Newcastle to Grafton road trip: Distance, time & best stops
Driving from Newcastle to Grafton: Port Macquarie to Arakoon National Park
Beyond Port Macquarie, the slower coastal route brings Limeburners Creek National Park, Goolawah National Park and surfing mecca Crescent Head,
Plough on for Hat Head National Park and amiable holiday spot South West Rocks. Top attractions here include Horseshoe Bay Beach and the heritage-oozing Trial Bay Gaol in Arakoon National Park.
South West Rocks accommodation picks
The best South West Rocks accommodation options are:
- For families: NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Park.
- For an indulgent villa: Salt.
- For charm and character: Heritage Guesthouse.
- For great value: Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks.
- For good location, a pool and free parking: Rockpool Motor Inn.
Kempsey to Nambucca Heads
Stay with the Pacific Highway instead, and Billabong Zoo and Cassegrain Wines are the main attractions before reaching Kempsey.
Kempsey pays tribute to the nation’s most adored country musician at the Slim Dusty Centre.
Kempsey accommodation picks include the riverside Park Drive Motel and the pool-equipped Motel Kempsey.
It’s another 106km from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour. You might want to make a short detour to the Yarriabini Lookout for wonderful Macleay River Valley views.
The next town up is Macksville, which offers birdwatching at the Valley of the Mist wetland and local history at the Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage.
The Mandarin Motel is your best bet for overnight accommodation in Macksville, but you may as well keep going to coastal Nambucca Heads.
Click through for the next section: Nambucca Heads to Bongil Bongil National Park.