North Coast Beaches

Enjoy the delights of beautiful beaches along the NSW North Coast. You'll find plenty of things to do, from swimming and surfing to kayaking and snorkelling. Or simply roll out your towel and relax. Beach fishing is popular too, with bait-and-tackle shops offering tips on where the fish are biting.

There are marvellous coastal trails, such as the Port Macquarie coastal walk in Port Macquarie and the Solitary Islands coastal walk in Coffs Harbour. You’ll stroll over sandy beaches, through rainforest and up to headlands for spectacular views and the chance to spot whales from May to November.

Barbecue facilities are available at some popular North Coast beaches including:

• Stockton Beach in Newcastle
• Fingal Bay Beach in Port Stephens
• Flynns Beach in Port Macquarie
• Jetty Beach in Coffs Harbour
• Wategos Beach in Byron Bay

World-class surf beaches dot the magnificent coast, which is easily accessible along the Legendary Pacific Coast driving route. There are accredited surf schools and surf camps, such as Surfaris in Crescent Head. The annual Surfest in January and February is Australia’s biggest surfing festival.

At towns and popular beaches along the coast you can hire equipment, including surfboards, kayaks, bodyboards and even beach umbrellas. For snorkelling and diving, enjoy amazing underwater tours of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, Fish Rock Cave at South West Rocks and Cape Byron Marine Park.

In stunning protected coastal wilderness are gorgeous, secluded beaches. For golden sands and sapphire waters, visit Pelican Beach is in Wyrrabalong National Park near Lake Macquarie. You’ll find many places to unwind and cast a line on pretty Tallow Beach, in Arakwal National Park in Byron Bay.

Along the coast, accommodation options suit various budgets and are available near lovely beaches. In some national parks, camping sites are next to beaches. For an off-road adventure, traverse a beach and an estuary at low tide to get to Pebbly Beach campground, in Yuraygir National Park.