GOSFORD Gosford is the first major city when heading north out of Sydney. Whereas Woy Woy was country, Gosford has always had a cosmopolitan feel. Gosford is considered an exurb of the Sydney metropolitan area, with a significant proportion of the population commuting for work or study. This can be attributed to a lower cost of living, lack of employment and educational opportunities in the area. Lifestyle factors and the development of strong transport links like the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway and City rail’s Newcastle and Central Coast railway line and these factors have caused Gosford, and the wider Central Coast's population to grow rapidly in recent years. And so a suburb it is. Convicts once lived and worked in the Gosford area. In 1825, Gosford's population reached 100, of which 50% were convicts. Gosford and the surrounding area of towns, bays, waterways and beaches make for Gosford and the Gosford region a really great area. A nice coastal climate is the icing on the cake. Locals love the place. The rapid growth of Gosford has, unfortunately meant heritage factors have only just been recently identified, but the developers hammer will most likely win the day in Gosford itself. The ‘old’ Anglican Church has pleasingly survived. The United mid century and the Catholic Church is a modern structure. The Gosford War Memorial and Gardens are a fitting tribute. The hotels are a mix of modern and traditional. There is no museum in Gosford, but the arts centres somewhat fill the gap. The Gosford area is one to delight in. Allow a few days to get the most out of the region.