Sydney to Coffs Harbour: secret coastal route locals use

Planning the perfect Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip? Whether you're chasing pristine beaches, seeking secluded camping spots near Coffs Harbour, or dreaming of that perfect coastal adventure, we've got you covered. Last updated: January 2025

Use this 5-day guide when planning your Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip. It can be modified to suit the exact number of days you have available and also includes all the best attractions and camping spots. Plus, we’ve thrown in a heap of extra information like drive time, distance, the best season to travel and much more!

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Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip: 8 places you can’t miss

Total Distance: 670 km | Recommended duration: 2-5 days | Best Time to Visit: Between November and April | Route on Google Maps

1. Sydney

Start your Coffs Harbour road trip by picking up your campervan hire in Sydney. If you’re a tourist to the city, spend some time checking out all the major sights and attractions like the Sydney Opera House, Botanical Gardens and Harbour Bridge.

For an awesome day trip, visit Manly and follow the coastal drive along the Northern Beaches, stopping at popular spots like Mona Vale and Palm Beach.

Stay at the Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park - the city’s only waterfront caravan park and one of the best caravan parks near Sydney. Facilities include a water park, go-karts, kids club, kiosk and much more.

2. Terrigal

The first stop on your Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip should be Terrigal on the Central Coast.

On one end of Terrigal Beach , you will find The Skillion , a steep hill that offers awesome views over the Pacific Ocean. Between July and September, you will have a good chance of spotting whales migrating south along the Humpback Highway.

Families can relax by Terrigal Lagoon , where you can hire kayaks and pedalos and spend the day splashing around the gentle waters. Older kids can even take paddleboard lessons!

Advanced divers may want to join a dive on the Ex-HMAS Adelaide. The wreck is covered in colourful hard and soft corals and divers often see whales, seals, nurse sharks, fish and squid swimming in the depths.

Stay nearby at the Patonga Camping and Caravan Ground, which has beachfront access to the tranquil Brisk Bay and provides a wide range of facilities across its tranquil grounds.

3. Newcastle

On your way to Newcastle, stop to explore the sea caves and tidal pools at Caves Beach. This place is an Instagram hotspot and a family favourite. Just be sure to visit during low tide and make the most of the free parking.

Once you reach Newcastle, take a dip down at Merewether Beach , home to the largest ocean bath in the Southern Hemisphere. Then grab lunch at one of the many awesome pubs or restaurants nearby.

Afterwards, stretch your legs with a stroll along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. Built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing in 1915, it features a 160m stretch of clifftop bridge adorned with the names of 11,000 men and women from the Hunter Valley who enlisted during WW1.

Continue walking along the coastline until you reach Fort Scratchley. Take a tour of this former coastal defence and learn about the role it played during the shelling of Newcastle in 1942.

Stay at the NRMA Stockton Beach Holiday Park, a highly-rated beachfront campground located only 900m away from the Newcastle Ferry.

4. Myall Lakes National Park

Continue your Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip north to Myall Lakes National Park, one of Australia’s largest lake systems and an untouched slice of paradise.

After paying the $8 entry fee, you can spend your day canoeing, kayaking, boating and fishing around the lakes. Opposite the lakes, you can swim, surf and soak in the sun along more than 40kms of golden beaches.

On the northern tip of Myall Lakes National park is the famous Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse (built in 1875). Grab some photos of this historic building before walking around its external staircase and doing a spot of whale watching.

There are 22 campgrounds within Myall Lake National Park , many of which charge $17- $24 per night. Our favourites include the beachside Stewart and Lloyd’s Campgrounds and the lakeside Mungo Brush and Dee’s Corner Campgrounds.

5. Crowdy Bay

After leaving Myall Lake, take the scenic route through Booti Booti National Park - a thin 8km peninsula wedged between the Pacific Ocean and Wallis Lake. Be sure to stop at Boomerang Beach before taking on the Wallis Lake Walking Track or McBrides Beach walking track.

When leaving Booti Booti, pull over at Cape Hawke lookout , which offers full 360-degree views of the coast from a specially-built tower.

Pull up stumps for the day at the boundless seaside landscape that is Crowdy Bay National Park. There are several awesome walking tracks within the National Park, including the Mermaid Lookout Track and Diamond Head Loop Walk. And you are spoilt for choice when it comes to surf beaches, like Dunbogan Beach.

Within Crowdy Bay National Park, there’s a range of spacious campgrounds that are only a 30-second walk from the beach but still well protected from ocean winds. Two of our favourites are Diamond Head Campground and Crowdy Gap Campground (both $24 per night).

6. Port Macquarie

One of the major stops on any Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip is Port Macquarie , a large but scenic town on the mouth of the Hastings River.

On the outskirts of Port Macquarie, you will find Sea Acres National Park. Described as a “beach wrapped in rainforest”, it is one of the largest remaining coastal rainforests on the Australian east coast. There are very few places like it, where rainforest runs all the way down to meet the shoreline of a sandy beach.

Animal lovers will love Port Macquarie, home to the largest population of koalas on the east coast of Australia. Be sure to take one of the daily tours at the Koala Hospital or head along to Billabong Zoo: Koala and Wildlife Park where you can pat a Koala and meet a saltwater crocodile.

Stay at the NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park, centrally located between the river, beach and town centre. Camp by the sea and make the most of their facilities including a resort-style pool.

7. Nambucca Heads

Nambucca Heads is a slow surf town, the perfect place to chill out and enjoy quality dining and art.

Take a riverside walk along the V-Wall Outdoor Gallery , where countless visitors to Nambucca have painted messages on the rocks over the years. Enjoy reading inspirational words and memories from thousands of Australian and international tourists.

Then hit the water and kayak along the Nambucca River (kayak hire is available at the Boat Shed Cafe). Alternatively, book a river cruise and kick back as you enjoy a cup of tea and some scones.

Stay at Reflections Holiday Park, offering a beautiful seaside campground and full amenities.

8. Coffs Harbour

The final stop on your Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip, there is so much to do and see in this coastal city.

Kids of all ages will love the iconic Big Banana Fun Park , famous for the 13m long bright yellow monstrosity that sits out front. This is one of the largest theme parks in NSW, featuring a water park, toboggan, laser tag, 4D simulators, ice skating, mini-golf, giant slide, arcade games and much more.

After an action-packed day, meander along Marine Drive at sunset and see the old wooden Coffs Harbour Jetty , once Australia’s longest jetty. Continue your walk to the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, home to thousands of wedge-tailed shearwaters in the summer months.

Stay at the NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort, 25-minutes north of Coffs Harbour. This park boasts a heap of amenities, including a spa, free WiFi, swimming pool, cafe, kiosk and more.

After your journey from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, why not continue northward with a NSW North Coast road trip? Or turn around and head south with a Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip?

Hire a campervan for your Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip

You’re almost ready for your Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip. All that’s left to do is to arrange your wheels (and accommodation)!

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