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Providing a buffer between New South Wales' capital-city sprawl to the south and Queensland's Gold Coast strip up over the border, northern NSW offers an altogether simpler way of life. Lovely, lazy beach towns and pristine national parks leapfrog each other all the way up this stupendous stretch of scenic coast. Inland, lush farmland and ancient tracts of World Heritage–listed rainforest do the same, punctuated by hinterland towns with a character and charm all to themselves. Farmers rub shoulders with big-city sea-changers and post-hippie alternative lifestylers here: if you're looking for stellar local produce, a single-origin coffee or a psychic reading, you won't be disappointed. And if you're searching for a surf break, rest assured there will be an awesome one, right around the next corner.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Byron Bay & Northern NSW.
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Located at Stockton Bight, these are the longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, stretching more than 35km. Thanks to the generosity of the Worimi people, the traditional owners who now manage the area, you’re able to roam around and drive along the beach (4WD only). Be sure to check driving conditions and where to get your driving permit online before you go. At time of writing, a camping trial was underway at the Ganyamalbaa campground.
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This photogenic, 32-hectare green oasis outside Byron is shared by Three Blue Ducks restaurant, a produce store, the Bread Social bakery, an ice-creamery and nursery. Pick up a self-guided-tour map and roam the veggie plots and cattle-and-pig-dotted fields. Book in advance for guided tours (9am Friday to Sunday); Zephyr Horses tours happen from 7am Saturdays ($89).
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The Cape Byron State Conservation Park is home to the Cape Byron lighthouse, plenty of stunning lookouts (including from the most eastern point of the Australia mainland) and the excellent 3.7km Cape Byron Walking Track.
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Incorporates a patchwork of lakes, islands, dense littoral rainforest and beaches. Further south, the lakes support an incredible quantity and variety of bird life, including bowerbirds, white-bellied sea eagles and tawny frogmouths. The coastal rainforest is cut through with fire trails and beach tracks that lead to the beach dunes at Mungo Brush, perfect territory for spotting wildflowers and surprising dingoes.
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This small volunteer-run centre takes in sick, injured and orphaned koalas from the surrounding area and does its best to rehabilitate them and release them into koala-friendly pockets of land. It's only open to visitors for tours, during which you can learn about these interesting marsupials then meet them.
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Tallow Beach is a deserted sandy stretch that extends for 7km south from Cape Byron. This is the place to flee the crowds: much of the beach is backed by Arakwal National Park. The suburb of Suffolk Park sprawls along back from the sand near its southern end.
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The Gumbaynggirr people knew this island as Giidany Miirlarl (Place of the Moon). It was joined to Coffs Harbour by the northern breakwater in 1935. The walk to the top (steep at the end) provides sweeping vistas. From late August to early April it's occupied by thousands of wedge-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds). Muttonbirds by Moonlight tours – led by respected Gumbaynggirr Elder Uncle Mark Flanders – are a great way to see them and to learn about the Aboriginal significance of the island.
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This is the state’s longest stretch of undeveloped coastline, covering a 65km stretch of pristine coastal ecosystems stretching north from the village of Red Rock. The isolated beaches are outstanding and there are bushwalking paths where you can view endangered coastal emus.
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The vast Border Ranges National Park covers 317 sq km on the NSW side of the McPherson Range, which runs along the NSW–Queensland border. It's part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area and it's estimated that representatives of a quarter of all bird species in Australia can be found here.
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