Surfin' Safari - North Coast NSW

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Start planning for when all those kids go back to school and get off the beach and out of your way on the waves, it's a great time to explore the coast without the crowds, in and out of the water.

Here's what you need

14 days, if you only have 7 you will spend the next 12 months dreaming
Wetsuit and best boards
Best surfin' bro (if you can't decide who to bring, do below x 2)
Bed on wheels - Campervan rental

HINT - Consider a one-way rental and cross the border into Queenslander, drop-in at Snapper Rocks and return your camper to Brisbane. Now hit the road to a green room of your dreams.

Spotify playlist recommendation - Surf Music by 1115568367345 - 22hrs Spotify podcast recommendation - Ain't That Swell by Surf Radio (23 episodes)

Let's assume you're coming from Sydney........

Pacific Palms

Choice of 3 beaches with creds - Seal Rocks, Boomerang Beach and Bluey's. Natural beauty abounds, underdeveloped, friendly locals include dolphins and whales. No throbbing night clubs but relaxed neighbourhood eateries, however, you're in a campervan so you can eat in if you like.

Distance - 280km -3h 20m from Sydney Stay - O/N - Seal Rocks Holiday Park

Crescent Head

From Crescent Head north to Hungry Headland is a 17km bay scattered with right and left-hand breaks. In the right conditions, Crescent Head Point offers a famous 400m right-hand point break. You might not want to leave if it's going off.

South of the point is Racecourse Headland with 7km of sand between, known by the locals as 'Back Beach' it's another classic right-hand break. If the locals tell you to head to Delicate-Nobby make sure the conditions are good for it, it's a very fickled break. Eat and Drink at the Crescent Head Tavern, live music, great Vietnamese food, pizza, fun and a fabulous view.

Distance - 203km - 2h 30m from Seal Rocks Stay - Crescent Head Holiday Park

South West Rocks

The Macleay River bar can be one of the countries best kept secret right-hand breaks or the most treacherous break you will ever experience. Take care, there are plenty of other offerings, The Front Beach, Horseshoe Bay and Little Bay all offer 5-star right-hand breaks. Eat at the Seabreeze Beach Hotel.

Distance - 57k, 45m from Cresent Head Stay - Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park

Scotts Head and Nambucca Heads

View of South Beach National Park in Scotts Head NSW. Credit Destination NSW

At Scott's, there is always a surfable right-hand break at Wakki or Little Beach even if it is small. If it's too small for you, head to Nambucca Head's Valla Beach, it's a very reliable beach break. Eat and Drink - Club Scotts in the holiday park.

Distance - 50k, 45m from South West Rocks Stay - Scotts Head Holiday Park

Sawtell Island - Coffs Harbour

Beach Sunrise in Sawtell, Coffs Coast, NSW. Credit Destination NSW

Sawtell Island off Sawtell beach offers point breaks on the beach, it's no secret so try to be here midweek - Not only is it just 15 minutes south of the Big Banana Sawtell also has a great RSL and Surf Life Saving Club, so no need to tell you where to eat.

Distance - 67k, 45m from Scotts Head Stay - Big 4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park

Angourie Point Beach - Yamba

Morning surf at Angourie Point Beach, Angourie, NSW. Credit: Destination NSW

Did you bring your longboard? This is the best place to break it out for a great right-hand point break. The suggestion here is to take a big breath and a good look around, O.M.G. this place is beautiful!

Distance - 147k, 1h 50m from Sawtell Stay - Angourie Back-Beach Holiday Camp

Evans Head

Conditions need to be good here, you can get a nice left or right-hand beach break depending on the winds if it's not working keep going to Lennox Head.

Distance - 81k, 1h 15m from Yamba Stay - Evans Head Holiday Park

Lennox Head

Before you dump Evans for Lennox just a warning - Lennox is hardcore, access is off rocks and the current can be tricky, be honest with yourself about your ability. But it is regarded as one of Australia's best right-handers.

Distance - 52k 40m from Evans Head Stay - Lennox Head Holiday Park

Broken Head and The Pass, Byron Bay

Woman enjoying a day of surfing at The Pass, Byron Bay. Credit: Destination NSW

Either side of Byron proper you can visit both these iconic surf locations. Dusk and dawn best avoided. Actually, that's the advice for everywhere, not just the Byron area.

Distance - 11k and 21k respectively from Lennox Head Stay - Broken Head Holiday Camp

As mentioned above, go on to drop off your Camper in Brisbane if you want to do a oneway rental, otherwise split the destinations in half and do some on the way up and the rest on the way back. This is a holiday of a life time for any surfer.

Shelley Richardson

Shelley has been working in the travel industry for over 30 years, in aviation, for tour operators and since 2016 for DriveNow. Having travelled extensively worldwide, alone, as a couple and with her family, Shelley has experience to share about how to make the most of your holiday, especially road-trips to amazing destinations.