It’s the most beautiful collaboration between local makers, and it’s right under our noses. Stretching from Mooney Mooney in the south to Wyong Creek in the north, the Central Coast Makers Trail connects some of the region’s best food, drink and artisan producers.
There’s oyster farm tours, cheese tastings, craft breweries, distilleries, botanical wine, coffee roasting, gingerbread, spices and even pearl farming – all made or grown right here on the Coast.
Meet skilled artisans and award-winning providores on this self-indulgent food and drink discovery drive.
What is the Central Coast Makers Trail?
The Central Coast Makers Trail is a self-guided food, drink and artisan trail featuring 13 producers across the NSW Central Coast. Visitors can explore breweries, distilleries, wineries, food producers, oyster and pearl farms, coffee roasters and other local makers, with many offering tastings, tours and hands-on experiences.
The Central Coast Makers Trail consists of:
- Adri’s Gingerbread
- Amber Lane Distillery
- Block ‘N Tackle
- Broken Bay Pearl Farm
- Distillery Botanica
- Eastcoast Beverages
- Firescreek Botanical Winery
- Herbie’s Spices
- Legend Coffee and Culture
- Little Creek Cheese Factory
- Oak Haven Brewery
- Six String Brewing Co.
- Sydney Oyster Farm Tours
Jump in the car and tackle a couple of stops in one arvo or build an entire weekend around it – it’s the perfect adventure no matter how long you have. And because many of the makers offer tours, tastings and hands-on experiences, you get to meet the people behind the things you’re eating, drinking and taking home.
It has to be said – the Central Coast’s hidden gems are hidden no more!
Meet the makers on the Central Coast Makers Trail
There’s no better way to soak up the Central Coast than by hitting the road and checking out the incredible local makers who call it home. First up, the food and artisan makers you’ll find along the Trail. Then keep scrolling for the breweries, distilleries and wineries pouring their way around the Coast.
Broken Bay Pearl Farm
Pearl farm & tours | Mooney Mooney
Down on the Hawkesbury at Mooney Mooney, Broken Bay Pearl Farm is serving up a one-of-a-kind experience at the only working pearl farm in NSW. These guys know their stuff when it comes to growing beautiful Aussie Akoya pearls, and they’re more than happy to share (some of) their secrets.
Hop aboard a scenic boat tour, meet the passionate farming team, learn how these beautiful pearls are cultivated, and check out the Shellar Door (love that!) for some serious sparkle – and maybe a few freshly shucked oysters while you’re at it. It’s relaxed, it’s fascinating, and the views aren’t too shabby either. Chances are, you’ll be tempted to take home a shimmering souvenir, too.
Sydney Oyster Farm Tours
Oyster farm tours | Mooney Mooney
Sitting right on the Hawkesbury River, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours offers a gourmet experience that’s as delicious as it is unforgettable. These family-run tours are led by second and third-generation oyster farmers who know the river (and their oysters) inside out. You’ll learn all about how these creamy Sydney Rock and Pacific Oysters are grown and harvested, right where the locals have been enjoying them for over 10,000 years.
The hero experience is ‘Immerse Yourself’, where you’ll be sampling freshly shucked oysters straight from the source at your in-water table on the banks of the Hawkesbury. Or, for something a little drier, book the Oyster Elegance tour, an indulgent escape on a secluded stretch of coastline. Even the shorter 90-minute boat tour comes with a dozen oysters per person, making this one of the most unique (and tasty) things to do on the Central Coast.
Herbie’s Spices
Spice shop & producer | Charmhaven
An absolute must for anyone who loves to cook (or eat!), a visit to Herbie’s Spices will have you feeling like you’ve stumbled into spice heaven. From premium single-origin spices to carefully crafted blends, this aromatic Charmhaven store has everything you need to inspire kitchen creativity and will take your cooking experience to the next level.
Baking, barbecuing, slow cooking or just dabbling in international flavours… you’ll find something to spark inspiration. The team is passionate and knowledgeable, always happy to chat about what pairs well with what, and how to get the most out of each spice in your pantry.
While these makers are miles apart, we’ve got a clever way to marry them: grilled oysters! Top freshly shucked oysters with a mix of Herbie’s harissa blend, olive oil, and lemon juice, and pop them under the grill for a minute or two. Bold, zesty perfection!
Eastcoast Beverages
Juice producer & farm shop | Kulnura
Head to the green hills of Kulnura and you’ll find Eastcoast Beverages, keeping Coasties refreshed since the ‘60s. This third-generation family business grows its own citrus, squeezes its own juice, and bottles it right there on-site – just the way it should be!
You can jump on a behind-the-scenes tour to see where it all starts, watch the juice-making magic happen, and finish up with a tasting fresh from the press. And if you’re feeling a bit peckish, their onsite cafe Bambinos has you sorted with a menu full of citrusy sweet treats and savoury bites. It’s local, it’s family-run, and it’s the real deal.
Explore the Hinterland with Tourist Drive 33
Little Creek Cheese Factory
Artisan cheesemaker | Wyong
For the dairy lovers, Little Creek Cheese Factory is one of those places you wish you’d discovered sooner. Tucked inside the Wyong Milk Factory, this family-run business has been racking up awards (and devoted fans) for its handcrafted cheeses made using traditional techniques and locally sourced milk. Don’t blame us when you walk out with a fridge full of double cream brie, marinated feta and a gin cheddar that’ll ruin supermarket cheeses forever.
They’ve got tastings available seven days a week, so you can try before you (inevitably) buy, and the team are always up for a chat about how each cheese is made. And as a bonus, you can make a whole outing of it – grab a coffee or bite to eat from one of the other spots on site and have a wander by the river afterwards.
Adri’s Gingerbread
Artisan gingerbread producer | Lisarow
Tucked away in Lisarow, Adri’s Gingerbread is a European-style bakery that brings some nostalgia to the Central Coast. Starting out as a kitchen-table passion project, Adri’s is now a nationally-awarded business selling authentic, hand-decorated gingerbread and sweet treats. Originally from the Czech Republic, Adri couldn’t find the traditional flavours she grew up with – so she started baking her own, using organic spices and over 98% Aussie-grown ingredients.
It’s a sensory delight, and we’d probably visit for the Christmassy smell alone! But it’s not all about gingerbread. Adri’s also crafts shortbread and chocolate biscuits, using recipes just as thoughtful and indulgent. Visitors can also book a behind-the-scenes look at how these treats are made, with factory tours, tastings, and hands-on workshops where you can try your hand at icing your own gingerbread cookie.
Legend Coffee and Culture
Coffee roastery & cafe | West Gosford
We’ve saved the buzz for last – literally. Legend Coffee and Culture is more than just a cafe; it’s a celebration of coffee. These guys are serious about their beans, roasting in-house using some of the world’s most exquisite coffee beans, with an unwavering commitment to sustainability. They know their stuff and love nothing more than sharing their passion – pull up a seat and ask all about their process while they get your cuppa ready.
You can experience a roastery tour, indulge in a private cupping in the ‘slow bar’ (by appointment only) or grab a delicious coffee on your way to explore the Central Coast. They’re all about flavour, so they’ve kept the menu tight to make sure every item gets the attention it deserves. It will turn a casual sipper into a full-blown coffee nerd.
Central Coast breweries, distilleries and wineries on the Makers Trail
Not all stops are about what’s on the plate! If you’re especially keen to sip your way around the Coast, six of the makers are producing some very good things to pour too, from craft beer and whisky to gin and botanical wine.
We’ve pulled together a separate guide to the breweries, distilleries and cellar doors of the Central Coast Makers Trail – but here’s a quick taste of who you’ll find.
Amber Lane Distillery
Whisky fans, this one’s worth the detour. Amber Lane Distillery produces small-batch Australian whisky matured in carefully selected sherry and bourbon barrels, with plenty of national and international medals already sitting on the shelf. Keep an eye out for their monthly Open Days, where you can meet the distillers, tour the operation and, if the stars align, taste whisky straight from the barrel.
Block ’N Tackle
What started as a garage brewing project has grown into one of the Coast’s much-loved independent breweries. At Block ’N Tackle in Kincumber, 12 taps plus an old-school English hand pump pour everything from their core Scud Extra Pale Ale and Kinny Lager to experimental small-batch brews. There are brewery tours too, plus pizzas, local cheeses and live music to make a proper arvo of it.
Distillery Botanica
Gin tastes even better when you can wander through the gardens where some of its inspiration grows. Distillery Botanica in Erina is the home of master distiller and herbalist Philip Moore, surrounded by three acres of gardens and producing the likes of Moore’s Dry Gin, Mr Black coffee liqueur and a range of botanical spirits and liqueurs. Tour the distillery, do a guided tasting, shake up cocktails or even make your own bottle of gin.
Firescreek Botanical Winery
This is wine, but not quite as you know it. Firescreek Botanical Winery in Holgate makes organic, vegan-friendly wines from fruit, flowers and native botanicals, all produced and bottled on site. Wander the regenerative gardens, drop into the cellar door for a tasting or book one of their more immersive experiences.
Six String Brewing Co.
Beer and music have always made pretty good mates, and Six String Brewing Co. has built an entire brewery around the pairing. Their Erina taproom and restaurant pours 16 rotating taps of beer brewed on site, covering their award-winning core range, seasonal releases and bigger, bolder Amplified Ales. You can also head behind the scenes on a brewery tour before putting all that new knowledge to very practical use with a tasting paddle.
Oak Haven Brewery
Tucked inside Gosford RSL, Oak Haven Brewery is an award-winning microbrewery making small-batch beer with a distinctly local flavour. Head Brewer Steve Morenos and the team are known for their single-hop beers and seasonal releases, with each brew drawing inspiration from Gosford’s local history. More than 30 industry medals suggest they’re doing something very right.
Want the full pour? Read our guide to the Central Coast’s craft breweries, distilleries and wineries, with more on what to drink, where to taste and the experiences you can book.
More places to visit along the Central Coast Makers Trail
The Makers Trail isn’t only about what’s being made. A handful of local businesses have also come on board as affiliate members, giving you a few very good excuses to stretch your Makers Trail adventure into a full Central Coast day trip – or better yet, a weekend.
Angel Sussurri
Heading into the Yarramalong Valley? Angel Sussurri makes a lovely stop between makers. Set inside a character-filled manor house and cottage gardens in Yarramalong village, there’s a restaurant and cafe, boutique accommodation and plenty of cosy corners that encourage you to hang around longer than planned. Their nearby sister property, The Rustic Nest, offers another boutique stay for groups wanting to make a weekend of the hinterland.
Australian Reptile Park
A food trail with a side of funnel-webs? Very Central Coast. The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby is one of our region’s big-ticket attractions – you’re not a true Coastie until you’ve had an annual pass or two. Alongside kangaroos, koalas and reptiles, its world-renowned venom program collects snake and funnel-web spider venom used in the production of life-saving antivenom. The new Weigel Venom Centre even lets visitors get a closer look at the work happening behind the scenes.
Bells at Killcare
If your preferred Makers Trail transport involves a fluffy robe somewhere along the way, we get it. Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa sits beside Bouddi National Park and brings together luxe cottages and lodges, a day spa and acclaimed dining in one very lovely pocket of Killcare. Book yourself a night and suddenly doing the Makers Trail sounds suspiciously like a mini holiday.
Coasties is along for the ride too
We’re pretty chuffed to be an official sponsor of the Central Coast Makers Trail. Supporting local businesses has been baked into Coasties since day one, so getting behind a group that’s actively encouraging locals and visitors to get out, meet the people making things here and spend money with Central Coast businesses is a natural fit.
And we’ll be doing more than sticking our logo on it. You’ll find us out on the Trail too – tasting, touring and getting behind the scenes to share more of the stories behind the makers. Tough gig. Someone’s got to sample the cheese and whisky.
How to explore the Central Coast Makers Trail
The Makers Trail is self-guided, so there’s no set starting point or route. Pick a few makers close together for a half-day adventure or string several stops together across a weekend.
Some makers welcome walk-ins, while tours, tastings and workshops may need to be booked ahead. Check individual opening hours before heading off – nobody wants to drive across the Coast only to find the cheese locked away.
Good to know: The Trail stretches across the Central Coast, so grouping makers by location will save a fair bit of backtracking.
Well, what are you waiting for? Time to bundle those kidlets into the car and head off to explore the trail.
Learn more about the Central Coast Makers Trail at their online home here.
Discover the (makers) trail best taken
