North Coast

ABOUT THIS REGION The North Coast is located between 590 kilometres (370 mi) and 820 kilometres (510 mi) north of Sydney. At its most northern point, the region is 102 kilometres (63 mi) south south–east of the Queensland capital, Brisbane. As with all regions of New South Wales, it has no official status, although state government department offices and local governments in the area work together for purposes such as tourism, education, water catchment management and waste management. This area has a mild, sub-tropical climate. On the scenic North Coast of NSW, you’ll discover a hinterland of lush river valleys and a coastline of sparkling uncrowded beaches that are easy to get to along the Legendary Pacific Coast touring route. The North Coast has some of the best, and most well known, beaches in Australia at Byron Bay, Lennox Head, around Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, Port Stephens and Newcastle. North Coast holiday choices are many and varied. You can tackle the vast sand dunes of Stockton Beach, north of Newcastle, by 4WD or go scuba diving at Solitary Islands Marine Park, off the coast at Coffs Harbour. Hiking through forests, thousands of years old, in World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park is a real adventure as is being part of the alternative vibe at famed Channon markets on the scenic, meandering drive to Lismore. Whale watching is also popular at many locations along the North Coast. During their northern migration, most whales come within 3 km of the NSW coast so you can see them from headlands and lookouts in national parks. Some popular spots on the North Coast are Cape Byron State Conservation Area, Bundjalung National Park (Iluka Bluff), Yuraygir National Park (Angourie Point), Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve (Coffs Harbour), Hat Head National Park (Smoky Head), Tomaree National Park (Tomaree Head at Port Stephens) and Wyrrabalong National Park (Crackneck Lookout). Whale-watching tours are also popular on the North Coast. You’ll find a wide range of tours on offer from Byron Bay whale watching, Coffs Harbour and Port Stephens. Most humpback whales in NSW waters are actively migrating so there are strict guidelines about disturbance by vessels that could affect the animals. Humpback whales and southern right whales migrate along the NSW coastline throughout June and in the first week of July, and return southwards from around September to November. INDUSTRY RESOURCES Regional Tourism Website : Coffs Coast Regional Tourism Website : Port Macquarie Regional Tourism Website : Byron Bay Regional Tourism Website : Destination NSW Research and Statistics : Destination NSW Corporate Website Local Councils : Local Government Association NSW CREDITS Information Source : Wikipedia Information Source : Destination NSW Image Credit : Town Beach, Port Macquarie : Destination NSW : Kent Matthews Regional Map : Copyright 2014 GoPanda Communications GoPanda