After leaving the sunshine state of Queensland, we were slowly leaving the tropical North behind. We have loved the beautiful northern lands of Queensland but with so much more to see we crossed the border into north coast New South Wales. To read more on some of our Queensland adventures head over to https://www.chrisveeandtillysbiglap.com/blog/north-coast-queensland/
Our first stop was Brunwick Heads, a beautiful coastal settlement located just off the M1. With expansive coastline north and south to explore we opted for a 3 nights here. The Ferry Reserve Reflections Holiday park is a great spot, nestled on the Brunswick River inlet. Its only a short walk into the town and has great walks through native bushland which tilly loved. The park itself is dog friendly and most sites have great views out to the river. For more info on the park please visit http://www.reflectionsholidayparks.com.au
North of Brunswick Heads
North of the heads if you come back off the M1 at Wooyung road you can pretty much hug the coast all the way back to Tweed heads. Don’t make the same mistake we did and try and cut through from ocean shores…. Even though google maps says there’s a road there isn’t, it’s just a big dead end. You’ll pass through small coastal towns, each offering their own charm and stunning scenery to match.
If walking is your thing, we can recommend the walk out to Norries headland at Cabarita Beach. Its not a massive walk but there is quite an incline with a fair few steps up to the peak. The day we did the walk we saw dolphins in the ocean below, which made for a memorable walk.
The beaches along here stretch for miles, with various carparks to pull into all the way along Tweed Coast Road. We found a great little alternative café, with the most amazing brownie and cuppa. Called yum yum tree café in New Brighton. Whilst were on the subject of great food, we also found an amazing butchers also in Cabarita beach, inside the shopping centre. Vee has a thing for traditional English pork pies, the pies set in pastry with a pork and jelly filling. Every time she sees one, she has to have one, they’re actually quite rare to find in Australia.
South of Brunswick Heads
From Brunswick Heads you’re only a 20 minute drive to Byron Bay. We visited Byron many years ago when we were backpacking and had better memories of the place. Whether that was down to the fact we were younger and hadn’t experienced a lot of what Australia had to offer or something else. We found that what was once probably a cruisy coastal town has now turned into an overpriced tourist trap. Parking is expensive and the place is packed to the rafters with every tourist you can think of. Even mid week when we visited the town was rammed. There are plenty more coastal towns just south of Byron which are a lot more pleasant to visit. Lennox head and Skennars Head being prime examples of this.
Ballina
Ballina has got to be one of our favorite areas in this region. Firstly we had a great site at the caravan park in East Ballina. The reflections park is located right on the ocean near the breakwater heads. We were lucky enough to get a waterfront site, with easy access to the coastal walk for Tilly. The town itself has absolutely everything you could need for an extended stay in Ballina too. With a great little shopping centre with a woolies and the normal kind of shops like kmart, you could easily spend time here. Ballina is also home to the big Shrimp…. one of Australia’s big items
Nimbin
From Ballina your only an hours drive to the infamous Nimbin. We decided to have a drive out there to see what all the fuss was about. Nimbin first came to prominence in 1973, when it became the host of the Aquarius Festival, a student union gathering for arts and music culture. From then it has remained rich in those seeking an alternative lifestyle. The blend of people who live out here are eco sustainable hipsters, who grow their own food and live off the land and try to make minimal impact on the planet. Through to those who smoke the green stuff most of the day and are ambling through life.
On the main street there is a mix of various shops, from cafes, hemp clothing boutiques. Stores to buy your smoke paraphernalia, as well as arts and crafts retailers. For those wanting to immerse their selves in the history of Nimbin there is an audio walking tour available. Accessible to anyone who owns an smartphone through the Nimbin tourism office app.
Yamba
After a few days in Ballina exploring the area we carried on South to Yamba. Now Yamba has quite a few caravan parks but not many dog friendly ones. We did find a great spot just outside of Yamba on Palmers Island located on the Clarence River. The site is called Fishing Haven Holiday Park, with a couple of Jetty’s to fish from. Great walks along the river and lovely clean ablutions. Another bonus to this park is that it has an onsite coffee stall, with pretty seating overlooking the river. For more info on this site please visit http://www.fishinghaven.com.au
From Yamba you can explore the Northern River system. With small settlements including Iluka, Woombah, Chatsworth and Maclean, there is plenty to keep you entertained, especially if you love to fish.
Corindi Beach
This was probably one of Tilly’s favourite spots, a dog friendly caravan park right on a dog friendly beach…. she is winning at life. Another great reflections holiday park, with great managers, clean amenities and epic location. From Corindi Beach this where the north coast new south wales coastline really starts to shine. Again visit http://www.reflctionsholidayparks.com.au
Locally to Corindi Beach, you’ll find Woolgoolga. This where you’ll find the local woolies and main shops. There is also a great coastal walk, this was the first of many that we encountered in the region. Heading eastwards to the headland, there is a parking area and colourful lighthouse. The headland stretches out into the pacific with a pathway to walk along to soak up the views.
Just south again you’ll find Emerald Beach, again another great coastal town. Here you’ll find Moonee Beach Coastal Reserve. From the car park you have a headland walk which we can highly recommend. Similar to Woologoolga, the headland stretches out with a coastal path to walk, but here you have Kangaroos just chilling on the headland. They seem friendly enough to just walk up to and take a picture of also. However be mindful they’re still wild animal so don’t encroach to closely on their personal space.
In our next post we’ll cover more of north coast New South Wales from Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie