Central Coast’s foodie wonderland in the hinterlands is set to celebrate its award-winning produce and spectacular scenery at the annual Harvest Festival on June 8 and 9.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a world of entertainment and fun, with fantastic live music, farm experiences and delicious fresh produce at more than 30 event hubs.
The Harvest Festival offers a rare chance to take a glimpse behind the farm gate as you explore nine rural farming communities and their picturesque heritage villages – including Dooralong, Jilliby, Yarramalong, Wyong Creek, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge, Somersby and Spencer.
Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said the popular long weekend event attracted thousands of locals and tourists each year.
“The two-day Harvest Festival program offers something for every taste and interest, from paddock to plate dining experiences, to pick-your-own fresh food fun, plant nursery experiences, food and beverage experiences, hands-on workshops, farm tours, live music and entertainment, and much more,” she said.
A number of event hubs provide the opportunity to pre-book experiences in advance, with early bookings recommended.
Council is also reminding community members and visitors to drive carefully when heading to Harvest Festival event destinations and to expect some delays with increased traffic and speed reductions in place.
Administrator Rik Hart said the Harvest Festival was a major contributor to the visitor economy and destination brand, providing visitors with a greater understanding of the region from hinterland to headland.
“Over 57,000 locals and visitors attended the 2023 event, injecting more than $8M into the local economy while building local pride and celebrating the diversity and sustainability of the Coast,” he said.
Hart said the Coast’s reputation as a gourmet foodie destination was growing.
The Coast was recognised at the 2022 delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards, being named Outstanding Region.
The award recognised the region’s “new, innovative, native and consistently outstanding Australian ingredients grown, caught, sourced, or produced with dedication, passion, knowledge and regard for the environment”.
“I encourage residents and visitors to support our region’s rural communities by exploring the hinterland and its offerings over the Harvest Festival weekend,” Hart said.
“These communities have helped to establish the Central Coast as an outstanding culinary destination.”
For the full program information and link to traffic conditions visit lovecentralcoast.com/harvestfestival