Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay road trip: Drive distance & best stops
Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay drive: Bundjalung National Park and Evans Head
Following the Coffs Harbour to Yamba leg of the road trip, the next key attraction is Bundjalung National Park. The Iluka Bluff Lookout makes for a good photo stop, while the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground is more involving.
At Woodburn, decide whether to stick to the highway or veer off to Evans Head and Broadwater National Park. The Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum tells the tale of the town’s massive WWII pilot training base, but the 30km beach heading north is the real star.
5 Ballina experiences to book in advance
- Go on a dolphin watching cruise – sightings are very reliable.
- Take a guided coastal walk – learning about the natural environment on the way.
- Clink glasses as the sun goes down – on a Richmond River sunset cruise.
- Take a cruise to the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve – with a marine biologist pointing out the dolphins, turtles and dramatic cliffs.
- Learn to surf – on a private surfing lesson.
The Pacific Highway then skirts west of Ballina, where you can enjoy private surfing lessons and half day walking tours along the coast.
Well-reviewed Ballina accommodation picks include the riverside Ramada Hotel and Suites, the old world Ballina Heritage Inn and the personality-packed Ballina Palms Boutique Motel.
Click through to the next section: Ballina to Byron Bay.