If there’s one thing we’ll never get sick of, it’s looking back at the images that stopped you mid-scroll in 2025. Who doesn’t love a good “best of” moment!? From dramatic weather events to long-awaited openings, these are our top 9 most liked photos of the Central Coast in 2025, as decided by our Coasties community across Instagram and Facebook.
And of course, we want to give a massive shout-out to the talented humans who make our feeds look so good. We always credit the images that we share, so if you see something that sparks joy – make sure to give them a follow and show them some love.
And so, here are our most liked photos of the Central Coast in 2025, capturing the beauty, drama and buzz that makes our region so special.
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Most Popular Central Coast Photos 2025
1. Mooney Mooney Bridge
The sunset shot from @rayschani stopped a lot of people in their tracks, racking up nearly 1,700 reactions across Instagram and Facebook.
For Coasties, the Mooney Mooney Bridge isn’t just a crossing. It’s a feeling. It’s a symbol of arrival, homecomings and weekend escapes – and yes, a cause for debate on Facebook over lanes & speed limits, but we’re not bringing that negative energy here!
A familiar view for daily commuters and weekenders alike, this image perfectly captures that collective exhale we all feel when we arrive home… followed by the thrill of spotting Ploddy when you round the corner.
2. The Archibald Precinct, Gosford
After what felt like years of anticipation, the announcement that hotel & restaurant bookings were opening at The Archibald Precinct sent excitement levels through the roof. Seriously – our posts on Facebook & Instagram received over 266k views, with likes, shares & comments absolutely going off. And this feature photo of Astra (the rooftop bar of our dreams) by Megann Evans definitely helped the post to go viral!
Rising above Gosford, The Archibald Precinct represents a major step in our region’s ongoing transformation, bringing luxury accommodation, multiple dining experiences, rooftop views and wellness spaces all under one roof.
The highly anticipated opening was a milestone not just for Gosford, but for the Central Coast as a whole – and clearly one we were all very excited about!
Related: Inside voco Gosford: the Central Coast’s bold new hotel and dining destination
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3. Terrigal Pavilion
Back in 2023, the Terrigal Pavilion featured in 2 of our Top 9 spots – and it didn’t even exist yet! So it’s no surprise that Kitti Gould’s photos of The Pav were popular with our readers, accompanying Tash’s write-up from their preview event. This was one of those worth-the-wait moments for the Coast. The sweeping ocean views were always going to draw the crowds, but good news – the food & drinks are as good as (if not better than) we were hoping for. So make sure you book ahead!
Terrigal has always been a cornerstone of Coastie life, and The Pav feels like a natural extension of that energy.
Related: Step inside the preview event for the much-awaited Terrigal Pavilion
4. Gosford
Gossy entered her glow-up era in 2025, and this aerial shot from Caleb Grul at @cgdrones_aus in August helps to tell her story.
It’s a perspective that highlights just how far Gosford has come, while still holding onto its natural surrounds. Sure, change brings opinions, but it also brings plenty of opportunity, and we’re 100% here for that. Bring on more #gossygoodtimes we say!
You might like: Best Cafes in Gosford, East Gosford & West Gosford (tried & tested)
5. Umina Ocean Baths Ruins, Umina Point
This gorgeous drone shot from @jacquelinegreen.photography felt like you were being let in on a bit of a secret. The remains of the old ocean baths at Umina Point are easy to miss if you don’t know where to look… or if you’re concentrating on that hairpin turn (which we hope you are!)
Coasties readers commented that it used to be a popular swimming spot, tucked beneath the headland, but the baths now offer a lesser-known glimpse into the area’s past.
We love the stories photos can tell. Sometimes the most interesting Central Coast spots are the ones you have to look twice to notice.
6. Mount Ettalong Lookout
One of the best Central Coast photos of 2025 has to be this cracker of a shot by @maxwelltooby, taken right around the corner from the photo above. This wild lightning show turned the normally-sleepy Pearl Beach into something out of a movie. A reminder that coastal beauty isn’t limited to blue skies and clear water.
2025 was a year of wild weather for the Central Coast. Storm cells brought heavy rain, strong winds and lightning shows turned night into day, and heightened solar activity delivered some unreal aurora australis moments. Our skies were putting on shows again and again, and we’re beyond grateful to the photographers who braved the elements to capture it all for us!
7. Billi The Salon, East Gosford
Our most-loved photos seem to fit into two categories so far: landscapes or new openings. And Billi The Salon was another new opening that had the Coast talking in 2025!
The fit-out is warm and welcoming – just like owner Elly Hanson – and it’s been captured perfectly by Tyson Peisley at Black Mammoth Photography. The love on this post made our hearts swell, with so many Coasties congratulating Elly on her dreamy new space, reminding us why we bloody love this community.
The Coast isn’t just about places. It’s about people backing people.
Read more: Meet Billi the Salon – East Gosford’s Home of Texture, Colour & Personality
8. Norah Head
One of the most photographed spots on the Central Coast, Norah Head knows how to deliver the drama – and this image by Jim Picot had it all. Lightning cracking across the sky, a rainbow forming in the distance and Bird Island perfectly lit beneath it all, this photo delivered coastal drama in every direction. The longer you look, the more you see.
But when it’s NOT storming, make sure you’ve got Norah Head on your to-do list. The lighthouse is an icon, and the Norah Head Rockpool is perfection for all ages. It’s arguably one of our favourite beaches on the Central Coast.
9. Whale Watching on the NSW Central Coast
Whale season on the Central Coast never disappoints – in fact, we reckon it gets better every year. And in 2025, our feeds were stacked with whale pics! But this snap from @salt.sway had everyone scanning the horizon, hoping for a glimpse!
Each year, humpback whales migrate past our shores along what’s affectionately known as the Humpback Highway. From Norah Head to Crackneck Lookout and countless vantage points in between, the Central Coast offers some of the best whale watching in the country.
Related: Whale Watching on the Central Coast: The Best Places to Spot Them
Central Coast Highlight Reel
We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at the most liked photos of the Central Coast in 2025 – a mix of iconic landmarks, everyday moments and big changes shaping our region. A little scroll through the highlight reel of the year that was, showing off just how good the Central Coast looks through the lens.
Here’s to another year of stunning views, local legends and plenty more moments worth double-tapping.
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Congratulation!