{"id":222831,"date":"2021-04-19T15:10:55","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T05:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/?p=222831"},"modified":"2023-02-16T16:43:13","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T05:43:13","slug":"the-incredible-road-trip-an-hour-from-sydney-that-youve-never-heard-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/nsw\/central-coast\/the-incredible-road-trip-an-hour-from-sydney-that-youve-never-heard-of\/","title":{"rendered":"This Central Coast hinterland road trip is NSW’s best kept secret"},"content":{"rendered":"
Serious surf culture and long summer nights have been drawing visitors to the NSW Central Coast for generations. But there\u2019s much more to the region than just sand and sea.<\/h5>\n

Take the scenic route off the M1 and follow winding mountain and valley roads along Tourist Drive 33 to discover a secret drive through a warm and welcoming Central Coast hinterland.<\/p>\n

Saddles, Mt White<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re travelling north from Sydney, your first stop along the Central Coast Hinterland route should be Saddles. Take the Mount White exit off the M1 (Pacific Motorway) and five minutes later you\u2019ll be pulling up at Saddles, a sophisticated restaurant<\/a> \u2013 equal parts bakehouse and gourmet eatery \u2013 which oozes a classic homestead charm thanks to its stone, timber and leather finishes and furnishings.<\/p>\n

\"Saddles

Saddles oozes a classic homestead charm thanks to its stone, timber and leather finishes and furnishings.<\/p><\/div>\n

Relax in a large chair in front of the fireplace if the weather is cool, otherwise grab a table overlooking the mirror-like dam framed by native flora. Enjoy an elegant breakfast of cured ocean trout or buckwheat pancakes, and be sure to buy a couple of souvenirs from the bakehouse for your onward journey.<\/p>\n

\"Saddles

If the weather is cool you can relax in a large chair in front of the fireplace.<\/p><\/div>\n

Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures, Glenworth Valley<\/h2>\n

Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures<\/a> is one of the best outdoor adventure destinations on the Central Coast and a great place to get the heart racing.\u00a0Head north via the scenic Pacific Highway route, connecting to Peats Ridge Rd. You may lose phone reception as you descend Cooks Road to the valley floor so a smart move is to save your Google Maps offline before setting off.<\/p>\n

\"Camping

Glenworth Valley is one of the best outdoor adventure destinations on the Central Coast.<\/p><\/div>\n

Once there, you\u2019ll be surrounded by green fields and wild national park, and the best way to explore it all is on horseback. Join a guide on a two-hour ride along private trails (adapted for all levels of experience).<\/p>\n

\"Horseriding,

The best way to explore it all is on horseback.<\/p><\/div>\n

Mountain Growers Market, Peats Ridge<\/h2>\n

Produce doesn\u2019t get any fresher than at places like Mountain Growers\u2019 Market<\/a>, where you can pick up fire-engine red local tomatoes, plump cucumbers and figs, blue duck eggs and honey with honeycomb that\u2019s deliciously rich. Leave Somersby via Wiseman\u2019s Ferry Rd and connect back to Peats Ridge Rd, where you will find this charming hinterland market open Thursday to Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"Mountain

Produce doesn\u2019t get any fresher than at places like Mountain Growers\u2019 Market.<\/p><\/div>\n

It forms a collective of small businesses that also includes vintage wares, local growers, and The Harvest Kitchen caf\u00e9. The caf\u00e9 sells easy bites such as frittatas, grass-fed beef sausage rolls, and sourdough toasties, while a fridge is also stocked with local cheeses, kombucha and pre-packaged butcher cuts.<\/p>\n

The market is a showcase of what you can expect to find at the Central Coast\u2019s annual Harvest Festival<\/a> on the June long weekend and is one of many fun local events and markets\u00a0visitors can enjoy.<\/p>\n

\"Mountain

The market is a showcase of what you can expect to find at the Central Coast\u2019s annual Harvest Festival.<\/p><\/div>\n

Fanelli Organics, Mangrove Mountain<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll find certified organic farm Fanelli Organics<\/a> over the other side of the valley, just off Wisemans Ferry Rd.<\/p>\n

There are two reasons Fanelli should be on your road-trip itinerary: it\u2019s a working fruit and vegetable farm with a strong focus on regenerative practices, and you can join hands-on tours and workshops on selective dates.<\/p>\n

\"Fanelli

Join hands-on tours and workshops at Fanelli Organics.<\/p><\/div>\n

Throughout winter there are ‘Pick your own Orange’ experiences, such as “Navel’s” from June \u2013 August. The orchard is about an acre in size and the events will be ticketed, but they will also be offering private bookable sessions that include a farm tour experience (collecting fresh eggs, feeding resident farm animals).<\/p>\n

\"Fanelli

Collect fresh eggs and feed the resident farm animals on a private farm tour experience.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the late spring and summer months, there is also a great field of sunflowers to explore and make the perfect photo opportunity (bookings required).<\/p>\n

\"Fanelli

The sunflower field makes the perfect photo opportunity.<\/p><\/div>\n

Angel Sussurri, Yarramalong<\/h2>\n

Come lunchtime, you\u2019ll want to make your way to Angel Sussurri<\/a> in the beautifully rural Yarramalong Valley. The drive down Bumble Hill Rd is narrow and winding, but at the bottom you\u2019ll reach a small local farmland community and find the stunning manor house, Angel Sussurri, just around the bend.<\/p>\n

The scones are a popular choice among diners, while other options include quiches, pies and homemade cakes. The restaurant has a lovely selection of gourmet products, such as Persian fairy floss, chutney and wine, and there is also a small garden store. If you\u2019re looking for somewhere quiet to stay overnight, the old manor has been lovingly restored, offering six small rooms for travellers.<\/p>\n

Regan\u2019s Fine Foods & Butchery, Yarramalong<\/h2>\n

After lunch, retrace Yarramalong Rd to Regan\u2019s Fine Foods & Butchery, in an old-fashioned store just a few doors down from Angel Sussurri. Regan\u2019s specialises in dry-aged beef, nitrate-free bacon, handcrafted confectionary, and easy pasta takeaways. You\u2019ll also be able to pick up a bottle of fancy Bickford\u2019s cordial. Don\u2019t be shy to chat to Regan, too. He\u2019s super friendly and more than happy to talk about his range of goods and where they\u2019re from.<\/p>\n

\"Regan's,

Regan\u2019s specialises in dry-aged beef, nitrate-free bacon, handcrafted confectionery, and easy pasta takeaways. (Image: LoveCentralCoast.com)<\/p><\/div>\n

Wyong Milk Factory, Wyong<\/h2>\n

Enough eating, it\u2019s time to get moving again \u2013 follow Yarramalong Rd to reach Wyong Milk Factory<\/a>, where you can gently paddle a rowboat up Wyong River, home to an elusive community of platypus.<\/p>\n

There are row boats, kayaks and paddleboards for hire from All Sorts Fitness<\/a>, one of the many businesses in this revitalised old dairy precinct.\u00a0The riverfront is also a lovely spot to go fishing and have a picnic. If you\u2019re peckish after paddling or want to grab treats for later, the precinct is also home to award-winning Little Creek Cheese<\/a>, handmade Luka Chocolates<\/a>, gourmet donuts by Daily Dough Co, and The Milk Factory Tavern<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Wyong

Grab treats for later from the award-winning Little Creek Cheese or handmade Luka Chocolates. (Image: LoveCentralCoast.com)<\/p><\/div>\n

Iris Lodge Alpacas, Jilliby<\/h2>\n

Wrap up your hinterland road trip by visiting one of the region\u2019s more unusual experiences \u2013 Iris Lodge<\/a>. If you\u2019re spending a weekend exploring the Central Coast\u2019s country roots, make this working farm your first stop on day two so you can enjoy the \u2019Breakfast with Alpacas\u2019 package (8.30am, Saturdays and Sundays). If you\u2019re only visiting for a day, head here for afternoon tea with the friendly alpacas, offering plenty of fun for families and all-around animal lovers. You will also get the opportunity to meet resident sheep, horses and cows, and you can even book a farm stay in the converted shipping container accommodation in order to embrace the fresh, country air a little longer.<\/p>\n

\"Iris

Head to Iris Lodge Alpacas for afternoon tea with the friendly alpacas. (Image: LoveCentralCoast.com)<\/p><\/div>\n

Other Central Coast Hinterland stops<\/h2>\n