Coffs Harbour to Gold Coast road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Coffs Harbour to Gold Coast drive: Bundjalung National Park and Evans Head
After the Coffs Harbour to Yamba section of the road trip, Bundjalung National Park is the next stop worth considering. Here, the Iluka Bluff Lookout makes for a good photo stop. If you fancy a walk, however, plump for the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground.
At Woodburn, you can branch off to Evans Head and Broadwater National Park. The Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum tells the tale of the town’s enormous WWII pilot training base, but the 30km beach to the north is the properly stunning attraction here.
The Pacific Highway then skirts west of Ballina, one of the Northern Rivers region’s major hub towns. There are private surfing lessons and half day coastal walking tours on offer here.
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.
Strongly-reviewed Ballina accommodation possibilities include the riverside Ramada Hotel and Suites, the historic Ballina Heritage Inn and the charming Ballina Palms Boutique Motel.
Next section: Killen Falls and Macadamia Castle.