The owners should consider an automatic escalator. We recently visited this beautiful spot while on holidays. Popular zoo with many species of reptiles, free-roaming kangaroos, shows & hands-on experiences. Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe .. is a good recovery spot .. after exploring the Cape Byron Lighthouse & the beautiful Cape Byron State Conservation Area. The headline attraction here is a 1.3-kilometre raised boardwalk, leading you through a spectacular, untouched tract of subtropical rainforest. It depends on when you visit! Best to park near the bowling club or the tall carpark (both free). Billabong Zoo is known for its koala breeding centre. Coffs Harbour is a city on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. From planning your day perspective you can visit in the morning and go with each talk or other option to visit in the afternoon as all the talks repeat in the second half. 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. 65 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, Australia. Its in from the coast, has a huge market that happens every Wednesday and Saturday and a cool pub with good live music gigs. Originally built in order to draw roadside traffic to a local banana stall, the Big Banana complex has since expanded significantly to include a surrounding plantation, shop, cafe, and even a hybrid amusement/water park in the modern day. Thank you. Nice, rustic experience. Required fields are marked *, Travel addict Just landed after a lap of Aus Living big after breast cancer Currently in NSW, Designed by Max & Ivy | 2017 Max & Ivy. You cant go past Noosa, its busy these days but so worth the visit. You could check out Pittwater Kayak Tours and Australian Reptile Park, or the always popular Palm Beach! Walk back through the conservation area for another unique view, shade and steps back down to the car park again. Forster - This is a pretty big town with plenty of accomodation options. The engaging crew allow visitors to get extremely up close and personal with the animals, which makes for an incredible experience. Dolphin Marine Magic is a rescue and rehabilitation centre, providing care for animals that have been injured or cannot be returned to the wild. . It is definitely one of the best places to see in Gold Coast. 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! Sea Acres takes the tried and tested formula of seaside bushwalks and marries it with eco-displays, boardwalks, and on-site cultural centres and cafs. Please walk from the start all the way around to the lighthouse, such a beautiful landscape. The first of the craze of Big Things in Australia, the Big Banana is an iconic Coffs landmark, and comes with rides, attractions, a waterpark, plantation tours, and the brilliantly-named World of Bananas Experience. The tortoise that we saw was over 100 years and looks so healthy and stunning. There is a 3km long break wall that you can walk along and all of the rocks in the wall have been painted by families who have visited over the years. Cremorne. Another couple of hours down the Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour marks the halfway point (roughly) of the trip between Brisbane and Sydney. Coolangatta Beach is renowned for its casual culture and relaxed vibe. Lots of stairs. Inland, amazingly green and beautiful and on a lovely river. Want some to take back home and eat in a few days time? Popped in for a quick snack and beverage when viewing the lighthouse. This is a must pass from Sydney to the Gold Coast. Service is friendly and theres lots of strawberries to pick your own from. Preparing For Your Brisbane To Sydney Road Trip Where Should You Stop Essential Stops Between Brisbane and Sydney or Sydney and Brisbane Gold Coast Kingscliff Byron Bay Yamba Coffs Harbour Nambucca Heads Port Macquarie Forster Port Stephens Seal Rocks Newcastle Bouddi National Park Blue Mountains Very happy with them, fresh and sweet! Re: Best place to stop on drive between Sydney & Gold Coast. What started out as a gimmick to draw tourist attention to the banana plantation, the Big Banana was Australias first Big Thing when it was built in 1964, leading the way in what has become a staple of road trips all over Australia. 10:00 am start in Sydney drive for about 9 hours 6:58 pm Palm Beach stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am day 1 driving 9 hours Day 2 10:00 am leave from Palm Beach drive for about 41 minutes 10:41 am Australian Venom Zoo stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:41 am drive for about 50 minutes 12:31 pm Newcastle (Australia) The park aims to promote the conservation of our marine environment and is home to a family of five inquisitive bottlenose dolphins who were either rescued or born at the park. This is one of the great escape spots located just around an hour drive from Sydney. One of the best surf beaches in Australia, come here to watch in awe as some of Queenslands best surfers tackle phenomenal waves. Ill pop some links with a few camping options under each heading but do some research and find the place that suits you best. Quaint, octagonal 1891 beacon with a winding staircase & overnight stays at the keeper's cottage. With high cascading waves and the breaks, this beach has the perfect natural conditions for surfing on the water. Info: Trail Info Maps [PDF] Alltrails Guide Distance: 1 km return Grade 2. Remains of a 19th-century prison featuring a museum & memorial located on a scenic peninsula. Nice place for family holidays.What a great experience for the family. This small rocky headland among the Gold coast beaches is one of the worlds premier surf breaks. The conservation park is licensed to display animals such as Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins, seals, penguins, green sea turtles, and a variety of endemic fish species. Spend around 2 hours just walking around looking at all the different cells and sights. Note that this one has a hint of Orange oil so if youre not fan it might not be a great purchase. There are bathrooms and picnic facilities close by as well. All rights reserved. Parking The local Surf lifesaving Club patrol this beach. This was infinatiely better than other penal colonies and gaols I have visited (looking at you port Arthur), however Castel st Angelo in rome is probably the best gaol. Large outdoor park with a boardwalk suspended over rainforest, trails to waterfalls & scenic views. Cities between Sydney, New South Wales and Forster, New South Wales. 28 minutes off the main route, 21% of way to the Gold Coast. Offering incredible dolphin swimming experiences and the opportunity to swim with dolphins for all aged six and older. The holiday home features 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with garden views. Dolphin show is a highlight. Lighthouse Rd, Arakoon NSW 2431, Australia. As per usual, Ill be adding to this list as I go, Im always falling in love with somewhere new. Really cool. Not only is this where you will find Australias most easterly point, but its picturesque vantage point makes it a great spot to watch both the sunrise and sunset, whilst also dolphin spotting!. Camden Head rock pools. A well planned and laid out gallery with a wonderful vista over the Tweed and surrounding countryside. Youll see a range of fish, turtles, feed penguins and fish and receive kisses on the cheek from a dolphin. Named by explorer Matthew Flinders after his early 19th-century circumnavigation around Australia, the lighthouse was built to address the problem of shipwrecks in the area at the time. For a touristy spot, the caf serves surprisingly good coffee. Entry is free but you can donate while you are there which is a beautiful feeling. A visit to the Koala Rehabilitation Center is well worth the time. The koala hospital is a wonderful resource for teaching kids and families about koala conservation in the area. Coffee is only on front deck and inside main serving area. Not just quick pit stops where the kids can let off some steam, but beautiful places to stay for a while. Located on the northern side of Point Danger at the southern end of Rainbow Bay on the Gold Coast, Snapper is a point break forming the first part of the man-made Superbank which extends from Snapper Rocks Point, through Rainbow Bay, Greenmount Point, Coolangatta Beach, and Kirra, for a distance of around two kilometers. Gas from Sydney to the Gold Coast would cost around $61 to $142 USD, depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Can't wait to come back here and explore the entire for the whole day. Noosa main beach is stunning too. Theres also Mullum showgrounds with camping available. One of the largest surviving rainforest reserves in New South Wales is little more than five kilometres from Port Macquaries CBD. Beautiful views though. One of the best natural tourist attraction place I have ever visited. Definitely worth a visit when youre in this area. The Dolphin Marine Magic is a marine park in Coffs Harbour that also acts as a rescue and rehabilitation center for marine animals native to the region. Where can we meet in the middle? The cave is home to glow worms but we didn't see any although there were quite a few bats. I would definitely revisit. It is also the thirteenth oldest lighthouse in Australia. The top cities between Sydney and Forster are Cessnock, Mosman, Newcastle, Pokolbin, Port Stephens, Nelson Bay, Blacktown, Manly, and North Sydney. Newcastle is a harbour city in the Australian state of New South Wales. Great experience and nice marine park. The short but very steep walk from the car park up to the lighthouse needs to be taken slowly with frequent breaks to study the view. The closest camping would be at Coolum which is about 5km south. John Flynn, built the 11-room Roto House in 1891 to house his wife and six children. Campfires are ok when a total fire ban isnt in place. It was opened in 1970 and has since then been a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Camden Head is a beach with a difference and one of the most memorable things to do between Sydney and Brisbane. 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale NSW 2481, Australia. Nelson Bay is a significant township of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Lit up at night, as well. Beautiful coastal national park with lovely campgrounds and also a caravan park. It has many rides and attractions completely dedicated to Banana theme. 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. There was a coffee van and It was awesome in the cold autumn weather. All the tasks are great giving his info about the animals. Currumbin, Main Beach, Kirra, Broadbeach, Palm Beach, Coolangatta having to pick the best beach on the Goldie is a bit like selecting a Beatles top track or Tom Hanks finest film. At the wharf end, you'll find mouth-watering burgers, fried chicken and hot dogs at Rascal. Beginning at Main Beach near the Bull Ring, it's just a short burst up the headland to Second Head Lookout. The Coffs Coast is the only region in New South Wales where the mountains of the Great Dividing Range meet the Pacific Ocean. Whatever you choose, it is really a beautiful escape. Darby Street, home to around 25 cafes and restaurants, is the best place to stop for lunch. I hope you find a favourite spot of your own along the way. Our 4 & 6 year old loved it. The break is accessed quickly by (carefully) paddling out from the rocks or by paddling through the breakers of the beach. Sadly, large numbers of Australias iconic marsupials are injured each year through bushfire, road collisions and dog attacks. The new board walk is a must visit and great for walking and relaxing. The Tomaree Coast track offers a great days hiking along this beautiful coastline! Tacking Point Lighthouse is Port Macquaries most iconic attraction. They pack a lot into the very small park had wheelchair accessible exhibits. Amazing views great for a simple drive round or you can hop out and wonder around, their is even a walk down to lighthouse beach (steep with stairs). Best view as well.. Then reward yourself at the top with some ice cream from this cute caf, which has a large terrace with sweeping views of the bay. Find out more about Orana East State Forest and the Sky Pier here. The mountain is a bit stif to drive but the road is nicely done enough to let 2 cars pass by. You know what, after all these years of driving up and down the coast Ive never been there! Better early in the morning or by sunset. Kirra Point is part of the World Surfing Reserve and produces some sizable surf breaks. Easy 100m to the top viewing platform, small playground, picnic tables & toilets here. It's a good place to see and know about Australian native animals. I really enjoyed coming to the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. Forster Bicentennial Walk/ Frewins Walk The best place to start is the Forster Bicentennial Walk. Embark on a Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Discovery road trip and along the way stop to explore the tranquil villages and delicious oyster farms of the New South Wales South Coast, Coffee van was set up on Saturday morning in the car park. Ill work in order from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast heading north in the list below and Ill also put them all into a map so you can get an idea of where they sit in relation to each other. There are plenty of free parking spots. A stroll around the point to nearby Snapper Rocks can also give you an increased chance of seeing whales passing on their annual migration throughout the year's cooler months. 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. The alligators here amazing and the number of them that are maintained well in a water body with in park is amazing to watch. There are no doubt heaps of gorgeous spots along the way that I still havent checked out, Ill have to get cracking Id love any hot tips you have of where I should head when I make it to Port Stephens , Your email address will not be published. Gorgeous place to visit. Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is the ideal place to begin your fascinating journey through Sea Acres National Park, near Port Macquarie. Highly recommend The Big Banana Fun Park! Owing to its boomerang shaped structure, it is believed that Kirra beach was named after a boomerang by the Aboriginal people of Queensland. Restaurant was too busy so we did not end up eating there (due to covid we are avoiding crowded indoor place). Fully recommend parking at the bottom near Clarkes Beach head left and around Palm Beach into Wategos Beach then up the headland to amazing panoramic views East to West before heading to the lighthouse. Lots of jams and chutney to choose from. It hasnt change much since our last visit in 2018. Make sure don't book toboggan, if weather will be rainy otherwise it was fun. Great little hike. great place and gethering with friend! Show only these on map. The state forest is home to a number of walking tracks and lookouts, so it is easy to spend a day here exploring. Hippies and stoners sit happily beside party animals and leggy ladies dancing on tables in Cheeky Monkeys, a local nightlife institution. We picked approx 2 kgs of strawberries (1 small bucket) and bought many strawberry jams to give away (each is $8). What are the best places to stop from Sydney, New South Wales to Forster, New South Wales? Lots of birds flying around for spotting. Explore New South Wales (NSW) with this 9-day road trip covering a wide range of adventures beginning from Sydney to the Central Coast, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains. Access to Estuary and River mouth. Great for kids and adults alike. All the staff were professional and very helpful. So much to see along the way. A visit to the Coffs Harbour Dolphin Marine Conservation Centre is a must!. Would recommend coming here on a nice sunny day. This rocky outcrop called Snapper Rocks is where surfers launch themselves into the waves. Great Strawberries picking time! The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.6 km from Lighthouse Beach, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi. This is where the best of the best surfers come to have a play. This little town is gorgeous. If you want a bunch of easy hikes through gorgeous rainforest, this one is for you. zhweiei"Daxiang , Food. The 4D theatre was amazing. 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! You will have to turn off to the coast but the drive in about 30 mins in. 40 Iluka Park, Palm Beach NSW 2108, Australia. The award-winning Forest Sky Pier offers visitors a unique view of the Coffs coast and the mountains offering a great opportunity to take photographs of the picturesque landscape. Grab smoothies and head across the road to watch surfers and early morning swimmers take to the ocean. Set within a banana plantation, the park features a large artificial walk-through banana which was among the first of Australias Big Things. Adequate car parking with access on a sealed road. The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. Just long enough to be tiring. Moderate ability. Better to carry food as the cafe gets busy during weekend lunch hours. Have fun and stay safe. The passionate dedication to traditional and sustainable practices here is both a working ethos and an educational mission. Set amongst the banana trees overlooking the coast, the fun doesnt stop; complete with rides, games and adventure aplenty. Facilities: Popular stretch of white-sand beach with surf, scenic views & lifeguards on duty. This unique Coffs Harbour marine park offers fun, conservation, and education. Waterfront park offering an elevated rainforest walkway, with guided tours & a cafe. They're definitely Earth Angels every one of them! A coastal town also known for its good surf. Well worth the visit, especially for the lovingly reconstruction of Margaret Olley's home/studio. Aydin Properties > Uncategorized > places to stop between sydney and forster. We had a wonderful time with our kids. Cafe was nice, lovely way to spend a morning. Show only these on map. Basalt bridge & cavern formed by a cascade, with a loop walk around a forest home to frogs & koalas. While you're travelling along the East Coast, it's safe to say you're going to see your fair amount of beautiful beaches. One-hour guided tours run at 9am Friday to Sunday during summer, and horseback tours happen at 7am Saturdays ($65). Easily the most well-known of Australias unusual series of big inanimate landmarks (avocado, guitar, prawn, et al), the Big Banana has become synonymous with everything Coffs Harbour since its construction back in 1964. Kids loved the running around .. Amazing place to enjoy. A coastal walk from the town centre to the 19th-century Tacking Point Lighthouse offers views over waters home to whales and dolphins. The cafe is great and our food and coffee well worth a decision to drive there and eat first and then visit the gallery. It is located on a bay of the same name on the southern shore of Port Stephens about 60 kilometres by road north-east of Newcastle, its nearest rail link. Palm Beach is a suburb in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe sells gelato from In the Pink, which you can enjoy while looking out for dolphins and whales below. I enjoyed the drive (through Nightcap Range Rd) a lot more than this end point :) Easy walk and refreshing air with a few wild animals to spot, nice but average view of rainforest. About : The Forest Sky Pier is situated in theBruxner Park Flora Reserve and is famous for standing about 15 meters above the forest floor. Right on the river and super close to the beach. Highly recommended. Beyond its globally-renowned breaks, suitable for intermediate and expert boarders, protection from southerly winds means Kirra Beach is also a great place to go for a swim, or strap on scuba gear and read more . Popular for weddings, this traditional beacon built in 1903 offers lodging & scenic ocean views. The walk provides access to Bogey Hole, a convict-built ocean bath from the colonial period. Why Should You Visit : Love Heights? This beach features a pretty lagoon by the sandbar which shields the area from waves and is a great place for young children. Well it's quite a walk up the hill but I took some water and got up to the top and wow what have you if you make the trip up the mountain it is well worth it lot of spots it's quite easy the pathway is a lot better than what it used to be they spend a bit of time fixing up the path I do recommend going up the hill if you have the time the views are excellent from mwh. Keep an eye out for casual seal strolls in the picnic area. There is a caravan park right on the beach and also some great campgrounds nearby down dirt roads and away from the masses. You can also explore small towns you might normally pass on a trip so you don't miss out on an interesting . Built in 1879 on a rocky outcrop, this spot is perfect for some great photos of the coastline. The lighthouse itself is interesting, but youre mostly coming here for the sweeping ocean views. I've been wanting to visit 'Margaret Olley's' home, which has been transported to the gallery, for quite a while. Whichever the case may be. Originally established in the 1970s, the park offers safe haven for marine animals that have been injured or otherwise made incapable of returning to the wild, and now houses dozens of aquatic mammals and other varieties including Little Penguins, sea lions, green sea turtles, and most famously, its handful of Bottlenose Dolphins which serve as the star attraction. Truly one of the better places in the world. Where to Stop on the Drive Between Sydney and Byron Bay Gosford, Central Coast Newcastle, Hunter Region Forster, Mid-North Coast Port Macquarie, Mid-North Coast South West Rocks, Kempsey Coffs Harbour, North Coast 73 Trial Bay Gaol Access Rd, Arakoon NSW 2431, Australia, 52 Wellington Dr, Nambucca Heads NSW 2448, Australia. 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! If you want to spend time at a beach that is relatively less crowded than the Surfers Paradise, this is your top bet. These guys do a fantastic job looking after the koalas and trying to rehabilitate and educate us all on how we can help this precious endangered species. 13 minutes off the main route, 21% of way to the Gold Coast. My kids enjoyed every moment and as parents, it was amazing to see that even during this challenging COVID19 situation, kids having a good time with huge smiles on their faces! Terrigal is hard to beat- recommended! There are a number of stunning beaches and some really nice restaurants. , Wifi I would highly recommend going to this attraction. This Springbrook natural bridge has amazing views of mountains, woods, waterfall and a glow worm cave! Show only these on map Mosman Save Great cafes with quality food and coffee and really nice friendly people. If you're planning to drive from Sydney to Byron Bay, discover these seven spectacular places worth stopping by during your road trip! You can sponsor a koala or simply make a donation. 22 minutes off the main route, 20% of way to the Gold Coast. 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. Pricing for experiences is a bit crazy but fun for the rich Im sure. Australias 13th-oldest lighthouse, Tacking Point Lighthouse was built in 1879 after more than 20 ships were wrecked on the coast around Port Macquarie. Lower area only approx 500m walk from car park. The landmark, walk-through Big Banana may have been the first of the monumental Big Things that are dotted around Australia. The Forest itself changed throughout the walk as we moved up and down the Mountain. It gives a beautiful panoramic view of the beautiful hills and the mountains to the visitor. The organisation rely solely on the donations of people. Best parts: place is undercover, dry (no dirty shoes) and entry is FREE! If you want to meet halfway between Sydney, NSW and Kingscliff, NSW or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are -31.235126 and 152.821609, or 31 14 6.4536 S, 152 49 17.7924 E. The falls a beautiful from above and below and also from within the cave. From Byron you are about 40 mins from the QLD border. The Dolphin Conservation Park is a long-running attraction in the Coffs Harbour region that has drawn countless visitors from all over the country and has a focus on interactive aquatic experiences with natures' cutest marine dwellers. Here in the Orara East State Forest the Sky Pier is set atop an escarpment, 310 metres above the coast and projecting more than 20 metres over the edge of the lookout. Halfway between Forster and Sydney To reach the midway point from Sydney to Forster, you would fly roughly 113 km from Forster to the halfway stop. Tacking Point, the landform, was named by famed navigator and cartographer Matthew Flinders on his 1802-03 circumnavigation of Australia. The most famous surf break on the coast has to be Snapper Rocks. When I arrived at Coffs Harbor, I found an aquarium dedicated to watching dolphins and sea lions in the center of the town. A relatively easy walk on a sealed path. At Kirra Point, surfers can enjoy world-class breaks and barrels, and the Kirra Surf shop is one of the best places to buy surfing gear on the Gold Coast. There are variety of birds and reptiles here. The big slice was empty, its a shame because it was fun. Be sure not to miss out on riding their world-class and thrilling slides that can stand as tall as four stories!. A post shared by DolphinMarineConservationPark (@dolphinmarineconservation) on Jul 25, 2019 at 1:17am PDT. Nice view and nice place for swimming. 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. 40 Bush St, Norah Head NSW 2263, Australia. Love love love! Byron Bay (2 nights). Don't let the short trip here fool you as you can stay for hours taking in all the natural beauty it has to offer! Planning travel has actually been fun instead of tedious because of this app. Its just a short drive from Coffs Harbour but the trip will be well worth the effort and time spent. Whenever you visit Port Macquarie you must visit the Koala Hospital, make a small donation and appreciate what the volunteer workers go through in protecting some of our endangered species. Your email address will not be published. Surf life savers on guard. This iconic spot offers amazing surf and gorgeous views. Dolphin Marine Magic is a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Coffs Harbour. Highly recommend. There is also a great pub right up on the headland overlooking the ocean. Coffs Harbour is also a beautiful seaside town. Mistake, many people did: wearing white shoes, this is after all a farm, so prepare to get mud on your shoes. There was a small entry fee of $10 but this was defiantly worth it. Lighthouse Rd, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia. This is a beautiful spot just before you get into the craziness of the Gold Coast. There are small playground for kids, picnic area and toilets near the observation deck. Could be very crowded at times. Really lovely and not yet crazy busy like Byron. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Part of the Orara East State Forest, the lookout point is just a short drive from central Coffs Harbour and offers an outstanding aspect overlooking the city of Coffs Harbour and extending outwards to the open ocean. I love d the chicken croissant. Would love to go again and suss out the local hiking trails. Many people will take photos of this big banana when they come here. 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. We recently visited this beautiful coastline the whole day boomerang shaped structure, it is the. Dog attacks offering an elevated rainforest walkway, with guided tours & a cafe let off some,... Completely dedicated to watching dolphins and Sea lions in the Hunter region of,! 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