When we moved back to New Zealand we took an entire month to make our way home and it was the ultimate family vacation! We started off with a 17-day RV trip from Sydney to the Whitsundays and I fell completely head over heels for this beautiful country. I am breaking up our road trip to make it easier for your planning. Here are our top 5 recommended stops from Sydney to Byron Bay!
5 Must-see Stops from Sydney to Byron Bay Australia
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Bouddi National Park
Located just under 2 hours north of Sydney, Bouddi was on my list of “places to go only if we have time”.
I’m so glad we made time because this place has an unworldly beauty. Of course, my kids just liked it because it sounds like “booty”.
The liesegang rings on the sandstone cliffs are unbelievably beautiful, my kids pretended like they were on Mars.
We started at Putty Beach and did a portion of the coastal track until we ventured off to a secluded beach where my boys built forts and had sword fights with sticks.
It was here that I was reminded that this world and their childhood is a magical thing.
There are 7 beaches in this national park and 6 of those can only be accessed by foot, which means that any beach you end up at you will most likely have it to yourselves.
There are several other walks you can take here, but I would definitely recommend the coastal track for the most incredible views.
Dorrigo National Park
Take a little break from the coast and head inland just a little ways and you’ll discover an enchanting World Heritage Rainforest.
Start out at the Rainforest Center to learn more about the area and all the wildlife that calls this place home (including pythons!).
Take a walk above the jungle canopy on the Skywalk lookout. After you view the rainforest from up above, take a hike down below to experience the heart of the rainforest.
We would highly recommend the Crystal Shower Falls walk, I mean the name alone is enticing. You’ll get a chance to walk behind the waterfall, it is so beautiful and serene.
Grab some lunch at the Canopy Cafe or enjoy a picnic at the Never Never Picnic Area. For more information about Dorrigo and other hikes in the area click here.
Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour is a great place to get out and stretch your legs while enjoying the fresh sea air. It also makes for a great pit stop for lunch. First, take a stroll along the Coff’s Harbour Jetty.
The air was particularly heavy and salty the day we went.
The skies were just the right kind of ominous, the kind that you just stare out on the horizon until the sky and sea become one, and all of a sudden you feel so small and insignificant in this great big world.
Other recommended things to do in Coffs Harbour:
- Hike around Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve for great views and wildlife.
- Get up close and personal with Dolphins at Dolphin Marine Magic.
- Visit Forest Sky Pier where you can take in the magnificent views of the coast and hike through a rainforest.
- If you’re lucky, you can spot a Koala at the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. If not, you can at least enjoy the beautiful walking trails through native vegetation.
Best places to eat in Coffs Harbour:
- Mana Chita for delicious ethnic food
- Emerald Beach Pizza and Pasta for the best pizza
- Twenty46 for tasty locally grown dishes
- Cafe Aqua is the best place to enjoy an outdoor brunch
Emerald Beach
This next stop blew my mind. It has always been my dream to see a kangaroo in the wild, so when I heard there was a possibility of a kangaroo sighting at Emerald Beach I was all over that.
Everyone else was skeptical but as we pulled into the parking lot we saw a half-dozen kangaroos just hanging out.
Everyone piled into the front seat, heads hanging out the window, feet getting stepped on, ribs getting elbowed, squeals of excitement, fingers pointing and a smug look of “I told you so” on my face with the zoom lens documenting every glorious moment.
If I thought the parking lot was amazing, I was only kidding myself.
We walked out onto the “Look At Me Now” headland (yes, that’s the name) and were met with not only the most breathtaking views, but also herds of kangaroos grazing along the steep cliffs.
I had to stop and catch my breath which was quickly escaping me as I couldn’t believe I was actually standing there in that moment.
The pastel sunset and crashing waves were the perfect backdrop for these adorable creatures. Being able to share it with my family was definitely a moment for me.
I can’t recommend this stop enough on your Sydney to Byron Bay road trip! Yamba is another beautiful little holiday town north of Emerald Beach. It’s worth a stop to swim in their refreshing ocean pool.
Byron Bay
Our last stop on our road trip before getting to the Gold Coast was Byron Bay. Byron Bay has a cool hipster vibe and was voted #3 in the “Traveler’s Choice” Awards for the best vacation spots.
It is home to Chris Hemsworth and is a celebrity hot spot for the likes of Matt Damon, Miley Cyrus, and many others.
It boasts 9 great surf beaches including: “The Pass” (next to the world-famous Lighthouse), ‘The wreck’ (great for beginners), Belongil (the main beach), Watego’s and little Watego’s, “the Cosy Corner”, Clarkes Beach (great for paragliding) and Tallows beach (great for beach fishing as well).
Why not take a surf lesson at one of these iconic surf spots?
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Other recommended things to do in Byron Bay:
- Hike the Lighthouse Trail.
- Take a wildlife safari through three different habitats where you’re guaranteed to see koalas and kangaroos among other animals.
- Interact with a pod of local dolphins on a kayak tour and maybe if you’re lucky even spot a whale.
- Take a walk through the subtropical rainforest in Nightcap National Park to the beautiful Minyon Falls where you can swim under the falls.
There’s something for everyone at Byron Bay!
There are so many beautiful spots along this coast. Hopefully, these stops will make it on your road trip itinerary from Sydney to Byron Bay!
Be sure to check out our Sydney Travel Guide for the best things to see and do in Sydney, and our Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast Road Trip Guide as well as our Sunshine Coast Guide!
I have seen other photos before of kangaroos by the beach and ocean, but it still blows my mind as well to see them in that environment. I wonder if they like it for the same reasons as we might, to study the waves at the shore or to enjoy a cool breeze perhaps? Australia never fails to be both strange and wonderful.
Isn’t it incredible?! This really was a dream of mine ever since I was young to see kangaroos in Australia, so it was really something special!
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