Naturally, it's easy to relax on the NSW North Coast

SCALLOPED bays, shimmering lagoons and lush rainforest make the New South Wales North Coast a great getaway. Brian Johnston explores the possibilities.

NSW North Coast Port Macquarie

SCALLOPED bays, shimmering lagoons and lush rainforest make the New South Wales North Coast a great getaway. Brian Johnston explores the possibilities.

Best for a quick getaway
Central Coast

There's no doubting that, for a quick weekend getaway, the Central Coast is hard to beat, at least if you're starting in Sydney or Newcastle. Within an hour of the big smoke, lakes and ocean beaches interspersed with patches of bushland and forest create a destination made for indolence. Those with the energy can play golf, ride horses, bushwalk and much more.

Just west of Wyong, Tree Top Adventure Park has about 80 treetop challenges such as suspension bridges, swings, narrow planks and tightropes.

The Entrance delights with its afternoon pelican feedings and prawn fishing from the jetties, and is named for its access into Tuggerah Lakes.

Many cycle paths skirt these lagoons, or you can kayak and boat on the waters.

Popular Terrigal has a huge sweep of beach, behind which stretches a restaurant- and shop-lined promenade. The rocky outcrop of The Skillion gives panoramic views along the coast, while The Haven has sheltered swimming and snorkelling from its rock platforms, as well as diving and fishing charters.

Further north, Lake Macquarie - four times larger than Sydney Harbour - is the place for kayaking, birdwatching and cycling along the foreshore.

More: See visitcentralcoast.com.au

Where to ride: Fancy horse riding? Glenworth Valley has 50km of trails in a lush, hidden valley just an hour out of Sydney.

Best for variety
Port Macquarie

If you're one of those people not content with just a beach, Port Macquarie offers a good family-friendly destination that is also increasingly appealing to couples looking for fine dining and a fun-filled weekend.

Want to get active? Port Macquarie's beaches are linked by a walkway and cycle path that runs for 9km.

Within the town boundary, Sea Acres is a lovely, boutique national park that preserves rare, subtropical coastal rainforest that is easily accessed on a looped boardwalk.

You can also paddle out with Kayak Adventures along mangrove-lined creeks, or out to Pelican Island to admire the birds and abundant, scuttling soldier crabs.

For something truly different, Extreme Velocity is Australia's only outdoor vertical wind tunnel, designed to provide the sensation of skydiving to those seeking an adrenalin boost.

But Port Macquarie has more sedate pleasures as well.

Take a cruise tour of the harbour with Port Venture to learn about local history and spot dolphins and eagles.

Then call in at the Koala Hospital, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

A public tour by one of the volunteers will give you insights about their work and allow you to see the koalas.

More: See portmacquarieinfo.com

Where to Stay: Waters Edge Boutique Hotel sits on the Hastings River waterfront, a short walk from Port Macquarie centre, and has a great restaurant.

Best for beaches
South West Rocks

Halfway between Brisbane and Sydney along the Pacific Highway, South West Rocks is just the place for a short stopover - or an entire lazy week by the beach.

Pitch a tent or pull up your caravan at the well-run, family-friendly Trial Bay Eco Tourist Park or at the more informal Trial Bay Camping Ground.

South West Rocks is fronted by Horseshoe Bay, where families picnic under towering Norfolk pines. It's only one of several beaches, some ideal for swimming, others for surfing.

You can scuba dive at Fish Rock, where you'll see grey nurse sharks, clown fish and parrotfish, and experience one of NSW's best cave dives.

South West Rocks is also a good spot for deep-sea fishing for marlin, kingfish, mackerel and pearl perch.

The coast here features spectacular headlands, large sand dunes, beaches and coastal health and rainforest. Walking trails link Arakoon National Park with Hat Head National Park further south.

It's also worth taking a look at heritage-listed 1886 Trail Bay Gaol and views from nearby Smoky Cape Lighthouse.

More: See pacificcoast.com.au

Where to eat: Take a spot on the terrace of the Seabreeze Beach Hotel and watch the world go by as you tuck into good bistro food.

Best of the hinterland
Bellingen

Inland from Coffs Harbour, Bellingen sits in the middle of the lovely, lush Bellinger Valley and is a good base for exploration. The historic town centre, with its elegant rural architecture, has a relaxed and slightly New Age vibe and is full of cafes and boutiques.

The countryside nearby is rightly nicknamed the Promised Land, just the place for a picnic by Never Never Creek.

From Bellingen, drive the spectacular Waterfall Way to the sleepy little country town of Dorrigo, sitting on the Great Dividing Range between rainforest and rolling farmland. Its chief attraction is the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, where a Skywalk 21m above the forest canopy provides great outlooks all the way to the ocean. A variety of trails takes you through World Heritage listed rainforest, where you can spot carpet pythons and lyrebirds and walk behind a gushing waterfall. The Rainforest Centre has a great cafe.

More: See bellingermagic.com

Where to Stay: Bellingen Valley Lodge sits in lush landscaped gardens with views of the hills, and has large, comfortable motel-style rooms. See

Best for family fun
Coffs Harbour

Mention Coffs and everyone laughs at the Big Banana but, if you haven't been back since childhood holidays, you might just want to return.

While it still remains very family friendly, Coffs has upped the ante in accommodation, dining and its range of activities.

Apart from all the usual water sports, you can now try your hand at zorbing, surf rafting, Segways, skydiving and geocaching (a treasure-hunt game using GPS).

Raleigh International Raceway just south of Coffs Harbour is a great place for go-karting and has an adjacent waterpark with giant waterslides.

If it happens to rain, there are fall-backs too, from bowling and ice skating to the excellent Butterfly House.

The good news is that some of the old favourites are still there as well. The Big Banana (bigbanana.com) has added the world's largest inflatable water slide. And it's hard to resist heading down to the famous Pet Porpoise Pool, now Dolphin Marine Magic, to kiss a seal or swim with dolphins - enough to put a smile on any kid's dial.

More: See coffscoast.com.au

Best for thrills

Precision Helicopters offers scenic flights. A quick buzz above town ($80) will delight the kids with views of the beaches and the Big Banana. See precisionhelicopters.com.au

THREE WAYS TO DO THE NORTH COAST

1. Budget

Sleep: The Ruins campground in Booti Booti National Park near Forster ($14 an adult, $7 a vehicle) is wonderfully sited between ocean and lake.

Eat and drink: Rolling Bean Cafe (Smiths Lake) has delicious Spanish-style dishes to share, including omelets, garlic prawns and meatballs ($6-$9). Ph 6550 9551.

Shop: Twenty by Twelve Living (Blueys Beach) is a great knick-knack shop with gifts, books and homewares ().

Do: Myall Lakes National Park is ideal for kayaking, fishing and boating, while the walk to Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse provides spectacular views (nationalparks.nsw.gov.au).

2. Mid-range

Sleep: Novotel Pacific Bay Resort (Coffs Harbour) has spacious family rooms for four for $290 a night, including breakfast and kids' club access.

Eat and drink: Fiasco is a great Coffs Harbour restaurant, with wine bar and authentic Italian family cuisine. Pasta and pizza from $20, mains $34.

Shop: The Jetty area overlooking Coffs Creek is a hip place for jewellery stores, Asian textiles and designer fashions. There's also a Sunday crafts market.

Do: A bit of instruction from Zip Circus, a couple of trial swings and your kids can be making knee-hang catches on a flying trapeze ($55 a class).

3. Luxury

Sleep: Delightful Kims Beach Hideaway is a romantic getaway on the Central Coast. Bungalows from $265 a person, twin share, all meals included.

Eat and drink: Manfredi at Bells features chef Stefano Manfredi's Italian-style cuisine. Go wild and try the Brokenwood Shiraz at $480 a bottle.

Shop: Distillery Botanica's excellent gin won't break the bank. The luxury lies in the chance to talk to the distiller and learn about making gin.

Do: A behind-the-scene tour ($150 adults, $100 children) at Australian Reptile Park provides a fascinating look at its Tasmanian devil breeding program.

Getting there: Virgin Australia, ph 13 67 89.

More: See visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast\

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