To say that travel plans these days look a little different to our usual globetrotting ways in years gone by would be one of the many great understatements of 2020.
For now, we’ve said goodbye to international jaunts and are looking to our own beautiful backyard for memorable travel experiences, waves of wanderlust and new destinations to discover.
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re currently swapping jets for Jeeps, our passports for petrol cards, and our Duolingo app for local travel guides.
While we’re missing our freedom to explore abroad, there’s certainly plenty of perks when it comes to travelling around this magnificent country of ours. If you’ve already ticked the usual NSW hotspots off your local travel bucket list — think the likes of Byron Bay, Terrigal and Kiama, to name but a few — then the state’s lesser-known coastal towns will surprise and delight any keen traveller. Here’s how to #HolidayHereThisYear on the road a little less travelled.
Brunswick Heads
While it’s been dubbed the next Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads still has a small-town, local feel so there’s no better time than now to visit the idyllic town where the river meets the sea before it becomes as busy as its bustling neighbour.
Located just 15-minutes north of Byron Bay, “Bruns” — as its affectionately known to locals — might not be as famous as some of its fellow coastal towns, but its offering is just as bucket list-worthy. Do your best to snag yourself a rare reservation at the world-class Fleet Restaurant; check into the seriously cool Palm Springs-style The Sails Motel; enjoy some of the country’s finest Mexican at La Casita; stop in for a drink at Hotel Brunswick (an institution in town with the most magnificent 1930s architecture); and stroll the main streets for its collection of pretty boutiques.
La Casita Restaurant.
The Sails Motel.
South West Rocks
Image courtesy of Instagram user @alexandra__sage.
South West Rocks is far from a secret coastal hotspot for holidaymakers, but its yet to become one of the country’s “trendy” travel spots and that’s what we love about it. The humble coastal town is located at the mouth of the Macleay River and thanks to its postcard-like beaches, welcoming locals and array of family-friendly accommodation options, South West Rocks is the quintessential Australian beachside escape. Tee off at the 18-hole golf course, throw a line in to fish at the river estuary, browse the Beachside Markets on the second Saturday of the month, and take a dip in some of the country’s most magnificent swimming spots all day, every day. If you’re looking for a true hideaway, this is it.
Image courtesy of Instagram user @mark_colab_photography.
Hat Head
Image courtesy of Instagram user @life_on_the_open_road_au.
Excuse the cliché, but Hat Head is quite literally a little pocket of paradise on the mid-north coast of NSW. Nestled between Crescent Head and South West Rocks, Hat Head is a sleepy and secluded seaside town which lies on a narrow bar of sand between the Pacific Ocean and the Korogoro Creek behind the Hat Head National Park.
With no fancy restaurants or trendy boutiques, Hat Head is the place to get back to basics and enjoy life’s simple, everyday pleasures. Prepare for golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and spectacular national parks.
Image courtesy of Instagram user @meanwhileinawesometown.
Yamba
Image courtesy of Instagram user @domryanphoto.
Just like Brunswick Heads, Yamba is set to become as popular as its northern neighbour of Byron Bay. With its beachside setting, collection of boutique Airbnbs, and an impressive coffee and culinary offering, this prediction comes with no surprise.
While Yamba isn’t the sleepy fishing town it once was, it still maintains its unpretentious essence and strong sense of community making it a must-visit on your local travel hit list. Located on the coast of northern NSW at the mouth of the Clarence River, Yamba is full of hotspots — from Paradiso Restaurant that is loved for its seasonal and local produce; to The Yamba Studio, The Black Ace, and The Beach Ranch for very chic Airbnb stays; and Dusk Til Dawn Bar Co.for a botanical cocktail (or two!) — and the list goes on…
And, of course, a visit to Yamba wouldn’t be complete without enjoying your refreshment of choice at the iconic Pacific Hotel boasting one of the most magnificent cliff-side views in the country.
Image courtesy of The Yamba Studio.
Image courtesy of The Black Ace.
Merimbula
Image via Instagram user @mindovermanor.
If you’re looking for a South Coast escape, consider a getaway to Merimbula — a charming seaside town on the sparkling Sapphire Coast six hours south of Sydney.
This quaint coastal village is sometimes overshadowed by its more celebrated neighbours — think Mollymook and Batemans Bay — but its holiday appeal is equally impressive. Merimbula is nestled on the edge of a bay and lake and offers up rugged ocean beaches, tranquil coastal lakes and award-winning local seafood.
A must do: Book an oyster tour to experience the farming, harvesting and tasting of the most famous oysters in the world — Sydney Rock Oysters.
Image courtesy of East 33.
Image courtesy of East 33.
Eden
Image courtesy of Instagram user @davey_rogers.
While you’re in the spectacular Sapphire Coast area, do yourself a favour and hit the road for another half an hour south of Merimbula to visit the pretty little town of Eden. This natural piece of paradise is renowned for its humpback whale spotting (between May and early November), its beautiful bushwalks in Ben Boyd National Park and its fresh blue mussels that you can enjoy straight from the wharf.
Set on the deep blue waters of Twofold Bay — the third-deepest natural harbour in the Southern Hemisphere — Eden has a long-associated history with whales and even hosts the annual Eden Whale Festival in November to celebrate the southern migration when whales stop to feed in the bay. If you love nature and the great outdoors, Eden is a must on your NSW bucket list.
Image courtesy of Instagram user @davey_rogers.
