{"id":7114,"date":"2012-03-05T10:54:11","date_gmt":"2012-03-05T00:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=7114"},"modified":"2015-03-20T15:18:19","modified_gmt":"2015-03-20T05:18:19","slug":"central-coast-hit-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/central-coast-hit-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Coast hit list"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Not sure how to fill a weekend on the NSW Central Coast? Take some inspiration from lastminute lovely, Nicole. <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I haven\u2019t stopped raving to anyone who will listen about how fabulous my recent weekend on the Central Coast was. It wasn\u2019t just the amazing Bells at Killcare<\/a> that made this a weekend to remember. The food, shopping, pampering and outdoor adventures Mr LML and I enjoyed, rocketed this NSW region up my list of holiday faves.
\nMy list of faves will show you why…<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hardy\u2019s Bay favourites<\/h3>\n

Outdoor action: kayaking<\/strong>
\nWhen it comes to spending time on the water, kayaking has to be one of the most cost effective ways to do it. For the bargain basement price of $25 an hour, Mr LML and I take our brightly coloured kayak and hit the water in pretty Hardy\u2019s Bay.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The great outdoors<\/p><\/div>\n

The peaceful surrounds are the perfect playground for our water adventure.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Chilling out in Hardy’s Bay (luckily the rain stayed away)<\/p><\/div>\n

It isn\u2019t without drama though. An unexpected gust of wind knocks a life jacket and along with it, Mr LML\u2019s $500 sunnies, into the water. Eeek! We ask the very friendly staffer at Killcare Marina<\/a> for a fish net to try and retrieve them. \u201cGood luck,\u201d he said, \u201cI dropped an orange screwdriver around that spot not long ago and never found it. Get that while you\u2019re there too, would you?\u201d he laughed.
\nIt\u2019s third time lucky but they find their way into the net (the sunnies, not the screwdriver that is). All\u2019s well that ends well!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Phew! Crisis over<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Eat: The Fat Goose<\/strong>
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a local cafe with good food and coffee, The Fat Goose<\/a> is your pick. Make sure you get there early though! This place isn\u2019t a secret and you\u2019ll be competing with eager locals and day trippers alike to score a spot.
\nWe enjoy one of their award winning pies for lunch and return the next day for a delicious fresh juice.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Fresh juice and the Sunday papers… bliss<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Avoca favourites<\/h3>\n

Eat and drink: Rojo Rocket<\/strong>
\nWhat a find! I admit, the thought of Mexican food doesn\u2019t usually appeal to me. Maybe too many experiences with greasy, relatively tasteless nacho.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I\u2019m pleased to report that the much hyped Rojo Rocket<\/a> is the exact opposite and I\u2019m craving their authentic Mexican menu<\/a> as I type! I\u2019m getting ahead of myself though…
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

The first thing that strikes us as we arrive at the multi-levelled and multi-coloured Rojo Rocket is that they do things a little bit differently here. From Mexican fighting films being screened out the back to the cigar tin the bill arrives in later, this is seaside town dining with a definite twist.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Just a couple of years young, and situated a few minutes from Avoca Beach on a spacious amount of lush landscaped grounds, one of Rojo Rocket\u2019s owners is Ken West, owner of the Big Day Out (if that doesn\u2019t automatically give it some street cred, I don\u2019t know what does).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

It’s almost like dining in a rainbow<\/p><\/div>\n

On our way to our reserved dinner table, we note the buzzing vibe in the air with party lights and unique additions (like Buffy the Buffalo) adding to the appeal.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Say hello to Buffy the buffalo<\/p><\/div>\n

Starting with a lychee martini (the cocktail list is a good \u2018un), we peruse the menu. While there are plenty of choices including a dedicated tacos section, we\u2019re told by our super helpful waitress Natalie that the tapas is where it\u2019s at. Who are we to argue?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Mmmm lychee martini<\/p><\/div>\n

Guacamole<\/strong> \u2013 An oldie but a goodie, this was the perfect way to begin our feast. Simple, fresh, delicious.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

Tostadas de atun fresco<\/strong> \u2013 This didn\u2019t originally make our shortlist but Natalie informs us that it is in fact their star dish. Lucky we listened because it is our fave of the night! Comprises of three fresh sashimi tuna tostadas, garnished with onion, avocado, coriander, creamy chipotle, soy sauce and a touch of chilli, I\u2019ve never tasted anything quite like it.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

Jalapenos<\/strong> \u2013 Filled with mince and sultanas and served with a creamy walnut sauce, these are really delicious (one of our three was on the superhot side so look out if you\u2019re sensitive to heat).
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Rollos de Cangrejoon]<\/strong> \u2013 This dish is definitely not what comes to mind when I picture Mexican: deep fried crab rolls stuffed with cream cheese and chilli served with a soy, orange and lemon dipping sauce. Superb.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

And then of course, there is dessert. The Mexican style Churros with a salted caramel style dipping sauce is heavenly and the traditional budin de eliote (or corn pudding) with berry compote is all kinds of delicious.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m already trying to find an excuse to come back here soon. The upstairs courtyard would be ideal on a sunny Sunday afternoon (during summer they hosted $5 tacos and $10 Margaritas which is an absolute bargain).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The quirkiness that is Rojo Rocket<\/p><\/div>\n

Outdoor action: Avoca Beach <\/strong><\/p>\n

This popular patrolled beach is definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Popular Avoca Beach<\/p><\/div>\n

The cute kiosk, surf club and cafes make this the ideal spot for setting in for the day.
\nJust around the corner is the historical Avoca Picture Theatre<\/a>, definitely worth a look.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Terrigal favourites<\/h3>\n

Pamper: Tea Tree Day Spa<\/strong>
\nWhat better way to start a Saturday than with a massage?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Quiet time<\/p><\/div>\n

Our therapists at the Tea Tree Day Spa<\/a>, located in the Crowne Plaza Terrigal<\/a>, welcome us and I sink into the head rest on my side of the shared couple room. One word to describe it: bliss. I choose the aroma-Swedish massage (the oils smell divine) while Mr LML goes for the remedial and is a self-described \u2018space cadet\u2019 after his 50 minutes, floating out the door.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Post-massage relaxation<\/p><\/div>\n

Shop: Retail therapy<\/strong>
\nPost massage, the boutique shops of Terrigal beckon.
\nWithin the Crowne complex is Gabanzo<\/a> a jewellery and gift shop with a unique array of exotic goodies. Definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Gorgeous jewellery<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Plenty of goodies to tempt you<\/p><\/div>\n

Another favourite is Montaze. Half clothing, half homewares, there are plenty of items to tempt you (I may, or may not have purchased shoes and a jewellery box).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

I definitely heart Montaze<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Retail temptations<\/p><\/div>\n

Eat:The Cowrie<\/strong>
\nSet high in the hills of Terrigal, The Cowrie<\/a> provides panoramic views over the beach. It proclaims to be one of the best seafood restaurants in NSW and the food doesn\u2019t disappoint.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Aside from the seriously spectacular view, the first thing to strike us is the reasonable pricing of the menu (not something you often say about fine dining seafood restaurants!) The three course seasonal fixed menu<\/a> with four choices each for entree, main and dessert and a glass of wine is great value at $55.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Lunch with a view<\/p><\/div>\n

Here are our top picks:
\n\u2022 From the set menu, my entree of Meredith goats’ cheese and caramelised onion tart with wild herbs, fig, balsamic and walnut dressing is absolutely delicious (the deconstructed style ensures it isn\u2019t too heavy like many tarts can be).
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 From the al a carte menu, Mr LML chooses the \u2018Sea treasures\u2019 comprising of lobster in golden noodles with chilli lime caramel, ocean trout terrine with squid ink jelly\u2019, sea scallop and sand crab sashimi with salmon pearls, and blue fin tuna with ginger and wasabi. It tastes just as good as it looks, I am reliably informed.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 The chips receive a 10 out of 10 from us (big call, I know).
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Caramelised Fig, Plum and Cherry Crumble with Sour Cream Ice Cream is simple delicious goodness.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Drink: Florida Beach Bar<\/strong>
\nOther than the day spa and shops, the Crowne Plaza Terrigal is also home to Florida Beach Bar. On a sunny afternoon, it is the place to be for a lazy beverage or two with beach views, salty fresh air and chilled out tunes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Drinks, tunes and a view – the Florida Beach Bar has it all<\/p><\/div>\n

So there you have it, my Central Coast hit list. Close to Sydney yet it feels a million miles away making it THE location for a rejuvenating short escape.
\n\"Rojo<\/a><\/p>\n

\n