Experience the wonder
With beautiful and peaceful surroundings, the opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a fun-filled day at Mt Penang Parklands are endless. Why not take the whole family to the parklands this weekend?
Things to do
One of the most scenic areas on the Central Coast, it has something for everyone.
Bring a picnic or take advantage of the free BBQ facilities.
Feed the ducks or play a game of soccer.
Go on a fully escorted Segway ride around the parklands. Segway Central Coast, located in the Parklands, is the only one offering Segway rides on the Central Coast.
Meet up with friends at the Waterfall Café, which offers a delightful menu and Devonshire tea.
Take a stroll or guided tour through the ever-changing Gardens. Admission is free for a limited time only.
Take part in the Mt Penang parkrun every Saturday at 8:00am.
Thrill seekers can brave an exhilarating Jet-Pack experience.
Walk your dog under a canopy of trees.
Book a Tour Today!
Walking Garden tour
Moment in Time historical bus tour
Sculpture tour and discover magnificent Wondabyne Stone Sculptures
The Garden tour takes approximately 1.5 – 2 hours with a number of rest stops along the way. The paths are suitable for flat easy walking, or for walking frames/wheel chairs. There is no motorised transport available within the gardens. Tour times can be shortened or lengthened to suit your timetable.
Similarly the Moment in Time tour takes approxiamely 1.5 hours by bus. The Blue Thumb volunteer tour guide jumps on the group’s bus at the Central Coast Tourism Information Centre off Festival Drive.
We allocate 1 guide per 10-15 visitors and bookings are essential. Groups must have a minimum of ten people to organise a guided tour with our Blue Thumb volunteers.
Call today at (02) 4340 1002 to book your tour.
Discover Mt Penang Gardens
Mt Penang Parklands is home to the Mt Penang Gardens which showcases over 1,000 native species of plants surrounded by an environment teeming with wildlife and waterfowl. Opened in 2003, the eight hectare, contemporary Australian native garden is truly a natural beauty on the Central Coast.
Mt Penang Gardens is made up of 12 themed gardens which feature a variety of permanent and changeable gardens modelled around a cascading water feature and outdoor amphitheatre, with all the water collected on site. The Gardens includes elements that acknowledge our indigenous culture, as well as striking inspirations from other countries.
Whether you are a gardening enthusiast, photographer, bird watcher, belong to a community group or plan to catch up with family and friends, there is so much to enjoy this season. Explore the grounds by taking a guided tour of the gardens with the Blue Thumb volunteers or just wandering around at your own leisurely pace.
Open daily: 9:30am – 4:30 pm (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
Free Admission
Last year, the Gardens celebrated 10 years and as a gift to the community, admission was made free. Today, entry into the gardens remains free, for a limited time only.
The Waterfall Café is located at the entry to Mt Penang Gardens. It is open daily from 9:30am-4:30pm and has the following features:
60 seater cafe overlooking the stunning Mt Penang Gardens
Waterfall Café
Fully licensed
Fabulous food using seasonal produce
Provision of packed picnic baskets. Bookings are essential, please call (02) 43401660.
Photography at Mt Penang Gardens & Event Park
We encourage people to come to Mt Penang Gardens & Event Park to photograph the stunning plants and flowers. Doing this for your own interest and pleasure? There is no charge.
For all commercial photography or special event photography, such as wedding or portraiture photography, we require a booking and fee. The fee of $90 allows for two hours of commercial filming/photography access in the Mt Penang Gardens & Event Park as well as the Mt Penang Parklands. Please contact the Corporation’s Marketing and Communications Manager by email info@ccrdc.nsw.gov.au to make these arrangements.
Cherishing our unique history
For 74 years Mt Penang Parklands was home to the Gosford Farm Home for Boys. Opened in 1912, it primarily housed teenage boys who were dependent, neglected, delinquent or serious offenders.
By 1914, the Department of Public Instruction considered the farm one of the best constructed and most up-to-date institutions dealing with juvenile offenders in the Southern Hemisphere.
Indeed, Mt Penang had became the largest institution for boys. It is here that the boys were able to gain considerable skills and experience in building, carpentry and agriculture. Between 90 and 100 boys worked on site on a daily basis. The boys constructed some twenty buildings with the assistance of local builders and carpenters. Indeed, the initial building phase between 1912 and 1922 relied on the physical labour of the inmates for the construction of the Centre’s major buildings, many of which are still in use today.
Since 2010, Mt Penang Parklands is being managed by the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation, a State Government entity tasked with ensuring that over one hundred years of Central Coast history is preserved and enjoyed by the community.
How To Get Here..
How To Get Here
Mt Penang Parklands is conveniently located 1 hour north of Sydney and two minutes from the Gosford exit off the M1.
By Car from Sydney
Take the first Gosford exit, this will bring you onto the Central Coast Highway. Turn left at the third set of traffic lights into The Avenue. Follow the site signs for the Gardens.
By Car from Newcastle
Take the second Gosford exit ( the Kariong Interchange sign) and turn left into Wiseman’s Ferry Road.Then turn left again onto the Central Coast Highway.Turn left at the second set of traffic lights onto The Avenue. Follow the site signs for the Gardens.
By Public Transport
Take the train to Gosford Station. Outside the station, take the “Somersby” bus. Ask the bus driver to let you out at the service station across from near The Avenue. The walk to the Gardens, is approximately 8 minutes, with seats, level footpaths and pedestrian crossings along the way.
Mt Penang Parklands
Phone:(02) 4340 1002 Fax(02) 4340 1115
Address:Parklands Rd, at Mt Penang Parklands, KARIONG 2250
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