Road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast?

Question

I will be doing a road trip with my sister from Sydney to the Gold Coast, staying at a few major cities on the way. We will be travelling between 2-4 hours each trip. We are looking for some magnificiant places on the way that you recommend to stop for lunch, a beach walk or even a photoshoot of the amazing scenery.

Sydney - 3 nights

Lake Macquaire / Nine mile beach - beach walk

Newcastle (Hire a bike at Honeysuckle?) - 1 night

Port Stephens - for lunch

Port Macquarie - 1 night

Coffs Harbour or Nambucca Heads - 1 night

Yamba - 1 night

Do you recommend any places around these areas to stay instead? Do you have any secret spots on the coastline that are worth a squiz at? Or any recommended cheap accommodation (cabins, hostels, backpackers). We want to stay at a luxury place for one of our nights - but not really sure where.

THANKS to all responses in advance!

Ps. We want to stay right near the beach, travel the coastline, take a billion photos & love walks along the beach/headland

Answer 1

http://www.smh.com.au/news/New-South-Wal...

Having travelled this road several times and had seen the sign 77 kilometres North of Newcastle to Hawkes nest and tea gardens I finally went down this road to investigate. What a delight ful night we spent down there. The area was beautiful , The beach had dolphins playing. I saw a dingo run along and we had views over the water to Nelson Bays. We checked out several motels and found a really nice place that was 1 street back from the beach. It was the same price as another one we had looked at that was not nearly as nice. Unfortunatly I don't remember the name of the motel resort. Also Woolgoolga is worth a look at they have a nice beach area . This is the town that many Indian people came over to live and work in the banana fields. had a great Indian meal here the town has mosques  and an Indian culture.