Bushwalk through the rugged Yengo National Park to visit Aboriginal cultural heritage sites, or browse the galleries and antiques at historic villages of Morpeth, Wollombi and Broke. Nice cafes opposite the beach. Pricing for experiences is a bit crazy but fun for the rich Im sure. Mick Fanning and Co. love it. Renowned for both its gorgeous golden sands and lovely chilled out vibe, it has lots of excellent outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy with plenty of beachfront bars and restaurants to be found in the area. Find all the towns and cities in between. Nice, rustic experience. Easy walk and refreshing air with a few wild animals to spot, nice but average view of rainforest. It depends on when you visit! This is where the best of the best surfers come to have a play. This place is one of the best destinations you dont want to miss when visiting Central Coast. Its plentiful beaches are linked by the Bathers Way, a coastal walk stretching between Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach. There is a caravan park right on the beach and also some great campgrounds nearby down dirt roads and away from the masses. 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. There is a strong focus on conservation and changing life habits, which makes this a visit even more profound. Awesome scenic views and loads of wind in the face!! Byron Bay (2 nights). There are variety of birds and reptiles here. Strong recommend from me!!! Great cafes with quality food and coffee and really nice friendly people. Highlights were of course the waterfalls, including, the Crystal Falls which you can choose to go behind for a unique view. Lovely place with astonishing beaches and views. Beautiful views though. A beautiful clean white sand beach away from the madness of the main Gold Coast strip, come here to relax and get away from it all. At the wharf end, you'll find mouth-watering burgers, fried chicken and hot dogs at Rascal. In such a small gallery its great to see such a good range of art, local or otherwise. The combination of the sheer size and conspicuousness of the landmark, as well as its location right on the highway, has led to many an impulsive roadside travel-selfie for the unaware international traveller and is something that has become a rite of passage for Aussies making the east-coast-capitals road trip as well. A relatively easy walk on a sealed path. Get some that are less ripe. Hence the status as a World Surf Reserve. If there is one must visit attraction in Coffs Harbour then this is it the Big Banana!. Located eight kilometres south of Port Macquarie, the lighthouse crowns a high hilltop at the end of a nine-kilometre coastal trail. Famous for its scenic views, this 106-mi. Highly recommend The Big Banana Fun Park! Best place to go to for free. The top stops along the way from Sydney to the Gold Coast (with short detours) are Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe, The Big Banana Fun Park, and Koala Hospital. Check out Instagram @Kirra.4225 for more info. There was a coffee van and It was awesome in the cold autumn weather. I really enjoyed coming to the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. Parking was sufficient at the time but when the weather is good or when it's summer you might struggle to find a spot. Be careful on walking tracks as we had a lot of run in with leeches but didnt discover them until after the walk. Restaurant was too busy so we did not end up eating there (due to covid we are avoiding crowded indoor place). Well worth the visit, especially for the lovingly reconstruction of Margaret Olley's home/studio. Just long enough to be tiring. Inland, amazingly green and beautiful and on a lovely river. Truly one of the better places in the world. 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. Show only these on map. It is located roadside heading north on the Pacific Highway, not only can you not miss it visually, but you have also got to go in and have a look around. The break is accessed quickly by (carefully) paddling out from the rocks or by paddling through the breakers of the beach. The house has a Dutch style, and there are some mini Dutch buildings in the backyard. Easy access for parking and viewing the Centre, as well as the boardwalk. Very well maintained with facilities and wonderful crowds. I am so lucky to live locally. Spend around 2 hours just walking around looking at all the different cells and sights. The caf sits atop a cliff beside the Byron Bay Lighthouse overlooking the magnificent Byron Bay coast, a great stop after a long hike. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.6 km from Lighthouse Beach, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi. I had a amazing time being that close to a wild rescued koala. great place and gethering with friend! Great experience and nice marine park. The beach is quiet with cafes and a pub close by. Spending a day on the soft sun-soaked sands here is one of the best things to do on the Gold Coast for free. We learned scuba diving in Terrigal Haven. Planning travel has actually been fun instead of tedious because of this app. Walk to Raymond Terrace Coach Stop, Adelaide St: 0.3km: 3m: Bus towards Taree: Raymond Terrace Coach Stop, Adelaide St: 159.0km: 2h 25m: Forster Coach Stop, Little St: Busways Great Lakes (011 61 13 15 00) Walk to Forster NSW 2428, Australia: 0.3km: 4m Sydney to Melbourne Start in Sydney early to make the most of your day and drive to Goulburn . Highly recommend. There is also a cafe here (the scones with strawberry jam are highly recommended) and a store to buy preserves, sauces, chocolate, jams, pickles and other produce, including fresh vine ripened tomatoes. The first of the craze of Big Things in Australia, the Big Banana is an iconic Coffs landmark, and comes with rides, attractions, a waterpark, plantation tours, and the brilliantly-named World of Bananas Experience. Have fun and stay safe. Required fields are marked *, Travel addict Just landed after a lap of Aus Living big after breast cancer Currently in NSW, Designed by Max & Ivy | 2017 Max & Ivy. Coffee is only on front deck and inside main serving area. 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. It is special because it is completely dedicated to Bananas. road winds through national parks & alongside waterfalls. There is a short forest walk out the back of the car park. Billabong Zoo is known for its koala breeding centre. Coolangatta Beach is renowned for its casual culture and relaxed vibe. Popped in for a quick snack and beverage when viewing the lighthouse. Kirra Point is part of the World Surfing Reserve and produces some sizable surf breaks. There is a lookout with breathtaking views but I personally found quite scary. Read about the 40 best attractions and cities to stop in between Sydney and Melbourne, including places like Canberra, Scenic World, and Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park . Good insight into the conservation efforts of the turtles, seals and dolphins. It gives a beautiful panoramic view of the beautiful hills and the mountains to the visitor. Beginning at Main Beach near the Bull Ring, it's just a short burst up the headland to Second Head Lookout. Want some to take back home and eat in a few days time? This was infinatiely better than other penal colonies and gaols I have visited (looking at you port Arthur), however Castel st Angelo in rome is probably the best gaol. Wasnt expensive, had great food and the view is just sensational! This is the crme de la crme of planning apps! The beach here is wide and expansive. Dolphin Marine Magic is a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Coffs Harbour. Well, there you go, some of my favourites. If you think the drive up the mountain to Sealy Lookout, with its windy road and sleepy banana plantations, was spectacular, you havent seen anything yet. If you are just wanting to get from Sydney to Qld as quickly and efficiently as you possibly can then check out driving betweenSydney & Byron Bay with kids, its the version that I do when I need to get to Byron without mucking around. Its known for its beaches, wildlife and penal colony past. Check them out here: Yes! Lots of stairs. 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). Plenty of restaurants and bars and a lots or retail down in Hasting Street. Families, surfers & swimmers frequent this scenic beach with city views & access to restaurants. Has an amazing little Cafe. This is one of the great escape spots located just around an hour drive from Sydney. Its known for its beaches and the Big Banana monument and amusement park. It hasnt change much since our last visit in 2018. There are plenty! If you're looking for a short walk with beautiful natural views, this is the place for you! They also have a variety of food items and sweets as you sip and enjoy the sweeping views of the sea. Other popular stops include Coolangatta Beach, Cape Byron Walking Track, and Australian Reptile Park. Good quality to price was much less than my expectation but overall experience would compensate for that. Peninsula with sandy beaches & hiking trails up bush-clad mountains for sweeping ocean views. Snapper Rocks Rd, Coolangatta QLD 4225, Australia. Driving from Sydney to the Gold Coast should take you 8 hrs 21 mins in normal traffic. There are a couple of drop toilets. It is definitely one of the best places to see in Gold Coast. Minyon Platform Track, Whian Whian NSW 2480, Australia. If youve never been to the Big Banana or havent visited since you were a kid, do yourself a favour and make it the first stop on your motorhome holiday. Not only is this where you will find Australias most easterly point, but its picturesque vantage point makes it a great spot to watch both the sunrise and sunset, whilst also dolphin spotting!. 73 Trial Bay Gaol Access Rd, Arakoon NSW 2431, Australia, 52 Wellington Dr, Nambucca Heads NSW 2448, Australia. Camping for tents, campervans or caravans in the beautiful Crowdy Bay National Park. It is a small centre which offers an intimate, up close experience with some beautiful marine animals. The toilets are clean and this is very informative. Within a flora reserve in the Orara East State Forest, you can find this overhanging pier with amazing views over the whole Coffs Harbour area. Popular stretch of white-sand beach with surf, scenic views & lifeguards on duty. There is wheelchair access everywhere and they had maintained the toilets well. The staff member was a lady with a bun, she was so lovely. Admission is free, with charges for associated attractions, such as ice skating, toboggan rides, minigolf, the waterpark, plantation No trip to Coffs Harbour is complete without visiting The Big Banana. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. The aim here is just to head you in the direction of lovely places along the way. Animal lovers will jump at the opportunity to swim with or kiss the dolphins, feed a seal and watch live shows. 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 Very close to the beach. 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. The tortoise that we saw was over 100 years and looks so healthy and stunning. See time and distance between places, and optimize your route to get the most of your day. 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. Whatever you choose, it is really a beautiful escape. CITIES BETWEEN. One of the best surf beaches in Australia, come here to watch in awe as some of Queenslands best surfers tackle phenomenal waves. How Long is the Sturt Highway? There is also a Dutch village not far from here, which is actually a shop selling Dutch clogs. Working farm, plant nursery & sustainable market garden with tours, an onsite restaurant & a bakery. Palm Beach is a suburb in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Cities between Sydney, New South Wales and Forster, New South Wales. 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. In fact, seasonal whale and dolphin boat tours are extremely popular. Cessnock is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from Sydney and 7 hours from Gold Coast. Youll see a range of fish, turtles, feed penguins and fish and receive kisses on the cheek from a dolphin. Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Sydney. The drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast is 526 miles (847 km). There was a small entry fee of $10 but this was defiantly worth it. Extra benefit is you walk past the most eastern point in Australia. It offers the best chance I have experienced to get up close to these animals in a way that is as animal friendly as it can be with small crowds and without paying a fortune. Just order via The Chickn Shack app - its so easy and convenient! No mention of Port Stephens. Otford, New South Wales You will have to turn off to the coast but the drive in about 30 mins in. The Big Banana Fun Park is the biggest water park in Sydney and the Gold Coast and it is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Coffs Harbour. I cant recommend it enough! Tacking Point Lighthouse was built in 1879 and offers nice views down over Lighthouse Beach which stretches 7km. Also, you can enjoy daily shows and even get up close and personal. Gorgeous place to visit. Right on the river and super close to the beach. Good for picnic and family. Forster Bicentennial Walk/ Frewins Walk The best place to start is the Forster Bicentennial Walk. Some well done, some kindergarten level, all with a story! Image SourceThis beach is one of the premier Gold Coast attractions. 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. People love visiting Cessnock, Port Macquarie, and Byron Bay, among others. It is definitely worth the trip there, highly recommend to stay the night. Best parts: place is undercover, dry (no dirty shoes) and entry is FREE! Natural formation with a unique rock pool along with scenic views overlooking the beach. Gift shop has a lovely selection of various priced gifts (for others or self!). You can even tour the facility. 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. Just be aware the Cafe and restaurant areas are separate operations so if you think you can enjoy a coffee in the restaurant area you can't. Set amongst the banana trees overlooking the coast, the fun doesnt stop; complete with rides, games and adventure aplenty. One of the oldest lighthouses in Australia, Tacking Point Lighthouse is a historic treasure of Port Macquarie. Located at Sealy Lookout in Bruxner Park Flora Reserve, the architectural site offers a spectacular panorama of the citys rainforest and canopy. 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