Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Gosford

Gosford

Gosford, the premier centre on the NSW Central Coast, lies just off the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway almost half way between Sydney and Newcastle and is well known for its magnificent waterways, rugged hills and valleys. Settlers first entered the region in the early 1830's with cedar cutting, ship building and citrus groves being the early industries. Growth remained slow initially due to access difficulties however once the railway to Newcastle was constructed, the area suddenly became a popular holiday destination. Tourism steadily increased during and after the war years in the region as interests in agriculture slowly dissipated. The construction of the freeway north from Sydney (late 1960's) and improvements in the rail services from the 1970's further encouraged tourism and growth such that Gosford was proclaimed a city by 1980. The city is now the main commercial and administrative centre for the Central Coast. Of interest in the area include The Australian Reptile Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, sheltered waterways of Brisbane Water & Broken Bay (popular for fishing and boating activities), nearby beach resorts of Terrigal & The Entrance, The Brisbane Water National Park and the spectacular lookouts from Mt Penang & Rumbalara Reserve. A recommended destination.

Population: 32,000
State: New South Wales
Name Origin: Named after Archibald Acheson, the 2nd Earl of Gosford
Pronunciation: Gos-ford
Postcode: 2250
Local Government: Gosford City Council
Location: 78km north of Sydney
Main Roads: Sydney-Newcastle Freeway , Pacific Highway (Central Coast Highway)
Main Watercourses: Brisbane Water
Radio Stations (Music): KO-FM (102.9), New FM (105.3), NX-FM (106.9), Triple J (102.1), Sea FM (101.3), 2GO-FM (107.7), Star FM (104.5), WS-FM (101.7), 2Day FM (104.1), Triple M (104.9), Mix 106 (106.5), Nova FM (96.9)

Photos from Gosford (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

View north-east over West Gosford from the Mt Penang Lookout, Gosford (2005).

View east over Gosford and the Brisbane Water from the Mt Penang Lookout (2005).

Donnison Street, looking east from Dane Drive with Rumbalara Reserve in the distance, Gosford (2005).

Mann Street, looking south as it approaches Erina St, Gosford (2005).

Mann Street again, this time looking south from Dwyer Street, Gosford (2005).

Henry Parry Drive, looking south approaching the Cary St roundabout, Gosford (2005).

Henry Parry Drive, again looking south, this time approaching Erina St, Gosford (2005).

Henry Parry Drive, looking south-east from Carroll Avenue, East Gosford (2005).

Victoria Street (The Entrance Road), looking north-west from George St, East Gosford (2005).

Masons Parade, looking south from York St, Gosford (2005).

View south across Brisbane Water from Point Frederick, Gosford (2005).

View north from Point Frederick towards Gosford CBD (2005).

	View north-east over West Gosford from the Mt Penang Lookout, Gosford (2005).
	View east over Gosford and the Brisbane Water from the Mt Penang Lookout (2005).
	Donnison Street, looking east from Dane Drive with Rumbalara Reserve in the distance, Gosford (2005).
	Mann Street, looking south as it approaches Erina St, Gosford (2005).
	Mann Street again, this time looking south from Dwyer Street, Gosford (2005).
	Henry Parry Drive, looking south approaching the Cary St roundabout, Gosford (2005).
	Henry Parry Drive, again looking south, this time approaching Erina St, Gosford (2005).
	Henry Parry Drive, looking south-east from Carroll Avenue, East Gosford (2005).
	Victoria Street (The Entrance Road), looking north-west from George St, East Gosford (2005).
	Masons Parade, looking south from York St, Gosford (2005).
	View south across Brisbane Water from Point Frederick, Gosford (2005).
	View north from Point Frederick towards Gosford CBD (2005).