If you’re planning a visit to Coffs Harbour, you’re probably heading there to visit the beaches and grab a selfie with the Big Banana monument. But there are plenty more things to do in Coffs Harbour than just this. The town is ideally located near to some amazing snorkelling and diving spots, bird watching locations, and the rainforest of Ulidarra National Park. Emerald Beach on the Coffs Coast | Credit: Destination NSW The truth is, the town just doesn’t do that much for me. But what I do really like is the region surrounding Coffs Harbour. There are some great nearby beaches, towns, and Nat ..read more

I know Newcastle well. Or at least I thought I did. When we took our road trip around Australia, and landed in Australia’s 7th biggest city, we realized there were so many things to do in Newcastle as a family that we hadn’t seen before. I soon discovered there was more to Newcastle beyond the riverfront walk, Nobby’s Beach and a lot of pubs. Newie (as it’s called by the locals) was the place to go out when I was younger. It was a 90 minute train journey away from where I grew up and I used to come here a lot to enjoy the nightlife. It was always saved for special occasions and memorable mome ..read more

You should always leave space in your travel itinerary for spontaneity. And that’s what happened to us when we landed in Kangaroo Valley NSW. A large focus of our Australian road trip was to ask for suggestions from our readers and social communities on things to do and see. We soon learned that there were plenty of things to do in Kangaroo Valley, that it was worth a detour on our road trip to check it out. We’re so glad we did. You should really go to Kangaroo Valley too. Beautiful views on the drive in As one reader said, “I didn’t know Australia was so green.” Australia is surprising. You ..read more

I never get sick of seeing wild kangaroos in Australia, and I’m an Aussie, I see them all the time. I can’t imagine how excited a foreigner would be to step on our shores and sight our beloved mascot. Pebbly Beach Despite what you see in movies, they are not as commonly found as you think. I think the first time I saw one in the wild was on Pebbly Beach in NSW when I was 19. And at Pebbly Beach, they graze on the grass like herds of sheep. Could you imagine anything more iconic Australian? Kangaroos on the beach. They are wild, yet they are so used to humans they allow you to come close w ..read more

Arguably the best way to explore New South Wale’s South Coast is by car. A South Coast NSW road trip takes you past some of the best beaches, national parks, rainforests and quiet small towns. While you can drive from one side to the other in 6 and a half hours, a South Coast NSW itinerary should be spread over a couple of weeks, because there is so much to see and do along the way. Greenfield Beach, Jervis Bay After spending five weeks discovering the south coast for the first time, we were lucky enough to discover the beauty of this region and have lasting memories of our trip. To help you o ..read more

Although I haven’t been to every beach in Australia… yet, I’m pretty confident the South Coast NSW has some of the best beaches in the country. We spent three weeks in this region, and I personally believe the beaches in the South Coast NSW were better than the North Coast NSW beaches. They are not only stunningly beautiful, but there is much less development than in the north, and WAY LESS people. Win-win! But with over 600km of coastline to explore, it’s not possible to see every beach in one trip, so I’ve prepared this guide to the best beaches in the South Coast of New South Wales, so you ..read more

Kangaroo Valley was one of the highlights of our Australia road trip and was somewhere we hadn’t thought about visiting before. The valley is as green as Ireland and with the Australian bush and escarpments framing it, it’s really a pretty place with amazing scenery. Beautiful views on the drive in Fortunately, we were able to stay a few days at Crystal Creek Meadows, a cute B&B offering luxury cottages in the heart of Kangaroo Valley. It’s location is unbeatable, as they are surrounded by the lush green landscape that makes this region so famous. But what is a stay at Crystal Creek Meadow ..read more

I grew up holidaying in Port Macquarie and have fond childhood memories of camping at the Breakwall Caravan Park and having endless fun at the beach. We loved those trips to Port Macquarie. It was a great getaway from our home near Sydney and all members of my family enjoyed visiting time and time again because there are endless things to do in Port Macquarie. Pilots Beach It was so exciting to revisit Port Macquarie with my own kids and show them places from my own childhood, as well as explore more of the Greater Port Macquarie region. Since I was a child, there are so many more attractions ..read more

The iconic east coast road trip from Sydney to Brisbane, known as the Legendary Pacific Coast, is one of Australia’s top road trips. Stretching 900 kms along the Pacific Highway corridor it has something for everyone: stunning beaches, green rolling hills, beachside towns, riverside towns, wineries, historic sites, the hinterland, wildlife watching, and every water sport imaginable. Surf on Coolangatta Beach It’s a drive we’ve done many times and each time we discover new wonders, new places to stay, and new dining options. Best explored at your own pace in your own vehicle, we recommend ..read more

When you visit Byron Bay – and you MUST visit Byron Bay – one of our top recommendations for things to do is an early-morning walk to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. In case you didn’t know, Byron Bay is that legendary beach town just 90km South of the Gold Coast. It’s a popular spot on the Sydney to Brisbane road trip, and is well known for its surfing community and incredible beaches. Stairway to paradise – Clarkes Beach, Byron Bay It’s that place on the NSW north coast that attracts thousands every year, and many never leave. Because it’s so popular with not only international tourists ..read more