The Barrington Coast is a region of New South Wales north of Newcastle. Stretching about 10,053 km2 it covers the coastal area roughly between Tea Gardens in the south, just north of Port Stephens, and Harrington in the north.
We're currently living full-time in our campervan, a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter, and exploring Australia, with a plan of "driving the lap" (completing the entire perimeter of the country). I first visited Australia in 2019, following the classic backpacker route, mostly visiting big cities, staying in hostels and traveling by public transport. This time, with the freedom of our campervan, we're trying to hit the lesser known spots and go slower.
After leaving Newcastle and Port Stephens behind, we carried on up the east coast of Australia towards the Barrington Coast, home to just under 100,000 people.
For thousands of years, the Worimi and Biripi people lived on this land, long before any Europeans arrived. The first Europeans settled in the 1820s and a boom followed in the 1870s when gold was discovered in Copeland.
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Below is some useful information for preparing for your trip to the Barrington Coast. In all cases, please be sure to check with the relevant local authorities for the latest and accurate information.
Language: The official language of Australia is English. In the Barrington Coast, the traditional language of the Worimi and Biripi people is Gathang.
→ Learn more about the language of the Worimi and Biripi people.
Currency: The currency used in Australia is the Australian dollar, denoted as AUD $. I use a Wise account when I travel which allows me to have a single, free account with multiple currencies. I only have to pay once to convert my money in the app and then I can pay in AUD $!
→ Check the latest currency conversion between AUD $ and your local currency.
Data: Before you arrive, I recommend purchasing an eSim on your phone so that you can access data the moment you land. eSims are much more convenient as it means you don't have to put a separate physical Sim into your phone. AirAlo offers great deals for eSims of various data sizes and time lengths with Optus.
→ Load an international eSim on your phone with AirAlo.
If you are visiting Australia long term, you might wish to put a physical Sim in your phone as AirAlo is geared more towards short term visitors on holiday. This way you can access a local phone plan. There are three main mobile phone network providers in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Telstra has the best coverage across the country whereas Optus and Vodafone are good within cities. I recommend Telstra as it means you have the best coverage while you travel around the country, especially in rural areas.
Visa: All passport holders except New Zealand require a visa to visit Australia. All arrivals must fill out an Australian arrival card before landing.
→ Check which visa you need for Australia.
Time of year to visit: Australia can be visited all year-round. The Barrington Coast, situated on the southeast coast of the country, north of Newcastle in New South Wales, can get very hot and busy especially around the school summer holidays and cool in the winter months. I recommend visiting in spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May) for pleasant, sunny days.
Length of stay: We spent two days on the Barrington Coast exploring the beaches, towns and viewpoints. It would be a great day or weekend trip to do from Sydney or Newcastle.
Driving into Forster
The Barrington Coast is a region of New South Wales north of Newcastle. Stretching about 10,053 km2 it covers the coastal area roughly between Tea Gardens in the south, just north of Port Stephens, and Harrington in the north.
By flight: The closest major airports to the Barrington Coast are Newcastle to the south (domestic and international) and Port Macquarie to the north (domestic only).
From Forster, the largest town in the Barrington Coast, Newcastle Airport is just under 150km south and Port Macquarie Airport is just over 110km north.
By car: If you're driving around the country as we are in our campervan, then the easiest way to get to the Barrington Coast is with your own wheels. The most popular way of exploring Australia is by camping - whether with a motorhome, campervan, caravan or a roof tent on top of a car. This gives you the ultimate freedom of going as fast or as slow as you like.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Sydney or Newcastle.
You might want to start in Sydney as your base for renting a campervan to explore Australia.
→ Rent a campervan in Sydney with Apollo, Camplify, Indie or Juicy.
By train: Sydney connects with Brisbane on the North Coast Railway, stopping along the way on the Barrington Coast.
→ Plan your trip by train to the Barrington Coast.
By bus: Bus services run from Newcastle to different towns on the Barrington Coast including Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens, Pacific Palms, Forster and Taree.
The Barrington Coast stretches 10,053 km2 between Tea Gardens in the south, just north of Port Stephens, and Harrington in the north. Forster is the main town in the area and a great option for basing yourself in.
By train: Sydney connects with Brisbane on the North Coast Railway, stopping along the way on the Barrington Coast.
→ Plan your trip by train around the Barrington Coast.
By bus: Bus services run from Newcastle to different towns on the Barrington Coast including Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens, Pacific Palms, Forster and Taree.
→ Plan your trip by bus around the Barrington Coast.
By car: If you have your own wheels, of course you can drive yourself around.
By Uber: Uber is readily available on the Barrington Coast and is a popular and convenient way of getting around the area.
By guided tour: There is a guided tour available of Barrington Tops National Park led by Aboriginal guides learning of their connection to Country, native plants traditionally used for food, shelter and medicine and about the local culture.
Forster is the main town on the Barrington Coast and a great option for basing yourself in to explore the area. We had an outstanding Indonesian lunch at Duo on Kularoo, some of the best Indonesian food we've had outside Indonesia itself! Run by a lovely woman, she also serves baked goods and coffee in her bright, airy building with a cute front outdoor patio space.
We spent two days exploring the beaches, towns and viewpoints of the Barrington Coast. With a coastline stretching over 10,000km² there is tons to explore here and is a popular holiday destination from nearby Sydney or Newcastle.
Here is everything we did in the area to get you started, in geographical order from south to north:
Spend a day relaxing at Boat Beach
Boat Beach is located in Seal Rocks and is truthfully one of our favourite beaches in New South Wales. Soft, golden sand runs around Sugarloaf Bay, the same name as the peak and the lighthouse on the end of the headland. The water is warm and so clear.
It's a popular one and parking is limited, so come early to nab a good spot.
Watch the waves at Blueys Beach
Blueys Beach is a pretty little spot to stop at as you drive along the Barrington Coast. North of Seal Rocks, Blueys Beach is a bit more rugged and popular for surfing.
Drive over Wallis Lake
The Lakes Way connects the beaches of the southern area to Forster, the largest town on the Barrington Coast and is built right over Wallis Lake. As you drive, the water is literally right beneath you on both sides. Watch out for pelicans! It's also a popular spot for water sports.
Take in the view from Bennetts Head Lookout
At the top of Forster, the lookout from Bennetts Head is stunning. Looking over the ocean and the beautiful craggy cliff formations below, you feel tiny as you watch the massive waves crash in.
Stand on top of One Mile Sand Dune
One Mile Sand Dune is quite literally what the name says: a massive sand dune at the northern end overlooking One Mile Beach perfect for a photo stop.
Park at Bennetts Head Lookout and check out the view there before walking down the short Bicentennial Walkway to reach One Mile Sand Dune. You can also climb up from the beach but it can hot and often windy, so sand might blow in your face!
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
