New South Wales Coast Regions
The Northern Rivers coastline offers year around access to beaches from the popular new age and laidback lifestyle at Byron Bay, home of the Writers Festival, the university town of Lismore known for Lismore Lantern Parade, to the rock pools at Yamba or Ballina. Every weekend, markets are on offer at the varying locations, offering everything from local craft to the best local produce such as coffee and macadamias, and of course the seafood! Northern Rivers Herb Festival is ever-growing and promotes natural living and environmental sustainability, and for the fishing enthusiasts make your way to Brunswick Heads, Evans Head and Iluka for the annual Fishiing Festivals. Visit Yuraygir National Park – 60km of rocky cliffs and headlands, isolated beaches, serene lake systems against a backdrop of forests and wetlands. Drive the rainforest way, skirting the lush Tweed Heads valley, linking 14 world heritage parks, watched over by Mt Warning where the dawn sun first touches mainland Australia. Don’t miss the quaint coastal town of Kingscliff offering many great accommodation options.
Starting at Port Stephens and Port Macquarie and stretching north to Coffs Harbour, the North Coast is dotted with 400 kilometers of stunning beaches for the ideal aussie holiday. Explore its eight coastal and hinterland National Parks, 17 State Forests, 5 lake systems and 11 major rivers, including the best known Myall Lakes National Park offering a variety of water activities from canoeing to windsurfing. Get up close to dolphins and seals at Pet Porpoise Pool, step back in history at Trial Bay Gaol located at South West Rocks, or visit Ellenborough Falls – one of the southern hemisphere’s highest waterfalls.
From surf beaches to the wine cellar, the Hunter Coast has it all! Newcastle is the urban soul - a cosmopolitan mix of shopping, cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs and a strong local art scene. Bather’s Way coastal walk takes you past world famous beaches such as Mereweather and Blacksmiths where surfers migrate, and at Stockton snorkel around some 16 wrecks and amazing marine life. Visit one of the largest blue saltwater lakes in the southern hemisphere - Lake Macquarie – perfect for sailing, fishing, swimming, cruising, scuba diving and any other aquatic activity you can imagine! Traverse the forested Watagans Mountains by horse, bike or four-wheel drive, and make your way over to the other side for a glass of wine at one of the 50 vineyards. Nearby, world heritage listed Barrington Tops National Park offers a plethora of walking trails.
Follow the inland waters to where it meets the sea and you’ll find the Central Coast – providing opportunities to fish, go prawn trawling, and swim and surf at the many patrolled beaches, including Terrigal Beach and Ocean Beach Umina. Bushwalking, cycling and horse riding are other great activities, as well as the Australian Reptile Park or the daily feeding of the pelicans at The Entrance. For a bit of Australian culture take a walk through Brisbane Waters National Park to see ancient aboriginal sites.
Ranging from Cronulla in the south, Bondi and Manly Beaches in the middle, to Palm Beach in the north, Sydney Beaches are as varied and exciting as the city itself! Surround yourself with backpackers at a pub at Coogee Beach, enjoy a walk along the coastline, and treat yourself at a bustling café or restaurant found alongside almost every beach.
Extending 70 kilometres Illawarra Coast features over 28 patrolled beaches, rock pools and rocky inlets –the beaches are unspoilt and uncrowded with some of the cleanest swimming beaches known in Australia. Illawarra also boasts antique shops and art galleries in the village-like towns. Visit nearby Kiama for the day, exploring its terraced arts and crafts shops. For adventure enthusiasts, take an easy hike to the rainforest at the back of the beach and make your way down from the cliff edges by hand glider.
For beaches surrounded by nature, make your way to the South Coast beaches, stretching from Berry to Eden, where beaches lie on the edge of the rolling pastures, craggy mountain haunts and bush trails. Visit one of the 10 national and marine parks, viewing wildlife, magnificent scenery, rugged mountains and secluded river touring. Pebble Beach is a great place to sight kangaroos, whilst Jervis Bay Marine National Park features abundant wildlife, diving opportunities, sailing and sea kayaking. Batemans Bay and Narooma, Merimbula and Bermagui, Ulladulla and Jervis Bay – are all gateways to some of NSW’s best fishing. Don’t miss visiting Eden, home of Australia’s first whaling station and a great place to view whales!
