Within a flora reserve in the Orara East State Forest, you can find this overhanging pier with amazing views over the whole Coffs Harbour area. This is one of my FAVOURITE places in Sydney. No matter if you are just stopping in to Coffs Harbour for a couple of hours or for much longer, the Big Banana has grown into a tourist destination in its own right and is well worth a visit. A short steep walk up the hill from the car park but the sublime views at the top more than made up for it. Follow the path around to the left & down the stairs to the lower viewing platform for a different angle. Do yourself a favour and take the 6km drive off the Pacific Highway (north of Coffs Harbour) through the banana plantations and into the lush green Orara East State Forest. One note for other visitors - get your tickets at the top in the gift 'stable' as you can't buy them at the lighthouse itself and you will have to walk all the way back to the start to get them. Some well done, some kindergarten level, all with a story! Working farm, plant nursery & sustainable market garden with tours, an onsite restaurant & a bakery. Dubbed the biggest and best fun park on the Northern NSW coast, it would be unthinkable to head to Coffs Harbour and not visit the Big Banana Fun Park. Located eight kilometres south of Port Macquarie, the lighthouse crowns a high hilltop at the end of a nine-kilometre coastal trail. Built in 1964, the Big Banana started the craze for Big Things in Australia. Would definitely go back. Strawberries were not large (not as large as when you bought at supermarket), but surprisingly very sweet. A boardwalk through the rainforest connects the visitors to the rainforests beauty and the information center also offers a coffee shop and cafe. Interesting Guides along the walk who were happy to share their wealth of knowledge. Spending a day on the soft sun-soaked sands here is one of the best things to do on the Gold Coast for free. It gives a beautiful panoramic view of the beautiful hills and the mountains to the visitor. This is a beautiful spot just before you get into the craziness of the Gold Coast. Time from Sydney - 4 hours. Beautiful views though. Drive to Sealy Lookout for incredible views over the city and then grab a beer and toast to the first night of your Australian road trip! North Coast Holiday Parks, Seal Rocks Treachery Camp Seal Rocks Yagon Campground, Seal Rocks Forster - This is a pretty big town with plenty of accomodation options. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. The bonus is you are going to be right there for the farmers market every Friday which is awesome. The tour is well worth the admission. You can buy a box for a $1 but if I had the opportunity Id have packed mine in a large plastic container. Inside of Bruxner Park Flora Reserve you will find one of the best places to go. Kids can see dolphins, penguins, turtles and seals on display or watch one of the many daily shows. Inside, you can find out all you need to know about the rainforests delicate ecology, as well as its importance in local Aboriginal culture. A post shared by Nathalie Kafurt (@ennekapeapeon) on Jul 19, 2019 at 6:12am PDT. Plus, dont forget the photo opportunities at the big banana itself! Check out the Forster Ocean Baths, its kid swim heaven. A beautiful swimming & surfing Queensland beach Tacking Point Lighthouse has been here since 1879, placing it just outside Australias top ten oldest lighthouses. The water park offers something for everyone in the family to enjoy, from their wide range of attractions like the six-lane giant slide, state-of-the-art laser tag arena, and the kids aqua-play area. Located in the Orana East State Forest is a spectacular skywalk, jutting out more than 20m from the edge and 300m above Coffs Harbour. Camping for tents, campervans or caravans in the beautiful Crowdy Bay National Park. It offers the best chance I have experienced to get up close to these animals in a way that is as animal friendly as it can be with small crowds and without paying a fortune. One of the largest surviving rainforest reserves in New South Wales is little more than five kilometres from Port Macquaries CBD. It's a good family venue with additional areas for kids to run around. Awesome pub with live music and yummy food. Thank you. Plenty of restaurants and bars and a lots or retail down in Hasting Street. This is a must pass from Sydney to the Gold Coast. A scenic walk by the water, where you'll pass the time looking at the breakwall art. I enjoyed the drive (through Nightcap Range Rd) a lot more than this end point :) The mountain is a bit stif to drive but the road is nicely done enough to let 2 cars pass by. Amazing!! 3 km or 2 minutes. Sadly, large numbers of Australias iconic marsupials are injured each year through bushfire, road collisions and dog attacks. Stunning views south to Surfer Paradise, very well kept area considering how many people utilise it!! Go for the super red ones. The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. When your friend gets the perfect shot in the perf, My fave new addition to the silo light show is thi, Always fabulous to re bump into friends over and o, Totally engrossed in the show while sunset happens, We are back in Quorn! Whichever the case may be. Other popular stops include SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Raging Waters Sydney, and Flagstaff Point Lighthouse (Wollongong Head). It has a really lovely main street with large established trees all through the centre of town. As it is bordered to the north by the popular Kirra Point, amateur and expert surfers alike descend upon the beach for its brilliant breaks and barrels. Campfires are ok when a total fire ban isnt in place. Nice view for hiking/exercises. They also have a variety of food items and sweets as you sip and enjoy the sweeping views of the sea. Located near the towns beachfront, this rainforest preserve is home to an elevated boardwalk that allows visitors to walk through the rainforest. Acting as the initial symbol many international and interstate visitors will have upon arriving at the Gold Coast by plane, Coolangatta is the area where the main stretch of continuous beach that reaches up to Main Beach in the north begins. Beware of the leeches by the rocks however haha! There is also a caravan park right on the beach in town. Palm Beach is a suburb in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. road winds through national parks & alongside waterfalls. Better to carry food as the cafe gets busy during weekend lunch hours. Whatever you choose, it is really a beautiful escape. All the tasks are great giving his info about the animals. The chicken was so juicy and yummy. At the wharf end, you'll find mouth-watering burgers, fried chicken and hot dogs at Rascal. Show only these on map. This magical encounter is one that the entire familycan share and have amazing memories for a lifetime. There is also a Dutch village not far from here, which is actually a shop selling Dutch clogs. Lyrebird Link, Dorrigo Mountain NSW 2453, Australia. Cities Between. Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Sydney. There is a lovely river mouth which is perfect for kids and of course plenty of beach. Check out handy apps for road tripping and camping for some more apps that will make finding the right spot a bit easier too. 159 Pacific Dr, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia. The Forest itself changed throughout the walk as we moved up and down the Mountain. Visiting the iconic Big Banana is a must for visitors of all ages to the Coffs Coast. Most spots seemed to be taken up by people fishing off the rocks below as it wasn't that busy at the lighthouse itself. Don't miss going here! Saw lots of people surfing near the beach. Love love love! Popular for weddings, this traditional beacon built in 1903 offers lodging & scenic ocean views. Quaint, octagonal 1891 beacon with a winding staircase & overnight stays at the keeper's cottage. The lighthouse itself is interesting, but youre mostly coming here for the sweeping ocean views. Aussies love their BIG things and therefore you cannot miss The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour!. Using the total driving distance, you can figure out if there's a good meeting place halfway between, a third of the way, or any of the stops along the route. It's a full day of family fun for the entire family set amongst the bananas, overlooking the amazing Coffs Harbour coastline. There are a couple of drop toilets. One-hour guided tours run at 9am Friday to Sunday during summer, and horseback tours happen at 7am Saturdays ($65). Not close to anything really so take what you need in with you. You can see many bays and coves from the summit. Renowned for both its gorgeous golden sands and lovely chilled out vibe, it has lots of excellent outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy with plenty of beachfront bars and restaurants to be found in the area. From Byron you are about 40 mins from the QLD border. New South Wales 1%. The rain forest and the serenity within it was to die for. My third visit this year. Complete with a garden, barbecue facilities and a terrace, Twin Palms Holiday House at Lighthouse is situated in Port Macquarie, 7 km from Port Macquarie Marina and 9 km from Port Macquarie Regional Stadium. Now boasting 6 fantastic attractions including a 600m Toboggan Track, state of the art Laser Tag arena, a brand new Water Park including 4 heart stopping thrill slides and kids aqua play area, a magnificently sculpted 36 hole Mini Golf course, a Theatre and Plantation tour, an Ice Skating rink, Gift shop, Caf, Candy Kitchen and Nursery. I had a amazing time being that close to a wild rescued koala. Dolphin Marine Magic is a place where life-long memories and experience happen every day. Seriously, this app does it all! Greg and the team are absolute legends and make for a great time and experience on the water! We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information. The caf sits atop a cliff beside the Byron Bay Lighthouse overlooking the magnificent Byron Bay coast, a great stop after a long hike. Think a little bit alternate, awesome delicious organic food, good coffee and the most magical waterholes and rivers to swim in. Surprisingly. If you have a little more time you could stop in Newcastle or Port Macquarie, but as were rushing to only the best places along the east coast, Id recommend getting as far north in this first day as possible, and realistically, this is Coffs Harbour. The break is accessed quickly by (carefully) paddling out from the rocks or by paddling through the breakers of the beach. It is a small centre which offers an intimate, up close experience with some beautiful marine animals. It is part of the Singleton Council local government area and the city of Cessnock. Gas from Sydney to the Gold Coast would cost around $61 to $142 USD, depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. The biggest selling point here is that you can not only see whales and sea lions up close, but you can also interact with them intimately and get a dolphin kiss! Jump on WikiCamps to get a detailed list of all of the options available in regards to places to camp or park the van in each town. Would recommend coming here on a nice sunny day. Other popular stops include Coolangatta Beach, Cape Byron Walking Track, and Australian Reptile Park. Very solemn and beautiful look out. They sell chocolate sauce near the counter for the strawberries. You can also explore small towns you might normally pass on a trip so you don't miss out on an interesting . Gorgeous place to visit. Show only these on map. They're definitely Earth Angels every one of them! It was my first time in Terrigal beach but will definitely visit again. The koala hospital is a wonderful resource for teaching kids and families about koala conservation in the area. One of the best surf beaches in Australia, come here to watch in awe as some of Queenslands best surfers tackle phenomenal waves. Cities between Sydney, New South Wales and Forster, New South Wales. A great landmark to visit, when we were visiting a rainbow just appeared on the ocean. In addition, it has four huge thrill slides, two inflatable slides and a kids water park. Hidden little gem on the coast with gorgeous walks. Otford, New South Wales You will have to turn off to the coast but the drive in about 30 mins in. I hope you find a favourite spot of your own along the way. 35 minutes off the main route, 25% of way to the Gold Coast. A small coastal town with beautiful beaches and a reputation for having great surf. A post shared by DolphinMarineConservationPark (@dolphinmarineconservation) on Jul 25, 2019 at 1:17am PDT. Took us 3 attempts before we got to the pier without it being head and shoulders in the clouds, but the view was worth the repeat visits. A place that kids would love and a must visit spot indeed. It is definitely one of the best places to see in Gold Coast. The mat is super heavy, I have two carry three mats all the way to the top and I was able to do it two times. Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip: NSW North Coast - Accor May 25, 2020. Good quality to price was much less than my expectation but overall experience would compensate for that. Tacking Point Lighthouse was built in 1879 and offers nice views down over Lighthouse Beach which stretches 7km. Famous for its scenic views, this 106-mi. Facilities: About : The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park is situated at the Orlando region of Coffs Harbour City and is home to the native marine animals. Kirra Point's small rocky headland serves to separate Kirra Beach on the North from the main Coolangatta beach to the south, and is often regarded as one of the world's premier surf breaks, with multiple surfing competitions - both professional and amateur - held here throughout the year. Easy walk and refreshing air with a few wild animals to spot, nice but average view of rainforest. For over a century now Kirra Beach has been a popular vacation destination thanks to its sun-kissed sands and sensational surf spots. You could check out Pittwater Kayak Tours and Australian Reptile Park, or the always popular Palm Beach! There are rides, slides and of course, bananas! There are 4 large sheds to pick up strawberries. 351 Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, Australia. It was opened in 1970 and has since then been a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Just 8km (5mi) south of the town centre, the headland is an important site of cultural significance for the Birpai people, who have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years. Highly recommend The Big Banana Fun Park! It is worth the drive. They get no government funding which is disgusting and don't charge entry! Amazing waterfall! Just east is the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, with its large population of wedge-tailed shearwater birds and learning centre. It a cute little town on a stunning beach/river mouth just south of Coffs Harbour. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Well done to everyone involved in ensuring the koalas are well looked after. There are currently nine display koalas (injured animals undergoing rehab), plus an education display, a souvenir shop, a clinic viewing area, and the Koalaseum (a rundown of koala history). Sealy Lookout is 310m above Coffs Harbour and the view is spectacular, giving you great perspective of the area, including the Solitary Islands Marine Park; on a clear day you can see 100km to the south. Secure Lifestyle Lakeside Forster The local Surf lifesaving Club patrol this beach. Clijsters" In Port Stephens, I was depressed because I couldn't see dolphins in the sea. And, if you suffer FOMO and dont want to miss the next riveting post by yours truly then subscribe here. A visit to the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre in Port Macquarie is a great way to get a real feel for this areas rainforest. Lighthouse Rd, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia. 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