'Travelling with three kids is hard. This destination made it so much easier.'

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We were hurtling towards the end of the year in full chaos mode: weekend sport calendars that needed their own project manager, two full-time jobs, and three boys (eight, seven and three) running on a mix of Weet-Bix and vibes.

My husband and I didn't just want a break, we needed one. A proper reset that let us reconnect with each other and, just as importantly, with the kids.

Here's my very specific parenting truth: a holiday only counts if you don't have to take a day off work to start it. So we did the dream. School pickup on Friday, straight into the car, and less than an hour north of Sydney we rolled into Terrigal just in time for a 6pm dinner.

No airport meltdowns. No packing-induced arguments. Immediate exhale.

And I'm just going to say it: the Central Coast is elite family holiday territory. Underrated, unfussy and deeply accommodating of children who need to run, climb, swim and occasionally scream with joy. It has beaches, bush, wildlife, and that rare feeling of being properly away without actually going very far at all.

So if you're wondering how to pull off a genuinely relaxing, high-fun weekend on the Central Coast with three energetic boys (and keep your sanity mostly intact), here's exactly how we cracked it.

Where to stay on the Central Coast for kids.

The apartment delivered: we stayed in the Sails Terrigal Two Bedroom Penthouse.

If you're travelling with young kids, luxury isn't mood lighting or a welcome chocolate. It's space and a washing machine. This apartment had both.

There was room for hide-and-seek, room to spread out for a family movie night on genuinely comfortable couches, and a proper laundry to deal with the inevitable sand, sunscreen and end-of-day filth.

The HUGE verandah overlooking Terrigal. Image: Supplied

The location mattered too.

Everything was walkable — cafés, shops, restaurants, the beach — which immediately lowered the friction of the weekend. And while the place was beautiful, it wasn't so precious that we spent the whole time policing the kids. We could actually relax, which feels like the real win.

Location, location, location. Image: Supplied.

Best family-friendly restaurants on the Central Coast.

Eating out with three kids under eight is usually a timed operation. You order fast, eat faster, and leave before someone melts down or spills water with intent. But the Central Coast makes family dining… doable.

Occasionally, even enjoyable.

Friday dinner: Kincumber Hotel.

The selling point is simple: a big, securely fenced playground that you can actually see from your table. The boys played. My husband and I ate a full meal, had a conversation, and drank a glass of wine without jumping up every two minutes. That alone earns it five stars.

The kids' chicken schnitzels disappeared in under a minute. I ordered the prawn soba noodles and would happily go back just for those.

Dinner with a view (of your kids happily playing). Image: Supplied.

Saturday breakfast: Bellyfish, Terrigal.

This cafe had great food with a relaxed vibe. The boys enjoyed pancakes while I had the usual avo on toast. But the real tip is to think of the whole esplanade as your breakfast plan.

If Bellyfish doesn't take your fancy, there are plenty of solid options within walking distance — Luna and Island Time Espresso Bar are both worth a stop — which makes it easy to pivot if one place is busy or someone suddenly cannot wait.

Saturday late lunch: The Entrance Social Club.

This one felt more grown-up, and honestly, I could've stayed far longer if childcare logistics allowed. Its the type of place you go and settle in long into the afternoon and evening.

Cauliflower tacos and a Limoncello Spritz were my choice, while my husband went for steak with all the trimmings. The kids were happy with the kids' meal which came with ice cream, but this is where we made a tactical parenting call and brought out the tablets, so we could stay for an extra round.

No regrets.

Yum. Image: Supplied.

Saturday dinner: Hawkesbury Brewing Co.

Relaxed, unfussy, and very family-friendly. So family friendly that there is a huge screen playing sport, ride-ons and a basketball court. There is a decent kids' menu, plenty of space, Hawkesbury's large range of beer on tap and a burger you should absolutely order.

It can't get more kid-friendly than this… Image: Supplied.

Sunday morning.

Takeaway coffee from Legend Coffee in Terrigal, cereal and fruit on the verandah of the apartment overlooking the beach.

Quiet, slow, and calm — the kind of moment that makes you briefly forget the drive home is coming.

Top Kid-Friendly Activities in Central Coast.

Along with the incredible beaches which are everywhere on the Central Coast, these places are must visits.

1. Water Adventure at Aquafun Avoca Lake.

This was the calmest parenting moment of the entire weekend, which is not something I say lightly. The boys rotated between kayaking, paddle boats and SUPs, and at one point my three-year-old took control of the paddles and very confidently ferried me across the lake.

We circled the island, spotted wallabies, and watched fish jump around us. It felt quiet, unhurried and properly away from everything — the kind of experience where everyone is doing the same thing at the same pace.

Cost: We did 90 minutes which costs $120 for a family (2 adults, 2 children)

Address: 15 Ficus Ave, Avoca Beach.

Kayaking, paddle boats and SUPing on the lake. Image: Supplied.

2. Australian Reptile Park.

This place wildly exceeded expectations. The Australian Reptile Park was far better than we anticipated, especially for kids. The boys got to hold snakes (a genuine highlight for our eight-year-old), tackled a scavenger hunt, and were close enough to crocodiles and spiders to stay completely engaged.

They even got to feed and pat some kangaroos. It's a very Australian experience, but one that's well run, hands-on and genuinely fun for adults too.

Cost: $55.99 for adults and $35.99 for kids. You get a 10% discount if you book online and kids under 3 are free.

Address: Pacific Highway, Somersby NSW

A dream come true. Image: Supplied.

One very happy visitor. Image: Supplied.

3. Tree Tops Adventure.

This was the high-energy, everyone-fully-present part of the weekend. Treetops Adventure is an outdoor aerial park set through the trees, with suspended trampolines, rope bridges, climbing obstacles and ziplines designed for different ages and confidence levels.

The Networld is essentially a giant trampoline system strung through the trees, where kids can bounce, run and hurl soft balls at each other until they're happily exhausted.

It's chaotic, loud and exactly what they want.

Networld. Image: Supplied

The real surprise, though, was the ropes course. Kids as young as three can take part, and watching my youngest slow right down, concentrate, and work out how to use a pulley to get himself across a zipline was genuinely impressive. No rushing, no background noise, just focus.

For me, it was unexpectedly absorbing too. You're focused on the next rope, the next step, the next clip, not your phone or the outside world. And having to work through it alongside the kids, rather than supervising from the ground, made it feel properly shared.

The ropes course. Image: Supplied.

Commit to a few hours here. Do both Networld and the ropes course — they're different enough that skipping one feels like a miss. Pack more snacks than you think you'll need. There is a kiosk, but options are limited, and hungry kids will end your visit faster than any weather change.

One practical thing: younger kids need an adult actively supervising on the course, so if you want a turn yourself, it's worth going with another adult or two. This is one of those places where a little planning makes the difference between "that was fun" and "we should have stayed longer."

Cost: From $36

Address: 1 Red Hill Rd, Wyong Creek NSW

We didn't come back feeling like new people (I mean that's just not realistic with three kids), but we did come back feeling more connected, more present, and genuinely rested in the ways that matter.

Sometimes, a great family getaway isn't about doing less. It's about doing the right things, in the right place, without making it harder than it needs to be.

Eliza and her family travelled to the Central Coast as a guest of Destination Central Coast. All opinions in this article are her own.

Feature image: Supplied.