Four new artisan producers to join the ‘Central Coast Makers Trail’ – a self-drive food, drink, agritourism and aquaculture journey – just over an hour north of Sydney.
Expansion of this Trail and associated initiatives to continue
The Central Coast Makers Trail continues to grow its rich and diverse food, drink, agritourism and aquaculture offering with the announcement of four new local producers to join the self-drive journey. The new experiences include two award-winning breweries, a world-renowned herb and spices brand, and a water-based oyster tasting tour – all local to the Central Coast, the NSW region just over an hour from Sydney to its south and Newcastle to its north.
The introduction of the four additional local businesses complements the Trail’s existing offering, including award-winning cheeses, botanical wines, chocolate and nougat, crafted by boutique artisans and fine producers who call the Central Coast home.
From Sydney, the Central Coast Makers Trail journey starts in Mooney Mooney and traverses the region to Wyong Creek. There is something for everyone, from family-friendly foraging to bespoke couple and group experiences.
Meet the Makers:
- Sydney Oyster Farm Tours (new trail experience)
Family-owned oyster farm on the Hawkesbury River with a variety of in-water tours for a memorable aquaculture experience.
A family-run oyster farm that has been supplying oysters to the Sydney and regional NSW market for over 15 years. Go behind the scenes and taste farm-fresh oysters, from farm to plate. Oyster farming is considered one of the most sustainable types of farming compared to other forms of aquaculture as they have a very minimal burden on the environment. Oysters draw their nutrients directly from the environment and require no additional feeding therefore it is extremely clean and less impactful on the surrounding ecosystem.
Highlight experience: Book the ‘Immerse Yourself’ in-water experience to sample succulent oysters while standing waist-deep in water from an exclusive sandbank on the Hawkesbury River.
- Six Strings Brewing Company (new trail experience)
Multi award-winning brews. Most recently, winners of the highly contested ‘Champion Pale Ale’ category at the Independent Beer Awards in October 2022 with its Tropical Pale Ale (TPA).
Launched in late 2012 by Chris Benson, an avid home brewer and school mate Adam Klasterka, Six String Brewing Co has built a strong following producing full-flavoured – or “Amplified Ales” – and are continually brewing up something new, different and often out-of-the-box beer concepts. With an ever-changing range of beers, cider and soft drinks all brewed and packaged onsite, the brewers are kept busy with a triple brew filling the 4,800L fermenters most days.
Highlight experience: Book the Brewery Tour & Tasting, running every Saturday morning at 11am, for a behind the scenes experience. Tours include a beer paddle tasting to look at the characteristics of beers and how to differentiate between different beer styles.
- Herbie’s Spices (new trail experience)
Renowned for their premium, restaurant-quality range of herbs and spices.
Herbie (Ian Hemphill) spent his childhood surrounded by herbs and spices, when his parents, John and Rosemary Hemphill, were pioneering the herb and spice scene in the 1950s. Fifty years of working in the industry, including face-to-face lectures to groups from the general public, industrial brokering, manufacturing and marketing, has made Herbie a well-respected and popular figure amongst his peers. Herbie’s Spices are incorporated by many renowned kitchen teams in both Australia and overseas, as a go-to for world-class chefs.
Highlight experience: Visit Herbie’s Spicery in Charmhaven for factory-door sales. Tester jars are on display, with friendly staff available to help by answering visitor’s spice questions.
- Block ‘N Tackle Brewery (new trail experience)
Sample craft beers at this family and pet-friendly brewery and taproom.
Established in 2015, the brewery started as an Avoca Beach garage brewery, now an established brewery and taproom in Kincumber in a quiet industrial estate. With extra taps recently added to take the tally to 12 taps, and the rolling out of many ‘pilot batch’ brews, the beverage line-up is ever-changing to offer a new experience at the brewery every time. They also offer an English hand pump serving a vast variety of beer styles rotating all year round.
Highlight experience: Don’t miss their Brewery Tours, run on Saturdays hosted by the head brewer/scientist. Tours include a 4-beer paddle of their core range beers.
Discover rare Akoya pearls, shells and jewellery at NSW’s only pearl farm. Learn how these gems are naturally cultivated and taste the local Akoya pearl oysters, while overlooking the picturesque Hawkesbury River.
The rare and precious Akoya pearl has been nurtured by local farmers in Brisbane Waters and the Hawkesbury River for nearly two decades. Visit the ‘Shellar Door’ in Mooney Mooney to discover how pearls are sustainably farmed in the waters on the Central Coast. Book a tour, or simply pop in to browse the jewellery and pearls on display. While there, enjoy a platter of locally grown Sydney Rock or Pacific oysters while overlooking the Hawkesbury River and Spectacle Island.
Highlight experience: Book a private or group tour and learn about the history and secrets of pearl farming. Grade a pearl and take a scenic cruise to marvel at the delicate and rare Akoya pearl oysters growing in the local waterway. Make your day extra special and upgrade to a seaplane experience.
Award-winning wines made from fruit and floral botanicals. A sensory experience, foraging and tasting your way around this cellar door.
An award-winning boutique winery with over 45 medals under their belt for their botanical wine varietals, created and bottled on-site. The property’s permaculture and regenerative farming techniques, as well as their pretty location on 2-acres of pretty parkland grounds, ensures there is much for visitors to see, learn and taste during a visit.
Highlight experience: Engage your senses and go behind the scenes touching, smelling, foraging, mixing and making. Meet the winemaker and learn about life as an organic farmer. Sample bush tucker and learn from an Aboriginal Elder about local culture and traditions. Family-friendly tours, group workshops and romantic wine pairing experiences available.
A sweet retail space, factory and café. Home to the famous Nougat Limar, Bon Fine Chocolates and The Sydney Marshmallow Co.
Explore an immersive world of chocolate, nougat, marshmallows and more. Have a sneak peak of beloved treats coming to life through the porthole windows, or take part in a guided tour of the factory floor and learn how each of the products are made.This family-owned operator is also the largest nougat manufacturer in Australia with up to three tonnes produced daily.
Highlight experience: pre-book a factory tour or hands-on chocolate experience for the ultimate and sweetest day out. The kids will love the Junior Chocolatier Workshops. Children and adults will marvel at the huge range of sweet selections in the retail store behind the big wooden doors – a captivating Willy Wonka-style experience.
Salivate over gin cheddar, gold-medal haloumi and creamy goat fetta to name just a few. Crafted in Wyong, you won’t find these gourmet cheeses in your supermarket.
Meet the artisan cheesemakers that boast over 200 industry awards for their range of cheeses. This family-owned and operated cheese factory located at the Wyong Milk Factory is renowned for their gin cheddar, gold-medal haloumi and creamy goat fetta, to name just a few of their much-loved tastes.
Highlight experience: pre-book a cheese experience and meet the skilled makers, or visit the shop for a wide range of club cheddars and marinated fetta. Or indulge in the complete cheese experience and make your own ricotta and paneer to take home and impress the neighbours.
