Lost landmarks of the Central Coast remembered in pictures

They are the once-familiar sites of the Central Coast that now only live on in our memories, and in pictures that can bring back happy memories.

Landmarks have come and gone across the Central Coast.

However there are many that remain entrenched in the area’s rich history, along with the memories of its residents.

The coast has been home to many attractions that have paid tribute to our history such as Old Sydney Town while many continue to be hailed as “legendary” from the Frogys rollerskating rink to local restaurants that so many of us visited as kids.

Old Sydney Town

]The convicts and redcoats of Old Sydney Town at Somersby.

There’s not too many people who don’t have a memory from Old Sydney Town.

The Somersby site still resembles the former colonial attraction which was open between 1975 to 2003.

The open air museum and theme park became popular not only among locals but attracted visitors from across Australia. It was also a popular spot for parties as well as school excursions as it paid tribute to early years of Sydney’s colonial settlement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

There are currently plans in the wings by World Cultural Tourism Village, who purchased the 120ha site in 2018, to pay tribute to the site’s history and build Australia’s first multicultural tourism resort.

Frogys

Frogys rollerskating rink was a Central Coast 1980/90s icon!

The old derelict site remained this way for many years before it was demolished. Picture: Peter Clark

The Frogys rollerskating rink was the place to be for fun, first kisses and the odd grazed knee before it closed 19 years ago

It was THE iconic location on Mann St for youngsters on the coast throughout the 1980s and 90s, with a main and beginners rink along with flashing, colourful lights and hits of the era booming as people skated around.

In 2017, the wrecking ball descended on the derelict site that remained for years after closure of the business.

Forresters Beach putt putt and water slides

The Forresters Beach water slides were a popular landmark for years: Picture: Troy Snook

The cascading water slides at Forresters Beach were a popular landmark for years during the 80s and 90s.

In fact you could spend the day at Forresters Beach with a range of activities over the years including Supa Putt, Go Karts and the Kamikazi Waterslide. There was even a bowling alley and bungy jumping set.

The Glen Group bought the land where the attractions ran on The Entrance Rd in 2004 to build a large retirement village.

The Fragrant Garden

Many of us remember the iconic waterfall over the window.

The original sign still remains. Picture: Fiona Killman

Nursery The Fragrant Garden, in Erina, was and remains a legendary landmark however no longer operates as a nursery.

Memories of the waterfall over the window of the nursery remain etched in many memories.

The Portsmouth Rd nursery ran for almost 50 years and was loved by gardeners and green thumbs across the coast, however it was also a great location and special outing for families with many kids running through the grounds.

In 2005, Philip Moore bought the nursery and has operated Distillery Botanica ever since. The site is also home to the Bar Botanica cafe owned by the team behind Mr Goaty Gelato Dan and Julia Hughes who have renovated the building at the site however stayed true to its past.

Twin Cinemas, Gosford

Gosford Village Twin, in Watt Street, now demolished. Picture: Brendan Connolly

The Village Twin Cinema in Watt St, Gosford was as fancy as it got in movie theatres, opening in 1985.

It opened after the closure of the historic Regal a couple of blocks away and the first movie to show was Jaws. The twin-cinema could seat 1000 people.

Former manager, Bob O’Shea managed the cinema until it closed in 2002.

“When you went to the movies in our prime days it was an event,” Mr O’Shea previously told the Express.

“We would do up the entire foyer in the theme of the movie and all the staff would get dressed up.”

The original Australian Reptile Park

People often say you’re only a true Coastie if you remember when the Australian Reptile Park was in Wyoming.

That’s where it all started in 1958, when Eric Worrell had the idea of combining snake venom production with tourism.

Worrell’s dream lived on when employees John and Robyn Weigel took over ownership and continue to run the tourist attraction today with Directors Tim Faulkner and Liz Gabriel.

It was a historic moment in 1996 when the Reptile Park relocated to Somersby with the challenging task of moving Ploddy the 26m mascot as well as more than 1000 animals.

There was a huge street parade when Ploddy was relocated to Somersby in 1996 Picture: Supplied

McDonalds Party Train

The McDonalds Party Train was a favourite among locals. Picture: Peter Clark

The McDonalds Party Train in West Gosford was an insanely popular party location. It was an old train carriage done up to house parties. There would be games and someone dressed as Ronald McDonald would often deliver food to screaming kids.

However many 18th and 21st parties were also held there, with the view of having cheap food before kicking on to Club Troppo.

It operated at the restaurant for 15 years before closing in 2004 and being relocated.

Erina Drive-In

Erina Drive-in. Picture: Brendan Connolly.

The Erina Drive-In was built in 1957 and officially opened with the movie Green Fire in February 1958.

It was operated by Coast Theatres Property Ltd and went through many name changes and operators, eventually becoming Greater Union Drive-In.

It closed in March 1985 with its final movies The Terminator andFirst Blood. IT was eventually demolished in 1992 to make way for the carpark at Erina Fair shopping centre.

Armistice Memorial

War Memorial in its original location on the corner of Terrigal Drive and The Entrance Road Erina in 1970. Picture: Central Coast Council Library/Gostalgia.

The Armistice Memorial was once on a major intersection in Erina.

Colloquially known as the “Erina District War Memorial”, the concrete arch was unveiled by Colonel Vernon, DSO, in front of about 1000 people on the corner of Terrigal Drive and The Entrance Rd (now Central Coast Highway) in 1923.

It was moved in 1985 to the Salvation Army’s Woodport grounds at Erina as part of an upgrade to the intersection and has now been permanently relocated to Terrigal Esplanade.

The Armistice Memorial was originally erected to commemorate those soldiers from Erina, Matcham, Wamberal and Terrigal who lost their lives in World War One.

Gosford Public School

Historic Gosford Public School was demolished in 2014.

The historic Gosford Public School was built in 1865 and back then was just a slab hut with a shingle roof.

It began with one teacher and 28 children, and grew to 530 students in 2014 when the State Government decided to demolish the coast landmark.

At the controversial time in Gosford’s history, Assistant Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the plan was about “rejuvenating the Gosford business district and again making the waterfront a focal point for the community”.

The land has since been developed into the ATO office and St Hilliers finance building.

Pizza Hut West Gosford

Pizza Hut, West Gosford. Picture: Gostalgia

At the foot of the Kariong Hill was the iconic Pizza Hut in West Gosford.

Many would remember the wooden tables and chairs with the red and white checkered table clothes and the giant jar of freckled cookies at the counter.

The Pacific Highway restaurant was at the location for more than 20 years before it’s lease expired in 1998 and was placed on the market.

The Pizza Hut in Long Jetty was also a local landmark in its time.

Union Hotel, Gosford

The Union Hotel at Gosford was also home to Pulse nightclub.

The former Central Coast Hotel on the corner of Mann Street in Gosford had been a watering hole for decades but started out as the Union Hotel in 1908.

While the early 1900 classic verandas were no longer the essential structure of the original building still existed until it was recently demolished.

The former Central Coast Hotel is set to make way for a $400m development known as The Archibald.

Broadwater Hotel, Gosford

Broadwater Hotel from back in the 70s.

The old Broadwater Hotel was also a popular, now sadly missed, watering hole located next to the former Gosford Council building on Mann St.

The hotel was built on the site of the former Royal Hotel which opened in June 1876 and closed in the early 90s. In its prime, the saloon bar would be packed with thirsty Gosford workers on a Friday night.

It is now part of Central Coast Council’s land sale program.

Long Jetty Roller Skating Rink

A coast family enjoying the rink in 2002. Picture: Peter Clark

Another iconic landmark was the Long Jetty Rollerskating Rink on The Entrance Rd.

The rink opened more than 60 years ago, hitting its peak in the ‘70s and early ‘80s and was popular among not only skaters but roller hockey players.

It officially opened its doors in 1959 and quickly established itself as a popular hangout for teenagers in the area.

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

Owner Brian Lizotte – Lizotte's Kincumber is closing its doors

Iconic music institution Lizotte’s held its last shows in 2015 before permanently closing.

Owners Brian and Jo Lizotte closed the doors after 10 years in Kincumber. The site was considered a special place of music history, where Aussie music legends like Jimmy Barnes and James Reyne belted out countless tunes. Known as “The Cubby House”, the intimate 100-seat restaurant was a treasured spot for Coasties to relax and unwind.

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