 Northern New South Wales is a melting pot of magnificent lakes, mountain ranges, lush hinterland and sparkling beaches, all just waiting to be discovered. And with a wide variety of family accommodation and child-friendly activities, Northern New South Wales has all the elements of a fantastic family holiday.
For sheer beauty, it's hard to go past the endless golden beaches - Shoal Bay, Forster, South West Rocks and Nambucca Heads are some of the best known, but there are many more remote coves and inlets scattered along the coast.
The Tweed Coast, which consists of 35 kilometres of pristine beaches south of the Queensland border, is a place of singular beauty, where seabirds, sand and sea still rule – safe and uncluttered for a true getaway. Every amenity is available at these villages and Kingscliff in particular is becoming known for the excellence of its cafés and restaurants.
There’s a huge range of accommodation priced to suit every budget, some with beachfronts and others with Tweed River frontages, and plenty of things to do. For example, you can visit the local Farmers Markets, and go fishing, horseriding, bush trekking, swimming or canoeing. Explore the Environmental Gardens at Pottsville, hire a tinny and take to the river and estuaries, or have a picnic on the riverbank.
Port Macquarie, almost halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, offers some great animal attractions. Enjoy a camel ride on Lighthouse Beach or head to the Koala Hospital. Everglades Waterbus Tours explore inland waterways and there’s dolphin spotting in glass-sided boats. There are some beautiful nature reserves and national parks as well as the Observatory where the kids can see the stars.
Nearby is Wauchope's Timbertown, where kids can see the working steam train at a colonial village.
 In Coffs Harbour, there are several excellent family resorts and some ageless attractions. Kids love the Big Banana, which is now an all-weather theme park with fun rides and an ice-skating rink. At the Pet Porpoise Pool, they can get close to seals, dolphins and penguins, and about an hour away is the Skywalk, a 75-metre walk above the rainforest canopy in Dorrigo National Park.
The seaside town of Yamba gives kids some wet-and-wild times, either at the surf, at a safe rock pool or at award-winning resorts. Explore nearby towns such as Angourie and Spooky Beach, which have great bushwalks and, quite often, an empty beach to enjoy for swimming, kayaking or fishing.
Byron Bay Lighthouse, located on the Cape Byron Headland, is well wortha visit. There are two scenic walking tracks that offer exceptional views of the Pacific Ocean. In May and from August to October these walks are ideal for spotting humpback wales.
It is now possible to stay in the lightkeepers quarters. Contact the Cape Byron Trust for more information.
It's also worth heading further north for a more laid-back atmostphere at both Lennox Head and Brunswick Heads.
Or go bush for an earthy experience. Quaint towns such as Bangalow, Uki and Mooball appeal to travellers who appreciate the mountains and markets, bushwalks and bush bands. Take a tent and teach the kids the beauty of the Australian bush.
Top 10 things to do
1. Visit Timbertown, a fantastic heritage village at Wauchope.
2. Take the Yamba-Iluka ferry to the whale-watching platform on Bluff Beach, Iluka.
3. Go fishing anywhere along the coast – there are good bait and tackle shops everywhere.
4. Visit the Pet Porpoise Pool at Coffs Harbour.
5. Do a night tour to see koalas at Pine Creek National Park near Coffs Harbour.
6. Do the Everglades Waterbus Tour in Port Macquarie.
7. Brave the Skywalk in Dorrigo National Park.
8. Have a choc-coated banana at the Big Banana after you do all the rides.
9. Try go-kart racing at the Raleigh International Raceway.
10. Let the kids paint the breakwater at Nambucca – it’s legal and great fun!
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