Keen to plan a summer getaway to Noosa but not so keen on the crowds, expensive accommodation and flight tickets? You’re in luck. While Queensland’s golden coast is enticing all year round, it does come with a downside: crowds. Thankfully, that same coastal charm and effortless flair can be found all along the NSW coast, minus the high-end price tags and with thinner crowds to boot. Crystal clear waters, a buzzing cafe scene, chic boutiques, waterside eateries and beaches for swimming and sunbathing await at these stellar spots. Here are some low-key, high-value alternatives in NSW if you don’t want to fight the tourist crush in Noosa this year.
1. Brunswick Heads
This up-and-comer is the smarter alternative to busier hotspots like Noosa and Byron Bay offering much of the same charm, without any of the major commercial noise. With retro motels, golden beaches, vibrant markets, waterside cafes and pubs, a calm river estuary for swimming, and a main street full of independent shops, Brunswick Heads has all the sophistication and style you would expect to find in Australia’s most fashionable coastal towns, in a surprisingly tranquil setting that allows you to switch off. Plan your summer holiday here.
2. Narooma
The main attractions in the postcard town of Narooma are the natural wonders: the crystalline blue waters of the Wagonga Inlet, the dramatic geological formations along the coast like Glasshouse Rocks, and the seal colonies at Montague Island. If you’re looking for a fashionable foodie town not too far from home, this South Coast gem fits the bill, with a growing number of top-notch cafes and elegant eateries. Also worth checking out are the independent boutiques, the low-crowd Mill Bay Boardwalk, the iconic Australia Rock and the historic Montague Island Lighthouse nearby.
3. South West Rocks
Best known for its crystal-clear waters and the dramatic ruins of Trial Bay Gaol, South West Rocks has a wilder, more rugged appeal than many NSW beach towns with far fewer crowds. Sandwiched between the Macleay River and the open ocean, visitors can expect calm swimming spots on one side and powerful surf breaks on the other. Diving and snorkelling at Fish Rock Cave is a major drawcard here, with turtles, rays and grey nurse sharks regularly spotted. Outside of the water, you get the dramatic views from Smokey Cape Lighthouse, peaceful walking trails, surrounding national parks and quiet beaches like Horseshoe Bay, making for the perfect laidback summer adventure.
4. Yamba
The quintessential Aussie beach town, Yamba is an iconic getaway in its own right but still offers a relaxed vibe and pockets of seclusion if that’s what you’re after. One of the state’s most appealing coastal escapes, Yamba effortlessly packing a punch with trendy boutiques, genuinely great beachside cafes, incredible beaches, and sun-drenched walking trails perfect for summer. Enjoy world-class surf at Angourie and the famous Yamba Prawns sold fresh off the boats, walk up to the lighthouse for blissful coastal views at this year-round high-quality coastal escape. Here’s what to eat, see and do in Yamba this summer.
5. Pacific Palms
Tucked between Wallis Lake and some of the most beautiful beaches on the Mid North Coast, Pacific Palms tends to fly under the radar, which is part of what makes it appealing. A cluster of sleepy coastal pockets, like Blueys and Boomerang Beaches, the region is nestled amidst lush national park wilderness and dotted with distinctive cabbage tree palms. Enjoy swimming on clear blue waters, beachside camping at Booti Booti National Park, breezy cafes at Blueys Beach and stylish motels nearby. Plan your summer escape with our full guide to Pacific Palms.