North Coast cruises are best understood through the rivers. The coast is cut by three big river systems, and boats have mattered here for as long as there have been towns. This page covers the day tour we list and the waterways behind it.
Read on for the tour, the rivers and the working ports of the region. Please check current prices and times with the operator before you book.
The listed day tour
The tour we list is Day Tours Anna Bay and Nelson Bay from Port Macquarie. It runs for 12 hours and is priced from $450. That makes it a full day out, so plan accordingly. The tour page has the detail you need before you book.
Rivers that define North Coast boating
The Northern Rivers part of the coast is defined by three river systems: the Clarence, the Richmond and the Tweed. Their fertile valleys give the region its name, along with its white sandy beaches. The Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea bound the region to the east.
These rivers shaped where towns grew. Murwillumbah sits on the Tweed, Lismore on the Wilsons (a tributary of the Richmond) and Grafton on the Clarence. Each town developed at the navigable head of its river, so timber, particularly Australian red cedar, could be shipped to interstate and overseas markets. These waterways were working routes long before they were scenic ones.
Fishing ports
Ballina is a fishing port and was a centre for Australia's east coast offshore prawn industry, although boat numbers have declined in recent years. Additional vessels operate out of Iluka and Yamba. If you prefer working harbours to polished cruise terminals, these three are worth a look. We reckon a wander along a fishing wharf tells you more about a coast than most brochures.
Where the region sits
The Northern Rivers runs from Tweed Heads, beside the Queensland border, down to the southern extent of the Clarence catchment, between Grafton and Coffs Harbour. Main towns include Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Casino and Grafton. The climate is mild and sub-tropical.
Byron Bay was once a centre for commercial whaling and sand mining. Today tourism is important in the north of the region, especially at Tweed Heads and Byron Bay. For the wider picture, see our North Coast travel guide.
Planning a day on the water
For other ways to spend a day, browse North Coast activities and tours and rentals. The official Visit NSW site is a good place to look for current operators.
If you need to get between towns before or after a day out, our North Coast transfers page is the place to start.
The people and history of the waterways
Before European settlement the region was home to the Bundjalung people, including the Widjabul, Arakwal, Kalibal and Minjungbal, with the Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl peoples to the south. Their communities remain part of the local population. More on the geography and history is in the Northern Rivers article.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the listed day tour?
It is priced from $450 and runs for 12 hours.
Which rivers define the Northern Rivers?
The Clarence, Richmond and Tweed rivers, whose fertile valleys give the region its name.
Which North Coast ports have fishing boats?
Ballina is a fishing port, and additional vessels operate out of Iluka and Yamba.
