Take a Walk Around Sawtell!

Cross the bridge over Middle Creek at the south end of Sawtell First Avenue. Turn directly right into Bayldon Road. (Bayldon was an early settler).

Take the low track by the creek and continue to the entry to the Sawtell Golf Club. (This is worth a detour to see the view from the Clubhouse. Add 10 mins.) Continue along Bayldon Rd. to Lyons Rd., cross over and pass the Rotary club sign and walk straight ahead in an easterly direction through forest red gums with emerging littoral rainforest understorey.

This is an area rapidly recovering from a degenerated state as a result of a local Sawtell group campaigning to save it for future generations of people, flora, fauna and the abundant bird life. It is hoped koalas and wallabies will return. Continue to the point where there has been a house and see the tall Norfolk Pine planted by Dr. Dolman which became a boating marker, explaining the name.

Return to the car park and take the left road down to the boat ramp. Here there is a young rainforest climbing up the slope to meet the remnant mature rainforest above on Lyons Road. A trio of pelicans frequent this lovely section of the Bonville Estuary.

Return to the road junction and take the other arm to a picnic area on the Estuary called Mick’s Retreat. Here, at low tide, you will see many waterbirds on the sand banks. A bollarded walk through a regenerating area of littoral rainforest will lead eventually to the beach behind the Sawtell caravan park. Find the steps up to the Sawtell caravan park and return through the park – right to the village or left back to the picnic area.
Note:  Sawtell Village Green. This is the area where Sawtell began – growing out of the largest camping area in NSW in the early twentieth
century. Here the annual New Year’s Fun Day is held.

Stay in Sawtell & Visit Dorrigo National Park

There are a lot of things to do around Sawtell. One great attraction is the Dorrigo National Park. It has waterfalls, great hiking tracks, amazing views and a skywalk over the top of the rainforest. The following link is a recent article from the Sydney Morning Herald about Sawtell and Dorrigo:

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/high-wet-and-wild-20091008-gnq0.html

Posted via email from lukewebber’s posterous

Surfing in Sawtell

For the size, of our little town of Sawtell, it is surprising that it hosts such a large number of good surfing spots.

All of the breaks are beach breaks on a sand bottom. Unfortunately no reefs but at times you could be mistaken for thinking it is. The main beach of Sawtell is quite long approximately 1,500 meters and faces directly east so is offshore in a westerly wind. The different sections along the main beach have been named over the years mostly to match the geography of the place but some more creatively.

Surfing at Trapdoors Sawtell

Starting at northern end of the beach is Murray’s. This is a very open part of the beach and picks up a lot of swell especially south swell. You will find many peaks along this strip and there is also a small rocky outcrop which can get a good right hander breaking off it in the right swell.

In the middle of the beach directly in front of the Sawtell surflifesaving club is ‘Main’. This is the most popular area of the beach in and gets some great waves. It is once again made up of sand bottom beach breaks constantly varying but almost always providing a satisfying session.

Further along is ‘Tracks’. This section of beach is very consistent as it’s banks are more protected than the other end of the beach at Murray’s. You will almost always find a good right or left or both out at Tracks.

At the southern end of Sawtell beach is ‘Island’. This is my favourite spot being a natural footer as it is a peeling right hander that has been known to barrel heavily. It is once again just a sand bottom but because of the island at the end of the beach sand piles up against it and creates a really shallow bank. On the right swell this is an all time wave. On a very small day it is great for mal riders too. You could get a wave for 100 meters out there easily.

Moving on to the south side of Sawtell headland this break is also creatively named ‘Southside’. This is a Sawtell treasure since in summer when the northerly wind blows its heart out there are still clean waves to be had out here. It is a left hand point break on a sand bottom. It also boasts good right hand peaks down the beach at times. The left is the gold though. It holds very big swell and gets very sucky against the headland as the sand flows out of the creek and stacks up against the headland. If you want to get barreled in Sawtell this is the place to go. The average day out here will give you good long lefts you can release a good amount of steam on as you hack away at the wall down the line.

Finally another gem on the other side of the northern headland of Sawtell is Trapdoors. This is a right hand point break which also offers amazingly long waves on a good day. It generally works best on a 4-6 foot swell anything bigger than this it starts to get messy. A great place to have an early surf in summer and then head over to Southside as the Northerly wind kicks in.

You will find that the locals are all very easy going so be sure to enjoy some of Sawtell’s great surf when you visit.

Sawtell – SMH Article

All of us lucky people that live in Sawtell know that it’s God’s country and it looks as though the secret really is out. Even the Sydney Morning Herald has discovered our great little town. Choosing it as the best little place in the state to live. I may be biased but I have to agree entirely!

Read the whole story here:

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/paradise-found-best-little-place-in-the-state-20090807-ecza.html

Posted via email from lukewebber’s posterous

The Bare Facts About Sawtell

Sawtell Simple Facts:

• Beachside town with leisurely manners and a keen sense of style
• Framed by beaches and national park to the south
• 546 km north of Sydney, population 14,000

Sawtell Beach

Why visit Sawtell?

Just south of Sawtell, Bongil Bongil National Park is a relatively small coastal park, yet it encompasses an array of rich and diverse plant and animal communities. With it’s unspoiled beaches, forests, wetlands, rain forest and pristine estuaries, the park offers an ideal setting for recreational activities.

Sawtell’s beaches range from stunning to superb, and since the new millennium, Sawtell has awoken from its seaside slumber to find that it’s been put on the style map. The town’s main street is divided by a median strip planted with enormous fig trees, which now provide shade for the chic cafes and designer stores that have taken root there. Today Sawtell is smart and relaxed, and far removed from the bustle of nearby Coffs Harbour, even at the peak of summer.

Sawtell Accommodation is ample but if you want to stay right on the beach be sure to book in early especially in the summer months.

A Short History

European settlement began in the 1860s, but Sawtell was always overshadowed by Coffs Harbour, which lies just six km to the north. It is only in relatively recent times that Sawtell has been discovered by a new kind of traveller who treasures its sleepy, barefoot character.

Annual Events

• Sawtell Art Group – Annual Art Exhibition
• International Buskers and Comedy Festival
• Sawtell Chilli Festival
• Foreign Film Festivals at the Sawtell Cinema
• The Barney Miller Surf Classic

Don’t miss!

• Street markets, last Saturday of every month
• The waves on Sawtell Beach
• Picnic at the Boambee Creek Reserve
• 18 holes at the superb Bonville International Golf Club
• Coastal walks in Bongil Bongil National Park
• ….and just chillin’ in the main street!

Sawtell – Coffs Coast’s Best Kept Secret Revealed!

Sawtell was one of the Coffs Coast’s best kept secrets until, a few years back when, it was tagged by the national media as one of the most desirable addresses in Australia.

It isn’t difficult to see why Sawtell has received such recognition.

Located just five minutes south of Coffs Harbour this idyllic coastal village has the best that both worlds can offer being close to all amenities and services of a thriving regional city yet far enough away to retain its own identity and charm.

At the heart of Sawtell is First Avenue, which is dominated by huge fig trees that create a shady ambiance to the streetscape.First Avenue hosts a variety of award winning cafes and restaurants with fine culinary delights on offer while passing away some idol hours. A unique shopping experience awaits by exploring Sawtell’s varied shops and boutiques which display everything from jewellery to funky fashions and artwork.

Sawtell Rockpool

Another of Sawtell’s heritage landmarks is the village cinema. Built around the 1930’s it has survived cyclones and floods. The interior has been redecorated in the era that it was built. It screens the latest movies and at different times during the year hosts International film festivals.

There is a lot on offer when looking for Sawtell Accommodation, ideally though, you want to stay on the beach and within walking distance of the First Avenue. This way you won’t need to get in your car for anything!

Within close proximity to First Avenue are beaches, tennis courts,  a croquet court, a bowling club,  a golf club, a beautiful rock pool and Boambee and Bonville Creeks which are popular for swimming, fishing, boating and canoeing. Boat launching access can be found for both creeks. During the swimming season it is recommended to bathe between the flags while swimming at the beach as Sawtell beach can get quite rough.

Entertainment and food can also be found at the RSL, Golf & Bowling Clubs as well as the Sawtell Hotel.

Sawtell and Boambee Headlands are a great place to capture panoramic views of the coastline. With some luck you may even spot a migrating whale or some dolphins.

Look forward to seeing you one day in Sunny Sawtell.

Sawtell the Secret Gem of the North Coast

Aerial Photo of Sawtell

Sawtell Accommodation on the Beach

Sawtell, the sunny beach side village, is one of the best kept holiday secrets on the north coast of NSW.

It’s quaint main street with big shady fig trees is like an oasis in the dessert in the summer time heat. Surrounded by cafes, restaurants and boutique shops it is the perfect place to forget about the fast pace of the world.

Sawtell Beach

There are many options when looking for Sawtell Accommodation with bed and breakfasts being the most popular choice for the knowing traveler. Anyone that has been to Sawtell before would know that it is just like heaven to stay right on the beach. Just roll out of bed in the morning and wander down the bush track onto the soft sand. A lot of the houses right on the beach, such as the beautiful Honeysuckle Street, where Sawtell Beach Break BnB is located, now offer bed and breakfast accommodation.

It really is the place to stay in Sawtell! Wake up and step right onto the beach. Listen to the soothing sounds of crashing waves as you fall asleep at night. Just stroll 2 minutes around the corner to the peaceful main street.

There are a number of other options for Sawtell accommodation though if you do miss out booking a place in Sawtell Beach Break Bnb or one of the other bed and breakfasts on the beach side of Honeysuckle Street.

There are a number of hotels which range from quite small and basic to others that are modern and luxurious. There is the Sawtell Hotel which provides basic accommodation. This is a good place for backpackers as it is quite cheap and of course the pub is downstairs. Other Sawtell Accommodation you can find are guest houses and bnb’s scattered around Sawtell in the off beach areas. There is Boambee Bay Resort which is just out of Sawtell and located on the Boambee Creek. This is the only resort in the area but unfortunately it is not on the beach or within walking distance of the center of Sawtell.

So make the most of your stay in Sawtell and try to book your stay in one of the great bnb’s on the beach. Also, keep in mind that finding Sawtell accommodation in summer time can be a lot more difficult. More and more lucky people are discovering this gem of a place and keep coming back for more!