With the southernmost airport in NSW on its doorstep, this lakeside town is an easily-reached gateway to the rugged shores of the Sapphire Coast, just an hour’s flight from Sydney. It’s also a must-visit destination in its own right, especially for oyster lovers. The oyster fields of Merimbula Lake are considered some of the most fertile in Australia, supplying slurp-worthy Sydney rocks to the finest restaurants in the land. You can gulp down the same plump, briny morsels, minus the fine dining airs and graces, on one of the local oyster tours, plucked, shucked and ready to suck within seconds of leaving the water. 

Don’t miss: Merimbula Main Beach, for the best surfing conditions in the area, particularly at the north end. Those in search of gentler swells should head to Bar Beach, where the conditions are perfect for snorkelling.

Stay at: Hillcrest, an on-trend bolthole that’s part of the recent boom in up-market retro motels along Australia’s east coast. This ‘70s-era property has undergone a plush renovation to preserve the charm and nostalgia of yesteryear while delivering the comforts today’s travellers demand.

Yes, a sun-saluting, crystal-loving stereotype has made it something of a punchline. But it’s not for nothing that Byron Bay remains one of the state’s most popular beach retreats – and there’s so much more to this corner of NSW’s far north than the lifestyle influencer utopia cliché. Hike through lush rainforest to the tranquil pool at the base of Minyon Falls; marvel at the bioluminescent creepy-crawlies of the Lithgow Glow Worm Tunnel; sip locally-grown coffee as you wander macadamia groves at Zentveld's; and swim in the essential oil-infused waters of Ti-tree Lake, where the local Arakwal women have bathed for generations. By all means, check out the greatest hits, too – Wategoes Beach, Killen Falls, sunset at the Cape Byron Lighthouse. But dare to roam the roads less travelled and you’ll discover the under-the-radar delights of this evergreen getaway.

Don’t miss: the towns and villages of the Byron Hinterland. A short drive will deliver you to some beguiling and quirky communities, like the hemp-store lined streets of Nimbin or Lismore, where you can be almost guaranteed to see wild koalas in the gums of Tucki Tucki Reserve. Hungry? Just 65km down the road, Pottsville and Burringbar have foodies well served for both café culture and fine dining. 

Stay at: the Bower Byron Bay, a luxury boutique property that has bundles of character and unique amenities such as a private mineral pool and traditional sauna, all within walking distance of the town centre.

A tried and true Central Coast all-rounder. If you’re a fan of water sports, the book-ending headlands that overlook the beach usher perfect surfing swells towards the shore, while the artificial reef clinging to the hull of the deliberately-scuttled HMAS Adelaide, just under two kilometres out to sea, is a diver’s dream, teeming with marine life. Families can enjoy the pristine crescent of sand or explore the calmer waters of Avoca Lake from a locally-hired kayak or pedal boat, and should you have a line to wet, you can fish bream and whiting from this same tranquil lagoon. In town, a laid-back selection of casual eateries and cafés make for handy pit stops when hunger strikes, or if it’s your thirst that needs quenching, a beer tasting paddle at nearby Block ‘n Tackle Brewery is just the thing to whet your whistle.

Don’t miss: the Avoca Beach Theatre, a local institution which started in 1948 as a humble open-air screen, projecting movie reels through a hole in a garage wall. Today, there is an indoor cinema as well as alfresco screenings during the warmer months.

Stay at: an architect-designed beach house. Which one? You’re spoilt for choice, with an array of sleek villas and beach-chic guest houses available to let in the area. The Retreat at North Avoca ranks amongst the most impressive, thanks to its modern, minimalist interiors and uninterrupted views of Avoca Beach and Cape Three Points.

Much like its biblical namesake, there’s something ancient and epic about the landscape surrounding this small port town. Rust-red, 370-million-year-old Devonian rock (some of the oldest exposed coastline in the world) thrusts through the sea foam at dramatic angles, its sedimentary layers peeling like the pages of some colossal primordial tome, written in stone. The sight of migrating humpbacks breaching the waters along this stretch of coastline further adds to the otherworldliness of the natural spectacle. But whales are not the only giants of the sea you’ll find here. This once-isolated fishing town is now a popular cruise ship destination, delivering a regular influx of visitors to local attractions like the bushwalking trails of Beowa National Park and the Green Cape Lighthouse.

Don’t miss: the Eden Killer Whale Museum, where you can learn about the fascinating history of the area’s whaling trade and see the skeleton of Old Tom, a legendary orca that helped the local whalers by herding baleen whales into Twofold Bay in the 1920s and ‘30s.

Stay at: Hotel Australasia, a charming boutique hotel in the faithfully restored ‘Grand Old Lady’ of Eden. In keeping with the historical pedigree of this building, which dates back to 1904, the interiors channel the appropriately quaint decor of the early 20th-century, but with modern amenities, including a bistro and cocktail bar, that 21-century guests will appreciate.

Perched on the mouth of the Clarence River in NSW’s north, Yamba is the coastal gem making a bold bid to be the “new Byron Bay”. You’ll find blissful beaches made for sunbaking, with superb surf breaks for those inclined to be a little more active. There are also several marine parks that are home to dolphins, sea turtles and migrating whales, all hugged by national parks and wilderness reserves, ideal for a leisurely bushwalk or bracing hike. But it’s not just the great outdoors that impresses here. The town’s dining scene is one of the best on this part of the coast, even overtaking some of its flashier neighbours for sheer calibre of local produce.

Don’t miss: Sandbar Yamba, an up-market beachside fish shop heroing seafood caught in the waters it’s popular terrace overlooks. Chief among them are the famed Yamba prawns – succulent and sweet kings, caught wild from sustainable sources. 

Stay at: the Surf Yamba, a luxe-yet-relaxed boutique hotel with stunning views of Main Beach from its position on the headland. Expect beach chic vibes through and through, from the lemon-striped loungers on its sun-drenched deck, to the sandy tones and natural finishes of its 12 guestrooms and suites.

Waiting to be discovered at the mouth of the Macleay River is one of the state’s best-kept secrets. With half-a-dozen beaches lined with Norfolk pines (some only accessible by 4WD), submerged sea caves where you can dive amongst endangered nurse sharks, and colonial ruins thrumming with history, South West Rocks has holiday appeal in spades, minus the crowds you’d expect at more popular coastal go-tos. Located five-hours drive north from Sydney, six-hours south of Brisbane and just over an hour by car from the nearest airport, the area is a challenge to reach. But for those willing to invest the time, this blissful corner of the state is a gorgeously unspoilt place to reconnect with nature, particularly within the dense rainforest of Yarriabini National Park, and unplug from the stress and hustle of city life.

Don’t miss: a twilight tour of the Trial Bay Gaol. Built in 1886 and surrounded by the forests that now make up Arakoon National Park, the former prison and World War 1 POW internment camp is now a heritage-listed site. As you explore the ruins by lantern light as night creeps in from the horizon across the Pacific waters, you’ll find yourself immersed in the history of this fascinating landmark.

Stay at: the Smoky Cape Lighthouse Cottages, the former homes of the Keepers’ of the Light and their families. Today, these heritage-listed houses have been renovated and converted into plush short-stay accommodations, with jaw-dropping ocean views from the peak of the Smoky Cape Range, just metres from the picture-perfect lighthouse by architect James Barnet, who also designed the General Post Office in Sydney’s Martin Place.

The east coast’s koala capital, where you can spot the iconic Aussie critter living wild amongst the eucalypts and at the world's first dedicated koala hospital, is a nature-lover’s dream destination. Native fauna thrive here, as well as some surprising interlopers, such as the camels roaming on Lighthouse Beach with eager tourists on their backs. Aside from its golden beaches and lush rainforests, Port Macquarie is also home to numerous wineries, distilleries and breweries, so no matter your tipple of choice, you can find a crisp glassful to suit your taste.

Don’t miss: the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, starting from the Town Green foreshore and winding along the coast via Town Beach, Rocky Beach lookout, Nobby’s Beach and Harry's lookout, with stellar views of Shelly Beach and Sea Acres National Park in the distance. You’ll discover several historical sites along the way and, between May and November, you can spy pods of humpback whales on their annual migration.

Stay at: Sails Resort Port Macquarie, adjacent to the marina on the banks of the Hastings river. There are plenty of modern amenities to keep you occupied while on site, including a heated pool and outdoor spa, but you can also take to the ocean on a complimentary paddle board or canoe. 

This sleepy hamlet on the north coast is the gold standard when it comes to laid-back beach vibes. Expect to see bare feet and salt-kissed hair in all directions. Water is at the centre of life here, whether that’s surfing on the reliably year-round breakers off endless beachfront stretching from horizon to horizon, or swimming, angling and kayaking on the Brunswick River. You can even get up close and personal with the thousands of the humpbacks that migrate along Australia’s eastern seaboard each year, either by kayak or on one of the regular whale watching cruises. 

Don’t miss: Nightcap National Park. This immense, World Heritage-listed area, part of the Gondwana Rainforests, is a natural wonderland of ancient canopies, dreamy waterways and spectacular views. It’s home to the newly discovered nightcap oak as well as a number of threatened animal species, including Albert's lyrebird and Fleay's barred frog.

Stay at: the Chalet Motel, a little slice of retro Americana nestled in the heart of the NSW north coast. Channelling an achingly cool beach-bum swagger, the motel summons the spirit of the quintessential roadside stays of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Guests can enjoy a saltwater swimming pool, a cabana fringed with palm trees and Malin + Goetz toiletries, air-conditioning and a smart TV in all 12 of the motel’s rooms.

Pelicans, pubs and paddle boats are just a few of the attractions that have made the Entrance one of the Central Coast’s most trusted holiday retreats. With water on three-sides of the town, aquatic pursuits rank high on the most popular activities, be that a dip in one of the the two heritage-listed ocean baths, surfing off Tuggerah Beach or kayaking on Lake Tuggerah. Located at the midpoint between Sydney and the state’s second city Newcastle, the Entrance is easily reached by road or rail, with accommodation options to suit every budget, from backpacker hostels and holiday parks to luxury apartments and waterfront resorts.

Don’t miss: the pelican pods that have flocked to the Entrance since staff at a local fish shop began feeding restaurant scraps to the rubber-billed birds more than 45 years ago. Pre-pandemic, there was an official daily feeding event at the purpose built Pelican Plaza, which became a major drawcard for tourists and daytrippers. This has been on hiatus since lockdown, but the mighty colonies of birds remain, hoping for a more informal feeding from locals and holidaymakers. 

Stay at: Nesuto The Entrance Apartments, located just five-minutes’ walk from the beach. With a variety of fully self-contained studios and one and two bedroom apartments, all with balconies or courtyards, it’s an ideal base for families, couples and solo travellers.