Relaxing is easy on the Central Coast and there are many ways to do it. Lay back and read a book on any of the Coast's golden beaches or throw a line out on the beautiful Hawkesbury River to waste an afternoon away in style.

The Central Coast's beaches stretch from The Entrance to Umina Beach and are ideal for relaxation and fun. Grab a board and take to the surf or just splash around, the mild climate means you can enjoy the beaches most of the year round.

Dotting the countryside beyond the beaches are rolling hills and valleys of green where small towns and villages offer shopping and markets with local arts and crafts. And for the kids you can't go past the Australian Reptile Park for a close up with the big crocs!

This interesting place has a glittering past. Steeped in the history of its gold rush towns and with stunning natural attractions and many unique tourist attractions there is loads to see and do in Central NSW.

The towns of Sofala and Hill End were hit hard with gold fever and the sudden boom was recorded in the buildings themselves. Simple slab huts that miners lived in remain nearby swish hotels and estates that speak of the sparkling success the towns saw in the days.

National parks such as Wollemi and the Warrumbungles in the north of the region offer amazing scenery of the native bushland while Abercrombie and Wellington Caves are hidden adventure lands waiting to be discovered.

With all this space why not make use of it? The Western Plains Zoo is a superb example of wildlife living in near-natural conditions. From the big cats and rhinos to other large and small animals from all over the planet, take a step into another world and get a taste of Africa. To emphasise the natural feel of the zoo many of the enclosures aren't fenced - don't fear, deep trenches keep the residents and the visitors safely apart!

Central NSW also has six space observatories where visitors can learn about astronomy and enjoy a million stars in the dark night skies.

The Central NSW landscape is covered in National Parks. Old forest and lush rainforest regions show a wild and beautiful terrain. Wollemi National Park in the south and Warrumbungles in the north are perfect examples of this untouched wilderness.

A twist to the landscape comes in the form of underground rock wonderlands. Abercrombie and Wellington Caves are mysterious features of the landscape just waiting to be explored.

Illawarra is all about fabulous views and unspoiled coastline. With Sydney not far away, Illawarra has so far escaped large-scale development allowing visitors to enjoy it for all its natural beauty.

The Royal National Park is a lush pocket of bushland on a coastline edged with crisp white beaches and gentle green hills. There are many spectacular vantage points along the coastline with views out over the Tasman Sea such as Stanwell Tops and in many of Wollongong's coastal villages.

The temperate climate means everything from water sports like surfing at Wollongong's beaches and water skiing on Lake Illawarra can be enjoyed through much of the year. And for sightseeing check out Kiama's Blowhole for an amazing natural coastal attraction.

Short walks are also enjoyable through Buddaroo National Park where Minnamura Falls are a beautiful place to stop for a picnic.

A prominent landmark in Illawarra is the Royal National Park, this combined with miles of pristine coastal beaches and undulating hills make Illawarra a scenic place to visit. Dramatic cliff faces are a special feature that form stunning back drops to beach villages along the coast.

South of the region age-old blowholes in the rocks on the coast at Kiama are spectacular. Several prominent vantage points at Saddleback Mountain and Stanwell Tops give unforgettable views of the surrounding landscape.

For wild and lush terrain, Minnamurra Falls and Buddaroo National Park have waterfall features and dense rainforests.

This tiny island off the coast of New South Wales is an ecological wonderland. With hundreds of rare plants and birds that have evolved untouched for millions of years it has a natural beauty that is increasingly hard to find on earth.

At only 11km long by 2km wide you can easily walk around the island to enjoy the many sights and activities on offer. And with a cap on the number of visitors you can forget about crowded beaches and attractions and simply enjoy yourself or have that perfect romantic getaway.

The island is covered in ancient rainforests and edged with pure white beaches. Inland, stunning volcanic peaks tower over the island and speak of a near-forgotten history, while onshore enjoy the warm waters of the Tasman Sea inside the picturesque bay of the island.

For scuba and snorkelling enthusiasts Lord Howe Island has Australia's most southerly coral reef with hundreds of species of fish and marine life as well as whales and dolphins that visit in season.

Lord Howe Island was built upon the foundations of a volcanic eruption over 5 million years ago. It is a small region extending 11 kilometres and only 2 kilometres wide.

Edged with crisp white beaches and clear waters, the island is World Heritage listed and noted for its amazing collection of rare plants and birdlife.