New South Wales Coast Attractions
Northern Rivers
Byron Bay, Yamba, Ballina, Brunswick Heads, Evans Head, Iluka, Tweed Heads, Kingscliff
Mount Warning: Mt Warning is a huge extinct volcano which can be found in the Mt Warning national park. The region around Mount Warning is a spectacular example of our ancient volcanic history. There are good walking trails through the rainforest and a long 4WD track.
Cape Byron Bay Lighthouse: Situated on the most Easterly point of mainland Australia, the area is a popular tourist destination. The Cape Byron Lighthouse and light-keepers cottages, built in 1901, are rich in history. The buildings offer visitors an insight into what life may have been like in the days of the Lighthouse Keepers over 100 years ago.
Ballina Activities: Spot the migrating whales from June - October and catch the local dolphins at play from one of a number of vantage points on the coast. The Macadamia Castle has an animal and bird park as well as childrens activities including mini golf plus a dining and souvenir shop. Shaws Bay offers beach volleyball and paddle boats on the western bank and barbecue and picnic areas on the eastern side. Also check out the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum, Thursday Plantation & Victoria Park Nature Reserve. The fishing at Flat Rock, Angels Beach or from Ballina’s North or South Walls well renowned.
Iluka Nature Reserve: The World Heritage listed Iluka Rainforest is one of the most accessible natural attractions in NSW. Littoral rainforests obtain water via filtration through coastal sand and food from airborne nutrients. The walking track may be accessed at the Iluka Bluff to the north and from the south via Long Street, within the village itself.
Yamba Prawns: Head into Yamba and grab a pile of freshly caught prawns after having a surf at one of Yamba’s protected surfbeaches.
North Coast
Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour
Camel tour in Port Macquarie: take a camel ride along the beach near Port Macquarie and experience the landscape from a unique point of view. Safaris depart from Matthew Flinders Drive, Port Macquarie.
Swim with Dolphins at Port Stephens: Cruise around Port Stephens for a view of dolphins at play. If the boat has a net, you can even join them in the water.
Dorrigo National Park: Experience the elevated Skywalk and Walk with the Birds (500 metres return with seating provided). You can either picnic with the animals or visit the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and the Canopy Cafe. For the more adventurous there are challenging bushwalks at Never Never picnic area.
Kayaking on the Myall Lakes: The extensive waterways of the Myall Lakes system offer an excellent range of canoeing, kayaking, sailing and other boating opportunities. The Myall River provides boat access to the lakes from Port Stephens and Bulahdelah and is suitable for most craft.
Whale Watching: Port Stephens is one of the most naturally beautiful and accessible waterways in New South Wales, Australia. Success rates are very high for seeing whales in their natural habitat.
Ellenborough Falls: The falls are an awesome sight as they plunge fall 200 metres. There is a viewing platform just a short distance from the car parking area. A timber walkway is provided for those who would like to walk to the bottom of the falls and a walking track is provided to view the falls from across the gorge.
The Big Banana: Located just north of Coffs Harbour The Big Banana is always draws a crowd with people of all ages and has been for over 30 years. 11 metres long, 5 metres high, and 2.4 metres wide, the Big Banana is has rides, educational tours and exhibitions, recreational activities, a variety of food experiences as well as several retail outlets.
Fishing at South West Rocks: South West Rocks is famous for the overlap of species in the area. It is the furthest point south for reliable access to tropical species. The blend of fish like Spanish and spotted mackerel, cobia, rainbow runner, dolphin fish and longtail tuna from the north, with the more usual marlin, yellowfin, kings and mulloway provides a heap of targets for travelling small boat anglers.
Hunter Coast
Newcastle, Stockton, Mereweather, Blacksmiths
Wine Tasting: The Hunter Valley is Australia's most visited wine region. The signature varieties from the Hunter Valley include Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz.
Newcastle Attractions: Newcastle is capital of the Hunter Valley. Built around a large working harbour, Newcastle is one of the nations largest working ports situated in the mouth of the Hunter River. Nobby's Breakwater and Lighthouse - the city's most famous icon, overlook the river's entrance. Ten magnificent beaches and parks offer recreational opportunities around the city. Don't miss the surfing, beach fishing and swimming in the fabled Ocean Baths.
Singleton Coalmines: Singleton is situated on the banks of the Hunter River, 209 km north-west of Sydney. If mining is your interest then there are tours which cover the the remains of an 1890s mine, an overview of the area's mines and methods, and a detailed on-site inspection of all aspects of one operation, including the coal-loader.
Historic Morpeth: With its beautiful riverside setting, the genuinely historic feel which emerges from the stonework of its many old buildings. The modest and easily walkable size of the town and the willows which line the river bank is becoming popular with travellers. The main street, with its profusion of arts and crafts, antique and curio shops housed in historic buildings, is very much geared towards tourism.
Maitland Gaol: With a colourful history spanning more than 150 years and housing some of Australia's most hardened and notorious criminals, Maitland Gaol closed in 1998. Open 7 days, Maitland Gaol offers visitors the chance to indulge in self-guided tours, however the best way to experience this unique attraction is to take a themed-guided tour or torchlight tour by night.
Barrington Tops by 4WD: The 80,000 hectare reserve features rugged mountains, gorges and rain forest. It provides habitat for an enormous diversity of plant and animal life. What better way to see all the wonders of nature than from a 4WD.
Sailing on Lake Macquarie: One of the largest coastal saltwater lakes in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy a sunny afternoon in one of the many boats that grace the water, catch a wave at one of four patrolled beaches or venture into the mountains for a picnic lunch and sightseeing walk. There are a mammoth 92 towns and villages, 29 public boat ramps, 28 public jetties and wharves and seven marina berths around Lake Macquarie.
Stockton Sand Dunes: The dunes along Stockton Bight are wind swept and devoid of vegetation and create a sand mass that is in constant movement. The dunes are currently moving inland at a rate of 10m/year. How fast can you go on a sand board down these steep dunes?
Central Coast
Terrigal Beach, Ocean Beach Umina, The Entrance
The Australian Reptile Park - Not just another fauna park the Australian Reptile Park enjoys the reputation of being the zoo with more bite. Having won many national awards as one of Australia's premier attractions the Reptile Park does an amazing job of presenting these creatures. The award winning exhibits Lost World of Reptiles and Spider World add to the uniqueness of the Park. There are loads of exciting daily 'hands-on' wildlife shows, photographs with koalas and large pythons, a children's adventure playground, wonderful wildflowers and wild bush birds.
National Parks and The Entrance Reserves: The Entrance derives its name from the narrow channel that divides the mainland and connects Tuggerah Lake to the ocean on the Central Coast of NSW. The Entrance is a popular holiday resort area offering visitors surfing beaches, an enormous lake and a central area which has attractive foreshore parkland (Memorial Park) and a Boardwalk (a pathway from Memorial Park around to the surf lifesaving club). There is also a child-friendly open-air mall called The Waterfront which is full of fountains, cafes and eateries. One of the most popular attractions is the daily feeding of the pelicans in Memorial Park at 3.30pm.
Ken Duncan Australia Wide Gallery: Ken Duncan is famous for his landscape photography of Australia, panoramic photos and limited edition prints. Every visit makes a lasting impression.
Glenworth Valley Horse Riding: Australia's largest and most spectacular horse riding centre with 200 horses to choose from and 3000 acres to explore is only 1 hour north of Sydney. You have the choice of either going out on your own or you can take a relaxing guided horse ride with one of our friendly guides to assist you. You can ride up to the natural rock pools for a swim or follow the river as it meanders its way through lush green valleys. Altogether there are 50kms of unspoilt wilderness trails to explore, including ancient rainforest trails.
Hawkesbury River Ferries: Spend hours enjoying the ecosystem of the river and see the wonderful scenery that only the Hawkesbury River can offer. The Skipper will provide you with a knowledgeable commentary about historical features.
Gosford Regional Gallery: Covering an area of approximately 4,000 square metres the garden is a traditional Japanese 'stroll garden' enclosed by a two metre high wall. A tea house and fish feeding pavilion overlook the lake.
Terrigal Beach: The pleasant ambience may have something to do with the stand of very well-established Norfolk pines along The Esplanade which lend character and beauty to the beachfront. A pathway beneath the trees leads alongside the beach and out to Broken Head where the most prominent natural feature of Terrigal, the oddly-shaped headland known as 'The Skillion', stands.
Sydney Beaches
Cronulla Beach, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, Palm Beach, Coogee Beach
Bondi Beach: Australia's most popular beach is well known for its great sand, as well as its surf. It is a modern and trendy coastal resort, which is very popular. Bondi has a number of cafes and restaurants which look out over the beach and makes a great place to stay and visit.
Manly & Manly Beach: Manly was named by Captain Arthur Phillip after his encounter with the confident and manly Aboriginal people who lived here. Surrounded on three sides by water, Manly is the perfect destination to enjoy both the habour and the 18 ocean beaches, coves and inlets to swim, sail and surf. Come by sea or road and take some time to discover its rich heritage and culture, its great shopping, dining and family attractions.
Cronulla Beach: Surfing, body boarding & sandy beaches at Sydney's Cronulla Beach will fill your day with watersport fun. And don't forget the nightlife - with pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes and movies the entertainment and attractions don't end at sunset!
Illawarra Coast
Illawarra, Kiama
Lake Illawarra: The lake has an area of 33 square km's and a maximum depth of 3.7 metres. 13 boat ramps surround the lake. The lake is a popular spot for fishing, prawning, and all other water sports. There is a boat hire and a number of sailboard hire outlets, catamaran hire, and several caravan parks close by. There is also a bicycle track around the lake at Windang and Berkeley.
Illawarra Scenic Mountain Railway - Cockatoo Run: The Cockatoo Run offers the scenic delights of the South Coast and Southern Highlands. The train takes you across the Georges River and through the Royal National Park (the first declared National Park in the world). The train crosses the Impressive Stanwell Park Viaduct and skirts the seacliffs and beaches to Wollongong. After leaving Wollongong, the train starts it's steep ascent of the Illawarra Escarpment through coastal rainforest to Summit Tank. At Summit Tank there is a pause where you will be rewarded with panoramic views over Lake Illawarra and the South Coast to Kiama.
South Coast
Batemans Bay, Narooma, Merimbula, Bermagui, Ulladulla, Jervis Bay, Berry, Eden, Pebble Beach
Cruise Bateman Bay: On the banks of the Clyde River estuary, the seaside resort of Batemans Bay enjoys beautiful views both upriver, to the mountains, and seaward, to the island dotted horizon. Cruise boats sail the river daily or you can hire a large range of boats through and even houseboats.
Relax at Merimbula: Taking it easy in Merimbula is a way of life. The resort in the middle of the Sapphire Coast is one of the prime places to engage in activities such as a day picnic, a long walk or an afternoon at one of the town's clean, clear blue beaches. Take a cruise to Gabo Island and see the historic lighthouse or join a whale watching cruise in April, May and June.
A picnic at Eden: Visit Lookout Point, Rotary Park and Seamens Memorial Wall just up the hill from Eden Wharf. They offer panoramic views over beautiful Twofold Bay to Mt Imlay. There are Picnic areas, toilets, and playgrounds.
Ulladulla marine activities: on the NSW South Coast and the surrounding Seven Lakes district is just a three hour drive south of Sydney. Set in lush, scenic countryside flanked by a chain of fine surf beaches and estuarine lakes and spectacular mountain ranges to the west. Ulladulla Harbour is a popular spot for fishing, with a range of seafood restaurants and cafes nearby. Ulladulla Seapool, at the southern end of Ulladulla Harbour and accessed via a boardwalk, has good swimming. Other activities include surfing, boating and snorkelling. Fishing enthusiasts can take a game fishing charter for some off-shore activity. Nearby Mollymook Beach is a renowned surfing beach.
