Mount Penang Gardens, Central Coast | Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation

A stunning natural setting with aquatic gardens, native flora, walking paths and the famous Wondabyne Stone Sculptures — Mount Penang Gardens is considered an enduring and radical contribution to public garden design in Australia.

Gardens open daily* 9.30am-4.30pm

*The gardens are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and for select events. Dogs are not permitted within the gated gardens.

Waterfall Café:
Forcafé trading times and bookings, phone 02 4340 1660 or visit waterfallcafe.com.au

Over 8 hectares of native beauty

Mount Penang's distinctive garden design by Anton James sets it apart from the traditional botanical garden. The 'garden within a garden' design opened in 2003, and continues to evolve today — providing an understated, imperfect landscape that is in a constant state of being.

Twelve unique garden rooms

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.

Along with waterways and stunning summer aquatic gardens, you’ll find that over 70% of the plants are native to Australia. Marvel at the creative ways in which modern landscapes and Australian native flora blend together to produce amazing seasonal displays.

There is something new to experience all year round as you meander through the Gardens. You can hug a bulbous Bottle Tree, wonder at the Dragon Garden’s strange cacti and succulents, be fascinated by the Wondabyne Stone Sculptures or admire the stunning water lilies and lotus flowers in our Aquatic Garden.

Every pathway opens up a new world of discovery at Mount Penang Gardens.

Historic Wondabyne Sculptures

Within the Gardens you will find a fascinating outdoor sculpture exhibition on perpetual display.

Wondabyne Sculptures at Mount Penang Gardens

Created in 1987 by a group of international sculptors at waterside Wondabyne, these massive artworks carved from Gosford sandstone were handed over to the people of Australia as a bicentennial gift from the artists, forming Australia’s first ever International Sculpture Symposium.

A second symposium of sculptures can also be found in the nearby Mt Penang Parklands.

Waterfall Café

Situated at the entryway to Mount Penang Gardens, the Waterfall Café overlooks the magnificent water cascade gardens.

The café provides a family-friendly menu ranging from gourmet sandwiches and salads to sweet treats and snacks – with light meals, coffee and morning/afternoon tea.

For café opening times and enquiries, visit waterfallcafe.com.au or phone 02 4340 1660.

Enjoy a BBQ or picnic

Open grassy spaces and shady trees make Mount Penang Gardens a lovely place for a free family picnic. Bring a blanket, play games, read a book and enjoy nature.

There are three picnic tables and two BBQ's on site.
Bookings for these is not required, however availability is on a first-in, first-served basis.

Bird watching

Large dams and cascading waterways make Mount Penang Gardens home to a variety of ducks and waterfowl.

If you are a bird watcher, bring your binoculars as the different garden spaces provide a variety of habitats. Check out the signage on-site that shows the species that you can expect to encounter during your visit.

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 two minutes from the Gosford exit off the M1.

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 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 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 commercial hire.

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.

For event enquiries and bookings – email [email protected]

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 dogs that have been declared dangerous by a court order, or female dogs in heat, into the Parklands.

Commercial 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.

Phone: (02) 4345 4450
Email: [email protected]

Contact

Mount Penang Gardens

Phone: (02) 4345 4450
Email: [email protected]

For after-hours security, contact 1300 889 059.

Waterfall Cafe

Phone: (02) 4340 1660
Website: waterfallcafe.com.au