Communities
On The Road With MHIA: The Coast With The Most! Lower North Coast!
4th December 2024
Beat that summer heat in this glorious spring weather! Plan your next trip to one of our top 5 destinations in NSW.
There’s just something about spring. Longer days and warmer weather. Flowers are blooming and that slow meander towards summer starts to speed up ever so slightly. With Christmas and the festive season just around the corner, it’s also the perfect time to lock up the house, pack up the car and head off for a few days of rest and relaxation.
Here’s our five favourite places in NSW to escape from the rat race for a few days.
This once sleepy coastal town on the far north coast of NSW is now a popular tourist destination and mecca for the rich and famous. With its stunning beaches, lush rainforests and lively community spirit, it still a bit of a hippie town with major designer brands nestled alongside small, local boutiques and of course, the surf shops.
Spend warm Spring days and still cool, crisp evenings relaxing by the ocean, popping into a wellness spa or perhaps doing a spot of rainforest fishing from a kayak along a serene rainforest river.
If slow walks through gorgeous rainforest is more your thing, you can head 20 minutes north to Mullumbimby to wander the serene local rainforest. Or if you want to revisit your *coughs* wild youth, Nimbin is a hub of everything non-mainstream. You can even do a day trip from Byron to Nimbin if you want to soak up some alternative culture – but just for a day.
Just 2.5 hours drive north of Sydney, Port Stephens is famous for whale watching. Did you know that Spring is the ideal time to see whales escorting their newborn calves back down the Eastern coast of NSW as they head back down into the southern oceans for the summer? Between September and October, the new mums will stop into one of the many quiet bays along the 3kms of Port Stephens coastline to rest and play, making for the best whale watching along the entire east coast. As whales are protected in Australian waters, they’re best observed from the decks of eco-friendly whale watching tours.
But there’s more to Port Stephens than just whales. If four-wheel driving on the beach is your idea of a fun day out, the 32 kilometres of sandy white Stockton Beach will be a dream. As one of the longest beaches in NSW, you can also swim, surf, sandboard, ride camels, ride quad bikes, walk, run, picnic or just laze around and soak up the sunshine.
World Heritage-listed landscapes, cool mountain air and views that will take your breath away are just the beginning when you decide to spend a few days in the Blue Mountains. With a string of tiny townships to tempt and delight as you make your way up into the quiet serenity of the mountains, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Indulge in some old-world charm while staying at the historic Hydro Majestic. In fact, people travel many hours just to enjoy a decadently delicious high tea as they gaze across the spectacular Megalong Valley. Join a guided tour through one of the oldest cave systems in the world, the Jenolan Caves or enjoy the World Heritage listed Three Sisters rock formation.
If you prefer the outdoors, the Blue Mountains has over 140 kilometres of bushwalking tracks so you’re sure to find your footing somewhere. From large fully equipped resort style accommodation to tiny, bed and breakfasts and everything in between, the Blue Mountains is the perfect getaway any time of the year.
Halfway between Sydney and Canberra is the stunning Kangaroo Valley. Perfect for campers, glampers and adventurous souls, there’s so much to do in this quiet little valley, the toughest decision will be how to fit everything in.
Golfers will delight in the Jack Newton designed, 18 hole Kangaroo Valley Golf Course. One of the most challenging golf courses in Australia, it’s also one of the most beautiful courses in the Southern Highlands. Find your new favourite tipple at Yarrawa Estate and pair it with the mouth-watering cheese from the Valley cheesemakers.
But if outdoor adventuring is your idea of a perfect getaway, you’re in the perfect place. You can go all rustic in a tent or go for the luxury of glamping. If you love caravanning or zip around in your motorhome, some roads in and out of Kangaroo Valley aren’t suitable for vans. So do your research before you leave to avoid disappointment.
Whether you want to kick back and relax with a beer or wine as you gaze into the fire, get out onto the river with a kayak or canoe, or do a bit of horseback riding, Kangaroo Valley has it all.
There’s no city in the world like Sydney and if you’re not a local, it’s a fun and exciting city to visit. Winding around the world’s most beautiful harbour, the city sparkles in the sunshine and there’s plenty of things to see and do.
Of course, you can’t go past one of the world’s most famous bridges, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can climb the bridge and enjoy some of the best views on the planet. Then why not pop around the harbour, have a wander around the Museum of Contemporary Art on your way to tour the iconic Sydney Opera House.
For uninterrupted photos of Sydney from the water, you’ll need to hop on the Manly Ferry and take a ride across the harbour to Manly. Once there, delicious fish n chips or Taronga Zoo awaits.
And November is jacaranda time in Australia, with Sydney having some of the most stunning, jacaranda lined streets. For a gorgeous photo op, go looking for streets lined with Jacaranda trees and marvel as they come alive with lavender blooms, giving you the perfect Spring photo.
Before you head away on your Spring getaway, make sure your Home and Contents Insurance is up to date – and don’t forget to insure any portable valuables you’ll be taking away with you. For more information on our policies, contact us by phone, email or Facebook.