New South Wales - Australia
General | Travel Planning | Suggested Tours
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Australia's Holiday Coast |
Location
Australia’s Holiday Coast stretches from the Great Lakes region in the south, past Port Macquarie to Kempsey and the Macleay Valley and Coffs Harbour in the north. Two million Australians each year choose to holiday in this region - a region that is abundant with pristine golden beaches, picturesque mountain ranges, emerald green hinterland and magnificent lake and waterway systems. Australia’s Holiday Coast boasts the nation’s most temperate climate.
Background
The region has a rich and colourful history. Captain Cook charted the area’s coastline in 1770. It is steeped in Aboriginal history and culture.
Port Macquarie was settled in 1818 and is the third oldest penal settlement in Australia. Cedar felling became the region’s major industry when the penal settlements were disbanded, but faltered when the cedar ran out. Heritage villages and attractions such as the Nambucca Railway Walk, the Taree and Wingham Heritage Walks, Timbertown at Wauchope and Trial Bay Gaol near Southwest Rocks, help bring the history of the region to life. The region produces fine wines, macadamia nuts, tea tree oil and bananas; there is also fishing, manufacturing, beef cattle, oysters and boat building (Steibercraft), organic fruit and vegetables and clothing (Hot Tuna - Taree). The region is the State’s largest producer of dairy products.
Reasons to visit
Australia’s Holiday Coast is a glorious destination for nature-lovers; it has 8 coastal and hinterland National Parks, 17 State Forests, 5 lake systems, 11 major rivers and 400 kilometres of beaches. Many nature-based tour operators help visitors to explore the region.
The region includes:
The Great Lakes area stretches from Tea Gardens to Forster and covers diverse ecosystems from the highest peaks of the Barringtons where snowgums grow protected by the World Heritage convention, to the string of tidal lakes and wilderness coast with its dolphin and visiting whale populations.
The Manning Valley, from Hallidays Point to Diamond Head, is heaven for watersports enthusiasts, with 150km of navigable waterways including the mighty Manning River. Ellenborough Falls is the longest single drop waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere.
Port Macquarie and the Hastings is an area of coastal towns and rural villages. The area averages temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius in summer and 17 degrees Celsius in winter…our ideal climate, according to the CSIRO.
Kempsey’s waterways and beaches are some of Australia’s best fishing spots, including the beautiful Macleay River.
Coffs Harbour is one of only two places where the Great Dividing Range meets the ocean, offering whitewater rafting, scuba diving, surfing and a dramatic hinterland to explore by 4WD, Harley Davidson, horse back or on foot.
Inland, quaint villages are renowned for their galleries and craft shops, such as Tinonee, Nabiac, Kendell and Stroud. Beautiful Bellingen is the region’s art and craft capital; its monthly markets are a respected institution among crafts people.
On this stretch of Coast fun parks, theme parks and lighthouses are plentiful, providing a distraction from beach life.
Experience the unique underwater Australian environment. Australia’s Holiday Coast offers much to the adventurer. Be treated to a guide underwater adventure with marine scientists, experience the beauty of dolphins surfing the bow wave or come face to face while scuba diving with Grey Nurse sharks.
(Copyright New South Wales Tourism)
General | Travel Planning | Suggested Tours
Call us on 0870 1999 038 for further details
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