Get away from it all on New South Wales’s Northern Rivers region and enjoy a break in New Brighton.
Part of the Ocean Shores residential area that also includes South Golden Beach, New Brighton is situated in Byron Shire, close to the beautiful town of Byron Bay and also on the doorstep of some of the Far North Coast’s most appealing attractions.
New Brighton, within easy reach of the Pacific Highway that connects Sydney and Brisbane, can offer excellent choices of holiday rentals that suit all budgets.
With its unspoilt beaches and laidback vibe, New Brighton is a chilled-out alternative to some of the bigger holiday resorts on the Far North Coast. Surfers and swimmers will find the beaches just perfect while the calm waters of the Pacific are terrific for water sports such as canoeing or kayaking as well as fishing.
There are cycle paths throughout the town and its neighbours, allowing the active to explore the area more fully. You can arrange cycle hire once you’ve settled into your holiday accommodation.
If golf is your game, head for Ocean Shores Country Club where the enormous greens present a challenge to even the best golfer. A game here is more than just a round of golf but also a chance to enjoy some terrific views of the surrounding bush land and lakes.
If exploring nature is your idea of fun, then the Northern Rivers region will have you in raptures. An incredibly bio-diverse area, it is home to five World Heritage listed national parks while rare birdlife and creatures such as koalas can be seen in their natural habitat.
Closest to New Brighton is Billinudgel Nature Reserve, a coastal forest wetland that is the last of its kind left in Australia. The reserve itself is also home to some 50 threatened species so don’t miss an opportunity to see the most rare of creatures.
South of New Brighton is Byron Bay, the undisputed capital of Australian counter-culture. Surfers and backpackers are among those who have been flocking here for four decades to chill out on the pristine beaches and explore the sparkling blue waters, while the bars, restaurants, museums and art galleries demonstrate the thriving alternative lifestyles the town attracts. Dominating the skyline above the town is the lighthouse that stands on the Cape Byron headland – take a stroll up here and bask in some outstanding views.
Closer still is Brunswick Heads, just across the Brunswick River from New Brighton. Explore its quiet and very safe beaches – the coastline stretches in an unbroken fashion all the way to Byron Bay – or head to the marina and arrange a fishing charter. Catch your dinner and cook it back at your holiday rental in New Brighton.
Brunswick Heads has some offbeat shopping and speciality stores but more conventional shopping can be found at Ocean Shores, too.
To see a little more of the area, take the Coolamon Scenic Drive where you will enjoy some beautiful scenery – ocean views on one side and bush land on the other. Stop at the two lookouts on the drive and drink in some stunning scenery.
The Northern Rivers region – also known as the Far North Coast – is situated on the borders of New South Wales and Queensland. The area has a sub-tropical climate, which means sunshine all year round, with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures average around 29?C daily and winter days usually average around 20?C. New Brighton’s position on the coast means coastal breezes can make evenings seem cooler in autumn and winter, so do carry a light jacket with you. Some holiday rentals will offer air conditioning, which might be a little more comfortable for a summer visit.
Travellers from the UK heading to the Far North Coast will either fly direct to Sydney or Brisbane from London’s Heathrow Airport. If you’re on a tight budget, check out the bus and coach services that shuttle between those two cities and the towns of the Northern Rivers region. Picking up a connecting flight to Gold Coast Airport will bring you within an hour of New Brighton and arranging car rental will have you settled in your holiday accommodation much more quickly.
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