# Pelicans, lighthouses and rainforest – up the north coast of New South Wales to Byron Bay by camper

> From Sydney via Port Stephens, the Myall Lakes, Port Macquarie and the Dorrigo rainforest plateau to Byron Bay and the Queensland border: around 1,250 km of…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-315-nsw-north-coast-byron/

**At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 885 km (550 mi) with 14 stops, from Sydney to Tweed Heads. About 9 h 39 min of driving in total. Best time to go: February–November. From Sydney via Port Stephens, the Myall Lakes, Port Macquarie and the Dorrigo rainforest plateau to Byron Bay and the Queensland border: around 1,250 km of coast on which you spend more time on headlands and lagoons than on the highway.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 885 km (550 mi) |
| Driving | 9 h 39 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Sydney → Tweed Heads |
| States | New South Wales |
| Best time to go | February–November |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-315-nsw-north-coast-byron.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving the Outback safely: distances, water, road trains and emergency communication](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/oc-outback-driving-safety/), [Hiring a campervan or motorhome in Australia: what to check](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/oc-campervan-hire-australia/)

*From Sydney via Port Stephens, the Myall Lakes, Port Macquarie and the Dorrigo rainforest plateau to Byron Bay and the Queensland border: around 1,250 km of coast on which you spend more time on headlands and lagoons than on the highway.*

## The spirit of the route

The north coast of New South Wales is a chain of bays, river mouths and headlands, linked by a highway that is now almost entirely four-lane – and that is exactly why it pays to leave it again and again. Beyond Sydney, sandstone gorges alternate with lagoons full of pelicans; at Port Stephens dunes roll down to the sea; at the Myall Lakes you cross still, tea-coloured water on a cable ferry. Further north, white lighthouses stand on every other cape, humpback whales pass by from June to November, and kangaroos graze on the grassy headlands. In the evening the sliding door lets in the smell of salt, eucalyptus and charcoal from the communal barbecue. Then comes the detour up to Dorrigo, where subtropical rainforest hangs over waterfalls, and finally Byron Bay with the easternmost point of the mainland. Free camping is banned almost everywhere here – the reward is national park camps right behind the dunes.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Sydney to Norah Head (Central Coast) (approx. 125 km)

- **The drive:** Head north out of Sydney onto the Pacific Motorway (M1): the fastest way is via the M2 and the tolled NorthConnex tunnel; the toll-free option is Pennant Hills Road, but with lots of traffic lights. Beyond Berowra the motorway crosses the Hawkesbury River on a long bridge and climbs through sandstone plateaus with eucalyptus forest. At Kariong turn off for Gosford and follow the coast roads to Terrigal, The Entrance and Norah Head. Pure driving time around 2 hours; avoid weekday rush hour and Friday afternoons.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Bouddi National Park: the coastal track down to Maitland Bay with remains of the wreck of the “Maitland” – steep walk back, take water.
  - Terrigal Skillion: a short climb onto the grassy headland above the town with views along the Central Coast.
  - The Entrance: the daily pelican feeding at Memorial Park on the channel between Tuggerah Lake and the sea, followed by Norah Head lighthouse in the evening light.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Norah Head Holiday Park, a council-owned park right behind the beach, a few minutes' walk from the lighthouse: powered sites, amenities block, camp kitchen and barbecues. In Bouddi National Park, Putty Beach Campground (NSW National Parks, book online) has sites for vehicles behind the beach – check vehicle length and site type when booking.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Central Coast does not allow sleeping in vehicles in beach, lagoon and town car parks; many car parks have overnight parking bans, and rangers patrol especially at weekends and in the holidays. In Bouddi and Brisbane Water national parks you may only stay overnight at booked campgrounds.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up and empty your tanks at a holiday park on the outskirts of Sydney before you set off – there is hardly any opportunity in the city centre. NorthConnex is cashless; without an e-tag the bill arrives later, and in NSW you have only 72 hours to pay it. The old Pacific Highway route via Brooklyn and Mooney Mooney is a winding, toll-free alternative with views of the Hawkesbury.

### Stage 2: Norah Head to Nelson Bay (Port Stephens) (approx. 130 km)

- **The drive:** North between Budgewoi Lake and the sea, via Swansea at the mouth of Lake Macquarie and on the Pacific Highway to Newcastle. From Newcastle cross the Stockton Bridge onto Nelson Bay Road, which leads through eucalyptus forest and along the edge of the Stockton dunes to Port Stephens. About 2 hours, with city traffic in Newcastle.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Catherine Hill Bay: an old mining village with a wooden coal jetty on a wide bay, a short way off the highway.
  - Newcastle: the Bathers Way from Nobbys Beach via the Anzac Memorial Walk to Merewether Ocean Baths, plus the Bogey Hole carved into the rock.
  - Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Nelson Bay: a steep path to the top of the headland with views over Port Stephens, the offshore islands and Zenith Beach – go early in the morning or at sunset.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Halifax Holiday Park near Little Beach in Nelson Bay, overlooking the bay: powered sites, amenities, camp kitchen; Tomaree Head in Shoal Bay is a few kilometres away. One Mile Beach Holiday Park near Anna Bay, in the bush behind the beach of the same name, is somewhat quieter. In the holidays, book weeks ahead.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Port Stephens Council prohibits camping on public land and in vehicles in beach and town car parks; there are no campgrounds in Tomaree National Park. In the Worimi Conservation Lands (Stockton Bight), beach camping is only possible in designated areas with a permit and a four-wheel-drive vehicle – not an option for hired campervans.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Without your own four-wheel drive, the Stockton dunes are best experienced on foot from Birubi Point near Anna Bay or on one of the guided tours from there. Many car parks in Nelson Bay are time-limited; leave the camper at the park and explore the town on foot or by bus. Newcastle's centre is cramped; large vehicles park on the foreshore or on the edge of town.

### Stage 3: Nelson Bay to Seal Rocks via the Myall Lakes (approx. 170 km)

- **The drive:** Back via Medowie to the Pacific Highway, turn off at Tea Gardens and go via Hawks Nest on Mungo Brush Road through Myall Lakes National Park: narrow, densely wooded, with turn-offs to beach and lake access points. At Bombah Point Ferry a small cable ferry crosses the lake (daily roughly 8 am–6 pm, cash only, no service in strong winds), then take the partly unsealed Bombah Point Road to Bulahdelah and The Lakes Way and Seal Rocks Road to the coast. Around 3 hours including the ferry; check road conditions after heavy rain.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Mungo Brush: a picnic and swimming spot on the shore of Myall Lake with a short rainforest walk – often kangaroos on the grassy areas in the morning.
  - Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse in Seal Rocks: a short, steep path from the car park to the lighthouse, with views of the rocky islands where fur seals lie and, in winter, of migrating whales.
  - Number One Beach in Seal Rocks: a fishing cove with surfers, and above it a lookout on the way to the lighthouse.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Seal Rocks Holiday Park at the entrance to the village, right on the water: powered and unpowered sites, amenities, small shop nearby; limited sites, book early. Alternatively, on the way, Mungo Brush Campground run by NSW National Parks on Myall Lake: marked unpowered sites, also suitable for campervans and caravans, basic toilets and picnic tables, but no drinking water – bring your own. Book online.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Myall Lakes National Park you may only stay overnight at the booked campgrounds; beach access points and car parks are patrolled. A daily vehicle fee applies in the park (card machine at Mungo Brush Campground, Park’nPay app or annual pass). Seal Rocks is a small village with no tolerated spots – parking up overnight on the beach road gets you a fine.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Take cash for the Bombah Point Ferry – there is no card terminal on board. Bombah Point Road between the ferry and the highway is partly gravel; if you are towing a large rig or driving a hire camper not cleared for gravel, go back from Mungo Brush to Hawks Nest and take the highway to Bulahdelah. There is no petrol station in Seal Rocks – fill up with fuel and water in Tea Gardens or Bulahdelah.

### Stage 4: Seal Rocks to Port Macquarie (approx. 170 km)

- **The drive:** North on The Lakes Way between Myall Lake, Smiths Lake and Wallis Lake through Booti Booti National Park – a narrow strip of land with the sea on one side and the lagoon on the other. Cross the bridge to Forster, then join the Pacific Highway at Nabiac and head swiftly north to Port Macquarie. About 2.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Cape Hawke Lookout in Booti Booti National Park: a short, steep climb to the lookout tower with panoramic views over Wallis Lake and the coast.
  - Forster: Wallis Lake oysters straight from the growers on the shore, plus the ocean pool at Main Beach.
  - Port Macquarie: the coastal walk from the Town Green via Flynns Beach to Tacking Point Lighthouse, and the painted rocks of the breakwall at the river mouth.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park (formerly Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park) at the mouth of the Hastings River, a few minutes' walk from the centre and the coastal walk: powered sites, amenities, pool. In Booti Booti, The Ruins Campground run by NSW National Parks offers shady unpowered sites with hot showers between lagoon and beach – a quiet alternative if you split the stage.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Port Macquarie-Hastings Council bans sleeping in vehicles on public streets and in car parks within the town and at the beaches. In Booti Booti National Park, too: only at the booked campground, and mind the daily vehicle fee.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Visit Port Macquarie's Koala Hospital on Lord Street, run by Koala Conservation Australia – check opening hours and tickets on the website beforehand; donations are welcome. Signs on the town's streets warn of koala crossings; drive slowly in the evening. On the highway before Port Macquarie there are large service stations with truck lanes where tall vehicles can refuel easily.

### Stage 5: Port Macquarie to South West Rocks (approx. 105 km)

- **The drive:** On the Pacific Highway past Kempsey, turn off at Frederickton and cross flat river country along the Macleay River to South West Rocks; a detour leads through Hat Head National Park up to Smoky Cape. Short and relaxed, a good 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Trial Bay Gaol: ruins of a 19th-century prison on the Arakoon headland, with a museum and views over the bay.
  - Smoky Cape Lighthouse in Hat Head National Park: a lighthouse high above the coast and, from June to November, one of the best whale-watching spots in the region.
  - Little Bay and Gap Beach: a sheltered swimming cove and a short coastal track between South West Rocks and Arakoon.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Trial Bay Gaol Campground, run by NSW National Parks in Arakoon National Park, right below the prison ruins on the bay: powered and unpowered sites (many powered sites with water and waste-water connections), hot showers, drinking water, camp kitchen, laundry and dump point; book online, sealed access road. In town, Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park lies on the sheltered beach with powered sites.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Kempsey Shire Council prohibits camping in beach car parks and on green spaces; in Hat Head and Arakoon national parks, only at booked campgrounds. Hungry Gate Campground in Hat Head National Park is basic and the access road is partly unsealed – with a hire vehicle, check the insurance terms.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Kempsey has large supermarkets right at the highway turn-off – shop there before heading to South West Rocks. Day visitors to Arakoon pay a vehicle fee; campers should ask when booking whether it is included.

### Stage 6: South West Rocks to Coffs Harbour via Bellingen and Dorrigo (approx. 190 km)

- **The drive:** Back to the Pacific Highway and north via Macksville and Nambucca Heads to Raleigh, then on the Waterfall Way via Bellingen into the Bellinger River valley. Beyond Bellingen the road climbs the escarpment to the Dorrigo plateau over around 15 km of tight bends, past Newell Falls; in large vehicles, use a low gear and the pull-over bays. Return the same way to Bellingen and continue via Mylestom or the highway to Coffs Harbour. Around 3.5 hours of pure driving, a full day with walks.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Dorrigo National Park: part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (World Heritage). The Wonga Walk leads through subtropical rainforest to Crystal Shower Falls, where you walk behind the curtain of water.
  - Dangar Falls on the edge of Dorrigo: viewing platform right by the car park.
  - Bellingen: a small riverside town with cafés and market days, and flying foxes over the Bellinger River in the evening.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Park Beach Holiday Park in Coffs Harbour, council-owned, behind Park Beach and close to Coffs Creek: powered sites, amenities, camp kitchen. Sawtell Beach Holiday Park south of town is quieter and has a lagoon. If you want to stay up top, Dorrigo itself has Dorrigo Mountain Holiday Park.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Coffs Harbour City Council and Bellingen Shire Council ban camping in vehicles on streets, at beaches and in public car parks. Dorrigo National Park has no campground for vehicles; basic camping is permitted in some state forests in the hinterland, but the access roads are mostly gravel.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The visitor centre at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre has temporarily moved to a replacement building, and according to NSW National Parks the Lyrebird Link ramp walk is expected to remain closed until mid-2028; a steep temporary path via Lyrebird Lane leads to the Wonga Walk. Read the current alerts on the park's web page before you go. Dogs are not allowed in NSW national parks. According to the builders, the Coffs Harbour bypass is due to open to traffic at the end of 2026, weather permitting – until then the highway runs right through town with lots of traffic lights.

### Stage 7: Coffs Harbour to Yamba (approx. 140 km)

- **The drive:** North via the coastal towns of Emerald Beach and Woolgoolga, then on the newly upgraded Pacific Highway, which bypasses Grafton by a wide margin, through sugar cane and grazing land to the Clarence River. Cross the bridge at Harwood, pass briefly through Maclean and head out along the river mouth to Yamba. A good 1.5 hours without detours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Muttonbird Island in Coffs Harbour: across the breakwall from the harbour onto the island, where wedge-tailed shearwaters breed in spring and summer; whale views in winter.
  - Look At Me Now Headland near Emerald Beach: a grassy headland where eastern grey kangaroos often graze, with views of the Solitary Islands.
  - Yamba and Angourie: Clarence River Lighthouse above Main Beach, the Blue Pools in old quarries near Angourie, and the start of the coastal walk through Yuraygir National Park.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Calypso Holiday Park in Yamba, central on the river mouth, within walking distance of the harbour and beaches: powered sites, amenities, camp kitchen. In Yuraygir National Park south of Yamba are the NSW National Parks campgrounds Lake Arragan and Red Cliff near Brooms Head, with basic facilities and bookable online; check access and vehicle suitability in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Clarence Valley Council does not allow sleeping in vehicles in beach and town car parks in Yamba and Angourie. In Yuraygir National Park the usual NSW rule applies: only at the booked campgrounds, with a daily vehicle fee in parts of the park.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The small passenger ferry from Yamba to Iluka makes a good half-day trip without a vehicle. Maclean, the “Scottish town” on the Clarence, has large supermarkets and cheaper fuel than Yamba. The Clarence River floods after heavy rain – in storms, check the Live Traffic NSW app for road closures.

### Stage 8: Yamba to Tweed Heads via Byron Bay (approx. 215 km)

- **The drive:** On the Pacific Highway across the flat floodplain of the Northern Rivers to Ballina, then on the coast road via Lennox Head to Byron Bay. Continue on the highway or the Tweed Coast Road through Pottsville, Cabarita Beach and Kingscliff to Tweed Heads on the Queensland border. Pure driving time a good 3 hours – if you want to enjoy Byron Bay at leisure, split the stage and stay the night there.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Pat Morton Lookout in Lennox Head: a headland above a long surf beach, whale watching in winter, and to the north the lagoon of Lake Ainsworth with its dark tea-tree water.
  - Cape Byron: the walking track from Clarkes Beach via The Pass to the lighthouse and the easternmost point of the Australian mainland – go early for sunrise.
  - Fingal Head and Point Danger: basalt columns on the headland at Fingal Head and, at the end of the route, the border headland with the Captain Cook lighthouse between New South Wales and Queensland.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Byron Bay, First Sun Holiday Park on Main Beach and Clarkes Beach Holiday Park behind the beach of the same name are both central and expensive, and booked out long in advance in season. At the end of the stage, Tweed Shire Council runs several holiday parks, including Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park right on the beach and Fingal Head Holiday Park between river and sea – powered sites, amenities, camp kitchen.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Byron Shire Council takes a zero-tolerance line: sleeping overnight in residential areas, in beach car parks, in national parks, nature reserves and on Crown land is prohibited, and in the holidays rangers patrol together with police and the national parks service, including early in the morning and late at night. Tweed Shire Council also prohibits camping in vehicles at beaches and in public car parks. Plan exclusively for proper campsites here.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The car park at Cape Byron Lighthouse is small, charged by the hour, allows a maximum of one hour per day and is often full at weekends – with large vehicles, better to park in town or at Clarkes Beach and walk the loop. Parking in Byron Bay is largely paid. Note at the border at Tweed Heads: New South Wales switches to daylight saving time from October to April, Queensland does not – check-in times and ferry times may shift by an hour.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- New South Wales has no statewide freedom camping law: what is allowed is regulated by the councils on their land, NSW National Parks in protected areas and Forestry Corporation in state forests. On this coast virtually all councils – Central Coast, Port Stephens, MidCoast, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Clarence Valley, Ballina, Byron and Tweed – have banned sleeping in vehicles at beaches and lagoons and in town and lookout car parks. Rangers issue fines, and in Byron Shire they deliberately patrol at night and early in the morning too.
- National parks: overnight stays only at NSW National Parks campgrounds, most of which must be booked online in advance. Several parks on this coast (such as Myall Lakes, Booti Booti, Arakoon, Yuraygir) also charge a daily vehicle fee, payable at the machine or via the Park’nPay app; if you visit several parks, the annual pass is worth it. Dogs are banned in NSW national parks.
- Rest areas: on the upgraded Pacific Highway, rest areas are for breaks against fatigue; many are designated as truck stops or have no-camping signs. Where it is not expressly prohibited, a sleep break is tolerated – without awning, chairs or cooking outside.
- State forests and showgrounds: in state forests basic camping is usually allowed without booking unless signposted otherwise, but the access roads are almost always unsealed. The showgrounds of some country towns in the hinterland take campers for a fee. WikiCamps and CamperMate show current rules and user reports.
- Bushfires and floods: Fire Danger Periods apply in spring and summer, and open fires are banned on Total Fire Ban days. From January to March, the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed are prone to flooding. The Hazards Near Me and Live Traffic NSW apps show warnings and closures.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump points: almost all holiday parks have a dump station for cassettes and grey water, sometimes for a fee for non-guests. Several councils along the route run public dump points; check locations in WikiCamps or CamperMate. Never empty cassettes into public toilets or drains.
- Water: tap water in the towns is drinkable. Some national park campgrounds – such as Mungo Brush on Myall Lake – have no drinking water; arrive with a full tank and spare containers.
- Gas: Australian cylinders now mostly have an LCC27 valve, older ones still POL. Empty cylinders can be swapped at many petrol stations, hardware stores and camping shops or refilled at gas refill stations, provided the test date is valid. European cylinders are not refilled; hired campervans have their own cylinder – check the level at pick-up.
- Fuel: petrol stations are close together on the Pacific Highway, and large roadhouses with truck lanes make refuelling tall vehicles easier. There are no petrol stations in Seal Rocks or in Myall Lakes National Park; fill up beforehand in Tea Gardens, Bulahdelah or Forster. Prices fluctuate a lot – the FuelCheck app shows current prices in NSW.
- Shopping: large supermarkets in Gosford, Newcastle, Nelson Bay, Forster, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Maclean, Ballina and Tweed Heads. In Byron Bay and the small coastal towns, groceries are noticeably more expensive.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Driving on the left: overtake on the right, go round roundabouts clockwise, and give way to vehicles already on the roundabout. When turning right you cross oncoming traffic – make a conscious effort to keep left, especially after breaks and when leaving petrol stations.
- Speed: 50 km/h in towns, generally 100 km/h outside, up to 110 km/h on the Pacific Motorway and upgraded sections of the Pacific Highway where signposted. School zones 40 km/h on school days at the times shown, and 40 km/h past stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights. NSW enforces with speed, average-speed, mobile-phone and seatbelt cameras.
- Tolls: on this route only roads in greater Sydney are tolled (including the M2 and NorthConnex), all cashless. Without an e-tag or pass, the trip must be paid for within 72 hours; since July 2026 it has no longer been possible in NSW to nominate another driver – with hire vehicles, the rental company passes on the costs plus an admin fee. The Pacific Motorway north of Sydney and the Pacific Highway are toll-free.
- Animals: kangaroos, wallabies and wombats are most active at dusk, and koalas also cross in Port Macquarie and on the Tweed Coast. Drive more slowly outside towns at night and do not swerve abruptly if that would endanger oncoming traffic.
- Hire campervans: unsealed roads are usually excluded in the rental terms or only allowed on short access roads to campsites; underbody, roof and glass damage is often not insured. Beach and dune driving (such as Stockton Bight) is strictly off limits. Know your vehicle height – car parks and underpasses in Sydney and Newcastle are low.
- Licence and alcohol: if your foreign licence is not in English, in NSW you also need an International Driving Permit or an approved English translation. Blood alcohol limit 0.05, 0.0 for novice drivers; random breath tests are common, especially on public holiday weekends.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Two water containers of 10–20 litres each – the national park camps on Myall Lake and in Yuraygir National Park have no water or only untreated water.
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin and a mosquito net for the sliding door: at lagoons, river mouths and in the Dorrigo rainforest, mosquitoes and sandflies bite in the evening.
- Sturdy shoes with good grip and a light rain jacket for the Wonga Walk, Tomaree Head and Cape Byron – the rainforest paths are often wet and slippery.
- Binoculars for whale watching from Smoky Cape, Cape Byron and the headlands between June and November.
- Some cash for the Bombah Point Ferry and small campgrounds, plus a smartphone with Park’nPay, FuelCheck, Hazards Near Me and WikiCamps.
- Reef-safe, skin-friendly sunscreen and a UV shirt – the sun on the north coast is strong even in spring, and shade on the beaches is scarce.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [NSW National Parks – Trial Bay Gaol campground (Arakoon NP)](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/trial-bay-gaol-campground/visitor-info)
- [NSW National Parks – Mungo Brush campground (Myall Lakes NP)](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/mungo-brush-campground/visitor-info)
- [NSW National Parks – Myall Lakes National Park, Visitor info (Gebühren, Bombah Point Ferry)](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/myall-lakes-national-park/visitor-info)
- [NSW National Parks – The Ruins campground (Booti Booti NP)](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/the-ruins-campground-and-picnic-area/visitor-info)
- [NSW National Parks – Cape Byron Lighthouse precinct, Venue info (Parken)](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/venues/cape-byron-lighthouse-precinct/venue-info)
- [Visit NSW – NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park](https://www.visitnsw.com/nz/destinations/north-coast/port-macquarie-area/port-macquarie/accommodation/nrma-port-macquarie-breakwall-holiday-park)
- [Visit NSW – Dorrigo Mountain Holiday Park](https://visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/coffs-harbour-area/dorrigo/accommodation/dorrigo-mountain-holiday-park)
- [The Lismore App – Coffs Harbour Bypass to open in 10 months (Feb. 2026)](https://lismoreapp.com.au/NewsStory/coffs-harbour-bypass-to-open-in-10-months/6998010c35de2e002d0979e8)
- [Koala Conservation Australia – Koala Hospital](https://koalaconservationaustralia.org.au/pages/koala-hospital)

## Which stops are on the route from Sydney to Tweed Heads?

1. **Sydney** (New South Wales)
2. **Norah Head** (New South Wales)
3. **Newcastle** (New South Wales)
4. **Nelson Bay** (New South Wales)
5. **Seal Rocks** (New South Wales)
6. **Forster** (New South Wales)
7. **Port Macquarie** (New South Wales)
8. **South West Rocks** (New South Wales)
9. **Dorrigo** (New South Wales)
10. **Coffs Harbour** (New South Wales)
11. **Yamba** (New South Wales)
12. **Byron Bay** (New South Wales)
13. **Kingscliff** (New South Wales)
14. **Tweed Heads** (New South Wales)

## When is the best time for the route from Sydney to Tweed Heads?

The most pleasant months are usually February–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in December–January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Pelicans, lighthouses and rainforest – up the north coast of New South Wales to Byron Bay by camper?**
8-day road trip of about 885 km (550 mi) with 14 stops, from Sydney to Tweed Heads. About 9 h 39 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Pelicans, lighthouses and rainforest – up the north coast of New South Wales to Byron Bay by camper?**
We suggest 8 days: about 9 h 39 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Pelicans, lighthouses and rainforest – up the north coast of New South Wales to Byron Bay by camper start and end?**
It starts in Sydney and ends in Tweed Heads.

**Which states does Pelicans, lighthouses and rainforest – up the north coast of New South Wales to Byron Bay by camper pass through?**
New South Wales.