Coastal LoopNSW North Coast · 2026
Dog-friendly campervan escape

A slower way up the coast.

Eight nights from Sydney to the Mid North Coast and back, with beach time built in and the longest drives broken into kinder stages.

↗ Sydney • Hawks Nest • Tuncurry • North Haven • Coffs Harbour ↩ Sydney
5overnight pack-up days
3no-driving rest days
4 / 4proposed parks dog-friendly
576 kmdirect Sydney–Coffs context
1 spliteasy final run home
The gentle version

Nine days, one clear rhythm.

Use the filters to see driving days, slow days, or the whole loop.

Showing 9 days
Thu 27 Aug 2026First leg

Sydney → Hawks Nest

Overnight · Reflections Hawks Nest Holiday & Caravan Park

  • Allow roughly 2.5–3 hours from Sydney in normal conditions.
  • Settle in beside Bennetts Beach; keep the first afternoon deliberately easy.
  • Book a dog-friendly powered site — the park states dogs are permitted on all sites year-round, up to two per booking.
🐾 Up to 2 dogs⏱ 2.5–3 h from Sydney◉ Bennetts Beach
Park map ↗
Fri 28 Aug 2026Short hop

Hawks Nest → Tuncurry

Overnight · Reflections Tuncurry Holiday & Caravan Park

  • A short northbound relocation day; take the beach walk before check-in if the morning is kind.
  • Tuncurry is the strongest dog-and-beach base: leash-free Nine Mile Beach and Wallis Lake are right by the park.
  • Request a powered site. All Tuncurry sites are dog-friendly year-round and the park has a dog wash.
🐾 Leash-free beach🌊 Wallis Lake🚿 Dog wash
Park map ↗
Sat 29 Aug 2026No relocation

Tuncurry, at an easier pace

Overnight · Reflections Tuncurry Holiday & Caravan Park

  • Make this a true rest day: Nine Mile Beach, the Wallis Lake foreshore and the bridge walk/cycle into Forster.
  • Cafés and food options are available on foot, so the campervan can stay put.
  • Keep the next morning flexible rather than packing this day with attractions.
☼ Rest day🐕 Nine Mile Beach☕ Walkable food
Beach map ↗
Sun 30 Aug 2026Short hop

Tuncurry → North Haven

Overnight · Reflections North Haven Holiday & Caravan Park

  • Take a relaxed morning in Tuncurry, then make the relatively short move north.
  • North Haven sits between the Camden Haven Inlet and Grants Beach: calm water and surf in one base.
  • Book a powered campervan site; the park lists dog wash, camp kitchen, laundry and dump point.
🐾 All sites dog-friendly🌊 Inlet + surf🚐 Dump point
Park map ↗
Mon 31 Aug 2026No relocation

North Haven, inlet to beach

Overnight · Reflections North Haven Holiday & Caravan Park

  • Use the full day for a beach-and-river wander: the inlet, Grants Beach or the Camden Haven River Baths.
  • Port Macquarie is about 30 minutes away and works as an optional supplies or café outing.
  • Keep dogs out of nearby national parks; choose signed permitted foreshores, beaches, regional parks or state forests.
☼ Rest day🎣 Camden Haven🛒 Port Macquarie optional
Beach map ↗
Tue 1 Sep 2026Longest leg

North Haven → Coffs Harbour

Overnight · Reflections Coffs Harbour Holiday & Caravan Park

  • This is the longest northbound base change. Leave mid-morning and allow a comfortable half day for food, fuel and dog stretches.
  • For context, NRMA lists Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour at 213 km / 2 hr 55 min on its sample coastal route.
  • Choose a powered site matched to the van’s exact dimensions; all camping sites are listed as pet-friendly, up to two dogs.
⏱ Comfortable half day🐾 Pet-friendly camping🚐 Powered slab options
Park map ↗
Wed 2 Sep 2026No relocation

Coffs Harbour, creek to coast

Overnight · Reflections Coffs Harbour Holiday & Caravan Park

  • Choose a low-key beach and harbour day: Park Beach, the Jetty precinct or Coffs Creek if conditions suit.
  • For dog walks, use a permitted area and check local signs. Several Coffs Coast Regional Park locations are specifically listed as on-leash.
  • Do not assume national-park tracks or beaches allow dogs.
☼ Rest day🌊 Park Beach / Jetty🦮 On-leash areas
Beach map ↗
Thu 3 Sep 2026Return transit

Coffs Harbour → Tuncurry

Overnight · Reflections Tuncurry Holiday & Caravan Park

  • Head south after breakfast and treat this as the return transit day.
  • Break around Nambucca Heads, South West Rocks or Port Macquarie for coffee, fuel and dog exercise in an allowed public area.
  • Returning to the same reliable, dog-friendly site makes the final morning straightforward.
↩ Homeward stage☕ Planned breaks🚐 Dump point next day
Park map ↗
Fri 4 Sep 2026Homeward bound

Tuncurry → Sydney

Return to Sydney · End of the coastal loop

  • Depart early and allow approximately 3.5–4 hours driving plus stops and traffic.
  • Fuel and empty / water-service the van before leaving Tuncurry where practical; the park has a dump point.
  • Avoid scheduling a tight appointment after arrival.
⏱ 3.5–4 h plus stops↩ Sydney🚐 Service before leaving
Return route ↗