Coastal LoopNSW North Coast · 2026
Dog-friendly campervan escape · updated itinerary

A slower way up the coast.

Eight nights from Sydney to the Mid North Coast and back, now with a cautious Seal Rocks daylight detour, practical backup parks and more ways to spend each no-driving day.

↗ Sydney • Hawks Nest ◇ Seal Rocks day stop • Tuncurry • North Haven • Coffs Harbour ↩ Sydney

Hero image: Number One Beach, Seal Rocks · open the official Visit NSW destination page ↗

4primary dog-friendly parks
3no-relocation days
2dogs max at primary parks
1Seal Rocks scenic detour
1return split at Tuncurry
0dogs unattended in van
High-level timeline

Nine days, one clear rhythm.

Click any day to jump to its detailed plan. Teal is a transfer, gold is a no-relocation day, blue is the Seal Rocks detour, and coral is the homeward run.

Source update: 17 August 2026 · 10:51 AEST. Dates and overnight bases follow the supplied itinerary.

Seal Rocks is a scenic daytime detour only.

Reflections Seal Rocks says its camping sites are not dog-friendly, and the area is surrounded by Myall Lakes National Park, where pets are generally not permitted. Keep dogs actively supervised from lawful public-road viewpoints, arrange approved care for any dog-free activity, or skip the detour. Check the park’s published policy ↗

Detailed itinerary

The gentle version, day by day.

Use the filters to see all days, transfer days, or the three days where the campervan stays put.

Showing 9 days
Choose your energy

Activity ideas with guardrails

Dog-friendly does not mean every beach, track or water activity is automatically suitable.

Seal Rocks · dog-freeSugarloaf Point Lighthouse

Adults-only / dog-free activity with steep sections and stairs on the 1.4 km return lighthouse walk. Visit NSW details ↗

Tuncurry · dog-friendlyNine Mile Beach + Wallis Lake

Use the leash-free beach beside the park, foreshore walks and a Forster café/lunch stop. Follow current signs, weather warnings and nesting-area restrictions.

North Haven · dog-friendlyGrants Beach + Henry Kendall Reserve

Check the current off-leash section at Grants/North Haven Beach, then use the fenced dog-exercise area or the on-leash Queens Lake Trail.

Coffs Harbour · check firstCurrent council dog zones

Use the City of Coffs Harbour beach directory for the live boundaries. North Wall, Boambee, Darkum, northern Emerald and Woolgoolga Back Beach are examples listed in the itinerary. Open directory ↗

Dog-free optionMuttonbird Island / Big Banana

Plan these without the dogs unless the venue confirms otherwise. Check current venue policies before committing to a dog-free activity.

All coastal stopsWater safety before scenery

Seal Rocks beaches are unpatrolled. Swim or snorkel only when conditions and supervision are appropriate; a dog-access designation is not a safety endorsement.