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World-class beaches in NSW THE beaches of New South Wales (NSW) are one of the state's crowning glories. They come in all possible forms, from giant crescents where booming waves unfurl onto golden sands, to tiny, sheltered, secret coves cradled between rocky headlands.In the heart of Sydney, Bondi and Manly are famed for their sculpted good looks and sheer vivacity, while Sydney Harbour favourites such as Balmoral and Nielsen Park have gentle waters and shady lawns. From Cronulla in the south to Palm Beach in the north, beaches with style offer espresso bars and boutiques to go with the sand and surf. Beyond Sydney there are beaches to make the heart sing, whether it's the perfect waves that form at Wategos, the kangaroos that frolic in the surf at Pebbly Beach or the coral reefs and teeming marine life of Lord Howe Island. The NSW coast also has some great places to spend the night, from cosy guesthouses, national park campsites to glamorous resorts with plush spas attached. Byron Bay Almost 800km north of Sydney, the north coast town of Byron Bay is the cutting edge of cool, a ring of glorious beaches and subtropical rainforest wrapped around a seafront town. Byron Bay brings personality and pizzazz to the beach experience. Under the influence of inspired artists, wizard chefs, innovative hoteliers, yoga teachers, musicians and masseurs, Byron Bay has become a New Age Shangri-la - and you can see it all on a day at the beach. Surrounded by a lush paperbark rainforest just south of Byron Bay, the Byron at Byron Resort & Spa is a marvellous synthesis of style and location. At its core is a sweeping poolside verandah that houses the reception area, the gym, the spa and restaurant. Guest suites are big and beautiful, the food is outstanding and there's a plush spa. The resort is run with polish and panache by John and Lyn Parche, two vastly experienced hoteliers who bring style and intimacy to the 92-suite resort. Central Coast From cosmopolitan beaches with cafes and booming surf to quiet, sheltered sea coves where the loudest sound is the rustling of the banksias, the Central Coast just north of Sydney has a dazzling choice of more than 30 beaches. Macmasters Beach is one of the region's unspoilt beauties, a small delight with rock pools and beautiful surroundings. The beach is bordered by Bouddi National Park with its fine coastal bushwalking trails. With a great choice of beaches both inside its bay and along the oceanfront, an aquatic reserve with brilliant snorkelling and diving, a pod of sociable dolphins, resorts galore and easy access to Myall Lakes, Port Stephens is a natural playground for anyone who loves the great outdoors. The diving and snorkelling here is exceptional. Just east of Nelson Bay, the tiny promontory of Fly Point is an aquatic reserve with prolific marine life. Divers have another superb site just off the coast at Broughton Island, with outstanding features such as the 'Looking Glass, a split that runs through the middle of the island, crowded with marine life. To the south of Nelson Bay, Stockton Beach has the country's largest coastal dune system. Several adventure operators offer trips among the dunes, from dune buggies to quad bike safaris and dune tobogganing. Lord Howe Island Lord Howe Island is Australia's castaway paradise, an island brimming with wonders in the South Pacific, 550km north-east of Sydney. Lord Howe is barely 11km from end to end and two across at its widest point, but offers many diversions. The shallow lagoon on the island's western side hosts the world's most southerly coral gardens. The summit of Mount Gower is richly invested with rainforest and most of the lower storey of the island is blanketed by a canopy of kentia palms. In the surrounding waters, warm and cool currents collide, spawning diverse sea life, including a wrasse known as the doubleheader, a species unique to the island's waters. In 1982 the importance of the Lord Howe Island Group as a unique biosphere won it a place on the World Heritage List. Driving adventures A coastal drive unwinding south from Sydney, Grand Pacific Drive is a stunning scenic route with gorgeous beaches, rainforests, seaside villages and small-town treasures along the way. While the drive is short enough for a day trip from Sydney, it's also a great framework for a weekend away. The scenic climax of Grand Pacific Drive is the 665m Sea Cliff Bridge, an engineering marvel that swerves out from the cliffs and soars into blue sky above the pounding sea. The Pacific Coast Touring Route is another option. Running north from Sydney to the Queensland border, the route takes in wineries, sleepy villages, a succession of rolling green pasturelands, World Heritage national parks and some off the best beaches in the state. |
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