Central Coast Makers Trail

Indulge the senses, exploring the Central Coast ‘Makers Trail’

A culinary self-drive journey sampling local oysters, award-winning cheeses, botanical wines, chocolates, nougat and more.

The Central Coast Makers Trail is a newly-formed self-drive trail with a smorgasbord of culinary experiences – all just over an hour’s drive north of Sydney. From oysters, award-winning cheeses, locally-crafted botanical wines and chocolate, the journey takes in the boutique artisans and fine producers who call the Central Coast home.

Whether it’s a few hours or an entire weekend available to explore, the Central Coast Makers Trail showcases the skilled, family-owned artisan makers and their operation. Set your own pace to enjoy gourmet tastings, take part in workshops and a variety of epicurean experiences.

From Sydney, the Central Coast Makers Trail journey starts in Mooney Mooney at the Broken Bay Pearl Farm, traversing the region to Little Creek Cheese at Wyong. In between, discover The Chocolate Factory Gosford and Firescreek Botanical Wines. There is something for everyone, from family-friendly foraging to bespoke couple and group experiences.

This self-guided trail currently includes four signature Central Coast artisan experiences, though with the enormous diversity and breadth of food businesses and producers in the region – the Central Coast Makers Trail is continuing to evolve, with the introduction of new operators and experiences over the coming year.

Broken Bay Pearl Farm
Discover rare Akoya pearls, shells and jewellery at NSW’s only pearl farm. Learn how these gems are naturally cultivated and taste the local Akoya pearl oysters, while overlooking the picturesque Hawkesbury River.
These pearls have been nurtured by local farmers in Brisbane Waters and the Hawkesbury River for nearly two decades. Visit the ‘Shellar Door’ in Mooney Mooney to discover how pearls are sustainably farmed in the waters on the Central Coast. Book a tour, or browse the jewellery and pearls on display. While there, enjoy locally grown Sydney Rock or Pacific oysters while overlooking the Hawkesbury River and Spectacle Island.
Highlight experience: Book a private or group tour and learn about the history and secrets of pearl farming. Grade a pearl and take a scenic cruise to marvel at the delicate and rare Akoya pearl oysters growing in the local waterway.
About the Maker: NSW’s only pearl farm is led by James Brown, a third-generation pearl farmer, marine biologist and ‘Australian Farmer of the Year 2021’. In 1946, his grandfather started Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm in Broome, which was the first Australian-owned pearl farm.
Broken Bay Pearl Farm on the Central Coast was originally started by Rose and Ian Crisp in 2003 and James later became a partner to lead the business and ensure the farm remained an Australian-owned pearling operation.

Firescreek Botanical Wines
Award-winning wines made from fruit and floral botanicals. A sensory experience, foraging and tasting your way around this cellar door.
An award-winning boutique winery with over 45 medals under their belt for their botanical wine varietals, created and bottled on-site. The property’s permaculture and regenerative farming techniques, as well as their pretty location on 2-acres of pretty parkland grounds, ensures there is much for visitors to see, learn and taste during a visit.
Highlight experience: Engage your senses and go behind the scenes touching, smelling, foraging, mixing and making. Meet the winemaker and learn about life as an organic farmer. Sample bush tucker and learn from an Aboriginal Elder about local culture and traditions.
About the Maker: Female winemaker Nadia O’Connell selects fruit, flowers and native botanicals for their delicious wines that result from full-circle farming. Each variety is unique in taste, with a choice of award-winning dry and sweet seasonal wines that can be paired to every palette.

The Chocolate and Nougat Factory Gosford
A sweet retail space, factory and café. Home to the famous Nougat Limar, Bon Fine Chocolates and The Sydney Marshmallow Co.
Explore an immersive world of chocolate, nougat, marshmallows and more. Have a sneak peak of beloved treats coming to life through the porthole windows, or take part in a guided tour of the factory floor and learn how each of the products are made. This family-owned operator is also the largest nougat manufacturer in Australia with up to three tonnes produced daily.
Highlight experience: pre-book a factory tour or hands-on chocolate experience for the ultimate and sweetest day out. The kids will love the Junior Chocolatier Workshops. Children and adults will marvel at the huge range of sweet selections in the retail store – a Willy Wonka-style experience.
About the Maker: Founder, Andrew Yiasemides, was Bon Bon Fine Chocolate’s store manager in Double Bay in the late 1990s. Sister businesses Nougat Limar and The Sydney Marshmallow Company were already manufacturing in Gosford on the Central Coast, and in 2015, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate relocated to the Central Coast, bringing this delicious trio of brands together. ‘The Chocolate & Nougat Factory Gosford’ officially opened to the public in July 2018.

Little Creek Cheese Factory
Crafted in Wyong, you won’t find these gourmet cheeses in your supermarket. Boasting over 200 industry awards for their range of cheeses, this family-owned and operated cheese factory located at the Wyong Milk Factory is renowned for their gin cheddar, gold-medal haloumi and creamy goat fetta, to name just a few of their much-loved tastes.
Highlight experience: pre-book a cheese experience and meet the skilled makers, or visit the shop for a wide range of club cheddars and marinated fetta. Or indulge in the complete cheese experience and make your own ricotta and paneer to take home and impress the neighbours.
About the Maker: Russell and Sue Parsons, along with their son Alex, are the founders of Little Creek Cheese which originated in 2010. This small family business first began as a much-loved hobby, sharing their culinary craft with friends and family, before turning into professional culinary business.

The Central Coast Maker Trail project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Government under their disaster recovery funding arrangements.

For more information, including a map of the Central Coast Makers Trail: centralcoastmakerstrail.com.au