Extending from Arrawarra to Smiths Lake, the North Coast of NSW has protected beaches suitable for the family, surf beaches and some excellent dive locations. If you prefer fishing, try a deep sea fishing charter or some estuary fishing along the coast. Towns in this region include: Bellingen, Bonny Hills, Coffs Habour, Coffs Harbour Northern beaches, Crescent Head, Forster, Tuncurry, Nambucca Heads, Old Bar, Pacific Palms, Port Macquarie, Sawtell, South West Rocks and Urunga. Stay in holiday accommodation ranging from cottages and villas to motels and resorts and experience the many National Parks, rainforest walks and waterfalls.

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Coffs Harbour

Bellingen information

Located 516km north of Sydney, Bellingen is set in a luxuriant valley beside the Bellinger River. Previously established for its cedar and dairy grazing, Bellingen today is a tourist destination with a lively community of artists and craftsmen.

Attractions and activities include mountain biking, bush walking and horse riding, boating, canoeing and Dorrigo National Park, Rainforest Centre and Skywalk.

Accommodation options for visitors include motels, hotels, B&Bs, cabins and backpakers.

 

Bonny Hills information

Located 367km north of Sydney, Bonny Hills was originally home to the fishing enthusiasts amongst the tough, North Coast timbermen and dairy farmers from the nearby Wauchope and hinterland, the old wood fishing shacks of the past are long gone.  Today, Bonny Hills has a population of around 2,300 residents, and many of the homes and holiday parks of the area command spectacular views of the coastline.

Attractions and activities include boating, kayaking and diving, surfing, swimming and open water canoeing.

Accommodation options for visitors include hotels, backpackers and B&Bs, motels, beach houses and holiday parks, cabins, apartments, lodges and holiday units.

 

Coffs Harbour information

Located 534km north of Sydney, Coffs Harbour is an extremely popular holiday destination. Previously established as a timber port and agriculture, Coffs Harbour today depends on tourism, timber, fishing and banana growing.

Attractions and activities include Coffs Harbour Zoo, Pet Porpoise Pool, Clog Barn and Big Banana, surfing, diving and snorkelling, kayaking, canoeing and jet-skiing, white-water rafting, boating and game fishing, International Marina, Old Jetty, Mutton Bird Island and whale & dolphin tours. Experience hot-air ballooning, cycle ways and mountain biking, Sunday markets, cartoon gallery and Historical Museum, organic wines, 4WD and galleries. Explore Beacon Hill Lookout, Bruxner Park Floral Reserve, Glenreagh Mountain Railway and George’s Gold Mine.

Accommodation options for visitors include hotels, resorts and apartments, motels, holiday units and villas, holiday parks, cabins and backpackers, B&Bs, camping and retreats.

 

Coffs Harbour Northern Beaches information

Located 544km north of Sydney, Coffs Harbour Northern Beaches are extremely popular holiday destinations. Included in this group of superb beaches are: Diggers Beach, Moonee Beach, Sapphire Beach, Sandy Beach, Emerald Beach, Woolgoolga Beach, Arrawarra Beach, Safety Beach and Corindi Beach. Previously established as a timber port and agriculture, Coffs Harbour today depends on tourism, timber, fishing and banana growing.

Attractions and activities include surfing, diving and snorkelling, kayaking, canoeing and jet-skiing, boating and game fishing.

Accommodation options for visitors include hotels, resorts and apartments, motels, holiday units and villas, holiday parks, cabins and backpackers, B&Bs, camping and retreats.

 

Crescent Head information

Located 436km north of Sydney at the mouth of Killick Creek, Crescent Head has unique surfing conditions attracting many long board riders. Undeveloped until the late 1950s, Crescent Head produces oysters and is a quiet coastal village suitable for family getaways.

Attractions and activities include deep sea, beach and rock fishing,safe swimming, walking and skate boarding. Explore Hat Head National Park, Lime Burners Creek Nature Reserve and Goolawah Reserve. Enjoy tennis, golf and dining in a Clydesdale drawn carriage.

Accommodation options for visitors include holiday cottages, motels and holiday units, holiday houses, holiday parks and cabins.

 

Forster-Tuncurry information

Located 303km north of Sydney at the entrance to Wallis Lake, Forster-Tuncurry is well known for its clean beaches and seafood and is a favourite family holiday destination. Previously established for timber cutting, fishing and shipbuilding, Forster-Tuncurry today relies on fishing, oysters and tourism as its main industries.

Attractions and activities include kite surfing, white water kayaking and water skiing, snorkelling, dolphin cruises and surfing at Nine Mile Beach. Experience skydiving, mountain biking and trike tours, deep sea fishing charters, wineries and 4WD on the beach and in the forests, skateboarding, Ton ‘o’ Fun and the Big Buzz Fun Park. Explore Pebbly Beach Bicentennial Walk, Callendina Reserve Rainforest Boardwalk and Forster Marina, Great Lakes Historical Museum, galleries the Heritage Trail.

Accommodation options for visitors include motels, apartments and B&Bs, holiday units, guesthouses and villas, lodges, holiday parks, camping and cabins.

 

Nambucca Heads information

Located 485km north of Sydney at the mouth of the Nambucca River, Nambucca Heads is a relaxed coastal holiday area bound by State Forests and golden beaches. Previously established for its timber, Nambucca Heads today is a retirement area with primary and manufacturing industries.

Attractions and activities include white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking, diving, surfing and fishing, boating, foreshore walks and Gambaari Aboriginal Culture Tours, New England National Park, Headland Historical Museum and Swiss Toy makers, Stuart Island Golf Course, Gordon Park Rainforest Walk and Nambucca Valley Model Railway.

Accommodation options for visitors include motor inns, resorts and lodges, apartments, holiday units and beach houses, cabins, holiday parks and camping.

 

Old Bar information

Located 315km north of Sydney on the mouth of the Manning River, Old Bar is a quiet fishing village with a relaxed life style. Old Bar today is a fishing village with low-key tourism.

Attractions and activities include swimming, good surfing beach and great fishing opportunities.

Accommodation options for visitors include holiday parks, cabins and motels, B&Bs, camping and holiday units.

 

Pacific Palms information

Located 277km north of Sydney at the southern end of Wallis Lake, Pacific Palms is an area of pristine beaches and unspoilt forests. Previously established for its timber and fishing, Pacific Palms is now a relaxed holiday and retirement area.

Attractions and activities include wind surfing canoeing, sailing and aqua bikes, boating, prawning and fishing at nearby Smiths Lake and Sandbar. Visit Boomerang and Bluey Beach surfing, sailing, rock fishing and wind-surfing, camping, rainforest walks and scenic lookouts. Explore Booti Booti National Park, the Green Cathedral and Wallingat National Park, Sugar Creek Toymakers, Whoota Whoota Lookout and 4WD tracks. Visit Myall Lakes National Park and Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at Seal Rocks.

Accommodation options for visitors include motels, Apartments and B&Bs, caravan parks, cabins and camping.

 

Port Macquarie information

Located 384km north of Sydney at the mouth of the Hastings river, Port Macquarie is a thriving coastal resort town. Previously established as a penal colony for timber cutting, Port Macquarie today is supported by tourism, fishing, manufacturing and mineral processing. It is a popular retirement area and family holiday choice.

Attractions and activities include boating, kayaking and diving, surfing, swimming and open water canoeing, jet skiing, hang gliding and camel safaris, horse riding, dolphin watching and cruises, Port Macquarie Marina, boat ramps and fishing wharf. Experience Timber Town, Flagstaff Maritime Museum and Port Macquarie Observatory, Billabong Koala Park, Sea Acres Rainforest Centre and Tacking Point Lighthouse. Explore Roto House, the Koala Hospital and Macquarie Nature Reserve, Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve, Farmers Markets and a number of preserved convict built buildings.

Accommodation options for visitors include hotels, backpackers and B&Bs, motels, beach houses and holiday parks, cabins, apartments, lodges and holiday units.

 

Sawtell information

Located 526km north of Sydney, bound by Boambee and Bonville Creeks, Sawtell has a real small town atmosphere. Previously established for its cedar, Sawtell is today a peaceful family holiday area.

Attractions and activities include fishing, surfing and diving, sand boarding, canoeing and dog friendly beach, scooter hire, jet skiing and 4WD, golf, tennis and BMX, Boambee Creek Reserve for family picnics and the rock pool for toddler swimming. Visit Bongil Bongil National Park, the Organic Fruit Farm and the Butterfly House.

Accommodation options for visitors include motels, holiday units and apartments, lodges, B&Bs and beach houses, caravan parks, cabins and retreats.

 

South West Rocks information

Located 455km north of Sydney on Trial Bay, South West Rocks is a quiet holiday retreat with good foreshores, beaches and fishing. Previously established as a penal settlement, South West Rocks is today a tourist destination, which is popular because it has a variety of beaches facing different directions.

Attractions and activities include tennis, deep sea and river fishing, and spectacular diving at fish rock cave, sailboarding, sailing, snorkelling and tennis, whale, dolphin and bird watching. Explore Trial Bay Gaol, Smoky Cape Lighthouse and Boatman’s cottage, Arkaroon State Recreation Area, Hat Head National Park and cruise the Macleay River.

Accommodation options for visitors include motels, apartments and tourist parks.

 

Urunga information

Located 503km north of Sydney between the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers, Urunga is a quiet fishing village popular for family holidays. Previously established for its cedar and dairy grazing, Urunga today is predominantly a retirement area with a few oyster farms.

Attractions and activities include fishing, diving and water skiing, mountain biking, bush walking and horse riding, boating, canoeing and paddle boats, golf, river cruises and wineries, Dorrigo National Park, Rainforest Centre and Skywalk, historical museum and the Honey Place.

Accommodation options for visitors include motels, apartments and holiday units, B&Bs, cabins and holiday parks.

 

Contact the Visitor Information Centre at Coffs Harbour (1300 369 070) for more information on the North Coast, NSW.