Spring is in the air and the school holidays are just around the corner - a perfect opportunity to holiday in or explore the Central Coast.

The Coast has a lot to offer to keep your family entertained these holidays, from the beach to the lakes, to the valleys and the bush - there’s something for everyone. As the weather warms up, it’s a great chance to head on down to one of our 15 patrolled beaches from the Lakes in the north to Umina in the south.

Beach conditions are assessed daily to determine the safest part of the beach to swim and where to set up the red and yellow flags.

If the beach isn’t your thing, we have been working hard to improve the Lake’s boat ramps and swimming areas with foreshore improvements, maintenance of netted swimming areas and buoy markers, as well as the general amenity of foreshore parks - but remember these areas are not patrolled by Lifeguards.

There is more to the lakes than swimming and fishing. With more than 700 kilometres of shared pathways around the Coast (most of them along the water’s edge), this opens up a number of options to walk, ride explore the lake foreshores with family and friends.

Check out the first section of Magenta Shared Pathway - 1.5 kilometres of shared pathway that runs along the edge of the Red Gum Forest - or the new pathways winding around the Peninsula.
Along all our pathways there are a number of play spaces to stop play or rest and enjoy the views.

We maintain more than 250 play spaces across the Central Coast catering for all ages and abilities – so there is bound to be one close to you.

There are also 24 skate places on the Coast, including the new regional skate place at Bateau Bay called Bato Yard, which has shading, seating, a basketball court, parkour elements and much more.

There’s so much to do and see on the Coast these holidays, and don’t forget to use #thisisthelife and share your favourite places.

October long weekend
This year, the October long weekend falls in the middle of the school holidays.

If you’re planning on going away, remember these simple travelling tips to ensure you arrive safely at your destination:

• Stick to the designated speed limit - speeding remains the greatest cause of fatalities and injuries on our roads.
• Recognise the tired signs. If you’re travelling long distance, make sure you share the driving and stop to revive every two hours.
• Don’t touch your mobile phone while driving - it is a major distraction putting you and others at risk.
• Make sure you tell someone when and where you are travelling to.

Double demerit points will be in force over the October long weekend from Friday 30 September to Monday 3 October inclusive.

Do you have a Plan B?
If you plan on drinking this long weekend, make sure you have a Plan B to get home safely.  Alcohol and other drugs slow your reflexes, reduce coordination and increase risk taking behaviour, making a crash more likely. If you are planning a big night, here are some simple tips to help you get home safely:

• Leave your vehicle at home;
• Use public transport, taxi or a courtesy bus;
• Organise a designated driver; or
• Stay at a friend’s house.

Find out more about organising a Plan B - including a timetable of public transport and contact number for courtesy buses for licensed venues - by visiting wyong.nsw.gov.au/planb