18 days in New South Wales Itinerary

Byron Bay is known for adventure, historic sites, and wildlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: enjoy the sea views from Cape Byron Lighthouse, pause for some photo ops at Big Prawn, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, and meet some fierce fish with Sundive Byron Bay.

For reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Byron Bay trip builder website.

Sydney to Byron Bay is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in December, and nighttime lows around 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Thu) early enough to travel to Cabarita Beach.

Start off your visit on the 29th (Fri): kick back and relax at Pottsville Beach, take in the pleasant sights at Hastings Point Headland, then look for gifts at You and Bamboo, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Cabarita Beach.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read Cabarita Beach trip website.

Explore your travel options from Byron Bay to Cabarita Beach with the Route module. December in Cabarita Beach sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) early enough to travel to Kingscliff.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Sat): stroll through Tropical Fruit World, then brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Husk Distillers, then view the masterpieces at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, and finally relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the striking landscape of Lamington National Park.

To see other places to visit, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Kingscliff trip itinerary builder site.

Kingscliff is very close to Cabarita Beach. In December, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sun) so you can go by car to Brunswick Heads.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Mon): kick back and relax at Torakina Beach & Park, admire the natural beauty at Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens, then look for gifts at Made in Mullum Artisan Collective, and finally take a tour by water with Blue Bay Divers.

To find more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Brunswick Heads trip itinerary maker app.

Getting from Kingscliff to Brunswick Heads by car takes about an hour. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in December, and nighttime lows around 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) so you can drive to Yamba.

On the 2nd (Tue), kick back and relax at Main Beach Yamba, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Pippi Beach, then kick back and relax at Spooky Beach, and finally explore the activities along Angourie Blue Pool.

To find where to stay, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Yamba online trip builder.

Traveling by car from Brunswick Heads to Yamba takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In January, daily temperatures in Yamba can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Tue) early enough to drive to South West Rocks.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Wed): kick back and relax at Horseshoe Bay Beach, then don't miss a visit to V-Wall, and then kick back and relax at Back Beach. Keep things going the next day: steep yourself in history at Trial Bay Gaol, enjoy the sea views from Smoky Cape Lighthouse, then examine the collection at Maritime Museum South West Rocks, and finally see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To see maps, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the South West Rocks trip maker app.

Drive from Yamba to South West Rocks in 3 hours. Traveling from Yamba in January, you will find days in South West Rocks are slightly colder (31°C), and nights are about the same (23°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Crescent Head.

On the 5th (Fri), indulge your thirst for a good beer at Bucket Brewery, examine the collection at The Slim Dusty Centre, and then get great views at Crescent Head Lookout.

To see reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Crescent Head trip tool.

Traveling by car from South West Rocks to Crescent Head takes an hour. When traveling from South West Rocks in January, plan for slightly colder days in Crescent Head, with highs around 26°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Port Macquarie.

On the 6th (Sat), enjoy the sea views from Tacking Point Lighthouse, then identify plant and animal life at Koala Hospital, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Coastal walk. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, then experience rural life at Ricardoes Tomatoes and U-Pick Strawberry Farm, and then take in the awesome beauty at North Brother Mountain.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Port Macquarie trip planner.

Getting from Crescent Head to Port Macquarie by car takes about an hour. In January in Port Macquarie, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 23°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Seal Rocks.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Mon): stroll through Cellito Beach, kick back and relax at Number One Beach, and then enjoy the sea views from Seal Rocks Lighthouse. On the 9th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: enjoy the sand and surf at Boomerang Beach, then kick back and relax at Elizabeth Beach, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at The Green Cathedral.

Before you visit Seal Rocks, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

You can drive from Port Macquarie to Seal Rocks in 2 hours. Traveling from Port Macquarie in January, you will find days in Seal Rocks are somewhat warmer (33°C), and nights are about the same (21°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Nelson Bay.

Nelson Bay is known for wildlife, sightseeing, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: tour in harmony with nature at Dolphin Swim Australia, enjoy the sea views from Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse and Reserve, go for a stroll along the water at D'Albora Marinas, and look for all kinds of wild species at Fly Point.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Nelson Bay using our trip planner.

Drive from Seal Rocks to Nelson Bay in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In January in Nelson Bay, expect temperatures between 33°C during the day and 21°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) so you can fly back home.