What’s not to love about a roadtrip that hugs a totally natural wonder of the world - the Great Barrier Reef? There’s no shortage of jumping-off points along the Big Pacific Coast Touring Route to make sure you cover as much of this tropical, sea-life paradise as possible. And back on the mainland, there’s a bunch of kitschy Big Things this stretch of road is known for like the Big Mango in Bowen or the Giant Gumboot in Australia’s wettest town of Tully. There’s also ridiculously gorgeous rainforests, gold-rush towns stuck in a time-warp and the most bodacious selection of seafood to sample on your way as you travel across two states, from Sydney in New South Wales to Cairns in far north Queensland.
And if you can, a short ferry ride off the coast of Queensland will take you to one of the best beaches on the planet, Whitehaven, in The Whitsundays.
Ease into the Big Pacific Coast drive as you weave through the northern outskirts of Sydney and head towards the golden sands and relaxed vibes of the Central Coast. Your first port of call should be Forresters Beach - a long, golden-hued bay perfect for surfers and families looking for a picnic lunch and a spot of sand-castle building. As afternoon approaches, head a little further north to The Entrance - a small NSW town surrounded by beaches, lakes and lagoons. This popular holiday spot is best known for the huge pelican population that converge on Memorial Park every day at 3.30pm for their daily feeding. This has been a tradition for the past 20 years as the local fish and chip shop initially fed the scraps to the birds, but now the council and sponsors feed the birds every day, and whilst it is a great tourist draw card, it also gives them the ability to monitor the birds health and assist if any of them have fishing hooks or lines caught in their gullets or wings.
If the water is still beckoning, head towards Tuggerah Lake, the largest of three lakes that comprise the Tuggerah Lakes wetland system, where you’ll have the choice of swimming, water-skiing or fishing in the lake or the beach at the front of the town. The Lakes immediate surrounds include the Munmorah State Conservation Area and most of the Wyrrabalong National Park which has been identified as an Important Bird Area, because the shallow waters have seagrass beds which attract large numbers of waterbirds such as sharp tailed sandpipers and chestnut teals.
To stay for a few days, you can overnight in one of the holiday parks or hotels dotting the coastline.
Head out early to make it to Newcastle in time to sample one of the meals Australia does best - brunch. The burgeoning cafe scene in Newcastle will leave you with no shortage of options. Try the decadent fig, pear and yoghurt flatbread at popular brunch spot Three Beans or if you’re after an epic seaside view, head to Merewether Surfhouse for ricotta pancakes or a raw breakfast salad.
"Merewether Surfhouse"
Shoal Bay Avenue, Shoal Bay, New South Wales, Australia
It’s time to head back to the coast, towards the 26 sandy beaches and idyllic inlets that make up the holiday resort spot of Port Stephens. First off is a stop at Nelson Bay where you can hop on a dolphin or whale watching cruise, with Moonshadow TQC Cruises, an Advanced Ecotourism operator, to get up close to Port Stephens’ most playful residents. Next pick up a snorkel or your diving gear and head to Fly Point - Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve which is filled with an array of colourful marine life. Fish are so abundant in this spot, you’ll have them swimming around your legs as soon as you enter the water! And each summer juvenile tropical fish appear, including butterfly fish, damsel fish, wrasses and butterfly cod. Venture a little further into the deep blue to see octopus, giant blue gropers, rays or if you’re very lucky, a majestic seahorse. But please remember this is a protected marine reserve so there’s no fishing allowed.
Consider a detour inland to explore the dense rainforests and hidden waterfalls of Barrington Tops National Park. Forming part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia World Heritage Area, Barrington is carved out of ancient volcanic flows and as a national park it protects one of the largest temperate rainforests in Australia as well as a wide range of animals and birds. A bushwalkers paradise, there are a myriad of walks perfect for the whole family, as well as lots of fishing spots and amazing wildlife spotting. If time is on your side, consider an overnight hike or camp at one of the 5 camps grounds dotted around the park.
26 the Lakes Way, Forster - Tuncurry, New South Wales, Australia
"Port Macquarie Camel Safaris" — Photo Credit: Port Macquarie Camel Safaris
Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
If you’d prefer to head straight for Coffs Harbour, keep on the highway and head towards Port Macquarie for a camel ride along the beach with Port Macquarie Camel Safaris.
Or venture further north to get to the beaches at Crescent Head - a favourite surfing spot for longboard riders from around the world as it’s well known as having one of the best right hand point breaks in the world.
And if you’re here in May you’ll be in time to catch the Malibu Classic. The laid-back coastal town at Crescent Head has plenty of spots where you can hire a board or the instructors at the local surf camp can help you brush up on your skills before you take on the famous right-hand break.
