Fast facts
- Bustling township, centre for Wyong Shire
- Close to wooded valleys and lakes
- 92 km north of Sydney, population 3,200
Why go there
Wyong is an excellent base to explore Tuggerah Lake and the beautiful Yarramalong Valley and Dooralong valleys. The national park has popular viewing places for whale-spotting off the coast in winter.
The nearby coastal towns of Chittaway, Long Jetty and The Entrance offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy the tranquil waters of Tuggerah Lake.
History
Prior to European settlement it is thought that Darkinjang Aboriginals occupied this area. Wyong is an Aboriginal word meaning either an edible yam or "place of running water". Europeans first settled the area in 1825 and timbergetters were attracted to cedar forests in the local Yarramalong and Dooralong valleys. Farming commenced in the 1850s and the opening of the Sydney-Newcastle railway increased the pace of development. In the 1960s, improved road and rail access helped Wyong develop into a major residential and commuter centre.
Things to do
- Stock up on local produce from Cedar Park Lavendar Farm and Yarramalong Macadamia Nut Farm.
- Learn about the early timber industry at Wyong District Museum.
- Visit an early settler’s house at Allison Homestead.
- Get active around Wyong. Try canoeing or kayaking on local creeks, camel rides or riding on cycle paths.
Events
- Wyong Festival of the Arts from February to March.
Don’t miss
- Ned Kelly's maze in Yarramalong Valley.
- The Olney State Forest, a native rainforest.
- The site of an original traveller’s inn at Woodbury’s Inn Park.
- The Rock Lily and Lyrebird walking trails in the Watagan State Forest.
