Tuncurry to Brunswick Heads: Classic Coastal Northern NSW
Explore Tuncurry's stunning surf beaches, Scotts Head's relaxed vibe, and the unspoiled charm of Brunswick Heads.
Explore some of the very best of northern New South Wales with an itinerary featuring Tuncurry's stunning surf beaches, Scotts Head's relaxed vibe, and the unspoiled charm of Brunswick Heads.
Distance: 3 Stops, 509 km total drive distance, Medium
📍 Stop 1: TUNCURRY
Where to stay in Tuncurry?
Twin Dolphins Tuncurry Holiday Park offers all you need for a coastal getaway. It’s a particularly good spot if you’re travelling with kids as facilities include a Swimming Pool, Games Room and Pedal Kart Hire. A range of Cabins are available sleeping up to 6 people, as well as both Unpowered and Powered Sites. We love the Powered Grass Sites which are offered plenty of shade by surrounding trees.
What to do, eat and drink in Tuncurry?
Tuncurry is more often than not talked about in the same breath as its twin town Forster, located just over the bridge. You’ll find us heading there in the morning for a coffee at Beach Bums Cafe. Back in Tuncurry, Thirty Three Degrees offers stunning views of turquoise waters meeting the ocean and is perfect for a leisurely lunch or dinner. From your table, you can see the distant oyster farms supplying the restaurant’s fresh produce.The beach here has a unique setup with two distinct parts. Nine Mile Beach is the main surf beach, perfect for any surf activities. At the southern end, you'll find the Tuncurry Rock Pool, an enclosed swimming area by the breakwall, great for kids or those who prefer calm waters. For fishing, Wallis Lake is the top spot, especially for catching sizable bream. The extensive waterways are perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding; if you need gear, check out Forster Dive Centre in Tuncurry.
What’s the onward drive to Scotts Head?
You’ll wind through the hinterland and along the coast for 206 km, reaching Scotts Head in just over 2 hours drive time.
📍 Stop 2: SCOTTS HEAD
Where to stay in Scotts Head?
Reflections Scotts Head Holiday Park has an ideal location sitting on an unspoiled beachfront and has an incredibly peaceful feel to it. There’s a breadth of accommodation options including Powered Sites, Cabins & Villas and Tiny Homes. We’ve loved the recent trend of “Tiny Home” accommodation popping up at Holiday Parks and we’re big fans of the ones here. Each features a Queen Size Bed, Ensuite Bathroom and fully equipped kitchen whilst being located on a quiet corner on the beach side of the park and right next to a beach access track.
What to do, eat and drink in Scotts Head?
Scotts Hub is an interesting new concept with a changing menu open daily for breakfast and coffee and often in the evenings as well. It’s our pick for a morning coffee and something to eat off their brunch menu. If you’re keen just to stay on site both the Camp Kitchen and BBQ areas are clean and well maintained, but Swell Bistro at Club Scotts is also an easy option. They are open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and serve up pizzas and counter meals. The beaches here are beautiful and will suit both swimmers and surfers. If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf you are in the right place with the Trent Munro Surf Academy, run by former professional surfer Trent Munro, based here. There’s various lesson options available and we highly recommend it. Unkya Cultural Eco Tours offers amazing experiences where you can learn about the indigenous history of Gumbaynggirr country.
What’s the onward drive to Brunswick Heads?
It will take just over 3 hours in the car to cover the 307 km to get to Brunswick Heads. If you’re keen on a stop to stretch your legs somewhere, make a detour past Yamba. It’s a beautiful spot and will only add about 30 minutes to your trip.
📍 Stop 3: BRUNSWICK HEADS
Where to stay in Brunswick Heads?
There’s several great Holiday Parks in the area but Reflections Terrace Reserve Holiday Park is our go-to. There’s both Cabins and Powered Sites on offer, and our preference is the Premium Powered Sites that occupy shady waterfront locations just behind the banks of Simpsons Creek. It might not be packed with the resort–style amenities seen at some other Holiday Parks, but it’s clean, well-kept, and perfect for families. Who needs a pool when you have a beautiful waterfront location like this?
What to do, eat and drink in Brunswick Heads?
If you enjoy a country bakery, make a beeline for Bruns Bakery and choose from all your favourite baked goods. We love a sweet treat but their bread and pies are also not to be missed. Hotel Brunswick is a laid-back coastal pub with a huge beer garden overlooking the river. They serve up classic pub fare and tasty pizzas and thanks to their chefs' experience in Japanese kitchens, a selection of Japanese leaning options including delicious sushi and sashimi. Brunswick Heads is a beautiful, unspoiled spot perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature. Its unique waterways feature a crystal-clear river flowing into the ocean. The river's calm, shallow waters are ideal for kids to swim, and you can explore further by taking out a kayak or paddleboard. Need to rent one? Check out Brunswick Buccaneers on the riverfront. The surf beach is fantastic and is patrolled on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays.
What’s the onward drive?
This is the end of our itinerary but depending on the direction you take it, there’s great options. Keep heading north from Brunswick Heads and explore the Tweed Coast (Pottsville is a favourite) or head on to the Sunshine Coast (it’s always hard to go past recommending Noosa). Keep heading south from Forster and we love Tiona and Seal Rocks.
