The Coast of New South Wales: Places to Visit and Things to Do
New South Wales is home to some amazing stretches of coast line with beautiful white beaches and rugged cliffs. There is a lot to explore and enjoy for every type of traveller but you are going to need a car to make the most of it. There are lots of choices available to rent a car from the airport which means you can relax and enjoy your trip in comfort.
Far North Coast
The most northerly stretch of coastal New South Wales is as diverse as it is interesting, catering equally to leisurely backpackers, hard-core surfers, and holidaying families.
On the coast there's an array of places to stay from quiet fishing villages to trendy resort towns like the ever popular Byron Bay. These are scattered in between national parks, rainforests, picturesque fields, and deserted golden beaches, just waiting to be explored.
Sixty kilometres inland or so, the spectacular mountainous hinterland lurches out of the coastal plain. Dense forests surround the ex-volcanic peaks, ridges, and valleys which since the Aquarius Festival in the seventies, have become home to a large population of alternative lifestyles. Festivals, dances, and markets are commonplace throughout the various communities whose alternate styles have become a colourful and prominent part of life.
Lower North Coast
The Lower North Coast presents travellers with an enormous range of different experiences all within close proximity. Idyllic white beaches and stretches of calm, sparkling waters of the Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, and Great Lakes regions are united with the world famous wine growing district of the Hunter Valley. These are punctuated with historic towns and cities which offer innumerable glimpses into Australia's rich colonial heritage. You don't need to use a pencil when putting the New South Wales Lower North Coast into your travel itinerary.
Mid North Coast
Often called the Holiday Coast, the New South Wales mid north coast is a collection of seaside villages and towns nestled upon golden beaches and river estuaries. Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour are the largest of the resort towns offering the most comprehensive range of facilities and activities for the traveller on the coast. However, the other towns all have a claim to fame, and many can be the perfect choice for those wanting to get away from it all.
Don't be too seduced by the beauty of the coast as there are plenty of jewels to discover inland. A myriad of national parks and rainforests filled with spectacular gorges and some of the highest waterfalls in Australia are amid some grand old towns with significant and interesting historical pasts.
Central Coast
Less than an hour north of Sydney, the New South Wales Central Coast is a stark contrast to the bustle of the State capital. The sleepy relaxed hamlets and coastal villages are surrounded by superb beaches, inland waterways and lush national parks. The coastal wilderness once provided a rich environment for it's Aboriginal inhabitants, and remnants of their habitation can be viewed in the various national parks. The more infamous history of European settlement is also on display through the conservation of historic buildings and the colonial theme park, Old Sydney Town.
Time spent in the Central Coast can be busy or relaxed, the decision is up to you. Fishing and boating on the various waterways are popular activities, as are browsing through antique stores and lazing back on golden beaches. There's no shortage of excellent restaurants and cafes, many in scenic waterfront locations and the Coast's accommodation is of similar quality and abundance.
Upper South Coast
The Southern Highlands represents the inland region of the Upper South Coast. Once inhabited by the Wadi Wadi people for over 40,000 years, the area's cooler climate and mineral rich soil attracted early European settlers who transformed the land. Today the highlands are lush rolling fields reminiscent of an English countryside, bordered by rugged wilderness with impressive vertical cliff faces and deep river gorges which recede into broad scenic valleys spreading down to the coastal plains.
The picturesque towns and villages nestled throughout the Southern Highlands flourish with fine buildings and other well preserved examples of Australia's colonial heritage. They're also a paradise for lovers of art, craft and antiques with dozens of interesting shops and galleries lining their leafy streets. For a change of pace, the nearby Morton National Park beckons your exploration.
On the coast, forested sandstone escarpments and sandy inlets are found along the jagged landscape of the Illawarra, gradually dissolving into the long white beaches, sheltered bays and lush hinterland of the south. Offering a range of activities quintessential of coastal Australia, the various towns and villages of the region also make quiet retreats, spoiling visitors with rustic cafes, historic museums, and locally produced art and craft.
