Iconic Australian photographer Ken Duncan has called the Central Coast home for three decades and his purpose-built gallery has been a mainstay since 1990. Wander through the changing exhibition of breathtaking landscape images and enjoy a bite to eat afterwards at Kew Dining, the tranquil café next door.

KAB Gallery has specialised in collectable and investment art for a decade in its beachfront position at Terrigal. Here you can purchase exclusive Australian art, and seek art styling, valuation and restoration services. Tucked away in Hudson Lane, Bobbie P Gallery is the creative hub and working studio of local landscape artist Robyn Pedley. View her original artworks or book in for a group workshop or one-on-one studio session.

Gosford Regional Art Gallery is renowned for its first-class exhibitions such as the Archibald Prize, as well as the annual Gosford Art Prize and Emerging Art Prize. Showcasing a variety of styles, from visual art to photography, sculpture and design, the gallery hosts touring exhibitions, as well as celebrating accomplished local artists in The Foyer Gallery. Afterwards, wander through the on-site Edogawa Commemorative Gardens, laid out in traditional ‘shuyu’ Japanese style.

Visit the vibrant ‘Welcome to Long Jetty’ mural and get a photo infront of the extremely Insta-worthy, collectively created by artists Dan Coy, Brent Smith and Nathan Pickering.

In Toukley Village Green discover the iconic art container housing local artists as they take up residency thoughout the year as part of the Central Coast's Creative Spaces program. Discover artist exhibitions, workshops and activations that bring the community together.

Start your art-filled journey with a visit to the Coast’s oldest art gallery, within Brisbane Water National Park. Bulgandry Art Site is rich in ancient Aboriginal art with a range of well-preserved rock engravings thought to be at least 200 years old. Join a tour with Darkinjung Cultural Tours to learn more about these artworks and local indigenous heritage.

The Public Art Gallery showcases a monthly-changing collection of pottery by teachers and students of Centered Ceramics, a creative hub that hosts pottery workshops and courses. Come to browse the handmade pieces or sign up yourself to learn how to hand-build ceramics or throw pots on a wheel.  

Next head to Bay Gallery in Ettalong, that displays a revolving exhibitions of fine art oil paintings, digital works, abstracts and more. If you’re browsing Galleria Ettalong Beach, an undercover market of boutique stores, you’ll find James Art Studio (impressionist paintings), The Other Artist (paintings and pottery) and Salty Art by Mia (original watercolour prints).

Hop over to Killcare to visit Bouddi Gallery a social enterprise where you’ll find authentic arts and crafts produced by indigenous artists from remote Aboriginal Art Centres across the country. The gallery works to ensure that indigenous artists directly benefit from all sales, so it’s a win-win.

Pull over when you see the giant high-heel sculpture on Avoca Drive for a browse through Green View Gallery. This gallery specialises in fine art by local artists, and the adjoining café is a serene spot to ponder your purchases afterward with a cuppa.

The Petal Sisters is a florist tucked away in a cute-as-a-button store in Kincumber, with stunning blooms, as well as gifts for the special people in your life. 

Wander into the seaside village of Killcare and discover Moochinside. This small boutique shop stocks a consciously curated collection of premium accessories and homewares to bring your house to life.

In Ettalong, pass the vibrant pink shopfront of Run to the Sun store and browse the quality range of wares inside. Wander along and discover a wide range of coastal-style fashion, homewares and trinkets at Goddess by the Sea. A little further along the main road stop by Galleria Ettalong, a large undercover market where you’ll find more than 40 stores to peruse.

Home-grown brand Bohemian Traders blends classic, fashion-forward pieces with bohemian styling; its store at Erina Heights is a chic cavern of beautiful clothing and accessories. A couple of shops along, it’s easy to lose time in Haven at Home perusing its eclectic and quality items such as homewares and furniture, jewellery, candles, fragrance and more.

Whether window shopping or need to refresh your wardrobe, there are boutiques aplenty in Terrigal. From trend-focused fashion at Ellery and Moss to relaxed chic clothing at Antigua Collective and enduring pieces for modern women at homegrown label Aryele. If you’re after quality clothing and toys for the little people in your life, head to Zarlak Kids and Precious Little. Make health and wellness a priority at Love & Tonic, which stocks foods, supplements, books and has nutritionists and naturopaths on hand to help.

A stone’s throw from Avoca Beach, Weekends Store is stocked with relaxed women’s fashion and coastal-style homewares. Just across the road, discover The Mousehole, a kitschy pottery shop filled with unique handmade collectibles and homewares to fill your home. 

East Gosford has a handful of specialty stores selling everything from luxe homewares, jewellery, baby products and fashion including Magnolia Home & Gift, Fig and Little and Piccolo Pear, the latter which doubles as a florist and a merchant of vintage and fine wares.