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Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation
Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation

Mount Penang Gardens, Central Coast

Beautiful gardens and waterways showcasing native flora, walking paths and the intriguing Wondabyne Stone Sculptures.

Visitor guide & map

A garden with a modern twist

Mount Penang's distinctive 'garden within a garden' design sets it apart from the traditional botanical garden – providing an understated, imperfect landscape with 8 hectares of native plants and aquatic gardens that continue to evolve today.

Mount Penang Gardens, Central Coast
Gardens, waterways and picnic spaces
Wondabyne Stone Sculptures at Mount Penang Gardens
Wondabyne Stone Sculptures
Waterfall Cafe at Mount Penang
Waterfall Café

Gardens open daily* 9.30am-4.30pm 

*Closed only on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and for select events. 
For cafe times visit waterfallcafe.com.au. Dogs are not permitted within the gated Gardens area.

Twelve unique garden rooms

Designed by Anton James and opening in 2003, Mount Penang Gardens is considered an enduring and radical contribution to public garden design in Australia.

Individual gardens are set on and around a large sculptural plateau with abstract pergolas, fountains, ponds, cascades, a 35-metre cantilevered steel footbridge and summer aquatic gardens.
 


The modern landscape blended with over 70% Australian native flora produces amazing seasonal displays with something new to experience all year round. You can hug a bulbous Bottle Tree, wonder at the Dragon Garden’s strange cacti and succulents, be fascinated by the historic Wondabyne Stone Sculptures or admire the stunning water lilies and lotus flowers in the aquatic garden.
 

Mount Penang Gardens, Central Coast
 
Mount Penang Gardens, Central Coast
  • Bring your binoculars for bird-spotting 
    The Gardens are an ideal spot for both seasoned bird watchers and curious beginners. Its native flora, tranquil ponds and natural landscapes provide a healthy habitat for diverse mix of bird and wildlife species – and the large dams and cascading waterways are home to a variety of ducks and waterfowl. The Gardens' visitor map and on-site signage shows the variety of birds that you can expect to encounter during your visit.
     
  • Enjoy FREE BBQs and picnic areas
    Bring a blanket, play games, read a book and enjoy nature. There are open grassy spaces, 3 picnic tables and 2 BBQs on site. Bookings for these is not required, however availability is on a first-in first-served basis.
     
  • Travel easy with FREE entry and on-site parking
    The Gardens are conveniently located just 15-minutes drive from Gosford (5-minutes off the M1 Pacific Motorway), and a 1-hour drive from both Sydney and Newcastle.

    Google map
     


Wondabyne Stone Sculptures

A fascinating outdoor sculpture exhibition on permanent display in the Gardens and nearby Mount Penang Parklands.

The massive sandstone sculptures were carved when sculptors from around the world came together for 2 international Sculpture Symposiums. Each sculpture carved from beautiful locally sourced sandstone is a unique piece of art, influenced by the environment, and the cultural heritage of the artists.

Wondabyne Sculptures at Mount Penang Gardens
 
Wondabyne Sculptures at Mount Penang
  • Within the Gardens
    The first Symposium features 12 artworks sculpted waterside at Wondabyne. The artworks, created in 1986, formed Australia’s first ever International Sculpture Symposium, and were handed over to the people of Australia as a bicentential gift.
     
  • In the nearby Mount Penang Parklands
    A second Symposium showcases another 13 sculptures, carved on site in 1988.
     

Waterfall Café 

Situated at the walkway entrance to the Gardens and overlooking the magnificent water cascades, the Waterfall Café is a beautiful place for a bite to eat or a coffee with friends.

Waterfall Cafe at Mount Penang
 
Waterfall Cafe at Mount Penang

The café provides a family-friendly menu with light meals including gourmet sandwiches, salads, sweet treats and snacks – along with coffee and cool drinks for morning and afternoon tea. 

For café opening times and enquiries: 


Gardens visitor guide & map

 

Location & directions

Mount Penang Gardens
Parklands Road, Kariong NSW 2250

Mount Penang is located just 80km (approx. 1-hour) from both Newcastle and Sydney – and 3-minutes from the Gosford exit off the M1 Pacific Motorway.

Google map

Directions by car


From Sydney

  • Driving on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the 1st Gosford exit – this will bring you onto the Central Coast Highway 
  • Left at the 3rd set of traffic lights onto The Avenue 
  • Left onto Festival Drive
  • Then right onto Parklands Road


From Newcastle

  • Driving on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the 2nd Gosford exit (at the Kariong Interchange sign)
  • Turn left into Wiseman's Ferry Road
  • Left again onto the Central Coast Highway
  • Left at the 3rd set of traffic lights onto The Avenue
  • Left onto Festival Drive
  • Then right onto Parklands Road
     

By public transport

To view the bus timetable, go to the Busways website, or phone 02 4368 2277.

Take the train to Gosford Station

  • Outside Gosford 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 Gardens’ entry is about 8 minutes, with level footpaths and pedestrian crossings along the way
Opening hours

Mount Penang Gardens: 

Gardens open daily*
9.30am-4.30pm

*Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and for select events.

Waterfall Café:

For opening hours and enquiries visit waterfallcafe.com.au or phone 02 4340 1660

 

Free entry & parking
  • There is no charge for admission to the Gardens.
  • Free on-site parking (including accessible parking spaces) is available in front of the Gardens entryway.

There is no charge for admission to the Gardens, however fees and advance bookings are required for events and commercial hire.

Accessibility

Pathways 
The main pathways in the Gardens are paved and accessible, however there are some stairs that are not suitable for wheelchairs or visitors with mobility issues. Please refer to the Gardens visitor map for stair locations.

Accessible parking  
There are accessible parking spaces in the free carpark at the Gardens entrance.

Restroom facilities
An accessible restroom is located in the toilet block at the Gardens entry.

 

Events & tours

Event bookings

Spaces at Mount Penang Gardens may be hired for events such as weddings, baby christenings, market days, food and wine festivals, corporate and commercial bookings, and Christmas events. 

We can accommodate small events for non-exclusive Garden use (up to 100 people), through to major ticketed events (maximum 4000 people). Refer to the schedule of fees for pricing details.

Note: Simple picnics and small gatherings in the Gardens (for 20 people or less) do not require bookings.

Tours

Guided tours of the gardens are no longer available – however groups are more than welcome to come and visit the gardens at their own leisure.

Dogs at Mount Penang

In the Gardens

Dogs and other domestic animals are NOT permitted within the gated Mount Penang Gardens, with the exception of registered assistance animals. 

In the Parklands

Dogs are welcome in the general Parklands areas provided they are kept on-leash and under the control of their owner. 

Supervised dogs may run free in the temporary off-leash area at the northern end of Parklands Road. 

To ensure an enjoyable experience for all Parklands visitors, please ensure that you are responsible for the wellbeing and behaviour of your dogs at all times. 

Do: 

  • pick up after your dog
  • respect other park users 
  • ensure your dog obeys voice or sight commands
  • ensure your dog is at least 4 months old and vaccinated
  • ensure your dog is on a lead while entering and exiting the off-leash area
  • stay with your dog and always carry a lead. 

Don’t:

  • allow your dog to swim in or drink from the dam
  • allow excessive/nuisance barking or howling
  • disturb another person or animal
  • let your dog dig or cause damage
  • bring dogs that have been declared dangerous
  • bring female dogs in heat
Photography

We welcome enquiries for commercial and media photography and/or filming at Mount Penang Parklands.

Booking fee

A $90 booking fee applies to all specialty photography, commercial photography and commercial video shoots. 

The fee allows for two hours of commercial filming/photography access in the Mount Penang Gardens as well as the Mount Penang Parklands. To make a booking, email [email protected]

Media photos

Media representatives wishing to capture photos or video footage should contact the Marketing & Communications Manager and provide appropriate details to help facilitate the assignment. 

Contact

Mount Penang Gardens

For after-hours security, contact 1300 889 059.

Waterfall Cafe