

Open beaches, crescent bays and timbered slopes. Ocean shores, river mouths and sea-changers’ palaces intermingled with classic Australian beach shacks - it’s all on show in this pristine stretch of coast.

Breaks of celebrity status are not the norm here, but what stands out is the variety and quality of waves begging to be plundered for fun.

The 150km coastal strip between Copacabana at the southern end and Soldiers Point in the north has numerous bays and headlands creating ever shifting banks. This feature provides the perfect excuse to frequently cruise the picturesque coast in search of a break that may have not there yesterday.

A coffeehouse with all the trappings to satisfy the ‘latte set’ - positioned on Avoca’s southern headland - acts as an ideal vantage point and grandstand for locals to pass judgment on style and run a critical eye over friend or big-city interloper.

The drive down Pacific Street in Toowoon Bay, a street so typical of many Australian east coast towns, is so devoid of any architectural style or distinction it deceives us of the possibilty of a luxurious retreat at its sea-side end. A unobtrusive and tasteful entrance statement draws us away from coastal suburbia down into a ‘Magic Forest’ environment that is punctuated with the wooden free-standing buildings of Kims Hotel.

Here accommodation is in luxuriously appointed spacious bungalows and spa villas spread along the beachfront, beneath or in the canopy of a forest of ancient Norfolk pines, palms and bamboo. Located on the shores of a picture-postcard horseshoe bay, this famed retreat is ideally positioned for exploring the neighbouring bays and their feast of breaks. Since Kims inception in 1886, the emphasis has been on comfort and life’s simple pleasures in complete privacy.

www.kims.com.au

Lead into temptation in the early part of the new millennium with an offer they could not refuse, the Order of Nuns of The Star Of the Sea swapped their prime location site overlooking the Terrigal coastline for the construction of The Star of the Sea Luxury Apartments.

These apartments set a benchmark for high-quality family beachside accommodation, with spacious rooms, clean lines, stylish contemporary fittings and appointments. A plethora of splendid in-house sporting and recreational facilities are designed to eliminate the so-often-heard holiday cry of "Mum I have nothing to do".

Its spectacular setting is located just far enough from the town centre to ensure tranquillity but still close enough to enable evening strolls into the restaurant and entertainment precinct of Terrigal.

General Manager Bob Lloyd is a Central Coast local and legend amongst the surfing community. This has provided him with an enviable data-bank and understanding of ‘family holiday’ accommodation needs and the possibilities that are the NSW Central Coast.