The New South Wales North Coast.

The North Coast of New South Wales is an intriguing blend of the old and the new.

The North Coast is a place where the world’s largest expanse of subtropical rainforest meets mountains forged from ancient volcanoes; where the sparkling coastline of endless beaches offers surfing and whale-watching, frolicking dolphins and flocks of seabirds; where inspiring surroundings attract the most creative of personalities, artists and writers, actors and musicians; where colourful local festivals brim with arts and crafts and kites and crystals and local produce.

On the North Coast you can dine on freshly caught seafood and locally grown fruit and vegetables accompanied by some deliciously crisp white wine.

Rich volcanic soils produce macadamia nuts, exotic fruits, aromatic coffee, tea, pure milk and excellent ‘vino’.

The Central East Rainforest Reserves of the North Coast cover more than 50 national parks and wilderness areas, from Mt Warning (where the sun first hits the Australian mainland each day) to wildlife-rich Barrington Tops.

On the North Coast, waterfalls sparkle in the sun, Ellenborough Falls is Australia’s longest single drop waterfall.

Escape north to a temperate climate, hundreds of kilometres of sandy beaches, picturesque lakes and waterways, beautiful mountain ranges and hinterland.

A comfortable three-and-a-half hour drive from Sydney, the Mid North Coast of New South Wales is one of Australia's best getaway locations.

Port Macquarie on the Mid Central North Coast is a favourite getaway for Sydneysiders and well worth a visit.

The Mid North Coast is the perfect escape destination for a romantic weekend, a family holiday, a luxurious retreat, just the place for a quick break or an indulgent holiday.

When visiting the Mid North Coast take your time and enjoy the abundant activities that the area has to offer.

Explore historic villages rich with art, crafts and museums, relax aboard a lake or river cruise or catch a wave on some of the best surfing beaches in the world.

Play the region's best golf courses or take the kids to a family fun park, experience the thrill of fishing some of Australia's best fishing spots or go for a leisurely drive along the coast, go horse riding though natural rainforest or take the family on a 4WD tour, take a walk through picturesque hinterlands and valleys or just laze the day away on a beach.

Whatever turns you on you’ll find it here.

No matter what your interest, there's always something to suit all tastes and budgets on the New South Wales North Coast.

From the spectacular brilliance of nature to the high speed thrills and spills of family theme parks, the NSW North-Coast offers visitors plenty to see and do.

Halfway between Sydney and Brisbane on the east coast of Australia and a popular tourism stop off point for visitors, the North-Coast region has claims to the best weather in Australia.

The area also boasts a number of excellent restaurants and eateries with great food and fine local wines to enjoy.

Worthwhile visiting is The Hunter Wetlands Centre, a haven for Wildlife and good opportunities for whale watching start in the middle of May along the coast, especially areas like Tomaree, Fishermans Bay and Stockton Beach.

There are also plenty of historical museums, art and craft galleries, eateries and markets, offering all sorts of locally made goods.

For those so inclined, there is water-skiing, horse riding and you can even hire a boat for your own cruising and fishing.

There is excellent bushwalking in the national parks and along the coast and you can learn how to surf and dive if that's what turns you on.

Karuah is gateway to the delights of the east coast and the beautiful mountain regions.

Coffs Harbour on the Coffs Coast is known for its banana plantations, beaches, national parks and luxury resorts.

Here you’ll find the big banana, a local tourist attraction.

The Great Lakes, on the Mid North Coast, are themselves an ecotourism paradise, where you can hire a houseboat or cruiser to explore the beautiful Myall Lakes National Park.

Bushwalking and mountain climbing, swimming, water skiing, trail bike riding and bird watching are some of the activities here.

There are 40 kms or more of beaches and giant sand dunes with a backdrop of natural rainforests make it a great place to visit.

Kayaking on the Wallis, Smith and Myall lakes make for a memorable experience.

Two other national parks here are Tomaree National Park, which offers incredible views from the lookout, excellent bushwalking and swimming, as well as snorkelling, surfing and fishing.

Booti Booti National Park also has wonderful views of the area and great fishing and swimming.

There is a large variety of holiday accommodation available on the North Coast.

You can bunk down in hostels and backpackers, stay a night or three on a farm, choose bed and breakfast, caravan parks or self contained units if you wish, or perhaps a good quality hotel, motel or resort is more your style.

The Pacific Highway is a popular route to explore all along the east coast of Australia, yet venturing off this main tourist route has its rewards.

Long beaches, some stretching for kilometers, world class surfing, lush river systems and stunning national parks with World Heritage listing, make the region a great place to explore before either venturing north to Brisbane or south to Sydney.

Tweed Heads, on the border of Queensland and New South Wales, is an enjoyable day trip from Brisbane.

This is a great spot for fishing and surfing and it also has a very active nightlife.

Tweed Valley to the west has the World Heritage Mt Warning National Park with a scenic rainforest walk up to the summit for even more spectacular views.

Grafton, a historical city on the Pacific Highway sits on the Clarence River, giving it a nice country town ambience with big graceful jacaranda trees that flower gloriously in late October to early November.

These are a must see if you like that sort of thing.

To the west are the Nymboida, Gilbraltar Range and Washpool National Parks and to the east is Yuraygir, the longest undeveloped area of the New South Wales coast.

Cape Byron, Australia’s most easterly point is also a famous surf spot.

Since it also has many protected beaches and inlets, it has become a favourite stop off point for those doing the NSW east coast beach trail from Sydney to Brisbane, even in winter.

On the lower Clarence River, on the coast of New South Wales is the beautiful coastal town of Yamba.

A paradise for anglers the beaches here are charming while Angourie beach is well known to surfers.

Restaurants here offer the most delicious seafood, especially the river oysters.

Explore the Clarence River with a boat cruise, there are chances to go deep sea fishing or rent your own boat, or stay aboard a houseboat for a few days or week.

One of the major activities of The North Coast Wine Growers Association, whose mission is to ensure that the region maintains a reputation for excellence in wine production, is the promotion of the North Coast Wine Trail, which includes Cassegrain winery and five other grape growers and wine producers.

The trail wanders along both sides of the Pacific Highway, from just south of Coffs Harbour to just north of Kew.

All six participants offer cellar-door facilities and an appropriately laid-back insight into this re-emerging wine region.

From south to north, the six ports of call are:

Long Point Winery:on the corner of Long Point Drive & Cooinda Place, Off Houston Mitchell Drive, Lake Cathie

Bago Vineyards:Milligans Road, off Bago Road, Wauchope

Inneslake Vineyards:The Ruins Way, off the Oxley Highway, Port Macquarie

Cassegrain Wines:Pacific Highway Port Macquarie

Sherwood Estate Wines:1187 Gowings Hill Road Sherwood via Kempsey

Raleigh Vineyard & Winery:36 Queen Street Raleigh

They’re all well worth a visit, you’ll be greeted warmly and you’ll find some delightful boutique wines to take away with you.

As I said The New South Wales North Coast is an intriguing blend…..enjoy.

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