The Entrance

Memorial Park: pelican-feeding with informative commentary at 3.30pm daily; Marine Pde. The Waterfront: town mall with shops, pavement eateries and children's playground.

Wyrrabalong National Park With sections lying north and south of town, this park conserves the last significant coastal rainforest on the Central Coast. Signposted walking tracks lead along rocky cliffs and beaches with lookouts and picnic spots along the way providing stunning coastal views. 5 km N and S.Shell Museum: extensive shell collection; Dunleith Caravan Park; 1 km N. Crabneck Point Lookout: magnificent coastal views; 6 km S. Nora Head Lighthouse: attractive automated lighthouse built in 1903 after several ships were wrecked on the coast; 8 km N. Toukley: unspoiled coastal hamlet with breathtaking scenery. Holds markets each Sun in the shopping centre carpark and the Gathering of the Clans (Scottish festival) in Sept; 11 km N. Munmorah State Recreation Area: signposted bushwalking trails with magnificent coastal scenery; 21 km N. Lakes: 80 sq km lake system, on average less than 2 m deep and shark-free. The linked Tuggerah Lake, Budgewoi Lake and Lake Munmorah all empty into the ocean at The Entrance and are fabulous for fishing and prawning (in summer), as well as watersports.

Hawkesbury-Nepean River 35 km

The Hawkesbury River is regarded as one of the most consistent waters for big mulloway, or jewfish as they are called. It was with mulloway in mind that I went to the river to fish with Colin Tannahill. The river flows... Find out more

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Botany Bay 78 km

Recently I fished a hot-water outlet alongside the Kurnell refinery pier in Botany Bay, a few hundred metres from a monument dedicated to Captain James Cook’s landing in Australia in April 1770. A year before,... Find out more

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Port Hacking 89 km

In my youth, bream was a species anglers sought to put food on the table. It was a ‘kill it and fillet’ favourite. Both yellowfin and black bream fought well, but the sedentary nature of bait fishing –... Find out more

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Port Stephens 90 km

 Port Stephens is about 220 km north of Sydney and offers a mixed bag of quality species. In the estuaries, bream, flathead, mulloway and whiting dominate the catch while beach anglers do well on tailor, whiting and... Find out more

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Lithgow to Mudgee 132 km

Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out more

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Bushwalking in and around Sydney 44 km

Surprisingly, Sydney does offer some superb bushwalking through secluded bushland. Aboriginal engraving and art sites are quite common, and many are not publicised, simply leaving you to discover them, appreciate them,... Find out more

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The Great North Walk 45 km

Although it links two of Australia’s most populated cities, Sydney and Newcastle, and passes through some beautiful bushland, the Great North Walk does not get the foot traffic you might expect. A 250-kilometre,... Find out more

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Cycling around Newcastle 53 km

Take a scenic two- or three-hour guided cycling our around Newcastle, nearly all on flat bike paths, with Newcastle Bike Tours. If you want to cycle around on your own, hire from Civic Bikes, near the start of the... Find out more

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Kayaking in Sydney 59 km

Surprisingly, this activity has only taken off in Sydney in the past few years. With a city centred on such great waterways, there is plenty to explore, whether just for an hour or two, or a whole week. Sydney Harbour... Find out more

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Taronga Zoo 61 km

One of the world’s best zoos, Taronga is involved in a wide variety of threatened species recovery operations, wildlife rehabilitation and animal research work. As well as having a great day by Sydney Harbour,... Find out more

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Snorkelling and diving around Nelson Bay 91 km

Nelson Bay and surrounds offer some superb snorkelling and diving. Many locations are accessible by boat only, such as beautiful Broughton Island, but there are some exceptional shore dives and snorkelling – some... Find out more

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Picnicking in the Blue Mountains 102 km

Take a picnic up to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah at any time of year and you will not be disappointed. At 1000 metres above sea level, it is usually cool in summer, brimming with flowers in spring,... Find out more

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Ice-climbing 118 km

In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out more

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Birdwatching trip by boat 133 km

Being out on a heaving sea all day with a flock of keen birdwatchers could be some people’s worst nightmare, but any nature lover should enjoy the experience – at least once anyway. There is the chance to... Find out more

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Barrington Tops National Park 143 km

Best known for its superb bushwalking among ancient Antarctic beech forest and rainforest that receives snow several times a year, this 83 403-hectare park is one of the highest spots on the Great Dividing Range and even... Find out more

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Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club 3 km

There is something truly inspiring about a golf course – whatever the quality of its playing surfaces – that offers the smells and sounds of the ocean. This is perhaps what first persuaded the Scots to use... Find out more

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Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort 8 km

Throughout his playing career, Craig Parry has won tournaments around the world thanks to a mix of sound strategy, good ball-striking and a first-class short game. He brought those same key elements – golfing... Find out more

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Monash Country Club 45 km

The first few years after World War II were boom years for golf course construction in Sydney, particularly north of the harbour. The founding members of Monash Country Club – which is today located high in the... Find out more

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Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club 46 km

A golf course, by its very nature, is a living and constantly changing thing. A fine example of the way a course can grow and the effect this can have on its original design lies at Terrey Hills, about 40 minutes... Find out more

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Long Reef Golf Club 48 km

Occupying the Long Reef headland on Sydney’s northern beaches – ‘one of the best sites of any golf course in Sydney’, according to five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson – this... Find out more

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Pymble Golf Club 54 km

Pymble Golf Club has a rich history of nurturing some of the finest ball-strikers Australia has seen. The great Kel Nagle was the club’s resident professional for five years, and it was on the Pymble practice... Find out more

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Avondale GOLF CLUB 57 km

When 19th-hole conversation turns to discussing the best places to play golf in Sydney, one course often slips under the radar. Avondale Golf Club quite rightly ranks among the harbour city’s finest courses. Yet... Find out more

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Newcastle Golf Club 59 km

Long before American Tom Doak became the revered course designer he is today, he travelled the world playing and studying more than 800 courses. He made notes on every one, before compiling them into what he called ... Find out more

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Royal Sydney Golf Club 63 km

It’s interesting to sift through the historical records of the Royal Sydney Golf Club; only then do you realise that no single course designer can lay claim to creating it. The course, a smooth seven-iron hit... Find out more

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Castle Hill Country Club 66 km

Back in 1821, Irishman George Acres received a land grant and is understood to have planted Australia’s first citrus trees. He planted them on the land where the fairways of Castle Hill Country Club now weave... Find out more

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Ocean Restaurant

Absolute waterfront dining ensures Ocean Restaurant’s place on the ‘must do’ list of places to dine on the Central Coast. The temptation to trade on location alone has been ignored with a magnificent... Find out more

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Billy Kwong 66 km

This up-market restaurant in Surry Hills claims to have been the first restaurant in New South Wales that chose to become carbon neutral. Owned and run by passionate advocate of sustainability and ethical eating Kylie... Find out more

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Green Gourmet 68 km

These totally vegan restaurants have fascinating dishes including mock fish, made from taro, mushroom steaks and desserts such as green tea moon cake.... Find out more

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Bluetongue Brewery 50 km

Set up in 2004 by a consortium of Hunter region identities, including wine man Bruce Tyrell and hotelier Ian Burford, Bluetongue Brewery soon established a significant regional market for its premium lager and alcoholic... Find out more

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4 Pines Brewing Company 55 km

What do Margaret River and Manly have in common? Well, they both have popular surfing spots and craft breweries or, at least, they do now. The Mitchell family had seen the burgeoning Margaret River microbrewing scene... Find out more

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Steel River Brewery 55 km

Every brewhouse has its own distinct personality – new ones are punched out in uniform fashion and pretty much look the same, but pre-loved ones tend to have a bit more character and, more often than not, a... Find out more

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Hunter Beer Company 61 km

Potters Brewery, as this microbrewery is also known, might seem like a rather odd addition to this convention-based accommodation complex, which is named after the historic beehive-shaped pottery kilns scattered around... Find out more

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Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 64 km

Sydney’s longest-running brew-pub is many things rolled into one fine watering hole – an institution for ale lovers, a tourist magnet and a haven for homesick Poms. The historic sandstone pub is as comfy as a... Find out more

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Redoak Brewery 65 km

Redoak burst onto the craft-beer scene by winning a swag of medals at the 2004 Australian International Beer Awards before they had sold even a single drop. And they have continued to collect an impressive array of... Find out more

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Schwartz Brewery 66 km

Tucked away in the basement of the heritage-listed Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills, this 8-hectolitre microbrewery is the hub of a burgeoning craft-beer empire run by owner Dr Jerry Schwartz. Apart from supplying the pub,... Find out more

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Malt Shovel Brewery 68 km

US-born Dr Charles ‘Chuck’ Hahn has enjoyed two separate craft-beer careers over two decades, operating out of the same Camperdown brewery. In the late ’80s he opened it as the independent Hahn Brewery,... Find out more

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El Lago Waters Tourist Park

Enjoy views of Tuggerah Lakes at The Entrance on the picturesque Central Coast at this tourist park, which offers a range of accommodation options including camping. Don’t get it confused with the adjacent resort... Find out more

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Freemans camping ground 18 km

Freemans has 8 caravan sites and 28 tent sites, a short walk to Birdie Beach. Note that the grounds close at 6pm in winter, 9pm in summer, and camping is limited to stays of 2 weeks. You can only use gas barbecues and... Find out more

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Little Beach camping area 20 km

It’s a 750 m walk from the carpark at the end of Graham Dr off The Scenic Rd to this campsite, which has 6 tent sites, as well as toilets and gas/electric barbecues. Fires aren’t permitted, and you’ll... Find out more

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Frazer camping ground 21 km

The 6 sites here each fit 6 people, and you can stay here for a maximum of 2 weeks. The camping ground is nestled in the Frazer Valley, close to the beach (only patrolled during Christmas and Easter holidays) and Snapper... Find out more

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The Hawkesbury Track 23 km

The Hawkesbury Track takes you 78 km from Berowra Waters to Somersby, supplying 7 camping areas along the way. It’s centred around the beautiful Hawkesbury River and includes several magnificent vantage points of... Find out more

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Putty Beach camping area 25 km

The largest of the park’s 3 camping areas with 18 tent sites, this is close to the beach but only a short walk from the carpark at the end of Putty Beach Rd. The eastern end of the beach (unpatrolled) is good for... Find out more

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Tallow Beach camping area (walk-in camping) 26 km

This campsite is only accessible via a fairly strenuous, steep 1.2 km track from the end of Hawke Head Dr in the south-western reaches of the park. It’s downhill there, which means a tough uphill walk back, and you... Find out more

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Wattle Tree camping area 34 km

This is close to The Pines camping area, so if you prefer wattles and eucalypts over pine trees, this is your spot. It’s off Watagan Forest Rd, 1 km south of the junction of Watagan Forest and Walkers Ridge Forest... Find out more

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The Pines camping area 34 km

A nice shaded area under – you guessed it – pine trees, this is the starting point for several walks including Abbotts Falls Trail and The Pines Trail. Follow the signs along Watagan Forest Rd, 300 m north of... Find out more

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Turpentine camping area 34 km

This is only 100 m away from Casuarina camping area, and provides secluded camping sites that are perfect for small groups and families. Boil or treat water from the creek before drinking it or bring your own.... Find out more

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Dunleith Tourist Park 1 km

This park has a picture-postcard location on the waterfront where Tuggerah Lake meets the sea. It has good tourist facilities and is within walking distance of town. Pets are allowed but not in holidays. Bookings are... Find out more

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Two Shores Holiday Village 2 km

A small lakeside park, this place is easily accessible from the main road and has relatively easy access for big rigs. A feature of the park is the coffee shop adjoining the office. Pets are allowed outside peak periods... Find out more

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Toowoon Bay Holiday Park 3 km

This is a large council-operated park on the waterfront. Some of the attractions in the area include pelican feeding and fishing. Pets are allowed but are restricted to one per site.... Find out more

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Blue Lagoon Beach Resort 5 km

Tucked away at the water’s edge, this beachfront park has a pool, spa and an entertainment complex. It is an ideal place for a quiet break, although it is busy at the height of the Christmas and Easter holidays,... Find out more

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Canton Beach Holiday Park 8 km

On the shores of Tuggerah Lake, this is a large council-operated park with good facilities. It is a great spot for a family holiday on the protected waterway and ideal for watersports enthusiasts. The park offers the... Find out more

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Norah Head Holiday Park 9 km

This large, council-operated beachside park is a popular holiday destination. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Budgewoi Holiday Park 13 km

This large council-operated park has good facilities and is well suited for a beachside family holiday. Those wanting to fish can make use of the nearby boat ramp.... Find out more

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Munmorah State Conservation Area 18 km

The National Parks and Wildlife Service manage this recreation area. There are two camping areas, Fraser and Freemans, with tent sites and a limited number of unpowered caravan sites. It is just a short walk through the... Find out more

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Ocean Beach Holiday Park 27 km

Just 2 km from the centre of Umina and set in a fabulous beachfront position, this quality park is a favourite of ours. There is a wide range of facilities, and children’s activities are held most weekends and... Find out more

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Swansea Gardens Lakeside Holiday Park 32 km

This large, council-operated park is located in a quiet area on the shores of Lake Macquarie. Facilities are good and include tennis courts and a half court basketball area. There are a small number of absolute... Find out more

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Al Mare Beachfront 
Retreat

A romantic, Mediterranean-inspired getaway designed exclusively for couples, Al Mare is an absolute waterfront retreat without the crowds. There are two types of suites available: ground-floor suites opening out onto the... Find out more

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Lavender House By The Sea

Lavender House is a traditional B&B devoted to couples, with the focus on comfort and friendly, helpful service. There are six guest rooms to choose from, including the honeymoon option on the top level with a... Find out more

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El Lago Waters Resort

Immerse yourself in beachfront living at El Lago Waters Resort. Offering comfortable and affordable accommodation, there are three types of rooms – with a choice of pool, lake or town views. Activities include... Find out more

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Australia Walkabout Park, Calga 27 km

You can camp out with the 180 species of wild animal in this 32-hectare feral-proofed wildlife park that has a solid history of conservation and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. The overnight camping experience... Find out more

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Somewhere Unique, Wollombi 54 km

The two stand-alone, couples-only cottages here are stylish, contemporary and have passive solar design. They are eco-accredited, on an 8-hectare bushland reserve, and use only renewable energy and Greenfleet vehicles.... Find out more

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Banjo’s Bushland Retreat, Vacy 88 km

With three self-contained lodges of various sizes and a recreation room that includes an environmental centre, this eco-accredited resort keeps nature as its focus. Even the nine-hole minigolf course weaves around the... Find out more

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Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 99 km

These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out more

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Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 111 km

Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out more

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Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 115 km

One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out more

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Old Leura Dairy 116 km

This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out more

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Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 119 km

At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out more

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Kanimbla View, Blackheath 119 km

Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out more

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Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 120 km

Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out more

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Ourimbah Exit Rest Area 12 km

82 km N of Sydney (L) or 85 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 20.594 E151 22.046  ... Find out more

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Service Centre 13 km

93 km N of Sydney (L) or 74 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Highway Service Centre just off the highway. GPS: S33 15.322 E151 24.172... Find out more

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Hawkesbury River Rest Area 35 km

49 km N of Sydney (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway on the banks of the river. GPS: S33 32.029 E151 11.845... Find out more

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Pothana Lane Rest Area 78 km

30 km NW of Maitland (L) or 17 km SE of Singleton (R) Small area just off the highway via the old road. Limited shade. GPS: S32 39.433 E151 17.667  ... Find out more

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Medowie Road Rest Area 81 km

58 km S of Bulahdelah (L) southbound only Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S32 40.225 E151 50.113... Find out more

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Golden Highway Junction Rest Area 81 km

36 km NW of Maitland (L) or 11 km SE of Singleton (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 38.553 E151 14.005  ... Find out more

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Twelve Mile Hill Rest Area 82 km

15 km N of Raymond Terrace (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S32 39.744 E151 50.559... Find out more

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Singleton Park Area 90 km

South side of town Small parking area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S32 34.321 E151 10.852... Find out more

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Singleton North Rest Area 97 km

6 km NW of Singleton (R) or 43 km SE of Muswellbrook (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 31.437 E151 07.945 ... Find out more

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Station Creek Rest Area 98 km

42 km N of Raymond Terrace (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. GPS: S32 36.535 E152 05.746  ... Find out more

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Browns Flat Rest Area 106 km

20 km S of Bulahdelah (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S32 33.335 E152 08.982  ... Find out more

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Nerong Waterholes Rest Area 107 km

54 km N of Raymond Terrace (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 32.904 E152 09.206  ... Find out more

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Bulahdelah Rest Area 125 km

2 km N of Bulahdelah (R) or 70 km S of Taree (L) Small area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 23.506 E152 13.310   ... Find out more

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Lake Wallace Park Area 133 km

T/O 51 km E of Bathurst (L) or 11 km W of Lithgow (R) Large area 2 kilometres north of the highway on the shores of the lake. Good facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S33 24.849 E150 04.255 ... Find out more

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Muswellbrook North Park Area 133 km

2 km N of Muswellbrook (R) or 23 km S of Scone (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 14.858 E150 53.764... Find out more

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Newmans Road Rest Areas 134 km

13 km N of Bulahdelah (L) or 59 km S of Taree (L) Small areas just off the highway (both sides). Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 21.059 E152 18.905 (NORTHBOUND) &        ... Find out more

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Aberdeen Park Area 143 km

North side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S32 09.641 E150 53.343... Find out more

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Sunny Corner Camp Area 150 km

T/O 34 km E of Bathurst (L) or 28 km W of Lithgow (R) Secluded campground located 7 kilometres north of the highway. GPS: S33 23.267 E149 53.542  ... Find out more

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