The Secret Bat Cave on a Private Central Coast Wildlife Tour

Not every wildlife encounter on the Central Coast happens under the bright Australian sun. Some reveal themselves in the hush of a shaded crevice, where the ocean breathes in and out with the tide – and where the air seems to carry the quiet presence of something watching from above.

On a recent private nature tour on the Central Coast, I guided my guests along a lesser-known stretch of shoreline in New South Wales. The track hugs ancient cliffs and, if the tide’s just right, opens a narrow window to something extraordinary: a secret sandstone sea cave, hidden from casual walkers and unmarked on any map.

Step inside, and the light fades fast. The air cools. You’re surrounded by salt spray and the smell of damp stone – but also a musky scent I’ve come to know over the years. It’s a sure sign we’re not alone.

High overhead, tucked into the cave ceiling, we spotted them – a colony of Common Bent-winged Bats, one of Australia’s lesser-known native bats. These tiny, cave-dwelling insectivores are nothing like the flying foxes we often see on my tours. With their slender wings and that signature ‘elbow’ kink, they’re built for speed and precision, chasing moths, beetles and midges through the night sky. Some can fly over 20 kilometres in a single evening.

This particular group may be using the bat cave as a maternity roost, relying on the sheltered, tidal conditions to raise their young away from human disturbance.

The Central Coast is full of wildlife surprises like this – if you know where (and when) to look.

I took a quick flash photo to capture the moment, catching one of the little flyers mid-roost. It’s rare to see them this clearly, and rarer still to share a moment in their hidden world – just long enough to feel the cave breathe.

This isn’t the kind of wildlife moment you’ll find in a guidebook. But it’s one of many waiting to be discovered on a private Central Coast wildlife tour – for those curious enough to explore the edges of the map.