The hazy days of summer holidays are beginning to feel like a distant memory and there’s a slight nip in the air warning us that winter isn’t far off. But before you swap out your wardrobe and put your swimmers in storage, there’s one last long, lazy weekend to enjoy along Australia’s spectacular coastline…
Easter in Australia traditionally heralds the end to the Aussie beach season, so it’s an excellent excuse to get away for a few blissful days in nature. Whether you’re looking for 5-star accommodation or just a place to pitch a swag, be sure you take the opportunity to soak up some vitamin D - and vitamin sea - before the chilly weather kicks in.
Need some destination inspiration? Here are some of our favourite NSW Easter beach getaways which are a little off the beaten track, but all accessible from Sydney within a few hours.
MACKEREL BEACH
Lifelong Sydneysiders have never heard of this place, that’s how delightfully off the radar it is. Mackerel Beach (also known as Great Mackerel beach) is a tiny community of around 100 houses (and one fire station) tucked into the thick, glorious bushland of the Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park.
Accessible only by hiking in, or by ferry from Palm Beach, it nestles around a pretty white sand beach with a long, picturesque jetty. There are no roads (only paths) and no cars (only the odd golf buggy) but there are community wheelbarrows which you can use on an honesty system to tote your luggage to your beach house.
This is not a spot for surfers - the water is calm and clear - but it is perfect for paddle boarding and swimming, especially for little ones. And, if swimming in April is not your thing, there are stunning views and bushwalks abound - or catch the ferry over to Palm Beach for a lovely lunch.
PORT KEMBLA
Don’t be put off by the proximity of ‘the Steelworks’ and the shipping port to this incredible stretch of coast. The locals certainly aren’t, though it might explain why few Sydneysiders ever venture to this beach, in spite of its close proximity to the city
Port Kembla as a suburb is rapidly shaking off its industrial, gritty past to become a much sought-after seaside village for Wollongong families, and world class Port Kembla beach is why.
Stretching for miles into the bush-covered headland in the south, ‘Port’ beach (as it's affectionately known) really has it all. Fine golden sands. Plenty of parking. An off-leash dog area for those who like to paddle with their pups. A consistent swell which makes it perfect for those learning to surf, with plenty to keep more accomplished riders happy too.
Oh, and did we mention a lovely Olympic-sized swimming pool at the north end of the beach, with a kiosk to satisfy those hot chip cravings? We challenge you to find a beach which offers more within 90 minutes of Sydney.
URUNGA
Fancy a longer drive up the coastline this Easter long weekend? We all know it gets warmer the further north you go, so may we suggest the sweet and petite village of Urunga, with its breathtaking scenery and range of water-based activities?
Swimmers and paddle-boarders will love the gentle waters of the picturesque lagoon, where the Bellinger and Kalang rivers meet and enter the sea. The lagoon is bordered on one side by a healthy mangrove, with the jaw-droppingly long Urunga ocean boardwalk separating the two. Take a stroll along this 1km elevated path out to the open ocean, past children screaming with joy as they jump off the etty into the swimming area and the occasional dolphin frolicking nearby.
Surfers, head to nearby Hungry Head - 5 minutes drive south - where you’ll find not only assorted beach breaks to keep you happy all day long, but also sightings of local wildlife including sea eagles, kangaroos, kookaburras and goannas.
We hope you get the chance to get out and soak up the last of the summer sun at a beautiful Aussie beach this long weekend. And don’t forget, to make sure you’ve got everything you need to stay protected this long weekend, we’re offering FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING upgrades for all orders above $100 placed between March 26 - April 5!
Photo credits from top
@hanlsmith_
Wikipedia
FCSWC
SMH