Between June and November, humpback whales can be spotted from headland viewpoints such as the Captain Cook Lookout. The best customer service ever. Lots of birds flying around for spotting. About : The Forest Sky Pier is situated in theBruxner Park Flora Reserve and is famous for standing about 15 meters above the forest floor. After I left Bird Island, I drove there immediately. Whatever you choose, it is really a beautiful escape. Really lovely and not yet crazy busy like Byron. Check out the Forster Ocean Baths, its kid swim heaven. Ride the famous Toboggan Ride overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Info: Trail Info Maps [PDF] Alltrails Guide Distance: 1 km return Grade 2. This iconic spot offers amazing surf and gorgeous views. Well, there you go, some of my favourites. One of the best surf beaches in Australia, come here to watch in awe as some of Queenslands best surfers tackle phenomenal waves. Campfires are ok when a total fire ban isnt in place. Other popular stops include Coolangatta Beach, Cape Byron Walking Track, and Australian Reptile Park. Good view and landscape for both scenic and portrait photography shots. While youre in Port Macquarie, you can visit the Tacking Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1879. The chicken was so juicy and yummy. There was a small entry fee of $10 but this was defiantly worth it. 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. Easy walking to distance from either of these spots restaurants or supplies in town. Aussies love their BIG things and therefore you cannot miss The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour!. One of the best natural tourist attraction place I have ever visited. This is an oasis. The tortoise that we saw was over 100 years and looks so healthy and stunning. If youve always dreamt of getting up close and personal with dolphins, then the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park is an attraction you wont want to miss. 28 minutes off the main route, 21% of way to the Gold Coast. One of the best beaches on the Central Coast of NSW gorgeous clear water clean powder-like sand with a blue sky canopy surrounded by green hills! 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. A stroll around the point to nearby Snapper Rocks can also give you an increased chance of seeing whales passing on their annual migration throughout the year's cooler months. The southernmost suburb in the city, Coolangatta and its idyllic beach lie half an hours drive from the center, right on the border with New South Wales. Its just a short drive from Coffs Harbour but the trip will be well worth the effort and time spent. Not sure if we just grabbed the orange flavour one and if they also offer a clean one. Amazing place to enjoy. The view from the Forest Sky Pier. Youll see a range of fish, turtles, feed penguins and fish and receive kisses on the cheek from a dolphin. In more ways than one. This magical encounter is one that the entire familycan share and have amazing memories for a lifetime. Cape Byron State Conservation Park is on a headland with a lighthouse. A small village on the most amazing beach. Great cafes and restaurants along the beach. We stayed at a place called, driving betweenSydney & Byron Bay with kids, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHhkEw2uAv0, The car seat head flop & how we fixed it, eventually, Festivals with kids Handy stuff to know before you go. There is also a Koalaseum a museum for Koalas which provides information and has interactive displays so kids can touch koala fur or look down a microscope at koala poos poo! St. Thomas' Anglican Church was built by convicts in the 19th century. Spend around 2 hours just walking around looking at all the different cells and sights. Has an amazing little Cafe. I am so lucky to live locally. This place was awesome, very educational and knowledgeable. We enjoyed every moment and it was amazing to see that even during this challenging COVID19 situation, kids having a good time with huge smiles on their faces!There holidays were paid off after visiting that place.Highly recommend The Big Banana Fun Park! doesnt require any money to go on the walks but does have a nice gift shop you can spend money. Created by. The best city between Sydney, Australia and Forster, Australia to meet is Newcastle, Australia which is about 11 miles from the exact midpoint. I would definitely revisit. Below you'll find some of the best day trips from Sydney and stops between Sydney and Brisbane. The beach here is wide and expansive. Dolphin Marine Magic is a place where life-long memories and experience happen every day. This beach is not crowded, the waves are less fierce, and with lifeguards present this beach is ideal for families. Billabong Zoo is known for its koala breeding centre. Theres a small cafe on top where you can have some coffee and cookies for the kids. Grab smoothies and head across the road to watch surfers and early morning swimmers take to the ocean. The cafe/restaurant was very good. Dolphin Marine Magic offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins for aged six and older. Its known for its beaches, wildlife and penal colony past. 351 Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, Australia. Built in 1879, this white cement lighthouse with a keeper's cottage sits on a rocky headland. Its known for its beaches and the Big Banana monument and amusement park. 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. It has many rides and attractions completely dedicated to Banana theme. Moderate ability. Tasman Highway - Best Places To Stop Between Launceston and Hobart Read More February 21, 2021 Hume Highway - Best Places To Stop Between Sydney and Melbourne Bruce Highway - Best Places To Stop Between Townsville and Brisbane Australian East Coast Road Trip - The Ultimate Guide A must for any visitor. They also have a really nice cafe but is a bit on the pricy side so its wise to bring food and drinks. Enjoy a stroll along one of Australias most beautiful beaches at sunset. A coastal walk from the town centre to the 19th-century Tacking Point Lighthouse offers views over waters home to whales and dolphins. I had a amazing time being that close to a wild rescued koala. The river is gorgeous at high tide and perfect for a swim. Popular for weddings, this traditional beacon built in 1903 offers lodging & scenic ocean views. Nice, rustic experience. Nice Milky Way viewing at night, no light pollution. Just over two hours from Sydney, Terrigal on the Central Coast is the perfect place to stop off for breakfast. There is a strong focus on conservation and changing life habits, which makes this a visit even more profound. Easily the most well-known of Australias unusual series of big inanimate landmarks (avocado, guitar, prawn, et al), the Big Banana has become synonymous with everything Coffs Harbour since its construction back in 1964. Very solemn and beautiful look out. 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. See koalas in their rehabilitation area and learn about threats to their survival. You can also explore small towns you might normally pass on a trip so you don't miss out on an interesting . Highly recommend. This unique Coffs Harbour marine park offers fun, conservation, and education. Hippies and stoners sit happily beside party animals and leggy ladies dancing on tables in Cheeky Monkeys, a local nightlife institution. Kirra Beach is mostly frequented by locals but is another great spot if you or some of the family are really experienced and avid surfers. Very well maintained with facilities and wonderful crowds. Foster is nice and also Byron Bay is popular among back packers. 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. Lots of parking spaces, there's also cafe nearby. Inside, you can find out all you need to know about the rainforests delicate ecology, as well as its importance in local Aboriginal culture. All the tasks are great giving his info about the animals. Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe .. is a good recovery spot .. after exploring the Cape Byron Lighthouse & the beautiful Cape Byron State Conservation Area. It is the administrative centre of the City of Cessnock LGA and was named after an 1826 grant of land called Cessnock Estate, which was owned by John Campbell. Byron Bay (2 nights). Its a popular holiday destination, known for its beaches, surfing and scuba diving sites. This lookout pier is 15 m. high, extends out 21 m. & offers sweeping views of the mountains & coast. Really good visibility at the exhibits. With high cascading waves and the breaks, this beach has the perfect natural conditions for surfing on the water. 2 caravan parking bays, although our single axle van took up almost both of them pulled all the way forward The superbank is one of the most consistent surf breaks on the Gold Coast in Queensland, and begins at Snapper Rocks and extends to Kirra Point. It has a really lovely main street with large established trees all through the centre of town. A visit to the Coffs Harbour Dolphin Marine Conservation Centre is a must!. The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. Popular hiking loop with ocean views, a lighthouse, wildlife sightings & picnic spots. Small, indoor-outdoor koala rehabilitation center with a gift shop, open to the public for tours. Afterwards be pampered at one of the Hunters many day spas before spending the night at five-star luxury resort, Chteau lan at The Vintage. Well done to everyone involved in ensuring the koalas are well looked after. Australias 13th-oldest lighthouse, Tacking Point Lighthouse was built in 1879 after more than 20 ships were wrecked on the coast around Port Macquarie. This place is one of the best destinations you dont want to miss when visiting Central Coast. Very interesting building providing great views at the top. 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. Sydney is a great base for epic road trips. Can get very slippery on the way to the water if been recently raining. Cessnock is a city in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about 52 km by road west of Newcastle. Its two main beaches - Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay - are the Gold Coast's only north-facing beaches which helps to provide excellent, sheltered conditions that are ideal for swimming. Lovely and green and not too far from Noosa. Check out Instagram @Kirra.4225 for more info. Newcastle is a harbour city in the Australian state of New South Wales. If you're planning to drive from Sydney to Byron Bay, discover these seven spectacular places worth stopping by during your road trip! The passionate dedication to traditional and sustainable practices here is both a working ethos and an educational mission. White sand beaches on the gold coast. Tacking Point Lighthouse is Port Macquaries most iconic attraction. Didn't spend much time there however, the walks amongst the decades old trees and a ecosystem within it was amazing. There is also a great pub right up on the headland overlooking the ocean. Great Strawberries picking time! Enjoy meal at the three ducks cafe or get takeaway & enjoy it under the trees. Be careful on walking tracks as we had a lot of run in with leeches but didnt discover them until after the walk. Palm Beach is located 41 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Northern Beaches Council. Built in search to find the best places so you dont have to open 50 more tabs. 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. 1. Located in the Orana East State Forest is a spectacular skywalk, jutting out more than 20m from the edge and 300m above Coffs Harbour. There is a shop and restaurant selling various products. 14 Forster Road Katoomba (1.9 km from center )Show on map. 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. Lots of stairs. We sell the best ice creams in the world which are locally made each day at "In The Pink" Gelateria in Byron Bay. Snapper Rocks is famous for more than just being ridiculously good looking. Coffs Harbour is also a beautiful seaside town. Just order via The Chickn Shack app - its so easy and convenient! Offering incredible dolphin swimming experiences and the opportunity to swim with dolphins for all aged six and older. Drive to Sealy Lookout for incredible views over the city and then grab a beer and toast to the first night of your Australian road trip! This waterfall you are able to swim in but is very cold. The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is both a functional wildlife rehab centre and a tourist attraction. 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. It's a good family venue with additional areas for kids to run around. This is a pretty big town with plenty of accomodation options. Its in from the coast, has a huge market that happens every Wednesday and Saturday and a cool pub with good live music gigs. Great beach. Beautiful wide, white sandy beach in upmarket precinct. Definitely worth a visit when youre in this area. A steep hill to hike but views and peace up there, definitely worth it!! I hope you find a favourite spot of your own along the way. Keep an eye out for casual seal strolls in the picnic area. Because it is rich in bananas, this rhubarb banana has become a local symbol. 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. A post shared by Nathalie Kafurt (@ennekapeapeon) on Jul 19, 2019 at 6:12am PDT. It depends on when you visit! 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. New South Wales 5%. Hence the status as a World Surf Reserve. Could be very crowded at times. This site and app let me do all the planning for our 15 day trip in a little over 6 hours! This app helps you find places to stop between two cities. Spending a day on the soft sun-soaked sands here is one of the best things to do on the Gold Coast for free. Cities between Sydney, New South Wales and Forster, New South Wales. They sell chocolate sauce near the counter for the strawberries. Have fun! Short drive from Hornsby shire, this beautiful beach is full of Cafes and restaurants. We had a wonderful time with our kids. Camden Head is a beach with a difference and one of the most memorable things to do between Sydney and Brisbane. 2 Mistral Rd, South Murwillumbah NSW 2484, Australia. The small town of Hay in New South Wales is roughly halfway between Sydney and Adelaide and is one of a few options for places to stopover on the drive as outlined in this blog post. Dolphin Marine Magic is a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Coffs Harbour. The staff member was a lady with a bun, she was so lovely. It was such a fun activity for the whole family. This quaint little suburb exudes old-school charm in the beachside and is one of the quiet beaches in Gold Coast. A visit to the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre in Port Macquarie is a great way to get a real feel for this areas rainforest. Make sure to encourage your kids to touch Dolphins and feed the fishes. 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. This makes for some unforgettable scenery, as youll discover at the Sealy Lookout, a short drive up from Coffs Harbour through banana plantations. You can drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast. The Kangaroos here are lovely and kids can have fun time feeding them. The falls a beautiful from above and below and also from within the cave. Coffs Harbour, NSW. Springbrook National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, is home to a stunning waterfall and a magical underground glow worm cave which lights up at night, the kids will love it!. Theres a great campground out in the hills called Macas which is beautiful and is dog friendly (well behaved ones). CITIES BETWEEN. Just be sure to check out the comments section for each site as it gives a great indication of what the place is really like. The Sky Pier itself is an impressive structure, it projects 21.6m from the original lookout. They also have a variety of food items and sweets as you sip and enjoy the sweeping views of the sea. See time and distance between places, and optimize your route to get the most of your day. One of the very beautiful waterfalls I have seen. The Coffs Coast is the only region in New South Wales where the mountains of the Great Dividing Range meet the Pacific Ocean. Perched on a high rocky headland where the ocean meets the rainforest, the lighthouse is one of a series of small lighthouses designed by the New South Wales (NSW) government architect, James Barnet. 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!. An absolute must visit if you are on the Gold Coast. Today was Wet wet wet !! Take the family along for an adventure and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. Where can we meet in the middle? Better to carry food as the cafe gets busy during weekend lunch hours. Love love love! Just east is the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, with its large population of wedge-tailed shearwater birds and learning centre. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Check out the Forster Ocean Baths, it's kid swim heaven. It is located on a bay of the same name on the southern shore of Port Stephens about 60 kilometres by road north-east of Newcastle, its nearest rail link. We recently visited this beautiful spot while on holidays. 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. 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