Mid North NSW Coast & Hinterland With Kids: Where To Stay, Eat & Best Things To Do

Every summer school holiday, we visit the Mid North Coast of New South Wales (NSW), and it remains a beloved destination for our family. Our favourite spots include South West Rocks, Urunga, Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo/Bellingen, and Hat Head, among others. These locations capture the beautiful coast and hinterland stretching from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour. We have compiled a list of our favourite family beaches, walks, waterfalls, attractions, and dining options that you can enjoy on a 7 to 10-day road trip.

Looking for more family-friendly tours and activities in Mid North Coast? Browse our Mid North Coast activities link below & we also have more details about the activities we enjoyed further down in this post!

South West Rocks

Back Creek Bridge is a beautiful old bridge that connects to local walking trails and natural swimming areas near South West Rocks town centre. The bridge is well known locally as a place to jump from, and you’ll often see locals doing it on warm days, but it’s a big drop so it’s important to check the water depth and conditions first before considering it. The creek has plenty of calm water for swimming, with space for people of all ages to paddle or float around. Parking can be limited, especially during busy periods, so it’s best to arrive earlier in the morning to secure a spot. There are BBQ facilities nearby, which make it a great place to settle in for a relaxed picnic, and it’s also only about a 10-minute walk into the town centre, where you’ll find some great cafés if you feel like grabbing coffee or lunch. If you have them, bring a paddleboard or kayak as the calm water makes it an ideal place to get out on the creek.

Trial Bay Gaol is one of those places that’s far more interesting than it first appears. Most people come for the views across the bay, but once you walk inside the ruins you realise how big the site actually is. Kids usually love exploring the old cells and tunnels, but it’s not the sort of place where you’ll spend hours unless they enjoy a bit of history and imagination. The honest truth? The views from the gaol are almost as good as the ruins themselves, so take your time walking the headland

Smoky Cape Lighthouse sits on one of the highest headlands on the NSW coast, and the drive up is half the experience. The views at the top are spectacular, but the walk to the lighthouse is short and steep, so be prepared if you’ve got little kids. The honest truth most people don’t mention is how windy it can be up there. On a blustery day it feels wild and exposed, but that’s also what makes the place so memorable

Macleay Valley Farm is one of those stops that feels simple, but kids absolutely love it. It’s a small, family-run farm where children can feed animals and get close to goats, sheep and other friendly farm residents. Don’t expect a big commercial attraction; it’s much more relaxed and low-key than that. The honest truth is that younger kids tend to love it the most, especially if they’ve never had the chance to interact with farm animals before. It’s an easy, wholesome stop between beach adventures in South West Rocks.

Dorrigo and Bellingen

Crystal Shower Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Dorrigo National Park, about 4.5 kilometres from the town of Dorrigo. The walk to the falls is a 3.2km return rainforest track through lush forest filled with birds and towering trees. Along the way you’ll cross a suspension bridge with a great view of the waterfall before following a short path that lets you walk behind the waterfall into a rocky cave, which is a highlight for kids. The trail is rated Grade 2, meaning it’s an easy walk with gentle hills, some steps and a few places to stop and rest, usually taking around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. You can start the walk from either the Rainforest Centre or the Glades Picnic Area, where there are free electric barbecues and picnic facilities. After rain, it’s worth keeping an eye out for leeches, which are common in the rainforest. If you visit at night, some people say you can even see glow worms lighting up the waterfall, although we haven’t tried it ourselves. Crystal Shower Falls is also part of the longer Wonga Walk (6.6km return) which is a fantastic rainforest loop if your kids are happy to walk further. There are also several longer hikes nearby around the Never Never Picnic Area, including the Rosewood Creek Circuit (9km loop) and Red Cedar Falls Walk (7km loop), which are better suited to older kids or adults.

Dangar Falls is a spectacular waterfall just five minutes from the town of Dorrigo, where water tumbles over rocky cliffs into a huge pool below. A viewing platform, picnic area and playground make it an easy stop for families. It’s about a 10-minute walk with steps down to the base, so it’s not pram-friendly. Bring good shoes and water shoes if swimming. Only confident swimmers should enter the water, and always check conditions before visiting.

Ebor Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls along the Waterfall Way, where the Guy Fawkes River plunges over two dramatic drops into a deep gorge. There are upper and lower lookouts, both an easy walk from the car park, making it a simple stop with kids. The falls are most spectacular after rain when the water is roaring. Picnic tables and toilets are available, and it’s about 2 hours from Coffs Harbour or 50 minutes from Armidale.

Urunga

Urunga Lido is one of the best family swimming spots on the NSW Mid North Coast, with a calm tidal swimming pool that’s perfect for kids. It sits right beside Reflections Urunga Holiday Park and a grassy park with a playground, and it’s only a short walk into town where you’ll find cafés, the local pub, IGA and Spar. Parking can be limited, so arrive early. Low tide is best for younger kids, while high tide is great for paddleboards and jumping off the raft. There’s also a dog-friendly section nearby, and it’s a popular fishing spot.

The Urunga Boardwalk is a beautiful walk that stretches out across the Bellinger River estuary, offering sweeping views of the river, wetlands and coastline. It’s an easy, flat path that’s popular with families, walkers and cyclists. The boardwalk is currently under construction to widen the pathways, with works expected to continue until June 2026. It was partially open in late December, but access can change, so it’s worth checking the local council website for the latest updates before visiting.

Coffs Harbour

Scout Falls is in the Sherwood Nature Reserve near Coffs Harbour. Several trails let you explore local wildlife, so it’s a nice spot for a relaxing day outside. The hike to the falls isn’t very long, but it can be rocky and rough, so it may suit older kids and those with no mobility issues better. The walk to the falls is about 1.2km return and takes about 30-40 minutes. Bring good walking shoes also!

If you’re heading to Coffs Harbour between June and November, do yourself a favour and get on a whale watching cruise — this one on the Pacific Explorer is a genuinely good one. It’s a 2-hour cruise (about 2.5 hours all up with boarding), and because Coffs has a proper deep-water harbour, it doesn’t get cancelled for swell like a lot of other spots do — so you’re way less likely to get let down last minute.

If your kids (or you) are chasing a bit of adrenaline in Coffs Harbour, Treetops Adventure is the one to book. It’s a full 2.5-hour treetop course through the Orara East State Forest, just minutes from Sealy Lookout, with over 90 aerial challenges and 14 ziplines.

Think swaying bridges, tightropes, and obstacles that genuinely test your balance and nerve, all while getting proper canopy views along the way. It’s suitable for ages 8 and up, so it’s a great one once the kids are past the toddler stage if you’ve got younger ones, they do a separate Junior Tree Ropes Course for ages 3–7.

If you only do one thing in Coffs Harbour, make it this. Muttonbird Island Walk is free, close to town. You start at the marina and walk out along the breakwall — keep an eye out for dolphins and turtles in the water along the way. At the base of the island there’s an outdoor learning space with Aboriginal Dreamtime stories (the island’s real name is Giidany Miirlarl, meaning “moon sacred place” to the Gumbaynggirr people). From there, it’s a paved but steep climb up to the Eastern Side Lookout.

Stop Driving Past the Big Banana. I know, it’s the big yellow thing everyone photographs and keeps driving. But we actually went in, and really enjoyed ourselves. The Plantation Coaster is the big drawcard, its a rider-controlled coaster with ocean views the whole way down, and kids can ride solo from age 8 or sit with a parent if younger. On top of that, there’s a water park, ice skating rink, toboggan rides, laser tag, mini golf, bumper cars, a 4D cinema, escape rooms, and even axe throwing if you want a turn yourself.

Trial Bay Gaol Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the east side of Arakoon National Park near South West Rocks. With calm water, incredible ocean views and the historic Trial Bay Gaol, which was built in the late 1800s, sitting above the beach, it’s a place that feels both scenic and unique. The sheltered bay makes it a great spot for families, as well as paddleboarding and kayaking on calmer days when the water is clear. Parking is limited, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning, particularly during busy periods. Visiting at low tide is ideal because more sandy beach is exposed and there are more spots to sit and swim. If you arrive during high tide, the north end of the park is usually the best place for paddling and tends to be quieter, although you may need to sit on the rocks or grassy areas. Keep an eye out for kangaroos roaming freely through the park, which kids especially love spotting. The nearby Trial Bay campground has toilets and outdoor showers available, making it easy to rinse off after a swim. If you have one, bring a paddleboard or kayak as this sheltered bay is one of the best places in the region to get out on the water.

Urunga Lido is one of the best family swimming spots on the NSW Mid North Coast, with a calm tidal swimming pool that’s perfect for kids. It sits right beside Reflections Urunga Holiday Park and a grassy park with a playground, and it’s only a short walk into town where you’ll find cafés, the local pub, IGA and Spar. Parking can be limited, so arrive early. Low tide is best for younger kids, while high tide is great for paddleboards and jumping off the raft. There’s also a dog-friendly section nearby, and it’s a popular fishing spot

Hat Head is is about a 30 minute drive from South West Rocks, so an easy day trip. The inlet is located in the grounds of the campground. You will need to drive through the campground to get to the parking which is limited. Best explored at low tide. Has toilets, picnic, and a great spot if you get a camp site!

Point Plomer is another massive favourite for our family to camp, and has recently had a makeover. The sites are relatively large, and it has a safe small surf break, and a short coastal walk. My kids learnt to surf here, and love to paddleboard too. The last time we stayed, one of the caretakers was offering lobster to buy (approx $40 per averge size cray) – perfect for the BBQ!

Scotts Head is a neat spot if you are after a safe and protected surf beach – it’s quite similar to Point Plomer but has more on offer for shops and cafes. The caravan park is beachfront – bit run down but great location, although they do have new camp kitchen and holiday units. Kids enjoyed the tennis courts too, which you don’t get much in NSW caravan parks

Nambucca Heads is a relaxed coastal town sitting roughly halfway between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, making it a great stop when exploring the Mid North Coast. The main swimming spots are Nambucca Main Beach and Lighthouse Beach, both popular for swimming and family beach days. Another fun way to experience the area is hiring a small boat and exploring or fishing along the Nambucca River.
For food, some of our favourite local spots are Wharf Street Cafe, Matilda’s and Boatshed Cafe.
We’ve stayed at Tasman Holiday Parks – Nambucca Heads, which has a small resort-style pool area but requires a short drive into town for cafés and restaurants. Another good option is Ingenia Holidays Nambucca Heads, which is centrally located and sits right on the waterfront

Moonee Beach is one of our favourite spots, just north of Coffs Harbour, and a great place to spend a full day by the water. The beach has a large tidal inlet that’s perfect for swimming, paddling and floating, and even on busy days you can usually find space in the water. The grassy areas are more limited, though, so it helps to arrive early. Timing your visit around the tides makes a big difference. It’s best when high tide is heading out. There’s a campground right near the beach, although we haven’t stayed there ourselves. If you’re planning a picnic, there’s a Coles Moonee Beach about five minutes away where you can grab supplies, and there are BBQ facilities in the park. Parking can be tricky on busy days, so getting there earlier is a good idea

Park Beach Reserve is fairly central in Coffs Harbour, and across the road from the Big4 Park Beach Coffs Harbour. It has good picnic facilities and walking tracks to larger beach at North Wall & Park Beach and the Marina Jetty. The park also has the Twilight Food Market & the Surf Club is a great place for lunch too

Boambee Creek Railway Bridge is an iconic old bridge near Sawtell, just south of Coffs Harbour. It’s one of our favourite places for a relaxed beach day, with a beautiful creek that meets the ocean and plenty of space to swim or float. The area is dog-friendly, but it’s worth checking local signage for the current access rules. Visiting around low tide makes creek crossings much easier, and bringing a floaty is perfect for drifting along the calm water. Parking is limited, so arriving earlier helps. While you’re there, take the short walk up to Boambee Headland Lookout for coastal views. Another great nearby stop is the Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool, which is perfect for a swim

Below is a list of our recommended restaurants and cafes across the Mid North NSW Coast & Hinterland that are family-friendly and also offer gluten-free options.

King Tide Brewing (Coffs Harbour)
Anchors Wharf Cafe & Restaurant (Urunga)
Federal Hotel (Bellingen)
Three Blue Ducks (Bellingen)
Macleay River District Fisherman’s Co-Op Ltd (Grab prawns and take them to Back Creek or Trial Bay for a BBQ)
Riverside Tavern (South West Rocks)
South West Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club
The Bush Kitchen (Cresent Head)
Boatshed Cafe (Nambucca Heads)

Map of Mid North Coast