The New South Wales coastline has always held a lot of intrigue to me. Last time I took you on a tour of Northern New South Wales must see places from Tweed Heads in the north down to Coffs Harbour in the south. Continuing on from Coffs Harbour to Newcastle, referred to as the Mid-North Coast, there are many more treasures to be discovered. Without further ado here are my Mid-North Coast of New South Wales must sees.
Only a short distance of 27kms from Coffs Harbour is the coastal town of Urunga that is blessed with tranquil rivers and beautiful beaches. The Bellinger and Kalang rivers meet with the ocean at Urunga Head and there is an elevated boardwalk that takes you over the estuary waterways and lagoon to the river mouth and adjoining beach.
There are two caravan parks in Urunga, but the one I would recommend is Reflections Holiday Parks Urunga located on the lagoon and close to the beach.
With a view like this and the magnificent meandering Nambucca River, it is no surprise that Nambucca Heads is a popular holiday spot on the mid north coast of New South Wales. The Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park offers a variety of water activities and other great things to do like kayaking, swimming, boating and fishing.
Nambucca Heads boasts four caravan parks that are all in waterfront locations. The pet friendly Pelican Caravan Park; Big4 Nambucca Beach Holiday Park or Foreshore Holiday Park.
South West Rocks, 40kms east of Kempsey, brings back wonderful family Christmas camping holidays when our children were little. It has everything from the Macleay River, to the small safe secluded Horseshoe Bay, to a lighthouse perched on Smoky Cape, to the historic goal ruins at Trail Bay. You can enjoy all this plus gorgeous beaches, spectacular national parks and a delightful seaside town.
Camping is popular at both the Trial Bay Goal Campground and Smoky Cape Campground near South West Rocks. In South West Rocks town we stayed at Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park.
Only 20 kms south of Kempsey is arguably the best right-hand point break in the world, Crescent Head. Aptly called this because of the crescent-shaped grassy headland that also doubles as the local golf course. This pretty-as-a-picture surfing village is an easy going place where you can chill-out completely. Make sure you perch yourself atop the headland for spectacular sunset shots.
The caravan park right near the headland is undoubtably the best place to camp at Crescent Head Holiday Park. Otherwise for nature-based camping try Waves Campground.
Port Macquarie is where my husband spent his childhood holidays. It has a spectacular coastline with white sandy beaches, the Hastings River and a scenic coastal walk in the Sea Acres National Park. The city of Port Macquarie also has an intriguing colonial convict past as evidenced in some of the historical buildings that have been beautifully restored.
There are several caravan parks in Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park on the beach and river; Flynns Beach Caravan Park; and Edgewater Holiday Park.
For more information on what to do and see in Port Macquarie read my post The Great Macquaries
33kms south of Port Macquarie is North Haven, a charming village at the mouth of the Camden Haven River. A popular fishing spot, but also popular for exhilarating walks through the Grants Beach Coastal Walk. The walk begins at the mouth of the river taking you through an area of littoral rainforest. Grants Beach is also perfect for a swim or surf.
Best Place to Camp in North Haven
There are three caravan parks in North Haven, with two located near the river mouth and within walking distance to the beach. We stayed at Reflections Holiday Park North Haven situated on 12 acres of shady bushland.
The twin towns of Tuncurry and Forster in the Great Lakes region of New South Wales are a haven for water activities. It is famous for its magnificent coastline, many national parks and state forests and includes Wallis, Smiths and Myall Lakes. A fishing and water activity paradise with a 640 metre long bridge over Wallis Lake that separates the two towns.
We stayed at Reflections Holiday Parks Tuncurry nestled between the southern tip of Nine Mile Beach and Wallis Lake outlet channel. Another great caravan park is located at Forster Beach.
Named as one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches is Seal Rocks, 45 kms south of Forster. It’s not much more that a tiny fishing village and is one of the few remaining coastal villages to have avoided major development, so it’s a truly a relaxing and quiet destination. Number One Beach is a popular surfing beach and diving spot. Nearby is Sugar Loaf Point Lighthouse with magnificent coastal views to the south.
You can stay in a caravan park opposite the beach at Reflections Holiday Parks Seal Rocks or try nature-based camping at Treachery Camp.
Port Stephens has a choice of 26 beautiful beaches and bays and is a great holiday destination to enjoy a wide range of water activities. The bay is home to more than 150 bottle nose dolphins. Explore the rocky coastline of Tomaree National Park and take in the area’s beauty by hiking the Tomaree Head Summit walk.
We stayed at Shoal Bay Holiday Park that is located adjacent to Shoal Bay beach and is within a short walking distance to Tomaree National Park. Camping at Fingal Bay is also another top spot.
From Port Stephens you have a choice of detouring out into the Hunter Valley to indulge yourself in a day of wine tasting, or keep heading south through the city of Newcastle to Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie is home to the largest permanent coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere, 30 kilometres of pristine coastline and some of the most beautiful forests in New South Wales. Check out the beautiful beaches at Redhead and Caves Beaches, the historic mining town of Catherine Hill Bay or bushwalk to spectacular waterfalls in the Watagans National Park.
We stayed at Belmont Pines Lakeside Caravan Park on the shores of the lake. But there are heaps of other caravan parks surrounding the lake to camp at. Lake Macquarie Holiday Parks is a good place to start for your search for a caravan park.
For more information on what to do and see around Lake Macquarie read my post The Great Macquaries
There are so many scenic spots along this stretch of coastline, you could literally spend weeks diverting off the Pacific Highway into every little nook and cranny. We have driven and camped along the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales on several occasions and still haven’t seen it all. We’re hoping to do something about this in late January/early February this year on our next caravan trip down the coast.
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Budget jan
January 2, 2018Awesome area. Loved your photos and information!
Kathy
January 2, 2018Thanks Jan. I’m looking forward to exploring some more of this coastline in a month’s time.
Annette Jones
January 4, 2018Great post. You are giving me itchy feet Kathy! It’s been years since I’ve driven that part of the coast of Australia.
Kathy
January 4, 2018That is entirely my intention! I love the NSW coast. I think I’ve lost count of how many times I travelled down it over the past 30 years or so. We’ve done a lot of caravanning and camping in this area and still there are places we haven’t seen yet.