Backyard Tourist: Scenic drive on Friday Hut Road to Killen Falls, northern NSW

After a busy week on the Gold Coast, this scenic drive leading you all the way to a stunning waterfall — without the hike — is sure to leave you refreshed.

AFTER a busy week on the Gold Coast, this scenic drive in northern NSW is sure to have you refreshed for Monday.

Or it might have you so relaxed you’ll be taking the next day off.

Whatever works — I’m not judging. But just in case you need to know, there’s a wide range of wonderful little accommodation places down this way.

The drive takes you down from the Gold Coast to Byron Bay, but when you’re close by take the exit onto Hinterland Way and Coolamon Scenic Drive before hooking a left onto Friday Hut Road.

The Killen Falls. Picture: Ryan Fowler Photography

The relatively quiet road is nestled behind Byron Bay and takes you all the way down to Tintenbar, close to Lennox Head.

Expect to find a lot of green here.

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Think grassed paddocks with content horses grazing, large pine trees towering in the sky and native gum trees lining the road.

You’ll even spot hundreds of macadamia trees alongside the road, a prelude to the delicious Macadamia Castle close by.

The scenic Killen Falls, Tintenbar. Picture: Destination NSW

Closer to Titenbar you’ll find a waterfall called Killen Falls.

It’s just a short walk from Killen Falls Drive, though it can be steep in places.

While it’s not recommended to go here if it’s raining because it gets pretty slippery, the waterfall is stunning and you can swim in the waterhole.

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If you’re just there for the day, you’ll find it will only take you 1.5 hours to head back to the city via the M1.

If you’re staying overnight somewhere close by — lucky you.

DISCOVER

Tyagarah Beach, Byron Bay.

If you’re craving a little beach time or walking tracks without the bustle of tourists galore, try Tyagarah Nature Reserve.

The park sits just kilometres away from Byron Bay and has its own charming picnic spot.

Walking tracks behind the dunes are riddled with birdlife, and plenty of interesting coastal vegetation such as banksia.

The beach itself is close to the clothing-optional patch, if that’s more your thing, but at the opposite end you’re more than welcome to keep your clothes on.

It costs $8 to enter the park per car.

EAT AND DRINK

Award-winning Harvest Cafe is a must for lunch during a stop at the tiny hamlet of Newrybar, near Bangalow in Northern NSW.

A great reason to head into tiny town Newrybar is Harvest, a local cafe.

The award-winning eatery has been operating a number of years and retains a modern, healthy menu.

For breakfast, they have zucchini fritters with a herb salad, organic oat porridge with roasted pears or oven baked eggs with chorizo and ham hock beans.

Lunch includes mouth-watering dishes such as roast broccoli with smoked corn and parmesan, kangaroo loin with squash, pumpkin and smoked chocolate.

Every week they have a new, creative dinner menu using native ingredients and local produce from the region.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE … DO

Macadamia Castle outside Ballina. Picture: Supplied

Yes, there’s a real castle right in the middle of the northern NSW coast — and it’s called the Macadamia Castle.

Okay, so it’s not a fantasy castle, but the kids will certainly get a kick out of this side adventure.

Families can start off having a look through the castle and try out their amazing range of macadamia nuts and quirky souvenirs.

They also have an animal farm, with both the wild and domestic kind — some species included are koalas, snakes, wombats, lorikeets, goats, rabbits and sheep.

Something for everyone I think.