Top Family Touring Itineraries: Northern NSW

Emma Ryan — 31 July 2017
With kid-friendly attractions like the Big Banana and Pet Porpoise Pool on offer, Northern NSW is the ultimate family touring destination.

The North Coast has so much to offer within a day’s drive of Sydney. Coffs Harbour is where the mountains meet the sea and a wonderful campsite is never far away, whether by a river or the deep blue. 

From beach driving to stunning rainforest pockets within World Heritage-listed national parks, this part of the world has the lot. The kids will love the safe swimming in the clear waterways while mum and dad can surf, explore on a SUP or kayak up one of the many creeks.

THE ITINERARY



DAY 1: SYDNEY TO COFFS HARBOUR

  • Plenty of waterfront camping areas to choose from
  • Surfing beaches, safe creeks and plenty of patrolled beaches to get wet at
  • Make sure you bring your swimmers, fishing rod and/or a surfboard

DAY 2: EXPLORE COFFS HARBOUR

  • Check out the Big Banana
  • Visit the Pet Porpoise Pool
  • Swim at one of the many pristine beaches
  • Go jetty jumping off the jetty
  • Walk over Muttonbird Island

DAY 3: COFFS HARBOUR TO NYMBOIDA

  • Escape to the hinterland
  • Stop for lunch at Ulong at the Old Post Office Cafe
  • Explore waterfalls and stunning rainforest
  • Riverside camping at Platypus Flats in Nymboida

DAY 4: NYMBOIDA TO DORRIGO

  • Head to the Norm Jolly memorial grove
  • Walk amongst 800-year-old Tallowwood trees in World Heritage-listed areas
  • Stop at Dangar Falls for lunch and a (brave) swim
  • Spend time at the Dorrigo Rainforest centre

PIT STOPS

  • Traditional ice-creams at Coffs Marina
  • Attitude Burgers on the jetty strip
  • Dorrigo Rainforest Centre for coffee and cake

KIDS WILL LOVE

  • Having fun at the Big Banana
  • Jetty jumping or fishing in the harbour off Coffs Jetty
  • Riding the rapids on the Nymboida River or spotting platypus

WHERE TO CAMP

  • Darlington Park is 110 acres of park-like grounds with plenty of shade and only a short walk to the beach
  • Platypus Flats for absolute riverside camping on the mighty Nymboida River

Tags

destination destinations nsw new south wales places to go