Expert: Ian Smith - 9/20/2005

Question
Hi myself and a friend are going to be travelling around australia for a total of 8 weeks one of which is in tasmania. We are going to be limiting oursleves to the East coast. We want to go to the national parks etc and I was wondering which are the best, we have tents so who and how we get permits for camping and also we are going to be travelling by bus so which are the best places to go which can be accessed by the bus? If you can give me any advice it would be greatly appreciated, we dont really want to go to the really touristy areas of the gold coast so any quieter more picturesque beeches and places to visit would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Laura

Answer
Mmmm, my experience travelling by bus is limited to one overnight to Brisbane from Sydney.  You really are going to miss out of much of the best without having your own transport.
Permits for camping will depend on where you're staying but the National Parks and Wildlife Service is a good place to start, check them out via google.
For the north coast of N.S.W. I'd suggest Forster is one place I'd aim for, South West Rocks another, Yamba-Angourie is good, Woolgoolga area I'd recommend and I think you can get out to Old Bar (from Taree) and Crescent Head (from Kempsey) by bus I believe.
I'm not overly familiar with the south coast but I have a mate who lives at Tuross Heads and that's lovely and, if you get the chance, don't overlook Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba.
If you like rainforest I'm sure there's a bus to Dorrigo and that is well worthwhile, some lovely World Heritage Listed rainforest there and don't forget to stop at Bellingen en route and check out the alternate life-stylers.
When you're in Tassie, don't miss Waterfall Bay at Eaglehawk Neck (like most do), Bicheno (the penguin parade),
Ross (the bridge is memorable) and, if you can get there, do see the Tahune State Forest - stunning.
If you want more info please feel free to contact me further but I have to go to work now.
Cheers, Ian