Article by On The Road Magazine

Craig Sheather hits the road with his daughter for a classic coastal adventure

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American philosopher and poet is often credited with the famous travel saying “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey”. And I totally agree! There’s nothing better than jumping in your car and hitting the open road with the windows down and some good music blaring.

Nambucca Heads-Captain Cook Lookout

The Big Prawn-Ballina

Forster Discovery Park

Coffs Coast has many stunning beaches

I recently returned from a good old fashioned road trip with my six year old daughter, Lyra. From our home in Albury (southern NSW) we headed north to Sydney and then along the NSW coast to Byron Bay. And best of all… it was just the two of us! Unfortunately for my wife, she had to work so she remained at home with Morrison, our three-year old menace.

The road trip provided a great opportunity for us to talk to each other, ask questions and enjoy some one on one time together. Along the way we told jokes, played ‘road trip’ games and sang our favourite songs. It was a great bonding experience. Here’s a few of our favourite places we visited:

Forster / Tuncurry

Located in the mid North Coast region of NSW, the twin towns of Forster and Tuncurry are known for stunning waterways and the beautiful Manning Valley. Swimming, surfing, fishing and scuba diving are popular activities. Nature lovers enjoy exploring the coast and hinterland national parks, lookouts and beaches. The area is also home to many fabulous annual events such as The Oyster Festival, Pacific Palms Surf Boat Carnival, Myall River Festival, Forster Film & Cultural Festival and The Forster Fishing Carnival.

Here, we stayed in a cabin at the Forster Discovery Park on the tranquil shores of the Wallamba River. The park offers a range of accommodation and features fantastic facilities including a riverside viewing deck and walkway, boat ramp, camping amenities, playground, swimming pool and bike track (www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au).