Mt Penang Parklands
HCCDC owns and manages the Mt Penang Parklands precinct - a Central Coast destination for tourism, events, business and education.
Precincts within the Parklands include 23 hectares of gardens and event space, a 27 hectare heritage business park including 52 buildings, potential development lands and bushland. The wider Parklands area is also home to two justice facilities and a high school.
The vision for the Parklands
A vibrant mix of uses at Mt Penang attracts employment, recreation, education, business, specialty retail, accommodation, festivals and events.
The vision for the 152 hectare site features ecologically sustainable development that complements the existing heritage character and landscape setting.
The Mt Penang masterplan comprises distinct precincts for sports, bushland, heritage, Baxters Track and Philip House - and features the Festivals and Gardens Precinct, Kangoo Road Commercial Precinct and the Highway Commercial Precinct.
The gardens have been carefully designed to be full of character and thriving native flora, to be a place where the community can appreciate nature.
Along with waterways and summer aquatic gardens, over 70% of the plants are native to Australia, and it's distinctive design sets the site apart from the traditional botanical garden. Individual gardens are set on and around a large sculptural plateau and walled spaces, abstract pergolas, fountains, ponds, cascades and a 35 metre cantilevered steel footbridge.
The gardens are also home to the historical Wondabyne Sculptures that were carved from beautiful Gosford sandstone. The sculptures are a unique attaction - visited and enjoyed by thousands of people every year.
Events at Mt Penang
Mt Penang Event Park has been purpose designed to host events of varying sizes from intimiate gatherings, to large events for up to 25,000 people.
Surrounded by leafy trees, native plants and flowers - the site offers expansive lawns ideal for corporate and community events, including major outdoor festivals.
Spanning over 8 hectares of versatile space, amidst 156 hectares of grassed outdoor parklands with tree lined avenues, heritage buildings and extensive bushland - this multipurpose site is ideal for a huge range of functions.
Major events and festivals held at the site include Mountain Sounds Festival, Girrakool Blues Festival and BBQ, The Food and Wine Festival and Street Paws. Regular community events include Mt Penang Parkrun and Central Coast Cars and Coffee.
HCCDC is undertaking essential infrastructure upgrades at Mt Penang that will supply water and sewerage services to the area, provide designated road connections to the justice facilities and school, and allow for developments providing more jobs, improved tourism and cultural facilities.
The Parklands provides an exceptional opportunity for development as a specialist business park, leveraging off the light industrial uses in the vicinity, while celebrating and enhancing access to the unique heritage of the site. The lack of services in to the Parklands has historically prevented private sector investment, and the opportunity for the site to reach its full potential.
HCCDC is delivering upgrades essential to unlock lands which will enable two new developments, creating over 3000 ongoing jobs within the Parklands.
Infrastructure works are now underway in Mt Penang providing much-needed upgrades to the site’s business, education and tourism facilities.
The works include important upgrades to water, sewer, road and parking amenity and will take place in a staged approach continuing for the next three years.
Stage one has already started with sewer service works around the Central Coast Highway precinct. For more information about current work activities:
Economic growth
To drive economic growth in the region, HCCDC has identified two Mt Penang sites that are suitable for commercial redevelopment. The redevelopments are in line with the planning controls for the Parklands, and consistent with the broader regional planning for the Central Coast that identifies Kariong and Somersby for future economic and jobs growth.
These combined developments are anticipated to create over 3000 new jobs on the site, leverage the existing infrastructure, and support local industry to keep jobs in the region.
These jobs will also assist with attracting people to the Parklands for employment opportunities, enhancing access to the public spaces and providing opportunities to deliver a great place to work and play.
The Highway and Kangoo Road Commercial Precincts have been selected considering to the minimal impact that they'll make on the heritage significance of the Parklands.
The 5.7 hectare Highway Commercial Precinct is located immediately adjacent to the Central Coast Highway and is identified for commercial redevelopment. Permitted uses of the land include commercial/office space, large-format retail outlets, specialty retail, educational institutions and related ancillary uses.
Ecologically sustainable development at Mt Penang will activate the site and provide diverse opportunities for employment and business on the Central Coast.
By attracting niche and complementary business developments, the site also has the potential to support the redevelopment of Gosford’s CBD.
The Kangoo Road Commercial Precinct is bound by Kangoo Road in the east and the Events and Gardens Precinct in the west.
At the end of financial year 2017-18, the site was under contract for sale for its redevelopment as a commercial precinct, in accordance with the existing planning controls. A master plan for the precinct is also in development.
Mt Penang Fact Sheet - Download PDF
Mt Penang is located at Kariong, just 80km from both Newcastle and Sydney
- The parklands are 1 hour north of Sydney, and two minutes from the Gosford exit off the M1.
- Open Google Map >
Directions by car
- From Sydney
Driving on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the first Gosford exit - this will bring you onto the Central Coast Highway. Turn left at the third set of traffic lights, onto The Avenue.
- From Newcastle
Driving on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the second Gosford exit (at the Kariong Interchange sign), and turn left into Wiseman's Ferry Road. Then turn left again onto the Central Coast Highway. Turn left again at the second set of traffic lights onto The Avenue.
Getting there by public transport
- Take the train to Gosford Station
Outside the station, go to the bus exchange. Take bus 34 (Gosford - Kariong - Gosford). Ask the bus driver to drop you off near the Shell service station. The walk to the Mt Penang Gardens’ entry is about eight minutes, with level footpaths and pedestrian crossings along the way.
To view the bus timetable, visit the Busways website, or call (02) 4368 2277.
Free on site parking
- Convenient free parking is available on site in front of the Gardens entryway.
Infrastructure upgrade works have commenced at Mt Penang. For more information:
Mt Penang Gardens, Event Park and Parklands
- Location
Mt Penang Parklands, Kariong
(2 minutes from the M1 Gosford exit)
Open Google Map >
- Email
MtPenang@hccdc.nsw.gov.au
- Phone
(02) 4345 4450
- Office
Building 22, Carinya Street
Mt Penang Parklands
Kariong NSW 2250
- Postal address
PO Box 7120
Kariong NSW 2250