Dina Malyana
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Australia is a dreamland for road-trippers. If there is one Aussie road trip that travellers must take at least once in a lifetime, it is the Legendary Pacific Coast.
The Legendary Pacific Coast stretches 900 kilometres between Sydney and Brisbane, and the drive can take anywhere between a few days to a few weeks – depending on the number of stops, as well as your end-point. Road-trippers who take on this drive will experience the best of New South Wales. Think awe-inspiring coastal views, pristine beaches, sand dunes, amazing wildlife and a whole lot of fresh seafood. Here are some of the highlights of this epic drive.
Sydney
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The picturesque harbour city of Sydney, home to the iconic Opera House, offers a deluge of attractions ranging from sun-kissed beaches and verdant gardens to bustling markets and fancy bars. Climb the Harbour Bridge, stroll through the colonial district of The Rocks, visit Sydney’s authentic Fish Market or take a swim in Bondi Beach – the choice is yours. For an exciting sailing experience across Sydney Harbour, hop on a historic tall ship as the sun goes down.
Consider getting Sydney’s triple attraction combo pass where you can pick three attractions (choice of Madam Tussauds, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and Manly SEA Life Sanctuary) for the price of one.
Port Stephens
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Drive up to Port Stephens, just 2.5 hours away from Sydney city, where you can go sandboarding, quad biking, or simply set foot on spectacular sand dunes. Stockton Bight sand dunes is one of the most extensive sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, and its otherworldly landscape is something you must see to believe.
Port Stephens is also the place to hop on a dolphin watch cruise where you’ll have a good chance of spotting wild dolphins frolicking in the sea. Other activities that are possible in Port Stephens include snorkelling at Fly Point Park, cycling along the coast, or hiking to Tomaree Headland Lookout.
Also Read: The 10 Best Beaches in Australia
Port Macquarie
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Further down along the Legendary Coast Track, the hip town of Port Macquarie awaits. One of the highlights of Port Macquarie is their Koala Hospital, where you can get up and close with cute Koalas and watch volunteers nurse the sick ones back to health.
The most popular thing to do in Port Macquarie is to embark on the Coastal Walk which begins at Town Green and ends at Lighthouse Beach. Mount a camel at Lighthouse Beach and let it do the walking for you, and don’t forget to make your way to the Tacking Point Lighthouse for amazing views. Before leaving Port Macquarie, drop by Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries where you can pick your own juicy berries in a greenhouse, enjoy lunch and shop for local produce.
Coffs Harbour
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Ever seen The Big Banana? This iconic structure is the star attraction at Coffs Harbour, and nobody will judge you in your attempts to take the perfect selfie in front of it. Of course, Coffs Harbour is not just about The Big Banana. Drive to the Forest Sky Pier at the Sealy Lookout for stunning views of the coastline and surrounding islands, or take an easy walk along the Coffs Creek walkway to discover quiet beaches and fishing spots. Other attractions in Coffs Harbour you shouldn’t miss are the Carobana Chocolate Factory and Dolphin Marine Magic, home to the Pet Porpoise Pool.
Also, just 40 minutes south of Coffs Harbour is the gorgeous township of Nambucca Heads, renowned for their tasty oysters, bananas and macadamia nuts. Drive over as a quick daytrip, or stop by on your way to Coffs Harbour, for their golden beaches and ocean lookouts, if not for their delectable foods.
Byron Bay
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Be sure to stop by the famous hipster town of Byron Bay, which is a 3 hour drive away from Coffs Harbour. Surfing, tandem skydiving, diving and sea kayaking are among the top things to do in Byron Bay. Those less keen on adventure activities can spend the day exploring Byron Farmers’ Market, going cafe-hopping or visiting the enchanting Crystal Castle. Before driving away, be sure to drop by the Cape Byron Lighthouse to be at the Easternmost point of mainland Australia.
From Byron Bay, you can continue on to Gold Coast, or all the way to Brisbane before catching your flight back home.
Also Read: 10 Surreal Places in Australia You Didn’t Know Exist
For a hassle-free and unforgettable road trip, grab the amazingly affordable Farmosa’s 8D7N Legendary Pacific Coast Package (from SGD 938) which covers the cost of car rental and accommodation. This package, valid now till September 2015, also comes with three bonuses: the sand dune tour and dolphin watch cruise in Port Stephens and a camel safari in Port Macquarie. On top of that, there are optional 1-for-1 offers such as the quad biking adventure in Port Stephens and tall ship cruise and triple combo pass in Sydney.
