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On the legendary Pacific Coast Drive you’ll see spectacular scenery along the way, from rolling green hinterland, dotted with macadamia farms and banana plantations, to rugged national parks and great surf beaches.

The Central Coast and Port Stephens regions are known for wonderful beaches and beautiful sheltered bays, perfect for families as well as swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. The ocean beaches here are sublime and great for surfing and beach walks. This beautiful Northern Rivers region is also acclaimed for its natural beauty, as well as its creative communities and fresh produce. For those seeking respite in nature, meditative renewal or surfing paradise, the region is a marvellous destination.

On the legendary Pacific Coast Drive you’ll see spectacular scenery along the way, from rolling green hinterland, dotted with macadamia farms and banana plantations, to rugged national parks and great surf beaches.

The Central Coast and Port Stephens regions are known for wonderful beaches and beautiful sheltered bays, perfect for families as well as swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. The ocean beaches here are sublime and great for surfing and beach walks. This beautiful Northern Rivers region is also acclaimed for its natural beauty, as well as its creative communities and fresh produce. For those seeking respite in nature, meditative renewal or surfing paradise, the region is a marvellous destination.

STAGE 1: LAKE MACQUARIE TO NEWCASTLE

TRAVEL TIME APPROX: 28 Min | 24.7KM

There are plenty of beautiful seaside towns to visit and explore as you drive up the NSW Central Coast towards Lake Macquarie. Towns such as Pearl Beach, Ettalong Beach, Patonga, Avoca and Terrigal, offer a range of opportunities to stop and refresh. Swimming, fishing and surfing are always popular. You can also visit The Entrance, 98km from Sydney, where pelicans are fed by hand and you can enjoy a variety of water sports, including sailing. The Entrance, which is surrounded by lagoons, lakes and beaches, is less than two hours’ drive from Sydney. Take the scenic coastal route to Lake Macquarie, where you can roll out your towel on soft sands and relax at Catherine Hill Bay, Caves, Blacksmiths or Redhead beaches. Explore the waterway sailing or hire a kayak from Lake Mac Kayak and Bike Hire or JetBuzz Watersports, which also offers thrilling rides in a jet.

STAGE 2: NEWCASTLE TO PORT STEPHENS

TRAVEL TIME APPROX: 1 Hours | 56.8KM

Newcastle is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a rich maritime history and the world-famous surfing destination of Merewether Beach. You’ll also discover cool bars, quality restaurants, and a lively arts and music scene. If you haven’t had time to stop today you can take a refreshing dip in the ocean pool, known locally as the bogey hole. There are many harbourside restaurants and bars at Honeysuckle or head for Beaumont Street in Hamilton for more outdoor cafés. Just half an hour’s drive from Newcastle, the TreeTops Adventure Park will thrill kids with its flying foxes, suspension bridges and many other exciting activities.

With its winning combination of sandy beaches, national parklands and rugged coastlines, Port Stephens is the perfect place to get in touch with nature. Port Stephens is also home to a prominent dining scene characterised by its diversity and use of locally sourced ingredients. From hand-shucked oysters to fresh avocados, figs and macadamia nuts, the Port Stephens region is abundant with beautiful produce. Sample quality wines and craft beers at a local brewery or winery. Outdoor adventurers can also be enjoyed year-round with water sports such as diving, snorkelling, swimming, surfing, sailing and ferry rides. Other outdoor activities include quad-biking and sandboarding at Stockton Sand Dunes, as well as horse riding through the region’s parklands and along its scenic shorelines.

STAGE 3: PORT STEPHENS TO PORT MACQUARIE

TRAVEL TIME APPROX:  3 Hour | 248.1KM

The drive from Port Stephens to Port Macquarie is teeming with outdoor adventures, gorgeous beaches, delicious produce and beautiful walks. You will see many spectacular beaches, beautiful lakes, tranquil rivers, verdant hinterland and beautiful wilderness on this drive. You can also take a scenic route through the Great Lakes region, following The Lakes Way past Myall Lake. A paradise of natural attractions and outdoor adventures, Port Macquarie is only four hours’ drive north of Sydney on the NSW North Coast. One of the most popular attractions is the Koala Hospital, which conducts daily tours at 3pm. Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park is also popular, and home to a giant saltwater crocodile. You can also enjoy a seaside lunch and walk along the colourfully painted breakwater.

STAGE 3: PORT MACQUARIE TO SOUTH WEST ROCKS

TRAVEL TIME APPROX:  1 Hour | 81.8KM

A charming seaside town at the mouth of the beautiful Macleay River, South West Rocks is a perfect escape for a family beach holiday. You will find many bushwalking attractions and tranquil beaches around South West Rocks in Arakoon National Park and Hat Head National Park. Visit the historic ruins of Trial Bay Gaol, on the cliffs above the sea. Taking 13 years to build, it opened in 1886 and was an internment camp in the First World War for people of German descent living in Australia. For spectacular views visit the Smoky Cape Lighthouse, one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses in Australia. Smoky Cape is a great vantage point for whale watching between May and November. The Smoky Cape walking track begins at Captain Cook’s lookout and meanders through one of Australia’s largest remnant littoral rainforest, home to wallabies and swallow-tailed butterflies.

STAGE 4: SOUTH WEST ROCKS TO COFFS HARBOUR

TRAVEL TIME APPROX:  1 Hours | 102KM

The drive to get here from South West Rocks winds through spectacular scenery. Along the way you can make a detour to Dorrigo; home of magnificent rainforest in the Dorrigo National Park. Just an hour west of Coffs Harbour along the delightful Waterfall Way driving route, enjoy spectacular lookouts and enchanting waterfalls. Walk the Skywalk, a 70m elevated boardwalk, or stop for a coffee in the Canopy Cafe. Natural beauty and fun attractions draw families and adventurers to Coffs Harbour. The kids will love the amusement rides at the Big Banana Fun Park, including water slides and a tobogganing ride. Amble along the Jetty Strip at the bottom of Harbour Drive and choose from a delicious range of restaurants and cafes. You can walk across a marina breakwater to Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve for spectacular views.

The Solitary Islands Marine Park is a haven for marine creatures, including whales during their annual migration between May and November. This beautiful marine park includes scenic estuaries, beaches and headlands. At Solitary Islands Aquarium, marvel at colourful clownfish and venomous lionfish. In the Butterfly House, you can walk among hundreds of butterflies. You can also explore the amazing underwater world with Jetty Dive and during whale-watching season, take a cruise boat to see majestic humpbacks at play.

STAGE 4:  COFFS HARBOUR TO BYRON BAY

TRAVEL TIME APPROX:  3 Hours | 239KM

There are many options on this drive, which winds past quiet estuaries, charming villages, gorgeous beaches and World Heritage wilderness. The scenic drive from Coffs Harbour takes you into the Byron Bay area. From a lush hinterland to a spectacular coast, this region is acclaimed for its natural beauty, creative communities and fresh produce. For those seeking respite in nature, meditative renewal or surfing paradise, the region is a marvellous destination.

Impeccable natural attractions are a drawcard, with Cape Byron Marine Park extending from Brunswick Heads in the north to Lennox Head in the south. Walk in rainforest in national parks including Bundjalung, near Ballina, and visit the magnificent Minyon Falls, near Byron Bay. Take the kids to The Macadamia Castle for native furry friends and cuddly nursery animals, mini golf, train rides, playgrounds and barbecues. Check out the events calendar when planning your trip. Tours include kayaking to see dolphins and whale-watching cruises during the annual migration. Diving in the crystal-clear waters is popular too, with the likes of Sundive Byron Bay and Blue Bay Divers.

STAGE 4: BYRON BAY TO TWEED HEAD

TRAVEL TIME APPROX:  1 Hours | 42KM

Relax on soft white sands, enjoy surfing, kayaking, diving and fishing, and climb Mount Warning in a World Heritage-listed national park.

In Tweed Heads, you’ll find fishing charters, river cruises, houseboats and barbecue boats for hire, and underwater tours. From Point Danger, you will often see dolphins out to sea, and on a fine day there are views from Surfers Paradise to Byron Bay. Take a rainforest river cruise with Tweed Endeavour Cruises and feed birds of prey on an island. You can trap mud crabs with Tweed Endeavour or Catch a Crab, which includes a visit to an oyster farm. Or hire a houseboat from Boyds Bay Houseboat Holidays and enjoy the river at your own pace. The Legendary Pacific Drive concludes in this beautiful region, but the drive back is a good opportunity to explore attractions and detours you may have missed along the way

This article was written in conjunction with Australian Tourism. For more information about road trips in New South Wales, go to www.visitnsw.com