Heading towards the north coast of NSW the sun, sea and sand options are almost unlimited. First the Central Coast offers the beautiful beaches of Terrigal and Avoca, travel on to the harbour and port city of Newcastle, to the dolphiin capital of Australia: Port Stephens, difficult to access by public transport but for those looking for 'off the beaten track', well worth the effort.  Upwards and onwards to rainforest walks and the surf beaches of Port Macquarie and you've only travelled 300kms.  By Australian terms almost a daytrip.