There is so much to discover in New South Wales. From the bustling city of Sydney through the Central Coast and ending in the beautiful Byron Bay, there's something for everyone on this road trip.
Hire a car now: https://www.buddhatravel.com.au/car-hire
After you've enjoyed the bustling city of Sydney, what better way to enjoy the east coast of Australia then travelling all the way up to Byron Bay? Heading north from Sydney you'll find the Central Coast which is filled with an abundant of things to do including visiting the Australian Reptile Park and checking out some of the local beaches and national parks like the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Bouddi National Park. Travelling further along you'll find Nelson Bay which is a great coastal spot if you want to set up camp here for the night. Gaze out to the ocean from the Gan Gan Lookout and head to the Toboggan Hill Park for some family fun!
Head further north to the coastal town of Forster where they have no shortage of beautiful lookouts and beaches. Be sure to visit the beautiful Cape Hawke Lookout, the ever so scenic Burgess Beach and the iconic One Mile Beach. From here you can travel to Port Macquarie which is known for its beaches and wildlife! If you've never gotten the chance to see a koala up close and personal, now is the perfect time to visit the Koala Hospital where you can even adopt a furry friend of your own! There are also a great selection of wineries in the area if you're settling in for the night. The Little Fish Café is a stunning winery with a nicely paired restaurant to go with it. If you're bringing the whole family check out Bago which is not only a winery but has a fun maze you can experience also! If you're more of a beer than wine person, don't fear! Visit the Black Duck Brewery to taste some local craft beer!
Now, if you're a surfer, bodyboarder or just genuinely love to catch a good wave then you can't drive past South West Rocks! They have pretty consistent surf here and won't be as busy as city beaches. Take in the sights of this coastal town along the Smoky Cape Lighthouse walk where you can catch a great view of the area and is sure to be a great photo opportunity. If you're looking for a historical adventure step into Trial Bay Goal which is also surrounded by breathtaking views. Following on from here you will reach Coffs Harbour which is one of the more popular coastal towns in NSW. Would your trip really be complete if you didn't visit the iconic Big Banana? Take a picture out the front, get a cheeky fridge magnet as a memento and experience the rest of the area including: the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park, Dorrigo National Park, the Forest Sky Pier, the Coffs Butterfly House, Muttonbird Island.
Just under two hours drive from Byron Bay is Yamba which has an endless list of beaches to visit including: Yamba Beach, Turners Beach, Pippi Beach and Convent Beach. If you're lucky enough to be driving through on the 4th Sunday of the month, call into the Yamba River Markets which has a great selection of local produce, live music and unique handmade gifts. Travelling further north through NSW you'll find Ballina which again has amazing beaches in the area. In the west you'll find yet another large monument, the Big Prawn. Standing an impressive 9 metres tall, it's hard to miss! Be sure to visit the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum to brush up on your naval history and learn something new. From here, Lennox Head is only a stone throw away with great locations like Lake Ainsworth and the Pat Morton Lookout just at your reach.
Now you've entered the iconic Byron Bay which is filled with great restaurants like Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. and Miss Margarita, great beaches to visit like The Pass and Tallow Beach and delicious breweries to visit like The Byron Bay Brewery and the Stone & Wood Brewery.