Nambucca Heads Overview

For the traveler in need of a break from tourist attractions and constant activities, Nambucca Heads (pop. 7000) provides a convenient stopover and welcome respite. Though it lacks hostels, Nambucca Heads has plenty of accommodations within walking distance of the charming river and the area’s well-kept beaches. Nambucca is full of whimsical artwork; it’s one of the few places where graffiti artists are welcomed and provided with an outdoor gallery.

Transportation. The train station is 3km out of town. From Mann St., bear right at the roundabout to Railway Rd. Countrylink (☎13 22 32) goes to Coffs Harbour (40min., 3 per day, $4.80). The bus stop is at the visitors center, just outside town at the Pacific Hwy. and Riverside Dr. Busways (☎02 6568 3012) runs to Bellingen (45min., 3 per day, $8.50) and Coffs Harbour (1hr., 5 per day, $7.80). Greyhound (☎13 14 99 or 13 20 30) and Premier (☎13 34 10) together stop six times daily on Sydney-Brisbane routes.

Orientation And Practical Information. The main road in Nambucca Heads is Riverside Dr., which becomes Fraser St. and then Bowra St. as it passes through the town center. It then becomes Mann St., then Old Coast Rd., where it reconnects with the highway. Follow Ridge St. to Liston St., which heads toward the town’s beaches. The Nambucca Valley Visitor Information Centre is at the intersection of the Pacific Hwy. and Riverside Dr. (☎02 6568 6954; www.nambuccatourism.com. Open daily 9am-5pm.) A Woolworths is in town off Bowra St., up the hill from the RSL (Returned Servicemen’s League) Club. (☎02 6569 4505. Open M-Sa 7:30am-10pm, Su 7:30am-8pm.) For cheap Internet access ($3 per hr.), head to the public library on Ridge St. (☎02 6568 6906. Open M-F 9:30am-5:30pm.) The post office is on the corner of Bowra and Ridge St. (☎02 6598 7320. Open M-F 9am-5pm.) Police ☎02 6598 5399. Postal Code: 2448.

Accommodations And Food. Nambucca and the surrounding townships of Bowraville, Scotts Head, and Valla Beach are overflowing with caravan parks situated near beaches or along the Pacific Hwy. White Albatross Holiday Centre , at the ocean end of Wellington Dr., next to the V-Wall Tavern, is a sprawling caravan park with a gorgeous setting near a swimming lagoon and the Nambucca River. Amenities include picnic and BBQ areas, kitchen, laundry, game room, and a small store. (☎02 6569 4698; www.whitealbatross.com.au. Linens $6. Powered sites $32-55; vans from $40; cabins from $70-165. Book ahead in summer. MC/V.) Aukaka Caravan Park , 2 Pacific Hwy., is fine for overnight stopovers, but the facilities are a bit on the old side. (☎02 6568 6647. Sites from $17-20, powered from $20-22; cabins from $35-59. MC/V.)

Bowra St. has an assortment of quick, cheap food possibilities. The Bookshop and Internet Cafe , on the corner of Bowra and Ridge St., is the perfect place to trade in old books or have a delicious lunch. The cafe serves mouthwatering sandwiches ($5-12), soups ($9), and smoothies ($5.50). (☎02 6568 5855. Internet $7.50 per hr. Open daily in summer 9am-5pm, in winter 8:30am-4:30pm. Cash only.) The V-Wall Tavern , 40 Bowra St., serves fish and chips (from $5) and burgers. (☎02 6568 7800. Open M-Th and Su 10am-7:30pm, F-Sa 10am-8pm. Cash only.)

Hikes. There are walks of varying difficulty throughout the beach and bush areas of Nambucca, some of which pass by the gorgeous Rotary, Captain Cook, and Lions Lookouts. For more structured exploration, Kyeewa Bushwalkers, a volunteer group, organizes free walks. Visit the info center or check online (www.nambuccatourism.com/events_monthly.asp) for an updated schedule.