Beaches, Forests & Birthday Celebrations in NSW, Australia

Hilary - The Winemom
Feb 9
3 min read

Updated: Feb 19

Collage of a koala, person in forest, waterfall, beach at sunset, and lush greenery. Text: "Beaches, Forests & Birthday Celebrations, NSW, Australia."

After sipping our way through the historic vineyards of the Hunter Valley, we swapped our wine glasses for hiking boots, heading deeper into nature.

Vineyards with lush greenery under blue sky, a red wall with hanging plants and winery signs, Raleigh Wines text, and mesh-covered vines.

I couldn't resist a little peek at Raleigh Wines in the valley near the Dorrigo plateau...

Coastal view with rocky cliffs and ocean waves, green headland, and a sign labeled "Bonville Headland." Clear blue sky, serene mood.

Our journey took us to Emerald Beach, where kangaroos and their tots, joeys, laze peacefully on the headlands.

Scenic triptych of a beach at sunset. First: lush greenery, bright sky. Second: kangaroos on grass by the sea. Third: setting sun over hills.

Returning to Australia’s gorgeous beaches and forests after 15 years was nothing short of magical, this time retracing some steps from previous family visits and uncovering new natural wonders along the way while celebrating another year around the sun.

Two people doing yoga on Moonee beach at sunset, silhouetted against the sky. Waves and rocks surround them. Calm, serene atmosphere. — Beach yoga at sunrise at Moonee Beach

The nearby Moonee Beach Nature Reserve added an extra layer of serenity, with local birds calling overhead as we woke to see the sunrise over the bay & walked the coastal trails, including sighting the stunning black cockatoos!

Three images show Dorrigo National Park: a cascading waterfall, misty treetops, and towering trees with dense green foliage.

The birthday celebrations continued as we ventured among the dense, misty greens of the rainforest trees and the waterfalls of the Dorrigo National Park.

Four people smiling on a scenic lookout at Gondwana Rainforests, Australia. Lush green hills and blue sky in the background. — From the famous Dorrigo Skywalk with breath-taking views of the ancient *Gondwana Rainforest* canopy.

Three images of an elevated forest walkway with informational signs. Signs include bird illustrations and text. Verdant trees in the background.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the large colourful Wompoo Fruit-Dove, the Eastern Whipbird with its distinctive whip-crack call, the Satin Bowerbird (males are known for their iridescent deep blue plumage), and if you're lucky, the elusive Green Catbird with its cat-like tail.

White cafe exterior, woman entering; plate with colorful food; woman serving at counter under "Components Cafe" sign, vibrant decor.

Between nature hikes, we paused for a bite at Components Café in Dorrigo - a charming stop brimming with local flavour delivering incredible food and coffee.

Outdoor cafe at the Old Butter Factory with pasta and drinks on the table, historical sign, vintage tractors, and lush greenery under a blue sky.

We meandered through the valley to Bellingen, a creative, historic little town with a warm community, and ended up lunching at the Butter Factory Café, housed in the restored building with rustic character and artisan flair.

Woman hugging a giant koala statue, feeding wallabies, and observing an emu at Billabong Zoo. Lush greenery background. — Feeding the Wallabies!

One of the highlights of our holiday was meeting Australia’s furry and feathered locals at the Billabong Zoo Koala & Wildlife Park.

Three people smile at a koala breeding center. A koala lounges on branches. Signs read "Billabong Koala Breeding Centre" with date details.

What a treat to get up close with the cuddly koalas, wallabies, and exotic birds.

Towering trees in a forest; central sign reads "Norm Jolly picnic area" with directions. Dirt path stretches through the dense woods. — Left: Tallowwood (*Eucalyptus microcorys)*; Right: New England Blackbutt (*Eucalyptus campanula)*

We also dipped into Solitary Islands Marine Park, where turquoise waters and rocky outcrops house rich marine life, followed by Nymboi-Binderay National Park, a lesser-known treasure, but a must-visit with its dramatic river bends, forested trails, giant trees and raw, untouched beauty.

Waterfall in forest, informational sign about Dangar Falls, and people walking on a sunny path with lush trees.

We ended the day at Dangar Falls, just north of Dorrigo, admiring the gushing 30-metre waterfall cascading into the waters below.

Two images of Dangar Falls; one shows the waterfall under a blue sky, another features a person standing on grass near the falls.

We revelled in a bracing cold plunge, swimming from the river bank to beneath the falls - the most invigorating and unforgettable way to close out the day.

As the sun set over the beautiful coast, we packed our bags for the final stretch of our Australian adventure - a sisters' roadtrip to the vibrant city of Sydney.

Join us for the last leg of our Australian adventure where we explore harbour views, iconic landmarks, and a few final sips - WineTots - to end our unforgettable trip down under.

Birds and a possum among lush green foliage. Blue sky backdrop. Text: Animals of Australia. Energetic and natural scene. — From left to right: White-cheeked honeyeater, Common brushtail possum, Rainbow Lorikeet

*Please note: all information is correct at the date of publication, February 2026. See websites below for up-to-date info!

Contact Me – Hilary - at hello@winetots.com for more details on your favourite spots to visit & to book a personalised tour of your own – behind the scenic routes of the Plett & Cape Winelands & beyond!

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Click here to check out our previous blog “Tot-Friendly Eco Family Adventures along the Garden Route”!