Near the New South Wales state border, Coolangatta Beach provides a much more peaceful alternative to the tourist-packed Surfer's Paradise beaches a 30-minute drive north. Located on the northern side of Point Danger at the southern end of Rainbow Bay on the Gold Coast, Snapper is a point break forming the first part of the man-made Superbank which extends from Snapper Rocks Point, through Rainbow Bay, Greenmount Point, Coolangatta Beach, and Kirra, for a distance of around two kilometers. They get no government funding which is disgusting and don't charge entry! If you want to meet halfway between Sydney, NSW and Kingscliff, NSW or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are -31.235126 and 152.821609, or 31 14 6.4536 S, 152 49 17.7924 E. Check out Instagram @Kirra.4225 for more info. You can finish everything in half a day. The Dolphin Conservation Park is a long-running attraction in the Coffs Harbour region that has drawn countless visitors from all over the country and has a focus on interactive aquatic experiences with natures' cutest marine dwellers. Now boasting much more than just the giant banana, its also home to a water park, ice-skating rink, giant slide, mini golf course and a 650m toboggan ride overlooking the Pacific Ocean, meaning theres plenty to see and do if youre either young or young at heart. CITIES BETWEEN. Its a historic and a unique lighthouse surrounded by the beautiful beaches. Great spot, 40 minutes drive up the hill from coffs harbour. Some well done, some kindergarten level, all with a story! 1. Camping for tents, campervans or caravans in the beautiful Crowdy Bay National Park. Its a popular holiday destination, known for its beaches, surfing and scuba diving sites. The new board walk is a must visit and great for walking and relaxing. There are currently nine display koalas (injured animals undergoing rehab), plus an education display, a souvenir shop, a clinic viewing area, and the Koalaseum (a rundown of koala history). The Sturt Highway stretches 947km from the Hume Highway (M31) in Tarcutta, NSW to Northern Expressway (M2) in Gawler, SA. Mick Fanning and Co. love it. But surfers wont hesitate naming Snapper Rocks their favourite strip of sand because of its clean waves, consistent swell and the man-made Superbank, a sandbank that allows boardriders to cruise all the way to Coolangatta. Must say I love it but then again I live here. I went on a walk to the base fall from the Grasslands picnic area. Good view and landscape for both scenic and portrait photography shots. The local Surf lifesaving Club patrol this beach. You know I couldnt write a guide for Coffs Harbour without mentioning the iconic Big Banana. Originally established in the 1970s, the park offers safe haven for marine animals that have been injured or otherwise made incapable of returning to the wild, and now houses dozens of aquatic mammals and other varieties including Little Penguins, sea lions, green sea turtles, and most famously, its handful of Bottlenose Dolphins which serve as the star attraction. The views were awesome. Nearly every city both capital and regional has a single outstanding lookout point, and Coffs Harbours answer to this is the excellent (and entirely free) Forest Sky Pier that extends out from Sealy Lookout. They pack a lot into the very small park had wheelchair accessible exhibits. If you want a bunch of easy hikes through gorgeous rainforest, this one is for you. Lots of stairs. The caf sits atop a cliff beside the Byron Bay Lighthouse overlooking the magnificent Byron Bay coast, a great stop after a long hike. Cafe was nice, lovely way to spend a morning. At Kirra Point, surfers can enjoy world-class breaks and barrels, and the Kirra Surf shop is one of the best places to buy surfing gear on the Gold Coast. There are plenty of free parking spots. With some of the best and most diverse surfing conditions along the Gold Coast, smaller surf can be found closer to the shore that is ideal for both swimming and beginning board riders, while outside the flags there are more challenging surf breaks further out that can sometimes become crowded due to their popularity with surfers. Seal Rocks - A small village on the most amazing beach. They also have a really nice cafe but is a bit on the pricy side so its wise to bring food and drinks. 22 minutes off the main route, 20% of way to the Gold Coast. In the waters off Coffs Harbour Marina is the Solitary Islands Marine Park, home to abundant wildlife, seasonal whales and coral reefs. Im a fit person, but it was too much. A boardwalk through the rainforest connects the visitors to the rainforests beauty and the information center also offers a coffee shop and cafe. Nice cafes opposite the beach. The beautiful beach of Coolangatta is the last town before the border of New South Wales and also houses the Gold Coast Airport. Museum with a range of art exhibitions plus the art of Margaret Olley & a recreation of her studio. 13 minutes off the main route, 21% of way to the Gold Coast. 35 minutes off the main route, 25% of way to the Gold Coast. Please share it, you will make my day . Would recommend coming here on a nice sunny day. Kirra Point is part of the World Surfing Reserve and produces some sizable surf breaks. The major attraction in the park is the incredible dolphin shows and swimming experiences where visitors get to interact up-close with the intelligent animals. Surf life savers on guard. A really beautiful bit of coast with amazing beaches. While one parent surfs the large breaks at the point, the other can hang with younger kids on the wide sandy area of Kirra Beach. The schooner Coolangatta was wrecked here in 1846, which gave this beach its name. Well worth the visit, but checkout the weather before heading up. Other popular stops include Coolangatta Beach, Cape Byron Walking Track, and Australian Reptile Park. Do yourself a favour and take the 6km drive off the Pacific Highway (north of Coffs Harbour) through the banana plantations and into the lush green Orara East State Forest. Amazing!! doesnt require any money to go on the walks but does have a nice gift shop you can spend money. Nelson Bay is a significant township of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Strawberries were not large (not as large as when you bought at supermarket), but surprisingly very sweet. Located eight kilometres south of Port Macquarie, the lighthouse crowns a high hilltop at the end of a nine-kilometre coastal trail. Lots of interesting, educational plaques throughout. When your friend gets the perfect shot in the perf, My fave new addition to the silo light show is thi, Always fabulous to re bump into friends over and o, Totally engrossed in the show while sunset happens, We are back in Quorn! Cessnock is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from Sydney and 2 hours from Forster. A place that kids would love and a must visit spot indeed. Jump on WikiCamps to get a detailed list of all of the options available in regards to places to camp or park the van in each town. The Coffs Coast is the only region in New South Wales where the mountains of the Great Dividing Range meet the Pacific Ocean. For a touristy spot, the caf serves surprisingly good coffee. Theres plenty of Cafes, restaurants hotels that serve fine dining and or fast food. Natural formation with a unique rock pool along with scenic views overlooking the beach. Top cities between Sydney and the Gold Coast, Best stops along Sydney to the Gold Coast drive. Theres a great campground out in the hills called Macas which is beautiful and is dog friendly (well behaved ones). Built in 1879, its the thirteenth-oldest lighthouse in Australia, and has hosted its fair share of photoshoots across the years. The water park offers something for everyone in the family to enjoy, from their wide range of attractions like the six-lane giant slide, state-of-the-art laser tag arena, and the kids aqua-play area. Coffs Harbour is a city on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Amazing waterfall! If you have a little more time you could stop in Newcastle or Port Macquarie, but as were rushing to only the best places along the east coast, Id recommend getting as far north in this first day as possible, and realistically, this is Coffs Harbour. Short drive from Hornsby shire, this beautiful beach is full of Cafes and restaurants. And thats before we come to the 2019-2020 bushfires that devastated a huge portion of their habitat. We will visit again if we come to Port Macquarie. Why Should You Visit : You can visit the Dophin Marine Park to enjoy your day out with the native marine species of Australia. Don't miss going here! While youre in Port Macquarie, you can visit the Tacking Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1879. This rocky outcrop called Snapper Rocks is where surfers launch themselves into the waves. Picturesque 30-m. waterfall with a viewing platform, parking & picnic tables in a wooded setting. One of the best natural tourist attraction place I have ever visited. Good insight into the conservation efforts of the turtles, seals and dolphins. There are amenities which a couple of picnic tables. Great lookout/ walk down to have a swim in the cold water. Just disappointed we arrived too late for the guided tour. This popular patrolled city beach features picnic areas, swimming, boating, scuba diving & more. Good for picnic and family. If you want to get the breathtaking view of Coffs Harbour absolutely for free, then drive up to the Forest Sky Pier!. Easy access for parking and viewing the Centre, as well as the boardwalk. I had no idea that this wonderful woman was a hoarder and because of this her life was filled with many gems from flowers and statues to ewers and vases. We are hoping the place would provide more outdoor seating in the future. Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Sydney. Right on the river and super close to the beach. Dolphin show is a highlight. You can even tour the facility. Beautiful beach and great views of the coast, especially to see the sunrise! At the wharf end, you'll find mouth-watering burgers, fried chicken and hot dogs at Rascal. Dolphin Marine Magic is a place where life-long memories and experience happen every day. Where to Stop on the Drive Between Sydney and Byron Bay Gosford, Central Coast Newcastle, Hunter Region Forster, Mid-North Coast Port Macquarie, Mid-North Coast South West Rocks, Kempsey Coffs Harbour, North Coast The Sky Pier itself is an impressive structure, it projects 21.6m from the original lookout. The exact latitude and longitude coordinates are 32 49' 2" S and 151 38' 7" E. Gas from Sydney to the Gold Coast would cost around $61 to $142 USD, depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. There is also a Dutch village not far from here, which is actually a shop selling Dutch clogs. You could check out Pittwater Kayak Tours and Australian Reptile Park, or the always popular Palm Beach! Show only these on map Mosman Save Lighthouse Rd, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia. The alligators here amazing and the number of them that are maintained well in a water body with in park is amazing to watch. Better to carry food as the cafe gets busy during weekend lunch hours. If youre looking for the travelling vibe, Im pretty sure it was born here. Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe sells gelato from In the Pink, which you can enjoy while looking out for dolphins and whales below. Very well maintained with facilities and wonderful crowds. The Forest itself changed throughout the walk as we moved up and down the Mountain. Lit up at night, as well. Its a chance to capture some really iconic shots of the Gold Coast. The toilets are clean and this is very informative. Be careful on walking tracks as we had a lot of run in with leeches but didnt discover them until after the walk. I hope you find a favourite spot of your own along the way. 14 Forster Road Katoomba (1.9 km from center )Show on map. This iconic spot offers amazing surf and gorgeous views. Trial Bay Gaol is a excellent place to see a little of Australia's history. If you're looking for a short walk with beautiful natural views, this is the place for you! Theres a lot of places to visit while staying in the nearest holiday park around. The views are surrounding rainforest enough to lift ones spirits and set one up for an awesome day or night. Another one with a caravan park right on the beach. Beautiful beaches and an amazing rivermouth that is the bluest of blue, Im always amazed how stunning it is every time I drive over the bridge between the two towns. This makes for some unforgettable scenery, as youll discover at the Sealy Lookout, a short drive up from Coffs Harbour through banana plantations. Spend around 2 hours just walking around looking at all the different cells and sights. Very close to the beach. Snapper Rocks is famous for more than just being ridiculously good looking. Dubbed the biggest and best fun park on the Northern NSW coast, it would be unthinkable to head to Coffs Harbour and not visit the Big Banana Fun Park. I've been wanting to visit 'Margaret Olley's' home, which has been transported to the gallery, for quite a while. No matter if you are just stopping in to Coffs Harbour for a couple of hours or for much longer, the Big Banana has grown into a tourist destination in its own right and is well worth a visit. zhweiei"Daxiang If you want to spend time at a beach that is relatively less crowded than the Surfers Paradise, this is your top bet. Has an amazing little Cafe. Well worth the visit, especially for the lovingly reconstruction of Margaret Olley's home/studio. Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe .. is a good recovery spot .. after exploring the Cape Byron Lighthouse & the beautiful Cape Byron State Conservation Area. The top cities between Sydney and Forster are Cessnock, Mosman, Newcastle, Pokolbin, Port Stephens, Nelson Bay, Blacktown, Manly, and North Sydney. Inside of Bruxner Park Flora Reserve you will find one of the best places to go. Moderate ability. With high cascading waves and the breaks, this beach has the perfect natural conditions for surfing on the water. Note that this one has a hint of Orange oil so if youre not fan it might not be a great purchase. Some climbing up the stairs. With free admission and plenty of Australias cuddliest mammals on display, this is a great place to visit if youre taking a family holiday. Sun sand surf coffee food walks swim stay shop smile chill sleep eat repeat + small village big impact Cremorne. Spending a day on the soft sun-soaked sands here is one of the best things to do on the Gold Coast for free. Home to Waves campground, which is an awesome spot. A beautiful swimming & surfing Queensland beach Theres also Mullum showgrounds with camping available. There is also some great camping available on the headland overlooking the ocean at Trial Bay Gaol. It hasnt change much since our last visit in 2018. I really enjoyed coming to the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. The river is gorgeous at high tide and perfect for a swim. Whenever you visit Port Macquarie you must visit the Koala Hospital, make a small donation and appreciate what the volunteer workers go through in protecting some of our endangered species. Great surf beaches, awesome cafes and a cool live music event that happens once a month on the grassy area right on the beach called Peregian Originals. There are variety of birds and reptiles here. Popular zoo with many species of reptiles, free-roaming kangaroos, shows & hands-on experiences. Take the family along for an adventure and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. Why Should You Visit : Love Heights? Parking can be challenging on public holidays but drive around and youll eventually snag a parking spot especially in the Haven. The view from the Forest Sky Pier. New South Wales 1%. Sydney is a great base for epic road trips. A scenic walk by the water, where you'll pass the time looking at the breakwall art. Explore New South Wales (NSW) with this 9-day road trip covering a wide range of adventures beginning from Sydney to the Central Coast, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains. Complete with a garden, barbecue facilities and a terrace, Twin Palms Holiday House at Lighthouse is situated in Port Macquarie, 7 km from Port Macquarie Marina and 9 km from Port Macquarie Regional Stadium. Not sure if we just grabbed the orange flavour one and if they also offer a clean one. Dolphin Marine Magic offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins for aged six and older. One of the best surf beaches in Australia, come here to watch in awe as some of Queenslands best surfers tackle phenomenal waves. Of course many of these things that she couldn't bare to part will be remembered forever as they became part of arrangements in her still life paintings. Bakers Rd, Natural Bridge QLD 4211, Australia. The conservation park is licensed to display animals such as Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins, seals, penguins, green sea turtles, and a variety of endemic fish species. A beautiful town right on a great surf beach. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.6 km from Lighthouse Beach, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi. Image SourceChoosing a favourite beach at Gold Coast is as different as choosing a favourite ice cream flavour for a child!. Have fun and stay safe. Adequate car parking with access on a sealed road. About : The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park is situated at the Orlando region of Coffs Harbour City and is home to the native marine animals. Camden Head rock pools. 12 minutes off the main route, 86% of way to the Gold Coast. There are a few campsites nearby such as one thats near the waterfall further down the road. Check out handy apps for road tripping and camping for some more apps that will make finding the right spot a bit easier too. From American Airlines to international carriers like British Airways, we compare all major airlines along with the most popular online travel agents to find the cheapest plane tickets from Sydney to Forster. Enjoy the fantastic rugged scenery, try your hand at a bit of fishing or enjoy a stroll along one of Australias most beautiful beaches at sunset. Located in the Mid North Coast of Coffs Harbour, the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park houses and cares for marine mammals that were injured or temporarily unfit to be released to their natural habitat. Ive been getting a heap of questions about which places to visit between Sydney and The Sunshine Coast. For an easy to navigate list of all the posts available check out the index, that way you can find the posts relevant to you without having to dig around for ages. The Tomaree Coast track offers a great days hiking along this beautiful coastline! I had an awesome visit to Sealy Lookout. The walk through through the national park along the beach is one of the most beautiful walking tracks Ive done. The park aims to promote the conservation of our marine environment and is home to a family of five inquisitive bottlenose dolphins who were either rescued or born at the park. Tacking Point Lighthouse has been here since 1879, placing it just outside Australias top ten oldest lighthouses. Plus, dont forget the photo opportunities at the big banana itself! Better early in the morning or by sunset. Best parts: place is undercover, dry (no dirty shoes) and entry is FREE! Aussies love their BIG things and therefore you cannot miss The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour!. Highly recommend. Would love to go again and suss out the local hiking trails. From Byron you are about 40 mins from the QLD border. All the tasks are great giving his info about the animals. 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale NSW 2481, Australia. The lighthouse itself is interesting, but youre mostly coming here for the sweeping ocean views. If you love dolphins, seals or penguins then the top of your list of things to do at Coffs Harbour must be Dolphin Marine Magic!. I love d the chicken croissant. Built in search to find the best places so you dont have to open 50 more tabs. The beautifully positioned Roto House Port Macquarie is located in the eucalypt-forested patch along Lord Street, Port Macquarie, sharing the grounds of the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Popular stretch of white-sand beach with surf, scenic views & lifeguards on duty. The Big Banana has many school holiday activities, including rides, water slides, mini golf, exciting shops and small craft businesses onsite. Riverside Park at Raymond Terrace. Ive managed to miss Nambucca for years and just drove right on by until recently and Im so glad I finally stopped by! Find all the towns and cities in between. They're definitely Earth Angels every one of them! They also have a variety of food items and sweets as you sip and enjoy the sweeping views of the sea. Offering incredible experiences swimming with dolphins, and a daily presentation, this is a fascinating way to experience some of natures most amazing creatures. The staff member was a lady with a bun, she was so lovely. Nice, rustic experience. Animal lovers will jump at the opportunity to swim with or kiss the dolphins, feed a seal and watch live shows. Great idea and nice atmosphere for a cafe/restaurant. TOP TIP Cape Byron Lighthouse is a lot busier on the weekend, so if you can I would come midweek. The Lighthouse is on along The Coastal Walk, so if you need to burn off some energy why not walk a part of this beautiful walk. Lots of jams and chutney to choose from. Dolphin Marine Magic is a rescue and rehabilitation centre, providing care for animals that have been injured or cannot be returned to the wild. The Seal and Dolphin shows are highlights. Make sure don't book toboggan, if weather will be rainy otherwise it was fun. Great little hike. North Coast Holiday Parks Terrace Reserve. 73 Trial Bay Gaol Access Rd, Arakoon NSW 2431, Australia, 52 Wellington Dr, Nambucca Heads NSW 2448, Australia. 3 minutes off the main route, 62% of way to the Gold Coast. There is so much to do there, so much flexibility in buying tickets for the different attractions, which is fantastic for families travelling on a budget! Sealy Lookout is 310m above Coffs Harbour and the view is spectacular, giving you great perspective of the area, including the Solitary Islands Marine Park; on a clear day you can see 100km to the south. 2 caravan parking bays, although our single axle van took up almost both of them pulled all the way forward The exact coordinates of the midpoint are: 33 2' 0" S 151 52' 13" E The best place to meet based on recommendations from Trippy members is Newcastle (Australia). I would like to add there is no camping and the gates are locked at 5 pm. Enjoy a short walk around & see all the animals, have some fresh macadamian nuts under the trees. Be sure not to miss out on riding their world-class and thrilling slides that can stand as tall as four stories!.