Six of The Best Beach Destinations in New South Wales

Fresh air, relaxation and rejuvenation … NSW was made for seaside family holidays!

The Sapphire Coast

Merimbula on the Sapphire Coast is an enchanting seaside town offering tranquil coastal lakes and rugged ocean beaches. It’s located around halfway between Sydney and Melbourne and around three hours drive from Canberra.

The beaches are a major attraction with great options for both families seeking calmer waters and surfers. Surfers head to Short Point for its consistent surf and million-dollar views and families with younger kids will love Spencer Park beach and playground as its waveless, shallow and clear.

Don’t miss the Merimbula Aquarium, wildlife sanctuary Potoroo Palace, great nature-filled walking trails, nearby national parks, Mumbulla Creek falls and of course, Merimbula Lake. Stroll the Merimbula Boardwalk where you may just spot Merimbula’s resident seal!

Bar Beach, Merimbula

Destination NSW

Where to Stay on The Sapphire Coast

The NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort is set on a stunning clifftop location on the Sapphire Coast. School holiday entertainment is sorted with a water park, games room and go-karts.

Accommodation options range from camping sites to glamping safari tents through to villas.

Poolside at the NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort

NRMA Parks and Resorts

The Coffs Coast

The Coffs Coast is an amazing seaside destination with kilometres of coastline, lakes, rivers and a 71,000 ha marine park. Don’t miss the Arrawarra Headland Reserve, the dolphin marine conservaton park, the largest blueberry farm in Australia, Corindi and Arrawarra Beach and the stunning nearby national parks such as Ulidarra National Park and Dorrigo National Park.

Dolphin Marine Conservation Park, Coffs Harbour

Destination NSW

Where to Stay on The Coffs Coast

The NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort on the Coffs Coast is in a prime location for your sunny seaside family getaway, just metres away from the sparkling waters of Arrawarra Beach. Only 30 minutes north of Coffs Harbour, the holiday park spans over 110 acres of coastal forest full of native wildlife.

The park, or should I say tropical oasis, has an accommodation option for all sized wallets from a modern three bedroom Gumnut villa to camping and RV sites. Kids will go wild for the giant jumping pillow, daily kids club and brand new waterpark with twin slides and dumper bucket.

Campsite at NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Park

NRMA Parks and Resorts

NSW South Coast

South Durras is a little-known paradise, perfectly positioned between forests, ocean beaches and a sparkling lake. The town is surrounded by Murrumarang National Park so it’s common to find kangaroos on the beaches and other native animals, such as goannas, cockatoos, parrots and wallabies are never far away.

Don’t miss a walk to Wasp Head, the Moruya Country Markets, snorkelling in rock pools at North Head, swimming and paddleboarding in the flat waters of Durras lake, and an opportunity to explore the beautiful Murramarang National Park.

Murramarang National Park

Destination NSW

Where to Stay on The NSW South Coast

The NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort overlooks Beagle Bay and is just 15 minutes north of Batemans Bay (yet a world away from the bustle of it) and 3.5 hours south of Sydney, it’s a perfect spot to relax and forget about the pressures of life.

Accommodation ranges from unpowered sites to glamping tents through to beachfront villas.

NRMA Murramarang Beach House

NRMA Parks and Resorts

Mid-North Coast NSW Myall Lakes

Just 90 minutes north of Newcastle, the Myall Lakes area on NSW’s mid-north coast makes for a stressfree family holiday perfect for both relaxation and water sports.

Don’t miss Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse and Seal Rock, the Myall Shores National Park, Myall Lake and the uncrowded beaches.

Where to Stay at Myall Lakes

The NRMA Myall Shores Holiday Park is set on 1.5km of lakefront in the centre of the Myall Lakes National Park. Accommodation ranges from campsites to glamping through to luxury villas.

Myall Shores Lakes

NRMA Parks and Resorts

Mid-North Coast NSW - South West Rocks

Located around halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, South West Rocks is a coastal community known for its natural beauty, featuring lush national parks, spectacular beaches and interesting historic sites.

Where to Stay at South West Rocks

Kids will absolutely love the NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Park. The waterpark features a huge pirate ship, slides, a giant tipping bucket and water play fountains. Accommodation options range from camping to glamping through to 3-bedroom villas.

NRMA South West Rocks Water Park

NRMA Parks and Resorts

Central Coast

Just 90 minutes from Sydney, the Central Coast has plenty of beautiful beaches and activities for the whole family. Don’t miss the daily pelican feeding at The Entrance, swimming at Avoca Rock Pools, Somersby Falls, the Australian Reptile Park and any of the beautiful beaches in the area.

North Avoca Beach - Central Coast

Central Coast Tourism

Where to Stay on The Central Coast

The NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort is located directly opposite Umina Beach, one of the Central Coast’s most popular beaches for families. Kids will love the kids club, pool and waterpark, go-karts, jumping pillow, playground and games room. Accommodation options range from camping through to villas, but you must check out their Ocean Beach Glamtainers, the new way to glamp!

NRMA Ocean Beach Glamtainers

NRMA Parks and Resorts