Evans Head is a seaside town surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty, from the sparkling waters of Evans River, to the pristine national parks and the beautiful beaches that cling to the blue of the sea.
It’s no surprise that there are lots of water-based activities in the area. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, surfing, kayaking and more. There’s also ample opportunity for sunbathing on any of the many sandy beaches, most of which are never too crowded.
The town of Evans Head is divided by an estuary that sweeps out to sea and meets the gorgeous coast of New South Wales, where fleets of fishing boats catch amazing seafood. Every day, you can buy fresh prawns, crabs and fish directly from the Evans Head Fishermen’s Co-op, located near the marina on the southern side of the estuary.
Evans Head is an outdoor wonderland. The town’s dividing estuary is calm and tranquil, which makes it ideal for kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddleboarding. To see the town and coastline from on high, head for Razorback Lookout.
At approximately 45 metres above sea level, the lookout is situated on Ocean Drive, at the southern end of town and offers stunning panoramic views of Evans Head and the surrounding coastline. The lookout is wheelchair accessible and equipped with picnic tables, barbecues, public toilets and plenty of parking, which makes it the perfect place for families looking to pack a picnic for lunch. There are also binoculars on the hilltop that are great for whale watching and observing the rolling hills of the Northern Rivers hinterland.
Further down the coast, Goanna Headland also offers spectacular views and the opportunity to see humpbacks and pods of dolphins. Both headlands are of great significance in local Aboriginal culture.
If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf but have been too intimidated, then look no further than Evans Head Beach, which is ideal for inexperienced surfers. The beach is sheltered from southeast swells that create big waves. In the right conditions, the waves here are perfectly suited for beginners.
Fishing is a passion in Evans Head, and every year it’s celebrated with the Evans Head Fishing Classic, a tournament that takes place every July. The competition attracts fishers of all ages and experience and makes for a great family day out.
Evans Head also has a notable military history, with its heritage-listed aerodrome once one of the largest Royal Australian Air Force training bases during the second world war.
A collection of military aircraft is on display in the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Museum, while visitors can also explore the town’s military history further at Evans Head Living Museum.
