Visit New South Wales

PORT STEPHENS TO COFFS HARBOUR
A diverse melting pot of magnificent lakes, golden beaches, soaring mountain ranges and emerald-green hinterland makes this region a very popular getaway for over 2 million Aussies each year. The region stretches from Port Stephens in the south, past Port Macquarie to Kempsey, the Macleay Valley and Coffs Harbour in the north.

> On the coast, adrenalin junkies have their pick of sports such as scuba diving, sky-diving and rock-climbing – whilst inland the rainforests, lakes and national parks offer more peaceful pursuits such as bushwalking, fishing and camping.

For more information, go to:
www.visitnsw.com.au
www.escapenorth.com.au

FAMOUS FOR...

If you were a celeb. wouldn't you want to be here?

Celebrities hideaways Eccentric and outspoken Australian poet, Les Murray, and Olympic Gold medal equestrian David Cooper both live in the Manning Valley. David Helfgott, famed pianist and star of the hit movie Shine, lives just outside Bellingen in a little place known as The Promised Land. Russell Crowe has a farm at Coffs Harbour.

The Pub With No Beer When this world-famous song was penned by Slim Dusty and the late Gordon Parsons (songwriters and bush balladeers) they put the township of Taylors Arm and its bush pub on the map.

The Akubra Hat This well-known Aussie icon is right up there with ugg boots, barbeques and koalas. Its official home is in the town of Kempsey, just north of Wauchope.

The last of the Australian bushrangers Aboriginal Jimmy Governor was captured and jailed near Wingham before he was hanged. You can read his story in The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, by Thomas Kenneally.

Dolphins, dolphins and more dolphins Port Stephens is home to 160 bottle nose dolphins who can be seen at any time during the year.

DID YOU KNOW...?

Rainforests and waterfalls are also a part of the North Coast's attraction.

Captain Cook charted the area's coastline in 1770. Port Macquarie was settled in 1818 and is the third oldest penal settlement in Australia.
Just north of Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga has a strong Sikh community. It's reputed to have some of the best Indian cuisine in Australia.
The bustling town of Bellingen hosts a must-see arts and crafts market each month, which has become a real institution for the creative community.
The region boasts eight coastal and hinterland National Parks, 17 State Forests, 5 lake systems, 11 major rivers and 400 kilometres of beaches.
The Myall Lakes National Park is a vast, beautiful lake system perfect for a few days' quiet cruising. Canoes and windsurfers can be hired from Bombah Point.
Heritage villages and attractions such as the Taree and Wingham Heritage Walks, Timbertown at Wauchope and Trial Bay Gaol near Southwest Rocks, help bring the history of the region to life.
As well as being the State's largest producer of dairy products, the region also produces fine wines, macadamia nuts, tea tree oil and bananas.

Images

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Climate

The region boasts the nation's most ideal climate, averaging 25 degrees Celsius in summer and 17 degrees Celsius in winter.

Distance from Sydney

Take the Pacific Highway to the start of the region at Nelson Bay, 208kms north of Sydney. Coffs Harbour, the northern tip of the region, is midway between Sydney and Brisbane and approximately 552km (345 miles) north of Sydney.

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