We're planning a 12 day trip from Gold Coast to Melbourne in 4 weeks time. Have not made any plans as yet. Might stop at Byron for a couple of days but otherwise not sure where we might stay. Don't mind going inland a bit or along the coast and probably like to do some hiking. Anyone done similar and have any tips on where to stay or things to see towns to visit etc etc. Thanks in advance.
From Sydney south I'd follow the coast, there are some delightful places all along that route and, with luck, the weather will be brightening up by then.
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If you have never been here then Port Stephens area is a nice place to stop. It is a very popular with Victorian visitors. It is funny how many people that I have spoken to that drove past the sign on the highway for years before finally paying the place a visit and deciding to retire here.
If you like coastal scenery and National Parks turn off the highway just after Taree and head towards Forster. You get back on the highway just before Bulahdelah then turn off again at the town and head towards Mungo Brush. The is a little ferry crossing at Bombah Point on the way to Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens. You then head back on to the highway and have to turn off again if you want to visit the southern side of the Bay such as Nelson Bay, Birubi Point and Stockton sand dunes amongst others.
Also just past Coffs Harbour and just inland a little, Belligen and Dorrigo with its sub tropical rainforest is well worth a visit. The waterfalls will be in full flow.
-- Edited by TimTim on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 11:13:02 AM
We have travelled the east coast from Brisbane to Melbourne and beyond many many times. In fact we have planned one down the coast from Brissy to Port Macquarie later this year. That one will take at least 6 weeks including return.
Goldie to Melbourne would normally take us at least two months with another one or two to return through the western areas after a ferry trip across Port Philip Bay and another look at the Great Ocean Road. SWMBO loves it.
The beauty of the East coast for us is that we can travel 100 to 200Km each leg as we leapfrog from one great seaside spot to the next & if we choose to come home back up the coast, we can do the same rarely staying at the same places.
There are lots of choices of the fancy CPs, a few basic ones, Showgrounds, Nat Parks & Pub stays just off the coast. Quick detours into the hinterland are often available. Not a lot of attractive free camps on the coast perhaps, but we don't free camp. (May attract a bit of argument with that assertion). Though I'm sure that if you wanted you could find lots of low cost overnighters or hinterland spots. We don't.
Our basic 'rules' include .. No overnighters ... Standard Seaside stays 3 days minimum. Week off at Sydney's Narabeen Lake CP ... Week at Warrnambool where we decide our path home .. or even a bit further along the coast into SA. Always take a kayak or two and a bit of fishing gear.
I won't even start to list favourite places.. there are so many. Just about every spot is a favourite. Can't think of a bad one, though we never stay at Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour or Newcastle.
edit .. deleted my comparison of NSW v Qld East coasts. Too hard Both fantastic.
-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 01:18:00 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 01:19:18 PM
As Tim Tim said Hawks Nest-Myall Lakes area is a great area to see. Also Seal rocks area is worth a look. We stayed at Yagon campground,Treachery Beach campground looked good,it has beach access for driving on.
Before recomending anything my question is are you planning on towing a van, camping or doing a road trip staying in hotels/cabins ? Maybe I missed it somewhere....
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Sorry MQ I must be blind it was in the topic....
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Sunday 3rd of July 2022 01:37:21 PM
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Sunday 3rd of July 2022 08:56:01 PM
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Sunday 3rd of July 2022 08:56:27 PM
