Sense your entire body relaxing as you trace the coastline from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads on a road trip to remember. The soul-stirring northern section of the Legendary Pacific Coast Drive spans just 285km, but with plenty of scenic stops to be uncovered on the way, you’ll want to take your time. Start your engine and begin with these highlights.
Beach-hop along the Coffs Coast
Shift into holiday mode on the Coffs Coast, a five-and-a-half-hour drive (or 530km) north of Sydney, where beautiful beaches and lush coastal forests are complemented by a bounty of family-friendly attractions.
As you begin your journey north from Coffs Harbour, embrace the opportunity to experience the region’s glorious northern beaches. Bliss out in the peaceful natural setting of Moonee Beach, just 15 minutes north of the Big Banana, where the aquamarine Moonee Creek meets the sea. Enjoy a leisurely dip or be awed by the cultural significance of the Coffs Coast on an Aboriginal-guided stand-up paddleboarding tour with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours.
Sense your excitement building for an iconic wildlife encounter at nearby Emerald Beach, where kangaroos can often be spotted grazing as you stroll the Look at Me Now Headland Walk. Then connect with the local community over a craft beer at Woolgoolga Brewing Co before continuing to Yamba — perhaps taking a detour on the 100km journey to be spellbound by the bursts of purple flowers that make Grafton dazzle during its Jacaranda Festival (from late October to early November).
Unwind in Yamba
Treat yourself to a coastal-luxe stay at The Surf, a modern boutique hotel perched above the Pacific Ocean in the relaxed fishing town of Yamba. Order a gourmet platter to savour on the rooftop terrace, where you’ll also be delighted to find a heated pool, or head into town for a satisfying meal at Beechwood Cafe, beloved by locals for its Turkish-inspired dishes, or Karrakin, which weaves the best of the region’s local catch, seasonal produce and foraged delicacies together to create dishes you’ll still be thinking about when you get home.
Be surprised by Ballina
After welcoming the day with a revitalising surf at Spooky Beach in Yamba’s neighbour Angourie, or an exhilarating jump into the freshwater Blue Pool on its headland, prepare to be bowled over by the riverside town of Ballina, another 100km north on the Pacific Highway. Here you can watch bottlenose dolphins frolic as you linger over a wholesome brunch at the oceanfront Shelly Beach Cafe, or admire the playful creatures at even closer range on an action-packed dolphin cruise with Out of the Blue Adventures. Toast to an incredible day with a creative cocktail at Hey Lady, followed by a mouth-watering European-inspired meal at Lola Dining.
Discover your favourite corner of the Byron Shire
Be mesmerised by the coastal scenery during the 30-minute drive to Byron Bay as the road winds past dramatic headlands, dreamy beaches, rolling farms and lush patches of coastal rainforest. Then choose your own adventure in the popular seaside town; get a buzz learning to surf with Lets Go Surfing; or experience Byron’s beaches in a thrilling new way on a mounted trail ride with Zephyr Horses.
Or leave Byron for the return leg of your trip and head for the charming hinterland village of Bangalow, where recently opened brewery Common People Brewing Co invites you to stop in to sample its brew of the week. Brunswick Heads to the north offers another relaxed taste of the Byron Shire, where a Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks sunset rainforest river cruise can be topped off with a deliciously smoky mezcal margarita at Mexican restaurant La Casita. Sleep easy at The Brunswick, a stylish renovated motel conveniently located across the road.
Taste the freshness in the Tweed
Get ready to unleash your appetite in the Tweed, a verdant coastal farming region that hugs the coast for 35km from Wooyung to Tweed Heads. Follow the Tweed Coast Road to pair superb seaside dining at the likes of Pipit in Pottsville and No. 35 Kitchen & Bar in Cabarita with refreshing beach swims and glamping fun at Hideaway Cabarita.
Or head inland on the verdant, winding Tweed Valley Way to Murwillumbah to peek into the meticulously recreated home of celebrated still-life artist Margaret Olley at the excellent Tweed Regional Gallery. Recharge with a leisurely contemporary Australian lunch at the likes of Bistro Livi, where you can savour European-influenced dishes served in one of the town’s many restored art deco buildings. Or give yourself a day off driving and leave your gourmet Tweed itinerary to Kiff & Culture, with tours including a tantalising taste of the Tweed hinterland.
Sliding back into your own driver’s seat, follow the Tweed Valley Way to the town of Tweed Heads. It’s only a 30-minute drive, but with diversions including gin and rum tastings at Husk Distillery in Tumbulgum and sweet and savoury temptations that will leave your taste buds tingling at Cubby Bakehouse in Chinderah, what’s the rush?
For more information on things to see and do in Sydney and Regional NSW, go to www.sydney.com or www.visitnsw.com
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