north coast NSW - Byron Bay region

Introduction

~1500km or 16hrs drive time from Melbourne (fastest is via west Sydney rather than Dubbo)

latitude is ~29degS
see BOM Climate averages Byron Bay
winter temperatures: mean max 20degC (2deg warmer than Wollongong), mean min 12degC (3deg warmer than Wollongong - see BOM Wollongong climate averages)

Black Rocks campground
- south of Ballina; 50 camp sites; no power, water, showers;
Woody Head camp ground
- just north of Yamba and south of Black Rocks camp ground; 94 camp sites; water, coin operated hot showers available; no power;
- 2hrs drive from Coolangatta; 1.5hrs drive north of Coffs Harbour;
Trial Bay camp ground
- south of Coff's Harbour; 100 camp sites around the old gaol and museum; water, powered sites, laundry, hot showers available;
Diamond Head camp ground
- south of Port Macquarie; 75 camp sites; no power, water; cold showers only;
Crowdy Gap camp ground
- south of Diamond Head; 10 camp sites; no power, water, showers;

Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk
- 42km trail follows the pathways of the Traditional Owners – linking Mount Jerusalem and Nightcap national parks and Minyon Falls.
  - starting at Manns Road Trackhead near Mount Jerusalem National Park and finishing at Minyon Falls Lookout in Nightcap National Park
- 4 days/3 nights need to book the 3 nights camping on platforms ~$173
- total 1800m elevation gain, ~1000 steps and some steep sections
- as it is one way, it requires car shuttle or arranged transport
- opened in April 2025 as part of the NSW Great Walks network
- see https://weareexplorers.co/how-to-hike-gidjuum-gulganyi-multi-day-hike-northern-nsw/[