How to get there: Take the F3 freeway to Ourimbah and follow the signs to Terrigal via either Gosford or Matcham. If you exit at Tuggerah you can enter through Tumbi Umbi. For a more scenic trip, head south along the Pacific Highway and through The Entrance.
What to take: Beach umbrella, thongs and wallet.
Who should go: Great place for families and retirees during the day. Comes alive at night for younger generations.
What to see: The Skillion, the beach, the rockpool, the Crowne Plaza and Terrigal lagoon
What to do: Take a paddle boat out on the lagoon, eat lunch at a restaurant, check out upmarket shops, dance the night away at a club, play tennis or barefoot bowls, go scuba diving, fishing, boating, fit in a game of golf or settle back and have a drink at the Terrigal Hotel.
Where to eat: Fish and chips from The Snapper Spot.
Best kept secret: Cheap beers at Terrigal Bowling Club.
EXCITEMENT is building in the seaside town of Terrigal on the Central Coast.
The biggest event in the town's history is scheduled to take place in April.
The NSW Government is planning to scuttle the HMAS Adelaide off the coast between Terrigal and Avoca, creating one of the biggest dive sites south of the Great Barrier Reef.
The event is sure to attract national interest in the tourist centre and help renew its central business district.
So the time is right to check out Terrigal before the rest of the country rediscovers its charms.
Terrigal has recently emerged from projects that have rejuvenated the beachside strip.
The council has extended footpath dining, refurbished The Esplanade and rebuilt the ageing surf club, complete with a downstairs cafe.
The Terrigal Hotel has had a facelift and now includes an upstairs bistro with views.
There's a new rugby club at The Haven and new facilities at The Skillion.
Food-lovers have a huge range from which to choose, including award-winning Thai, French, Italian and seafood restaurants.
In particular, Reef Restaurant and Grill at The Haven offers the best in upmarket dining and priceless views.
There's an abundance of cafes at which to enjoy a quality coffee and no less than three ice-cream shops.
For those who cannot sit still, Terrigal offers a multitude of recreational activities.
Watersports include canoeing on Terrigal lagoon, fishing charters at The Haven, a rockpool for children, boating, scuba diving, swimming, surfing and surf schools.
Nearby country and bowling clubs also offer tennis, bowls and golf and there's a sports oval, plus picnic spots at The Haven.
The nightlife includes clubs at the Terrigal Hotel, the Crowne Plaza and Sirens nightclub.
For a more casual drink there's a refurbished beer garden underneath the Crowne Plaza with views over the beach, the Terrigal Bowling Club and a new beer garden at the Terrigal Hotel.
Shoppers can browse some of the upmarket shops in Church Street and The Esplanade and there's no shortage of long- and short-term, upmarket and budget accommodation in the suburb.
A recently built parking station means parking is sufficient but buses also drop travellers outside the surf club.
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