Australia, New South Wales, North Coast Resorts

Whether you love body-surfing or serious wave riding, swimming in safe, shallow waters or long beach walks, the beaches of the North Coast are just about perfect. This is the most accessible coastline in Australia, with national parks, nature reserves and headland lookouts.

On the scenic North Coast of NSW, you’ll discover a hinterland of lush river valleys and a coastline of sparkling uncrowded beaches that are easy to get to along the Legendary Pacific Coast touring route. The North Coast has some of the best, and most well known, beaches in Australia at Byron Bay, Lennox Head, around Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, Port Stephens and Newcastle. North Coast holiday choices are many and varied. You can tackle the vast sand dunes of Stockton Beach, north of Newcastle, by 4WD or go scuba diving at Solitary Islands Marine Park, off the coast at Coffs Harbour. Hiking through forests, thousands of years old, in World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park is a real adventure as is being part of the alternative vibe at famed Channon markets on the scenic, meandering drive to Lismore. Whale watching is also popular at many locations along the North Coast. During their northern migration, most whales come within 3 km of the NSW coast so you can see them from headlands and lookouts in national parks. Some popular spots on the North Coast are Cape Byron State Conservation Area, Bundjalung National Park (Iluka Bluff), Yuraygir National Park (Angourie Point), Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve (Coffs Harbour), Hat Head National Park (Smoky Head), Tomaree National Park (Tomaree Head at Port Stephens) and Wyrrabalong National Park (Crackneck Lookout).