5 Day Gold Coast to Sawtell Road Trip

Great 5 day road trip from the Gold Coast to Sawtell in your campervan from Gold Coast Camper Van Hire

Day 1 to 3: Coolangatta to Evans heads

Pick up your campervan from Gold Coast Campervan Hire from either Tweed Heads or arrange a pickup from Coolangatta Airport if you are flying in from interstate. Allow 20 mins to do your campervan hand over and then you are ready to head off on your 5-day adventure.

Leave Coolangatta and head south along the M1 to Evans Heads this highway has been upgraded in recent years and makes for a nice easy drive. You can stop off for the first night at Reflections Holiday Park Evans Head in Park Street, try to book a campsite along the riverfront as these sites have fantastic views of the Evans River where you can throw in a line and fish along the break wall that separates the river from the ocean. Kids will have a great time in the new playground between the caravan and kiosk with a super fast new slide and flying fox.

Kayaking and paddling in the crystal-clear waters of Evans River is a perfect way to spend the day there plenty or BBQ’s and picnic shelters to set up for lunch. If you’re into surfing head around to Evans Head Main Beach – Great for longboard riders as this protected from SE swells that generate big waves elsewhere, not crowded as the Gold Coast beaches so you can enjoy the waves without the crowds.

You really can’t visit Evans Head without stopping at Muzza’s Milk Bar to enjoy an ice cream or try one of their famous thick shakes or why not go down memory lane and enjoy your old fashion lollies, the best lolly range for miles, the kids will love it.

You have many options for dinner try The Bowlo where you can grab a great pizza or try one to the house specialities at Kam Hing Chinese.

Next morning head off to explore the nearby national parks, head to Bandjalun g National Park to the south. There are walking trails, freshwater lagoons, sprawling wetlands and thousands of birds. Keep an eye out for koalas in the treetops on the Gummigurrah walking track, a 3.3km loop in the Bandjalung National Park.

There are spectacular coastal views from Razorback Lookout and Goanna Headland, which has a deep spiritual connection with the local Aboriginal people. You can spot humpback and other whales during their annual migration, and pods of dolphin’s frolic in the waves along the sandy beaches.

Day 3 – Evans Head to Yamba

Leave Evans Head and head south on the highway to Yamba and if you have time stop off at Iluka which is on the opposite side of the Clarence River to Yamba it is a really cute little town with a great Co-Op the Clarence River Fishermen’s Co-Operative on the water adjacent to the Sedgers Reef Hotel which has great seafood, a good place to grab some lunch, before you head off to Yamba.

Arrive at Yamba there are a few choices for caravan parks you can check out the Blue Dolphin or the Calypso Holiday Park these are two great options. The Blue Dolphin is a really kid friendly park and the Calypso Holiday Park is right in the town centre so easy walking distance to everything. A great dinner option is the Pacific Hotel Yamba which is on the hillside overlooking the ocean.

Make sure you check out the Blue Pools at Angourie great place to stop off for a swim and a walk around the pools and picnic lunch.

Day 4 to 5: Yamba to Sawtell

Leaving Yamba you have an easy 1-hour drive to a hidden gem, the town of Red Rock a quaint town with only a caravan park and general store but one of the most picturesque headlands and water inlets on the Mid North Coast, great for Stand Up Paddle Boarding; Kayaking or for a swim.

Keep heading south on Solitary Islands Road to the beautiful seaside town of Woolgoolga also know to the locals as WOOPI. Great new caravan park right on the beach the Main Street has loads of great little cafes to grab lunch then head up the the headland to see a spectacular views of the rugged coastline or pack a picnic and head west on Woolgoogla Creek Road to Sherwood Nature Reserve to the Woolgoogla Creek Picnic Area.

The last leg to Sawtell you will drive through the the township of Coffs Harbour which has all the major shopping outlets if you need to stock up on anything, keep heading southeast back to the coast for about 15 mins and you will arrive at Sawtell where you can get a powered or unpowered site at The Big 4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park from the caravan park you can walk through the bush track to the beach the you can take a walk up to the Bonville Headland, lookout for the pods of dolphins they seem to favour this spot. Walk back down from the headland and you can then take a dip in the Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool. The little town on Sawtell has lots of lovely shops a little on the expense side and some great cafe’s it is worth stopping here if two nights to check out the Bongil Bongil National Park with some lovely rainforest full of birdlife, you may even get to see a koala.