Explore Coastal New South Wales and the ACT
The coast from Sydney north to Queensland is more densely populated and much more touristy than its southern counterpart, with popular holiday destinations such as Port Stephens, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour strung along the coast north of Newcastle. Since the 1970s, the area around Byron Bay has been a favoured destination for people seeking an alternative lifestyle; this movement has left in its wake not only disillusioned hippie farmers (as well as a few who’ve survived with their illusions intact), but also a firmly established artistic and alternative scene.
As in the south, the coastline consists of myriad inlets, bays and coastal lakes, interspersed with white, sandy beaches and rocky promontories. Parallel to the coast are the rocky plateaus of the Great Dividing Range, whose national parks provide bushwalkers with remote, rugged terrain to explore. Numerous streams tumble down from the escarpment in mighty waterfalls, creating fertile river valleys where the predominant agricultural activity is cattle breeding; in the north, subtropical and tropical agriculture takes over, especially the cultivation of bananas. In essence, the further you go, the better this coast gets. Getting up the north coast is easy, with frequent train and bus services between Sydney and Brisbane, as well as a number of local bus services.
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Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie
The fast-growing town of PORT MACQUARIE, at the mouth of the Hastings River, has a beautiful natural setting. Long, sandy beaches extend far along the coast, while the hinterland is dotted with forests, mountains and pretty towns. The town was established in 1821 as a place of secondary punishment for convicts who continued their criminal ways after arrival in New South Wales, though by the late 1820s the penal settlement was closed and the area opened up to free settlers. An increasing number of independent travellers call into “Port”, but it remains primarily a family-focused resort. The activities on offer are really the thing here, with wildlife and nature parks, cruises on the Hastings River, horseriding and, above all, watersports all vying for your attention.
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Bellingen
Bellingen
The bewitching town of BELLINGEN is one of the prettiest and most characterful spots in New South Wales. The colourful Tibetan prayer flags fluttering throughout the town hint at Bellingen’s alternative bent, confirmed once you stick your head inside one of the many esoteric bookshops, kooky cafés, or arts and crafts galleries. Most people come to “Bello” for a day-trip and end up staying a week.
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Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour
COFFS HARBOUR – or “Coffs’’ – is beautifully set at a point where the mountains of the Great Dividing Range fall into the South Pacific Ocean, and boasts glorious expanses of white sand to the north. The town itself, though far less pretty, is a lot of fun, with tons of outdoor activities. Offshore, the Solitary Islands are notable for diving, with fringing coral reefs and a plethora of fish, while migrating whales pass by between late May and late November.
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Byron Bay
Byron Bay
Situated at the end of a long, sweeping bay, the vibrant township of BYRON BAY boasts 30km of almost unbroken sandy beaches and is high on most travellers’ lists. The area is popular with surfers partly because its beaches face in all directions, so there’s almost always one with a good swell; conversely, you can usually find somewhere for a calmer swim.
Once a favourite with barefoot hippies, Byron’s small-community feel and bohemian atmosphere have been disappearing over the past few years, and it now has stylish hotels, restaurants and bars, lively pubs and chic boutiques. The town also offers a huge variety of alternative therapies, New Age bookshops, crystals, palmists and tarot readers – all with a good dose of capitalism, as prices are hiked up during the lucrative summer months. The alternative culture attracts artists and artisans in droves, and galleries and artists’ studios abound.
