Vic - Nsw January 2013

Depends on where you want to go. Are you talking along the coast or inland? If you get up onto the range it should be much more pleasant temperature wise and much less crowded. Good luck and have fun.

Hi Angie,

You should be OK just that it will be crowded.
Mallacoota is a good place and is right on the water just short of the Vic NSW border (Vic side)

Eden just north of the border in NSW has the whaling museum and may be of some interest.

Check out Tilba Tilba NSW just north of Bega and the Mogo Zoo between Moruya and Batemans Bay.

Jervis Bay and surrounds will also be busy but see how you go. Try the Berry Showground (just north of Nowra) as they have camping there at reasonable rates

Make sure you take the kids out to the Navy air base at HMAS Albatross as you walk among the display aircraft out there. South of there is Mogo Zoo.

Bypass Sydney unless you particularly want to see it. Check out Nelsons Bay just north of Newcastle. Diamond Head is another good spot near laurieton, Turn off the highway at Kew and head east. Check out Old Timber Town at Wauchope just west of Port Macquarie. While in the area you could have a look at Crescent Head to the east of Kempsey and South West Rocks in the same area.

Then there is Nambucca, Coffs Harbour.

My brother raves on about Minnie Waters just east of Grafton and then there is Yamba and Iluka just a bit further north of there and just east of maclean.

Then there is Evans Head, Balina, etc etc.

Others will be able to fill in some blanks that I have left but what we usually do is hit the tourist info places as we are getting close to an area or in it and find out all the local atractions that way.

How old are the Kids Angie, are they old enough to take interest in some of the things I have outlined.

How is the caravan coming along. I thought you folk might have had it on its maiden voyage on this trip. Mind you, you cannot put it on the ferry for nothing can you.

Cheers, Bruce.

Hi Angie,

Unless you book...sometimes 12 months ahead...I think you will have great difficulty finding any vacancies along most of the coast in van parks or National Park campgrounds. Suggest you phone now and see what is available in places you think you would like to visit. Prices are also often doubled during this time...$50 per night for powered site for 2 people in some South Coast NSW towns (eg Kiama) if you can get one.

Good luck,

regards,

Heather MG

Some of the quieter, cheaper, less well known places to stay on the NSW north coast are....

IF you are looking for something basic and quieter, try the council CP at Red Rock or Corindi on the small headland about 40 & 35km north of Coffs. Red Rock has the advantage of a tidal coastal lagoon with your young children. Likewise the council CP at Arrawarra would be worth considering as the beach is very safe. The CP are fairly basic, but the price is commensurate.

Broken Head CP between Lennox Head and Byron is beautiful, again basic but probably booked out already.

The Bellingen Valley is beautiful as is Dorrigo (provided the weather is fine). These places are often overlooked by people who assume the North coast is all about beaches, yet only 20-30km from the ocean.
We have the choice and we prefer the above places over the "name" places like Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay. Possibly a greater chance of getting into those CP as well on short notice.

Hi Angie, I cant help feeling a bit guilty re your Jackaroo...especially after singing their
praises when you were contemplating the purchase. Was it a transmission failure or
something else ?. Anyway,I'm sure you will enjoy your trip..crowds & all..cheers....oldbaz.