Holiday houses in Evans Head

Sand, salt water, sunshine, seafood: Evans Head is a coastal tonic for the soul. Life here revolves around the water, whether the Pacific Ocean surf, the calm river estuary that splices the township, or the freshwater lagoons and wetlands, home to hundreds of species of birds that characterize the national parkland of the surrounding Richmond Valley. This part of northern coastal New South Wales also played a fascinating, and unlikely, part in World War II, as the site of one of the country’s largest training bases for the Royal Australian Air Force. Not that you’d know it today. Like much of the rainforest-clad region, locals here live a languid, free-spirited lifestyle.

As most activities in Evans Head revolve around the water, it’s no surprise peak season is the warmer months. Summer (December through February) and fall (March through May) see daytime temperatures at their highest, between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This time of year is also the wettest, however, so be prepared for a few showers.

Water temperatures range from 78 degrees in summer to 72 in winter, which means you can swim here year-round. And cooler winter months (June through August) are also ideal for hikers, with daytime temperatures around 65 degrees and rainfall at annual lows. Regardless of the season, bring SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat, flip-flops, and your swimsuit, plus good walking shoes if you’re planning on exploring the rainforest.

Beaches

With a surf beach patrolled by the Surf Life Saving Club (Main Beach), fishing favorite Airforce Beach, and long river beach Shark Bay, it’s natural that swimming, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking opportunities abound. The calm waters of the estuary are ideal for families, while waves galore invite board-riders along Pacific Ocean beaches.

National Parks

Stretching from Evans Head northward is Broadwater National Park, its coastal hiking trails popular among birdwatchers, picnickers, and those on the lookout for migrating humpback whales (May through November). To the south is Bundjalung National Park, a beguiling union of coastal heathland, powdery dunes, and deserted beaches. Whether you’re walking, fishing, or mountain biking, keep watch for eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, and bower birds, among the 140 species of animals that live here.

Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum

History buffs will want to linger at this fascinating museum, offering insights into Australia’s role in WWII. Thousands of members of the Royal Australian Air Force were trained here, and their stories are remembered today through photographs, memorials, and a lot of gear, including military and civilian aircraft and artifacts collected from across Australia.