Grafton Jacaranda & Coastal Discovery
Days:
7 Days
Activity:
3. Active Moderate
Transport:
Drive
$2,995.00
Tour description
Discover the spectacular landscapes, welcoming towns and coastal character of the NSW Mid North Coast on this wonderfully varied seven day journey. From tranquil botanic gardens and subtropical rainforest to beautiful beaches, riverside communities and dramatic waterfalls, each day reveals another side of this picturesque region.
Travel north from Sydney with stops at the Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens and Harrington before settling in for five relaxing nights at Opal Cove Resort in Coffs Harbour. Explore Coffs Harbour with visits to the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, National Cartoon Gallery and Solitary Islands Aquarium, then venture north to historic Grafton for a guided tour showcasing the city’s heritage, cathedral and regional gallery.
Experience the natural beauty of the Waterfall Way with visits to Urunga Wetlands, Dorrigo National Park and Dangar Falls, along with time in charming Bellingen. Another day takes us to Yamba and Angourie, where coastal lookouts, beaches and the famous Blue Pool provide wonderful sightseeing opportunities.
Continuing south, enjoy Port Macquarie, Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries and the rainforest boardwalk at Sea Acres National Park. Our final day follows a scenic coastal route to Forster, where a relaxing Wallis Lake cruise with lunch provides the perfect finale to this memorable coastal escape.
Tour Highlights
• Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens
• Five nights at Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
• North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
• National Cartoon Gallery
• Private group tour of Solitary Islands Aquarium
• Forest Sky Pier and Orara State Forest
• Guided tour of historic Grafton
• Grafton Regional Gallery and Christ Church Cathedral
• Urunga Wetlands boardwalk
• Visit and tasting at The Honey Place
• Dorrigo National Park and Skywalk Lookout
• Spectacular Dangar Falls
• Explore the charming town of Bellingen
• Yamba and Pilot Hill Lookout
• Angourie Blue Pool and Surf Beach
• Scenic drive through the coastal communities north of Coffs Harbour
• Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries
• Explore Port Macquarie
• Sea Acres National Park rainforest boardwalk
• Scenic drive through North Brother Mountain and the Great Lakes region
• Wallis Lake cruise with two course lunch
• Luxury coach travel, accommodation, experiences and meals as listed in the itinerary
Itinerary
Our coastal adventure begins as we depart Sydney and travel north to the Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens at Heatherbrae. Enjoy morning tea on the lawn before taking time to wander through the gardens on a self guided visit. We continue north along the Pacific Highway, passing Bulahdelah and Taree before arriving at Harrington for lunch at the Shoreline Tavern overlooking the Manning River.
This afternoon we cross the Hastings and Macleay Rivers, travelling through Macksville where we pause for a short break beside the water. Our journey then continues through Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbour and our home for the next five nights, Opal Cove Resort. Settle into your surroundings before joining the group for dinner.
Accommodation: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we begin with a coach tour introducing us to the sights and surrounds of Coffs Harbour. Our first visit is the beautiful North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, where there is time to explore the gardens and enjoy morning tea.
We then visit the National Cartoon Gallery, a wonderfully different attraction showcasing Australian cartooning and creative works. Following lunch, we make our way to the Solitary Islands Aquarium for a private group tour. Discover the fascinating marine life of the Coffs Coast and learn more about the unique Solitary Islands Marine Park.
We return to Opal Cove Resort during the afternoon with time to relax and enjoy the resort facilities before dinner.
Accommodation: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we travel north towards historic Grafton, beginning with a stop at the impressive Forest Sky Pier in Orara State Forest. Take in the expansive views across the surrounding landscape before continuing through the countryside to Glenreagh for morning tea.
Arriving in Grafton, we collect our lunch before enjoying a picnic at picturesque See Park. This afternoon a local guide joins us for an informative tour of Grafton, sharing stories of the city and its heritage. Our sightseeing includes Christ Church Cathedral and the Regional Gallery.
We return to Coffs Harbour via a scenic route through Wooli and Minnie Water before dinner at our resort.
Accommodation: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast we travel to Urunga Wetlands for a morning boardwalk experience through this peaceful natural environment. We then visit The Honey Place, where there is an opportunity to browse and taste some local products.
Our journey continues inland to the spectacular Dorrigo National Park. Enjoy time at the Skywalk Lookout, where magnificent views extend across the surrounding ranges and rainforest. We then visit impressive Dangar Falls before travelling to Bellingen.
Lunch is enjoyed at the Old Butter Factory, followed by free time to discover Bellingen’s shops, galleries and relaxed country atmosphere. We return to Coffs Harbour during the afternoon.
Accommodation: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we journey north for a day of beautiful coastal scenery. Our first destination is Yamba, where we visit Pilot Hill Lookout and enjoy morning tea while taking in the views.
We continue with a coach tour of the town before travelling across to Angourie. Here we visit the famous Angourie Blue Pool and Surf Beach, surrounded by striking coastal scenery. Returning to Yamba, we enjoy lunch followed by free time to explore the town on foot.
Our afternoon journey takes us away from the highway and through Tyndale, Tucabia and Glenugie, before travelling through Arrawarra, Mullaway and Woolgoolga on our way back to Coffs Harbour.
Accommodation: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we farewell Coffs Harbour and travel south towards Port Macquarie, pausing for a comfort stop at South Kempsey.
We then visit Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries, where we tour the farm and have the opportunity to enjoy strawberry picking. Lunch is available in the onsite café before we continue into Port Macquarie for a short coach tour.
This afternoon we visit Sea Acres National Park Rainforest Centre, with time to enjoy the self guided rainforest boardwalk surrounded by lush coastal vegetation. We then check into Rydges Port Macquarie, with free time before dinner.
Accommodation: Rydges Port Macquarie
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy our final breakfast before checking out and beginning a wonderfully scenic journey south. We travel via North Brother Mountain, Dunbogan Lakes Way and Forster Tuncurry, taking in coastal scenery along the way. We also explore Hallidays Point and Black Head before arriving in the Forster area.
Following morning tea, we board our Wallis Lake cruise for a relaxing journey across one of the Mid North Coast’s beautiful waterways. Sit back and admire the scenery while enjoying a two course lunch onboard.
After our cruise we begin the journey home, travelling through Pacific Palms and the coastal communities of Elizabeth Beach, Blueys Beach and Boomerang Beach before continuing to Sydney, arriving at approximately 6pm.
Meals: Breakfast, Two Course Lunch
The specials are:
Tasmania Expl
Activity Levels
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1. Easy
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2. Moderate
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3. Active Moderate
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4. Adventurous
Testimonials
Dear John and Kerry, Debbie and Steve, thank you all so much at On Course Tours for the hugely successful and absolutely wonderful trip to South Australia. Tricia and I loved every moment and were amazed and delighted by how much South Australia has to offer in so very many ways, food especially and of course very many superb wines and wineries – topped off, as John rightly said, by Max’s selection of a delightful crowd of good club friends! John, you and On Course Tours are certainly a class act. You always try very hard, and you succeed, in going that ‘extra mile’. We could not have had better service, right from being picked up at the gate by Kerry, then enjoying your nearly 4,000km of safe, always careful but wonderfully exploratory driving, your delicious picnic provisioning, your excellent selection of accommodation and eateries and your very broad knowledge of all we saw, right thorough to being delivered safely home last night. With our best wishes and so many thanks to you all at On Course Tours for another truly wonderful holiday. We look forward with keen anticipation to the next!
Tricia and Martin
Just a note of thanks for the excellent job Hans did yesterday. All of our group had a wonderful day and the Camden Valley Inn was a great venue. The staff there were very efficient and the meal portions just right for all. A most enjoyable day and thanks again. We did have one poor soul sleep in and so we numbered 37. Looking forward to our next tour with On Course in July.
