Coffs Harbour / Byron in 4 Days- 2 Adults under 1200 AUD
This was a spontaneous girls road trip starting from Sydney, planned up until Coffs Harbour, NSW with an unexpected add-on leading us to Byron Bay! That was last minute, trust me.
Accommodation
The accommodation was in the town of Coffs Harbour, a simple two sharing room in Chelsea Motor Inn . It was a decent and budget-friendly stay for 2 people, and most importantly, it had parking space.
Transport
This was a full-fun filled road trip starting from Sydney, so we hired a 4WD - (recommended) - for 4 days in total.
Day-Wise Itinerary
Day 1: Coramba Nature Reserve
The day started by driving from Sydney all the way until Coffs Harbour, the NSW East Coast drive for about 520 km, but before we checked into our motel, we stopped over at Coramba Nature Reserve, which had a short rainforest walk leading up to a river at the end. Not a place that I would say is a must visit, but the walk was surrounded by lush green tall trees that had some really weird structures, and creeping branches looked like idols / sculptures to me, which was fascinating. You can check out the pictures here. There was an alpaca farm on the way. Then straight to the motel for a good rest.
Day 2: Gliding through the Waterfall way
This was the key purpose of the whole trip. Coffs Harbour has this waterfall way, which is a scenic drive. We did cover 6 different waterfalls all along before we drove back to Coffs Harbour. This drive leads you up to Armidale. Waterfall way visitor Center was 40 minutes from the town so we started off very early and from there, it was 30 minutes to the first one, starting from
Dorrigo National Park: None the less, this is a world heritage-listed rainforest that can be done as a day trip in itself. Its's home of 128 different kinds of birds, and you can easily come across red-necked pademelon along the Wonga Walk, which is a 35-minute walk where you will pass by Crystal Shower Falls and
Tristania Falls , a picturesque spot. There is also a skywalk right next to the visitor center, overlooking a dense green rainforest below in a panoramic view.
Dangar Falls: You can never miss this falls (picture right), which is a 15-minute drive from Dorrigo National Park. Beautiful waterfalls, with the option to swim
Ebor Falls: a 50-minute drive from Dangar, you reach Ebor Falls. Located in Guy Fawkes River National Park,. There are three lookout platforms to watch this waterfall plunging 100 m deep.
Wollomombi Falls and Gorge: 1 hour, 15 minute drive, and you get to see this massive, breath-taking Gorge. It's definitely worth taking your binoculars to Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Bakers Creek Falls: This place is not on the official waterfall way driving map, but its a bit of a drive. I will honestly recommend it only if you are driving all the way to Armidale.
Day 3: Lookouts and Bongil Bongil National Park
Taking it easy, straight up to the Sealy lookout in NIIGI NIIGI sky pier with a view of Coffs Harbour banana plantation.
Here we chose to do the treetop adventure, which was fun. Off to MuttonBird Nature Reserve, the other side of Coffy (I mean the harbour side), beautiful beaches to tan your skin on a nice sunny day.
Bongil Bongil National Park: Looking for a romantic sunset to wrap up your day? You could spot a lot of Koalas in here, walk your way across the rainforest, and jump right out to the beach. Its a nice picnic spot.
Day 4: Byron bay through Big Banana
Alright, here is the truth: my initial plan was to drive back to Sydney, which is when I noticed it was a 2-hour, 25 minute drive to Byron Bay. Grabbed the breaky in the Big Banana Fun Park and, without a second thought, drove straight to the Cape Byron lighthouse. We went around the beach town—a coastal paradise without a doubt with no escape to fun and peace here in a way. Around late afternoon, started the drive back to Sydney, catching the sunset all the way down the east coast of NSW.
Things you need to know
The waterfall way is scenic, but be prepared to pack a lot of snacks, water, and food in your car to munch along the way because there is no place to grab food or water on the way once you cross the Dorrigo National Park Visitor Center.
A 4WD vehicle is most preferable because, close to the waterfall, there are mostly gravel roads.
There are always roadworks happening throughout this drive, and sometimes the access to the waterfall road will be closed, and you end up circling. Before you drive to explore the waterfalls, check with the staff at the visitor centre .
Driving at night back to Coffs Harbour was a bit of a challenge, especially when there was a truck opposite on a gravel road that is very narrow. An alternate option could be driving all the way to Armidale and make a stay there.
Expenditure for 2 Adults
| Transport | Accomodation | Food |
|---|---|---|
| 640 AUD | 340 AUD | 220 AUD |
I hope you find this interesting. Please leave your comment below if you found this helpful. Share your insights. Happy to hear your thoughts
Have a nice trip ahead :)