Explore Australia

Captain Cook Memorial Lookout: at the top of Mt Fairy, the lookout provides stunning views of the town and surrounding countryside; Fairy St. Botanical Gardens: combination of formal gardens and revegetated creek environments on the banks of Fawcetts Creek; Summerland Way.

Border Ranges National Park World Heritage–listed, this 30 000 ha park has walking tracks, camping, swimming, rock climbing and fantastic views of Mt Warning and the Tweed Valley. Sheepstation Creek is an attractive picnic spot. The Tweed Range Scenic Drive (64 km) is a breathtaking journey of rainforest, deep gorges and waterfalls. Brochure from visitor centre. 27 km N.Wiangaree: rural community with rodeo in Mar; 15 km N. Roseberry Forest Park: picturesque picnic spot; 23 km N. Moore Park Nature Reserve: tiny reserve with the most important example of black bean rainforest in NSW; 26 km NW. Toonumbar Dam: built from earth and rocks, this offers scenic bushwalking with picnic and barbecue facilities. Nearby Bells Bay is known for its bass fishing and has a campsite; 31 km W. Toonumbar National Park: contains 2 World Heritage–listed rainforests and the volcanic remnants of Edinburgh Castle, Dome Mountain and Mt Lindesay; 35 km W. Richmond Range National Park: protected rainforest perfect for camping, birdwatching, picnics and barbecues, with good bushwalking on a 2 km or 6 km track; 40 km W. Scenic forest drive: via Mt Lindesay (45 km NW), offers magnificent views of both the rainforest and the countryside; brochure from visitor centre.

Clarrie Hall Dam - Fishing Sub-region 34 km

Angling is a buzz when you are into a hot bite. It is also a buzz when discovering new territory or out hooking with other anglers, observing their methods and techniques on their home waters. So it was when I fished... Find out more

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Lake Wivenhoe 150 km

Impoundment fishing for native species in southern Queensland has enjoyed phenomenal growth and it all began at Lake Wivenhoe. Situated about 80 km west of Brisbane on the Brisbane Valley Highway, Wivenhoe has a surface... Find out more

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Coffs Harbour - Fishing Sub-region 187 km

My introduction to fishing north of Sydney was at Coffs Harbour, an area with a diverse range of options. The first time I fished here I was into land-based game and spent most of my time on the ledges of Mutton Bird... Find out more

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Mooloolaba 215 km

It’s 6am on the Mooloolaba waterfront behind Kawana Waters Hotel. The temperature is mild enough to be wearing shorts and a shirt. All is quiet amid the moored boats except for the eager anglers sitting around the... Find out more

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Lake Copeton 243 km

Lake Copeton has an excellent catchment area, fed by the Gwydir River and runoff from the New England Tablelands. The lake is about 46 km west of Inverell on the Gwydir Highway. Its dam wall was constructed primarily to... Find out more

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South-West Rocks 249 km

When it comes to popularity, there are two types of fishing destinations: those that are hot all the time and those that wax and wane depending on the season. South West Rocks is in the first category. For as long as I... Find out more

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Diving and snorkelling around Byron Bay 59 km

Although there is not much in the way of shore dives or snorkelling around Byron Bay, the nearby Julian Rocks Marine Reserve is a top spot if you can get on a boat, with sea turtles, eagle rays, corals, grey nurse and... Find out more

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Tamborine Mountain Distillery 79 km

There is a multitude of chemical-free schnapps, gins and vodkas to try here, many of which come from the fruits grown on the farm. Try lemon myrtle vodka, the multifaceted choc’n’chili liqueur, forest... Find out more

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Rock climbing around Brisbane 126 km

Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point is perhaps the friendliest city rock-climbing spot in the country, with views over the Brisbane River, a range of climbs for absolute beginners and upwards, and established anchor points... Find out more

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Cycling and mountain-biking around Brisbane 127 km

Brisbane has a growing network of great cycling trails and some excellent rides for tourists – a five-to-20-kilometre ride along the shores of the Brisbane River comes highly recommended. There is also a great ride... Find out more

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Westlander 127 km

Take the overnight train ride from Brisbane to Charleville or Quilpie, travelling over the Great Dividing Range and through some of Queensland’s rich farming areas.... Find out more

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Mount Coot-tha Forest 127 km

The largest natural area in Brisbane, this 1500 hectares of open eucalypt forest holds more than 18 kilometres of walking tracks, 12 kilometres of mountain-biking tracks and a further 31 kilometres of multi-use tracks.... Find out more

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Cycling around Armidale and Coffs Harbour 186 km

A 5-kilometre bicycle track leads from Harris Park in Armidale to the University of New England. Bikes can be hired from Armidale Bicycle Centre or the University’s Sports Union. The 26-kilometre-return ride from... Find out more

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Cycling the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 207 km

Join a half-day or longer guided bike tour with Bicycle Tours of Queensland, particularly the popular Sunshine Coast ride or Maleny to Glass House Mountains. A back-up bus is included if it all gets too much.... Find out more

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Birdwatching - Port Macquarie to Lismore 220 km

There are a couple of top birdwatching spots in the New England area. One of the most spectacular is an all-weather bird hide among masses of waterbirds at Quipolly Dam, about 18 kilometres north-east of Quirindi. Mother... Find out more

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Bush-tucker tasting - Macksville 231 km

Sample some Australian bushfoods at Valley of the Mist near Macksville, a farm dedicated to sustainable methods. You will taste bush fruits, nuts, herbs and condiments and have a tour of the farm. You can also take a... Find out more

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The Glades Golf & Spa 70 km

Ask Greg Norman’s former chief designer Bob Harrison to name one course that makes him feel proud when he sees the final result, and chances are he’ll say The Glades. Upon joining the Gold Coast golfing... Find out more

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The Grand Golf Club 73 km

Think of the Gold Coast and flashing images spring to mind: beaches, theme parks, high-rise apartments, hordes of tourists. The Gold Coast hinterland has none of these, and could be thousands of miles away. The... Find out more

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Lakelands Golf Club 74 km

As a player, Jack Nicklaus was a regular visitor to Australia for more than two decades. He won six Australian Opens and inspired a generation of young Australians to take up golf. When his playing career began... Find out more

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The Links, Hope Island 89 km

When Hope Island opened for play in 1993 it was a unique addition to Australia’s golfing landscape. Here was a links-style layout seemingly uprooted from Scotland and transplanted on to the sunny northern... Find out more

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Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club (Pines course) 91 km

Sanctuary Cove’s Pines layout, designed by Arnold Palmer, has reigned for more than two decades as one of the Gold Coast’s best courses. At various stages during that time it has also ranked among the... Find out more

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Brookwater Golf & Country Club 107 km

Brookwater opened to considerable fanfare in 2002, with many observers quick to draw comparisons with Augusta National, venerable home of the US Masters. The varied terrain, inventive bunkering and undulating putting... Find out more

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Royal Queensland Golf Club 131 km

Of all the golf courses in this book, Royal Queensland has undergone the most dramatic changes in recent years. Originally opened in 1920, on reclaimed mangrove swampland on the north bank of the Brisbane River, ... Find out more

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North Lakes Resort Golf Club 155 km

Good course designers have tricks up their sleeves when it comes to spurring golfers to rise to the challenge. They can visually intimidate you with large schemes of bunkers or water hazards encroaching on the best... Find out more

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Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club 177 km

Challenging the best players without alienating casual and beginner golfers is the fine line every course designer treads in coming up with a new creation. One designer who does it better than most is Ross Watson. His... Find out more

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Bonville Golf Resort 193 km

Bonville is Australia’s most beautiful inland course. Carved from 250 hectares of flooded gums and blackbutt forest, with small pockets of subtropical rainforest, Bonville is often described as Australia’s... Find out more

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Ripples on the Creek

This popular restaurant/cafe is on an alpaca farm just outside Kyogle, with terrific views of the surrounding countryside. Serving a variety of home-cooked treats such as scones, desserts and cakes, and sandwiches and... Find out more

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Mondo Organics, West End 126 km

Australia’s first organic restaurant when it opened in 2000, Mondo Organics serves a range of organic meats, including beef, chicken, duck and lamb, and the fish is chosen for the sustainability of the catch. The... Find out more

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Stone and Wood Brewing 57 km

The popular coastal holiday destination of Byron Bay is the location for one of the country’s newest and most exciting craft breweries – Stone & Wood. The partners behind the venture include a trio of... Find out more

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Burleigh Brewing Company 70 km

Queensland has generally suffered from a dearth of craft breweries so the Burleigh Brewing Company is a welcome and relatively recent addition. Co-owner/brewer Brennan Fielding boasts considerable experience as a... Find out more

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Mt Tamborine Brewery 79 km

As we went to press, one of Queensland’s more ambitious craft-brewing operations was about to come to fruition at Mount Tamborine, in the Gold Coast hinterland. The 24-hectolitre microbrewery is the original plant... Find out more

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Foster's Group (Yatala Brewery) 99 km

This brewery site, located at Yatala, midway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, was established by the Power Brewing Company, which launched Powers Bitter in 1988. Four years later a joint venture between Powers and... Find out more

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Castlemaine Perkins (Fourex) Brewery 128 km

The pages of Australian brewing history are littered with take-overs and acquisitions, and while Castlemaine Perkins sounds like a merger, it was, in reality, yet another buy-out. As the name suggests, the Castlemaine... Find out more

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Sunshine Coast Brewery 216 km

Queensland’s longest-running microbrewery has been operating from an industrial estate on the outskirts of Maroochydore since 1998. It was established by Jim Robinson and Queensland craft-beer pioneer Graham Howard... Find out more

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Bells Bay camping area 22 km

Situated beside picturesque Toonumbar Dam, 31 km north-west of Kyogle via Afterlee Rd, Bells Bay is a vision in green, surrounded by swathes of forest. Boating (8-knot limit), canoeing, swimming and fishing for... Find out more

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Sheepstation Creek camping area 23 km

With 40 camping sites, this sizeable camping area is just off Tweed Range Scenic Dr, 31 km north of Kyogle. The easy Rosewood Loop (6 km, 3 hours) and Palm Forest Walk (2 km, 1 hour) begin here: the former will take you... Find out more

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Forest Tops camping area 26 km

If you enter the national park along Tweed Range Scenic Dr, 30 km north of Kyogle you’ll see signposted access for this camping area. The medium-difficulty 10.5 km Booyong Walk (5 hours one way) sets out from here... Find out more

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Cutters Camp camping area 27 km

You’ll find Cutters Camp where Mebbin Forest and Caddell roads meet. Unsealed Mebbin Forest Rd is a 35 km scenic route with wonderful views of the region’s volcanic, forest-clad landscape; you’ll need a... Find out more

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Iron Pot Creek camping area 27 km

Rest in the dappled shade of flooded gums at this spacious, grassed camping area. There’s a 750 m loop track leading to Iron Pot Creek; a night walk with a torch may reveal possums, native mice and gliders. To get... Find out more

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Peacock Creek Rest Area 29 km

Located in a bend on the Peacock River, this is a grassy, sunlit camping area popular with birdwatchers, cyclists, walkers and 4WD enthusiasts. It’s off Peacock Creek Rd, 36 km north of Mallanganee. To get here,... Find out more

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Andrew Drynan Park camping area 34 km

At this well-grassed area backing onto beautiful rainforest, campers can enjoy a splash in Running Creek or a relaxing picnic at one of the shaded tables. You’ll need to travel 19 km south-east from Rathdowney to... Find out more

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Rummery Park camping area 37 km

From this roomy, friendly camping area you can take a short walk following Boggy Creek to the beautiful Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park. Other activities include birdwatching and car touring. To get here, turn off... Find out more

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Stinson Park camping area 37 km

In 1937 local legend Bernard O’Reilly led the Stinson air crash survivors to safety from this historic site. After being lost in the mountains for 10 days, O’Reilly found the wreckage in dense rainforest... Find out more

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Mount Warning Holiday Park 41 km

Surround yourself with lush and up-tempo rainforest and mountain streams in this verdant mid-north-coast holiday park at the foot of Mt Warning. Accommodation options include deluxe, ensuite and budget cabins, and... Find out more

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Ferry Reserve Holiday Park 53 km

This park is very easily accessible from the Pacific Highway northbound, but requires doubling back through town for southbound travellers. It is situated on a picturesque estuary, popular with anglers. The grounds and... Find out more

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Terrace Reserve Holiday Park 54 km

Close to the centre of Brunswick Heads, this is a good quality park on the water and ideal for a holiday or just a few days. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies at Christmas and... Find out more

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Glen Villa Resort 59 km

This is a high quality park with good facilities, about 400 metres from the town centre. It has the unusual policy of permitting just two people per site. No bookings are taken, and a minimum-length stay applies at... Find out more

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First Sun Holiday Park 59 km

Every now and then we discover a park in a fabulous position. This place is on the beach at Byron Bay, within walking distance of the town centre, the restaurants and the nightlife. The park is busy year-round and is... Find out more

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Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park 60 km

A popular beachside holiday park that is busy year-round, this place has good facilities and is 6 km south of Byron Bay. It is close to some popular surfing and swimming beaches. Bookings are required in peak periods and... Find out more

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Broken Head Holiday Park 60 km

This stretch of coast is a busy holiday area. The park is located on the beach and has good facilities, and popular Byron Bay is 8.5 km north. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies in... Find out more

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Lake Ainsworth Holiday Park 60 km

Located alongside Lake Ainsworth and across the road from the beach, this is a basic park in a great position. The surf club is nearby and the popular beach is great for swimming or walking. This is a council park on an... Find out more

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Pottsville South Holiday Park 61 km

This riverfront park is a popular destination with good holiday facilities. The sites are shallow and big rigs will not fit here. It is just a short walk to the shops. Bookings are required in peak periods and a... Find out more

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BIG4 Ballina Central Holiday Park 62 km

This park is across the road from the water, at the end of the main street and just walking distance from the shops. The park has good amenities. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies at... Find out more

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Ballina Headlands Leisure Park 62 km

On a popular holiday coast, this park is about 500 metres from the water and 9 km north-east of Ballina off the Beach Road. It is a good base when visiting the area and has a heated pool for winter months. Bookings are... Find out more

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Emerald Valley Villa 44 km

Nestled in the hinterland some 25 minutes drive from Byron Bay, this is way up the high end of ecotourism in this country. You can rent your own five-star palace (they call it a villa), complete with pool, courtyard,... Find out more

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Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat 50 km

Located near Murwillumbah and surrounded on three sides by World Heritage–listed national parks, this secluded couples-only resort on the Queensland border has minimal-impact, self-contained bungalows and cabins.... Find out more

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The Mouses House, Springbrook 51 km

Set in a beautiful rainforest at more than 800 metres above sea level, this luxury resort has 11 self-contained chalets, hot tub, sauna, tennis court and bikes, a sensible environmental policy and eco-accreditation. It... Find out more

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Cottages on the Creek 58 km

This 2-hectare establishment is managed as a Land for Wildlife property and the two, onebedroom spa cottages have composting toilets, protecting Currumbin Creek with its turtles, catfish, platypus and yabbies.... Find out more

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Destiny Boonah 72 km

Set on 80 hectares of Land for Wildlife property, this self-contained three-bedroom cottage is solar- and wind-powered. You are encouraged to bring a mountain bike or go bushwalking on the property, which is located near... Find out more

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Brisbane Marriott Hotel 128 km

By no means the greenest accommodation in this book, the Marriott still deserves inclusion as one of the better options in large hotels. It gained the Green Globe Benchmarked Bronze status and is AAA-rated for its water-... Find out more

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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 189 km

The simple, down-market rooms here include the use of old train carriages for a communal kitchen and group area. An old church has also been recycled, and all greywater and blackwater is used on site to irrigate the... Find out more

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Lily Pily Country House, Bellingen 206 km

The owners of this stylish B&B have spent seven years revegetating and securing wildlife corridors along the riparian zone here, planting some 4000 trees and 2000 reeds, resulting in an increase in bandicoots,... Find out more

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Yelgun Rest Area 53 km

50 km N of Ballina (R) or 42 km S of Tweed Heads (L) Large area just off the highway. GPS: S28 29.489 E153 31.356   ... Find out more

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Tyagarah Rest Area 53 km

38 km N of Ballina (L) northbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S28 35.902 E153 32.663   ... Find out more

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Sleepy Hollow Rest Area 55 km

61 km N of Ballina (L) northbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S28 25.457 E153 31.220 ... Find out more

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Coolgardie Rest Area 57 km

89 km N of Tyndale (L) or 14 km S of Ballina (L) Large areas just off the highway on both sides. Limited shade. GPS: S28 56.104 E153 28.307 ... Find out more

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Woodburn Park Area 60 km

Middle of town Parking area on the highway beside the river. Good facilities. GPS: S29 04.297 E153 20.575 ... Find out more

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Tuckombil Road Rest Area 63 km

40 km S of Ballina (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. GPS: S29 06.209 E153 20.400 ... Find out more

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New Italy Rest Area 66 km

56 km N of Tyndale (L) or 47 km S of Ballina (R) Large shady area adjacent to the highway near the museum and cafe. GPS: S29 09.205 E153 17.930... Find out more

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Tabbimoble Creek Rest Area 76 km

65 km S of Ballina (L) southbound only Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S29 16.940 E153 12.911... Find out more

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Maclean Park Area 96 km

At Ferry Park Small area on the riverbank just off the highway. GPS: S29 28.366 E153 12.318... Find out more

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Bluff Rock Rest Area 114 km

80 km N of Glen Innes (R) or 12 km S of Tenterfield (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S29 09.277 E152 00.108... Find out more

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Mann River Rest Area 115 km

115 km E of Glen Innes (R) or 45 km W of Grafton (L) Small area with good views over the Mann River. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S29 34.652 E152 33.417... Find out more

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Bellbird Camp Area 116 km

T/O 73 km E of Glen Innes (L) or 87 km W of Grafton (R) Small campground 4 kilometres north of the highway in a secluded bush setting deep in the forest of Washpool National Park. Good facilities and shade. NOTE:... Find out more

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Mulligans Hut Camp Area 117 km

T/O 69 km E of Glen Innes (R) or 91 km W of Grafton (L) Small secluded campground situated in a natural bush setting 9 kilometres south of the highway in Gibraltar Range National Park. Good facilities and shade. NOTE:... Find out more

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McPhillips Creek Rest Area 124 km

50 km N of Woolgoolga (R) or 10 km S of Grafton (L) Large area just off the highway behind a few trees. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S29 44.599 E152 59.460   ... Find out more

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Boundary Falls Camp Area 126 km

T/O 60 km E of Glen Innes (L) or 100 km W of Grafton (R) Small secluded campground 2 kilometres north of the highway in the forest of Gibraltar Range National Park. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Unsealed access. ... Find out more

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Glenugie Creek Rest Area 129 km

45 km N of Woolgoolga (L) or 15 km S of Grafton (R) Large area just off the highway behind a few trees. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S29 47.091 E153 00.522   ... Find out more

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Halfway Creek Rest Area 146 km

28 km N of Woolgoolga (R) or 32 km S of Grafton (L) Large area just off the highway near the roadhouse. GPS: S29 56.102 E153 05.709   ... Find out more

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