Originally the area was inhabited by the Gurringai tribe hence the name of the National Park nearby Kuringai Chase National Park. No established settlement occurred in the area for some time as it became known as a haven for escaped convicts, smugglers and undesirables living in the bush and using the waterways to escape capture.

A survey in 1833 identified 315 people living in the Gosford area. Mostly timber cutters and their employees. The area remained fairly stagnant until the Sydney to Newcastle railway line was completed in 1880. This opened up the region to leisure seekers and cheap land became available and easy to access. Existing industries such as the timber getting could now expand and grow with cheap transport available to the largest market in the country.

The town was proclaimed a city in 1980 and continues its rapid expansion as a satellite city of Sydney.

Check out our listing of Gosford accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local maps and other information.