It’s no secret that uni students are amongst the stingiest, most boring people when it comes to money.
They want heaps but have none…
Whilst it is pretty tricky to maintain a full-time job as a full-time uni student, it’s not so difficult to give yourself a well-earned weekend away for the price of a few days of work.
So, for those of you that have pennies to your name (I was there once too. Don’t worry though, you have a damn good sidekick now – the blog), don’t fret!
If you’re situated near the East Coast of NSW, here are 5 unbelievably cheap, yet purely majestic beach getaways that’ll please the soul, and the bank account.
We’ll start up North and make our way South, read through them all, research them further, and then plan those weekend getaways!
Crescent Head
About
Crescent is a coastal town like no other.
Stuck in what seems to be the 1970s, this beautifully modern, yet nostalgically old fashioned community is characterised by amazing surf, dirt roads, perfect weather and a world-class bakery.
Crescent is the ideal place for a beachy holiday with an abundance of campgrounds, surf spots, good fishing and friendly people.
Getting There
You’ll need access to a car for this trip. It’ll take about 4 and a half hours to drive there from Sydney along the motorways.
Crescent is located about 20 mins East of Kempsey. This is where the main shops and the hospital are, so make sure you stop off there for supplies before heading into town.
Make sure your car is fueled up with strong tyres and a spare. The quieter parts of Crescent are bumpy dirt road so you’ll struggle slightly with a smaller car.
For directions be sure to use Waze so you can avoid heavy traffic and see where all the cops are.
Type of Stay
The cheapest way to holiday in Crescent is camping.
Seeing as this is a post about cheap getaways, I’ll be recommending that you either camp in a tent or bring your own camper trailer if you’re lucky enough to have one.
Estimated Cost
Here are some things to consider when budgeting for the trip:
- Cost of fuel from Sydney and back
- 900kms with consumption of 10L/km at $1.40 per litre
- = $126
- Cost of camping for 2 nights
- Closest to Town – Crescent Holiday Park = $95 (powered)
- Happy Medium – Waves Campground = $54 (peak time + powered)
- Furthest from Town – Point Plumer = $48 (unpowered)
- Food, Alcohol, Supplies, General Spending = $200
Estimated Total Cost = $421 (most expensive)
This cost assumes you already have camping and beach gear + access to a car.
What to Do
Crescent is known for its surf and amazing beaches. Some of the most iconic are:
- Crescent Head Main Lake and Main Beach
- Racecourse Beach
- Delicate Nobby’s Beach
- Limeburners Beach
- Big Hill
- Point Plumer
- Queens Beach
It’s also home to a few spectacular jump rocks for the daredevils, if you know where to look (hint: there’s one just off the crescent headland and another just up from limeburners beach).
Crescent boasts a world class family bakery – Barnett’s Bakery.
Don’t forget to visit nearby Tea Tree Lake – a deep lake just off the beach that shows off a dark red colour thanks to the fallen tea tree leaves. The lake is said to wonders for your skin… (hint: this is perfect for your bucket list skinny dip because of how dark the water is. But, you didn’t hear that from me)
A day trip out to South West Rocks is also worth mentioning. It’s an even quieter town with a stunning beach and amazing food.
There are plenty of other activities to do in and around Crescent like fishing, 4WD, bike riding, bushwalking, etc. You’ll struggle to get a taste of everything over a single weekend!
Be sure to check out my post that covers Crescent Head in depth. You’ll learn exactly how to make your Crescent Trip one for the books!
Things to Remember
There are some important things to remember if this trip is on your mind:
- Stock up before getting into town. Kempsey is the perfect place to do your groceries for the two-night stay, but don’t worry about alcohol (there’s a bottle-o in town).
- Go on an off-peak weekend. Basically, forget about going during school holidays, long-weekends or the middle of summer. The best time to go is around April/May when the weather is still pretty nice, the waves are getting better and the crowds are getting lower.
- Sharks. Crescent is reasonably well-known for shark sightings year-round. The sharks aren’t known to be aggressive but I still wouldn’t want to stay in the water if one is spotted. The most common area for sharks is Queens beach because it’s further from the crowds.
- Bring a tarp to cover your tent in case of rain. The weather can be pretty unpredictable around Crescent so make sure you’re prepared for every possible situation.
- Don’t forget to pack the essentials like sunscreen, mozzie repellant, surfboards, towels, sunnies and a speaker.
Forster
About
Forster is very similar to Crescent Head, however, it’s much more built up and a bit closer to Sydney.
This idealistic paradise is known for its unmatched fishing potential, good waves, a beaming community feel and a vibrant town centre.
You’ll be visiting Forster more than once in your lifetime, I can promise you that!
Location
Forster is about 3 hours North of Sydney. Again, you’ll want a car to get here, but this time it can be whatever car you’d like (there are no dirt roads here).
To get to Forster, be sure to take the scenic route along the Lakes Way (turn off A1 just after Bulahdelah). Along this iconic road, you’ll pass some of the most beautiful beaches in NSW like Blueys beach, the infamous Boomerang beach and my personal favourite – Cellito Beach.
Type of Stay
Forster is done cheapest if you camp, but, you can manage to snag a cheap cabin in some of the lesser-known campgrounds.
I’ve done both and don’t really have a preference. Although, the extra luxury of a cabin is nice at a small cost.
If you opt for the cabin choice, make sure you go with mates because it’s hard to find a cabin for 1 person unless you want to be paying high prices.
Estimated Cost
Here are some things to consider when budgeting for the trip:
- Cost of fuel from Sydney and back
- 620kms with consumption of 10L/km at $1.40 per litre
- = $87 + $30 for driving around to beaches, etc.
- Cost of staying for 2 nights
- Cabin with you and 3 mates in Forster = $100 each
- Powered camping in Forster = $88
- Powered camping outside of Forster (Bulls Paddock – Ruins Campground) = $50
- Food, Alcohol, Supplies, General Spending = $200
Estimated Total Cost = $417 (most expensive)
What to Do
Here’s a list of what I recommend you do in Forster:
- Surf, surf, surf, surf. Beaches to test your skills:
- Tuncurry Beach, Shelly Beach, Camp Elim, Bulls Paddock, Bluey’s Beach, Boomerang Beach, Cellito’s Beach, Seal Rocks, Lighthouse Beach, Treachery Beach. No matter the winds, you’ll find a surfable option among those gems!
- Shop, shop, shop, shop.
- The main town area in Forster is home to some really nice local shops and delicious eats. Be sure to walk down the main strand and experience the beaming community.
- Fish your heart out!
- Set up at the pier or hire a boat for the day.
- Hire a boat.
- Use it for fishing, explore the Oyster farms, pull up at the infamous Forster Sandbar, there’s plenty to do with a boat.
- Visit Forster’s iconic yellow trampolines and mini-golf.
- Drive over the Forster-Tuncurry bridge and explore the other side.
Things to Remember
- Book early and save! Book a few weeks early at least, this will give you the best chance to keep it cheap. This applies to accommodation, but also to restaurants in town.
- Go on an off-peak weekend. Basically, forget about going during school holidays, long-weekends or the middle of summer. The best time to go is around April/May when the weather is still pretty nice, the waves are getting better and the crowds are getting lower.
- Bring a tarp to cover your tent in case of rain. The weather can be pretty unpredictable around Forster so make sure you’re prepared for every possible situation if you’re camping.
- Don’t forget to pack the essentials like sunscreen, mozzie repellant, surfboards, camera, towels, sunnies and a speaker.
Nelson Bay
About
The Nelson Bay and Port Stephens area is easily the most photogenic paradise on this list.
It boasts a mountainous landscape that meets a rough coastal edge, bordered by a huge river mouth that separates it from Hawks Nest.
The area is broken up into different suburbs with beautiful beaches, insane hiking and lookout spots, lovely food and a relaxed vibe.
Location
The Nelson Bay area is about 2 and a half hours North of Sydney. Again, you’ll probably want a car for this one.
You could get there via train, however, I honestly don’t think it’s worth it for the few extra dollars.
Be sure to look out for the infamous Stockton Bight Sand Dunes after the Newcastle turn-off! That’s when you know you’re close…
Type of Stay
With this one, I’d suggest finding a place on Air Bnb.
It’ll be the more expensive getaway on this list, but, the Air BnB gives you a hint of convenience without breaking the bank completely.
Estimated Cost
Here are some things to consider when budgeting for the trip:
- Cost of fuel from Sydney and back
- 440kms with consumption of 10L/km at $1.40 per litre
- = $62 + $20 for driving around to beaches, etc.
- Cost of staying for 2 nights
- Cheap Air Bnb for 2 = $200 each
- Nice Air BnB for 4 = $175 each
- Food, Alcohol, Supplies, General Spending
- You’ll be spending more here on eating out than if you were camping
- = $300
Estimated Total Cost = $582 (most expensive)
What to Do
The area has plenty to do during your short stay:
- Drive around to the various bays and check out the nice views
- Hike right to the top of Tomaree Mountain! This one is at the tip of Shoal Bay and is a must-do if you’re one for a decent hike and a bit of adrenalin.
- Walk around the Marina and main town area in Port Stephens.
- Visit One Mile Beach for decent waves. The nearby coastline has some amazing views to explore as well.
- Explore Stockton Sand Dunes for a few hours of sand-sliding fun and a true Aussie 4WD experience.
Final Word
There you have it, folks! My top 3 destinations for a quickie up the coast that won’t cost you your savings.
I don’t really have a preference among these 3 because they are all so different. However, I do think Crescent and Forster are better for surfing, but Nelson Bay has Insta opportunities galore.
Now shut down this browser, call up a mate and plan next weekends getaway!
Stay Safe Friends,
Uncle N.