Finalists Revealed - The People's Choice Awards 2014 shortlist

The people have spoken… in Australian Traveller magazine’s People’s Choice Awards 2014. After an overwhelming number of nominations here is the finalists shortlist – (in no particular order).

Winners will be announced at our award ceremony to be held at the brand-new InterContinental Sydney Double Bay on Monday, December 1. Follow us on Twitter (using #ATPeoplesChoice) and Facebook for updates. The full list of winners will appear in Australian Traveller ‘Best Holidays of 2015’ edition, out December 4.

Excited? We are! Good luck to all the finalists.

AUSTRALIA’S BEST STAYS

BEST HOTEL

Crown Towers Melbourne, Vic
QT Sydney, NSW
Langham Melbourne, Vic
Park Hyatt Sydney, NSW
Shangri-La Sydney, NSW

BEST LUXURY RESORT

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, NSW
Southern Ocean Lodge, SA
Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania
qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld
One&Only Hayman Island, Qld

BEST AFFORDABLE RESORT

Pinetrees Lord Howe Island, NSW
Emma Gorge at El Questro, Kimberley, WA
Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff, NSW
Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, NT
Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley, NSW

BEST HOTEL SPA

Spa qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld
Salus Spa, Lake House, Daylesford, Vic
The Spa at Byron at Byron, NSW
Crown Spa, Crown Towers Melbourne, Vic
Chuan Spa, Langham Melbourne, Vic

BEST QUIRKY ACCOMMODATION

Atlantic Byron Bay, Byron Bay, NSW
QT Hotel Sydney, NSW
Roar and Snore, Taronga Zoo, NSW
White Cliffs Underground Motel, White Cliffs, NSW
Undara Lava Tubes Wilderness Lodge, Savannah Way, Qld

BEST GLAMPSITE

Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay, NSW
Longitude 131, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT
Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef, WA
Nightfall Wilderness Camp, Lamington National Park, Qld
Eco Beach, Broome, WA

BEST CAMPSITE

Peoples’ Park Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, WA
Clarkes Beach Holiday Park, Byron Bay, NSW
Lake Argyle Caravan Park, WA
Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach, Qld
Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT

AUSTRALIA’S BEST TOWNS

CITY OF THE YEAR

Hobart, Tas
Sydney, NSW
Melbourne, Vic
Perth, WA
Brisbane, Qld

BEST BEACH TOWN

Port Douglas, Qld
Noosa, Qld
Byron Bay, NSW
Lorne, Vic
Coral Bay, WA
Broome, WA
Airlie Beach, Qld
Mooloolaba, Qld
Jervis Bay, NSW
Yamba, NSW

FRIENDLIEST TOWN

Broome, WA
Airlie Beach, Qld
Byron Bay, NSW
Cairns, Qld
Exmouth, WA

COSIEST TOWN

Bright, Vic
Leura, NSW
Margaret River, WA
Daylesford, Vic
Stanthorpe, Qld

BEST KEPT SECRET COUNTRY TOWN

Ballarat, VIC
Mudgee, NSW
Exmouth, WA
Orange, NSW
Broome, WA

AUSTRALIA’S BEST SUMMERS

SEXIEST HOTEL POOL

qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld
Adelphi Hotel, Melbourne, Vic
Palazzo Versace, Surfer’s Paradise, Qld
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, NSW
One&Only Hayman Island, Qld
Lake Argyle Caravan Park, Kimberley, WA
Crown Metropol, Perth, WA
Park Hyatt, Sydney, NSW
Spicers Peak Lodge, Scenic Rim, Qld
Peppers Palm Cove, Qld

BEST BEACH

Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW
Cable Beach, Broome, WA
Whitehaven beach, Whitsunday Island, Qld
Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW
Main Beach, Noosa, Qld

MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND GETAWAY

Hayman Island, Qld
Hamilton Island, Qld
Lord Howe Island, NSW
Kangaroo Island, SA
Fraser Island, Qld

BEST CRUISING EXPERIENCE

Cruising the Kimberly coastline
Bareboating in the Whitsundays
Cruising Sydney harbour
Cruising on a big liner
Sailing on Ningaloo Reef

AUSTRALIA’S BEST EATS

BEST FOOD REGION

Tamar Valley, Tas
Central West NSW
Yarra Valley, Vic
Margaret River, WA
McLaren Vale, SA

BEST WINE REGION

Barossa Valley, SA
Yarra Valley, Vic
McLaren Vale, SA
Hunter Valley, NSW
Margaret River, WA

BEST CITY RESTAURANT

Quay, Sydney, NSW
Vue de Monde, Melbourne
Attica, Melbourne
Rockpool, Bridge St, Sydney
Aria, Sydney

BEST REGIONAL RESTAURANT

Biota, Bowral, NSW
Rick Stein at Bannisters, Mollymook, NSW
Lake House, Daylesford, Vic
Muse Restaurant, Pokolbin, NSW
Hentley Farm, Barossa Valley, SA

BEST REGIONAL CAFÉ CULTURE

Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Qld
Margaret River Region, WA
Byron Bay Hinterland, NSW
Southern Highlands, NSW

AUSTRALIA’S BEST JOURNEYS

BEST ROAD TRIP

Great Ocean Road, Vic
East Coast Escape, Tasmania
Pacific Coast (Sydney, NSW to Brisbane, Qld)
Gibb River Road, Kimberley, WA
The Nullarbor (Ceduna, SA to Perth, WA)

BEST TRAIN TRIP

Indian Pacific, NSW-SA-WA
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Qld
The Sunlander, Qld
The Ghan, SA–NT
Puffing Billy Railway, Vic

AUSTRALIA’S BEST AIR TRAVEL

BEST AIRPORT

Adelaide Airport, SA
Brisbane Airport, Qld
Cairns Airport, Qld
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), Vic
Sydney Airport, NSW

BEST MAJOR AIRLINE

Qantas Airways
Virgin Australia
Jetstar
Tigerair

BEST REGIONAL AIRLINE

AirNorth
QantasLink
REX
Skywest
Skytrans

BEST OVERALL TRAVEL EXPERIENCE OF 2014

Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
Seeing Uluru at sunset
Swimming with Ningaloo’s whale sharks
Exploring the Kimberley
Doing the Top End

Thanks to our sponsors

Make this dazzling stretch of beaches and natural wonders your home base for a grand adventure

Whether you’re setting out solo, bringing a mate, or packing in the whole family, no road trip along Australia’s East Coast is complete without at least a few days spent exploring the Coffs Coast. A stunning stretch of NSW coastline nestled between ancient high-elevation rainforests and magnificent, undiscovered beaches, Coffs offers amazing biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, and heaps of local charm, without the crowds. Pull up in Coffs Harbour , your perfect home base for these unforgettable day-trips.

1. Southern Beaches

The Coffs region boasts 30 of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, directly abutting a dramatic tableau of mountains and rainforests. Drive South of Coffs Harbour to find up-and-coming surf destinations where it’s still possible to catch an empty wave. First up is the picturesque Sawtell village . Wander the famous fig-tree-lined main street packed with laid-back places to eat and drink. Enjoy panoramic views and seasonal whale sightings at Bonville Headland on the Southern end of the beach.

Nearby Bongil Bongil National Park boasts seven kilometres of empty beach, along with hiking and cycling trails through beachfront rainforests – keep an eye out for koalas living in the trees. Boambee Beach and Boambee Creek Reserve are great for families, with shallow waters perfect for kayaking and SUPing, plus an off-leash dog beach.

family eating lunch in sawtell — Experience small-town charm in Sawtell.

2. Orara Valley Tourist Trail

The Orara Valley Tourist Trail has it all: hinterland bushwalks, birdwatching, horse riding, pristine swimming holes and rolling green pastures dotted with dairy farms and historic villages. And it’s only 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour.

Sample produce at a roadside stall, stop into Coramba Hotel for a quintessential country pub lunch, or try the Idle in Cafe in Nana Glen for coffee and scones. Then spend the afternoon kayaking the Orara River or mountain biking on Mt Coramba. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the 4WD touring route along the Orara Escarpment in Bindarri National Park , a rugged landscape with dazzling views that winds through untouched eucalypt rainforests and waterfalls.

A family sitting by the Orara Valley Tourist Trail. — Explore the green heart of Coffs.

3. Dorrigo National Park

Enjoy a classic day trip from Coffs to forest bathe in some of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world at Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. These million-year-old ecosystems promise rare bird sightings, towering strangler figs, and epic walking tracks and picnic spots. Try the 6.6 km Wonga Walk to experience dreamy Crystal Shower Falls (where you can walk behind the falls) and the Skywalk Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the valley and coast. Then stop in Dorrigo town for a homey lunch. It’s worth noting that a section of the road between Ulong and Dorrigo – which dates to the 1880s – is unsealed, adding to the area’s end-of-the-earth allure but making travel difficult in adverse weather conditions. Alternatively, head to Dorrigo via the delightful township of Bellingen .

Three people standing at the SkyWalk lookout. — Wander the Skywalk.

4. Northern Beaches

For another tranquil expanse of sun, sand and surf breaks, head north to Woolgoolga (Tourism Australia’s Best Mainland Beach for 2025. Taste the coffee and local-produce breakfast at one of several cafes, then spot whales during their migration season along the Woolgoolga Whale Trail to the headland. Emerald Beach offers clear blue waters and another headland walk, perfect for taking in views of South Solitary Island, a dramatically rocky-cliffed island with a historic lighthouse. Red Rock, some 40km north of Coffs and named for its striking coastal rock formations, boasts a gorgeous estuary reserve that’s perfect for languorous days spent picnicking, swimming, fishing, and connecting with the relaxed local pace.

Freshly caught seafood by the beach, with sparkling ocean views. — Enjoy fresh seafood overlooking Woolgoolga Beach.

5. Jetty precinct

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the Jetty precinct – from its foreshores to the marina to Muttonbird Island. Start with fresh fish and chips from local institution Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op , before browsing the popular Harbourside Markets held every Sunday on the foreshores.

Take a scenic walk along the breakwall to Muttonbird Island , a cultural and ecological treasure with panoramic views and rich Gumbaynggirr heritage. The Giidany Miirlarl Education Space shares the island’s ancient stories, or join a guided moonlight tour to see the seasonal return of the muttonbirds.

Back at the Jetty Strip, find a buzzing mix of cafes, bars and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, open from morning until late. Don’t miss The Jetty Pavilion , a favourite for its unique menu blending modern Australian cuisine with vibrant world flavours.

walk to muttonbird island from coffs harbour — Walk the path where land meets sea and sky.

6. Grafton

Head inland from mid-October to early November to catch Grafton’s jacaranda season, when the town’s streets and parks are covered in purple. Even better, time your trip between 24 October and 2 November to attend the famous Jacaranda Festival, with special food items, performances and more. At any time of year, follow the self-guided Grafton Heritage Trail to discover the town’s historic buildings, landmarks and stories. Or get the blood pumping with a trip along the longest mapped white-water trail in Australia – the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail. Book a tour with Exodus Adventures .

woman walking through jacaranda trees in grafton — Time your Grafton trip to see the jacarandas in full bloom. (Image: @myclarencevalley)

7. Nambucca

Just south of Coffs Harbour sits Nambucca, the ideal town for a relaxed, coastal day trip. Hire a canoe, kayak or boat to explore over 80 kilometres of waterways stretching from the hinterland to the ocean. For those who prefer to stay on dry land (or double up their adventure for the day), stretch your legs along the V-Wall – a scenic coastal walk along the Nambucca River – dotted with boulders painted by the community, sharing messages, art and local stories. Stop along the way to buy Sydney rock oysters direct from local farmers, or try your own hand at fishing. Before heading back to Coffs, refuel on fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at Matilda’s in Nambucca .

a boat zooming through Nambucca Heads — Explore Nambucca’s waterways. (Image: Seen Australia)

Visit coffscoast.com and download the Coffs Coast Explorer App for more daytrips and trails.

Finalists Revealed – The People’s Choice Awards 2014 shortlist