Only twenty six kilometres north from Coffs Harbour is the charming seaside town of Woolgoolga. With a sizeable Indian Sikhpopulation, you cant miss the turn of for the temple which suddenlyand surprisingly appears on a crest at the edge of town.This increasingly popular small resort has a superb surf beach,great fishing and several galleries. Combined with a warm, laid back atmosphere, Woolgoolga can make a quieter alternative to its busier southern neighbour.
Further up the coastline, but of the main highway through the rawGlenngie State Forest, a fork in the road gives the option of headingtowards Wooli or Minnie Water. Both tiny seaside villages are set inthe centre of the southern stretch of the Yuragyir National Park, anunspoilt expanse of coastal wilderness and pristine beaches, idealfor camping, swimming, and bushwalking.
Back on the main highway 86kms north of Woolgoolga is the garden cityof Grafton. This graceful old country town is famous for its riverbank parks and wide boulevards lined with jacaranda, wheel and flame trees. Towards the end of October they blossom turning the streets a spectacular purple, sparking the beginning of the annual Jacaranda festival, a week long celebration which the local community enthusiastically gets involved in. Other big festivals held here are the Jazz & BluesFestival at Easter and the Country Music Festival in August.
