Banana Coast Caravan Park

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Banana Coast Caravan Park on the Pacific Highway, I wasn’t expecting much. The name alone sounds like something from a 1970s road trip, and the exterior has that slightly weathered coastal look that could go either way. But you know what? Sometimes the best places are the ones that don’t try too hard to impress you from the street.

What actually won me over was how genuinely functional this place is. The staff at check-in knew their stuff – they warned me about the morning traffic noise (the Pacific Highway gets busy around 7 AM, so heads up if you’re a light sleeper) and pointed out the best spots to park if you’re driving something larger than a hatchback. The rooms themselves are clean and honestly more spacious than I expected for a 3-star place in Coffs Harbour. Nothing fancy, but the air conditioning actually works properly, which – trust me – matters a lot during those sticky summer months when half the coast is booked solid. I mean, the bathroom could use some updating and the WiFi gets a bit patchy in the evening when everyone’s streaming, but these are minor gripes really.

Here’s the thing that surprised me most: the location is actually pretty clever. Sure, you’re right on the highway, but that means you’re maybe five minutes from the Big Banana (yeah, it’s touristy, but the kids love it) and about the same distance to Park Beach, which honestly has some of the better surf breaks in the area without the Bondi crowds. The local Woolies is literally across the road – super handy for grabbing supplies or that coffee you desperately need before tackling the drive to Byron Bay. And if you’re heading north or south along the coast, you couldn’t ask for easier access. I watched the sunrise from the little common area out back one morning, and between the sound of the ocean in the distance and watching the early commuter traffic wake up, there was something oddly peaceful about being right in the middle of everything but still having your own quiet corner. The place fills up during school holidays and long weekends (book ahead if you’re coming in summer), but during the quieter months, it’s got this relaxed, no-fuss vibe that makes it easy to just settle in and use as your base for exploring the Coffs Coast properly.