Having a holiday

[geoffsta]

Planning of taking holidays in August or September. Not sure where we want to go. Don't really want to go to NSW ever again, the speed limits/restrictions are the biggest load of hogwash in Aus.
The misses is talking South Aus, but all the good TOGs seem to move out of that state to get a decent photograph.
Also thinking Queensland, but there are too many TOGs up there. And all the good places would be done to death.
Been to Tassie and would love to go back, but the misses says "NO" Also want to go to NT, but there is no hope in that. (The Misses again)
Perth is a bit far, by the time I get there, I'd have to come home.
Need some thoughts on Northern NSW, if I stick to the highways the restrictions wouldn't be that bad.
Need a place to practice my photography. Were there are a few waterfalls and great ocean areas to shoot.

By the way, I hate holidays. I'm only taking these because my boss says I have to.

[kiwi]

Hawaii ?

[Mark L]

From a few clues in your post, maybe you need to organise for The Misses and the boss to go on holidays and leave you to do what you want.
I'm sure you'll get some suggestions, but if you travel through Mudgee (very picturesque) I can organise some firefighter related stuff, being in the R.F.S.. (PM is all it takes)

[crf529]

Where have you been in NSW before? Plenty of fantastic locations from the mid north coast and up, but don't want to be too repetitive if you've already been.

[ameerat42]

Hmm! Lucky Starr!
(And now for a little known fact: It has been reported that NSW has the cleanest herd of pigs in Australia, according to research by well known traveller Geoffsta...)

[geoffsta]

Where have you been in NSW before? Plenty of fantastic locations from the mid north coast and up, but don't want to be too repetitive if you've already been.

Went up the East Coast through Sydney across to Cowra, then back down to albury. And not to offend ameerat42, but the people and scenery were absolutely great, Just the speed limits are ridiculous and hard to follow.(Frustrating)
I'd love to head up the north coast NSW, never been passed Sydney by road. I'm thinking Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour area. And would like to stay about a week. Is this a good area, or is it commercialised like most tourist destinations now days?

The reason I hate holidays, is that I've always ended up sick or injured for some reason.

[kiwi]

I had a holiday at coffs, it wasnt commercialized I dont think

Up towards ballina there are some interesting spots

Stick to the speed limit and she'll Bd right :-)

[WhoDo]

If you're thinking about Port Macquarie then you're way better off further south at North Haven or Laurieton. You have the mountains, the ocean and some relatively unspoiled lakes and rivers. You can easily day trip into Port Macquarie for a change but avoid the high cost.

OTOH, in the Coff's Harbour area you're going to get much better mileage at Sawtell. It's a small holiday village atmosphere, nice photo ops and still within 20 mins of Coffs itself.

My personal favourite, though, is South West Rocks - just outside Kempsey on the coast. You have Trial Bay Gaol, Arakoon, Little Bay, Gap Beach, Smokey Cape Lighthouse, assorted rivers, ocean, lots of relatively unspoiled coast and great fishing when you decide to give the camera a rest. You're also within easy reach of Hat Head which offers some interesting photo opportunities but not for the feint-hearted!

[crf529]

Unfortunately there aren't many costal areas now that aren't being exploited into tourist cash grabbing locations. But the central to north coast is still a fantastic place to visit, your really missing out if you havn't gone north of Sydney! Pretty much anywhere from Lake Maquarie and up to Coffs is going to be shed loads nicer than Sydney .

Coffs is a good place to chill out, plenty of nice scenery around and pretty good surf. Ports alright to visit for a day or two. Moving further south Hawks Nest and Port Stephens are also ripper spots, as long as your not there in school holidays 'cause the tourist hoards move in.

These are all pretty quiet places without the big attractions that the masses drove there for like theme parks. Is there anything your looking for in particular or just somewhere quiet near the beach to chill? Or just either spending a few days in each locale or plonking down somewhere for a week?

[Ionica]

If you're in the Coffs Harbour area, I remember the Bruxner Forest area ( now a flora reserve ) in the hills outside Coffs , as being an interesting area to visit.

[geoffsta]

Unfortunately there aren't many costal areas now that aren't being exploited into tourist cash grabbing locations. But the central to north coast is still a fantastic place to visit, your really missing out if you havn't gone north of Sydney! Pretty much anywhere from Lake Maquarie and up to Coffs is going to be shed loads nicer than Sydney .

Coffs is a good place to chill out, plenty of nice scenery around and pretty good surf. Ports alright to visit for a day or two. Moving further south Hawks Nest and Port Stephens are also ripper spots, as long as your not there in school holidays 'cause the tourist hoards move in.

These are all pretty quiet places without the big attractions that the masses drove there for like theme parks. Is there anything your looking for in particular or just somewhere quiet near the beach to chill? Or just either spending a few days in each locale or plonking down somewhere for a week?

Thanks crf529.
Just want somewhere to use as a base for a week. We like driving around, but hate packing up.
You people are starting to make my mind up. Sounds real good. Better start searching for motels somewhere between Coffs and Macquarie. Any ideas?

@ Whodo.
Thanks. Just did a copy and paste of your comments and added them to my research... It's looking good.

[crf529]

I'd give my vote to Sawtell as WhoDo alluded too, if you don't want to stay around Coffs itself. I find any further south than that and it becomes a pain having to deal with the Pacific Hwy if your heading up to Coffs (or further north) more than a couple of times. Sawtell itself is still very small in comparison and is pretty quiet with the same nice beaches as Coffs, and it's only a 15 mins drive south.

[WhoDo]

In Sawtell you won't beat this, Geoff. The best thing is the easy walk to good food at the RSL and cafes in the main street.

http://www.sawtellmotorinn.com.au/

[geoffsta]

Thanks Whodo. Added to favorites.

[WhoDo]

Thanks Whodo. Added to favorites.

You're welcome, Geoff. My wife's late uncle used to be the best-known Real Estate Agent in Sawtell/Coff's Harbour area, so we have a long attachment to the place. I'm really keen to see what you come up with if you decide to head up that way. Don't overlook the rock swimming pool out on the point as a terrific spot for some seascape photography. There are some (ordinary) examples in my flickr stream if you're keen.

[geoffsta]

Made a word document and pasted all the comments and links to it. Added the link to your Lake Macquarie set Whodo, to show the misses the area. I'm sure she would love it.
Must go to work.. Back on tonight.

[Geoff79]

Came to this thread a bit late, but as one of my brothers lives in Port Macquarie and the other lives in Forster (and I visit them as frequently as humanly possible - I HATE Sydney and love getting out of it), I thought I'd add my 2 cents. Both beautiful places. As noted, Port is especially great because it is a great "base" point.

Up north, the coast that stretches from Port to South West Rocks (including Crescent Head and everything between there and Port) and then up to Hat Head and South West Rocks... it's all magnificent.

If you opt South, as noted you have Laurieton and then a ride through Crowdy Bay National Park (with delightful spots like Diamond Head and Emily's Beach) along the way right down to Crowdy Bay / Harrington. Beautiful areas, and at this time it's relatively quiet and uncrowded in the area.

Forster/Tuncurry is much smaller (and even quieter) but there are also some great spots down there too.

I work in a place that shuts down for 2 weeks every year over Christmas and each year for the past 3 years I've gone for a road trip and I've now covered the entire coastline of NSW. Countless beautiful spots along it. Granted, the trips have always been 80% surfing and 20% photography, with very limited skills... but I'm hopeful that if I get the same chance this year I'll be able to take some nice snaps.

Anyway, I'm babbling now. I saw someone mention surfing above. That is one thing you will have NO shortage of in Port Macquarie if you head up there, especially if you have a 4WD and hit the beach on the North Shore. My favourite past-time (though not as keen in winter) is to get up for some dawn/sunrise photos and then hit the surf while it's still clean and quiet. Ah, good times.

I wish I could swap holidays with you because it's close to all I live for, but have a good one, mate. Interested to see what snaps you come up with.

[Tikira]

We live at Armidale, 2 hours inland from Coffs Harbour. Using Coffs as a base you can travel inland to Bellingen and Dorrigo, both of which are well worth visiting for great national parks. The pier at Coffs is also good to photograph (just search for Coffs in AP to see photos). We would recommend this area and would be more than willing to try and get down there for a meet when you are there. Having a couple of days at Coffs is something we are more than happy to do.

If you want to travel further inland from Dorrigo google "waterfall way", which as its name suggest has some good waterfalls on it.


Wayne & Di

[geoffsta]

I couldn't beleive my eyes... My wife reading forum posts, and getting excited. (She normally doesn't go past Solitaire) She even asked how to look it up on google maps Then even bigger surprise. She asked how to look up accomodation.
Well it's on.. I finish work on the 19th of August, take two days to get up there. Then spend a week there. The wife even found accomodation at Nambucca Heads, (She likes studio Apartments) which means an hours drive to either Port Macquarie or Coffs.
Thanks Wayne & Di, love to be able to catch up. Shall let you know as things get closer.

Thanks also to everone else for the kind hints and tips. Really looking forward to it now.

[WhoDo]

The wife even found accomodation at Nambucca Heads, (She likes studio Apartments) which means an hours drive to either Port Macquarie or Coffs....[snip]...Really looking forward to it now.

I nearly suggested Nambucca Heads, too! We have relatives there as well! Good choice, Geoff. Don't miss out on Waterfall Way and Armidale either. Lookout Point and the New England National Park should also be worth the effort when you tire of the coastal views! You can find those in my flickr stream as well. It sounds like you both are going to look forward to this and I'm looking forward to your pictures of the trip.