Story-based intervention to assist guests living with autism prepare for their holiday at Riverside Holiday Resort in Urunga, Bellingen Shire
By Brooke Beaton-Rowe & Taryn Blight on Jun 16, 2022 2:57:32 PM
By Robyn Fewell & Taryn Blight on Jun 16, 2022 1:35:49 PM
By Tiffanie Lau & Taryn Blight on May 12, 2022 12:54:20 PM
Going on a holiday can be enjoyable for those who want a break from their everyday routine and enjoy new experiences. For people living with dementia, a holiday can be an exciting time, but also be daunting with the pressures of coping with a new place and routine. Whether it is solo travel or accompanying a friend or loved one with dementia, a well-prepared plan can help reduce the stress of traveling, as well as create the best possible experience for them and their travel companions.
By Taryn Blight on Apr 14, 2022 11:14:45 AM
Riverside Holiday Resort in Urunga on the Coffs Coast has been recognised as the Top Hotel in Bellingen and Urunga, as well as the Top 3 Luxury Accommodation in Bellingen by Travelmyth, and featured in a variety of traveller search categories for 2022.
Travelmyth uses search data from booking websites such as Booking.com, Expedia and Hotels.com, and ranks them in order of guests search preferences when looking at holiday accommodation in each area. Riverside features in the Accessible Accommodation, Eco-Friendly, 4-Star Hotels and Outdoor Pool categories to name a few.
By Taryn Blight on Apr 14, 2022 9:26:14 AM
Seaside Holiday Resort in Fingal Bay has been recognised as the #3 Top Accommodation in Fingal Bay by Travelmyth, and featured in a variety of traveller search categories for 2022.
Travelmyth uses search data from booking websites such as Booking.com, Expedia and Hotels.com, and ranks them in order of guests search preferences when looking at holiday accommodation in each area. Seaside features in the Accessible Accommodation, Pool for Children, and Outdoor Pool categories to name a few.
By Taryn Blight on Mar 31, 2022 1:18:41 PM
If you are passionate about your fishing, then you can't beat Port Stephens! Recognised internationally amongst the fishing community for the abundance of good sized, year round catches to be had, Port Stephens is known for its picturesque fresh and saltwater waterways, and boasts a harbour 2.5 larger than Sydney's with a coastline dotted with islands most of which fall under various protections of the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park.
There are plenty of great spots to fish off the banks, whether you prefer throwing in a line from the rocks, the sands, or one of the Port's jetties with the whole family, and the calm waters of the harbour make for fantastic fishing by kayak or boat, although there is also spectacular game fishing surrounding Port Stephens in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
By Taryn Blight on Mar 21, 2022 5:06:21 PM
The team at Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga on the NSW North Coast are still celebrating their Bronze Award win for the Self Contained Accommodation category at the Australian Tourism Awards 2021.
By Taryn Blight on Mar 16, 2022 10:12:24 AM
Members and guests of Riverside, Seaside and Haven Holiday Resorts can now use their Stay NSW and Parents NSW Vouchers towards bookings at any of our three resorts.
Vouchers can only be redeemed on direct bookings at our three resorts.
If you have booked through Booking.com or another third-party booking platform, you will be unable to use your vouchers.
Guests will only be able to redeem their Stay NSW Vouchers OR Parents NSW Vouchers per stay.
This means if you have two to six adults staying at one time, then all guests would be able to use their Stay NSW vouchers (either one person's or all adult Stay NSW vouchers) towards the one booking, OR their Parents vouchers (one $50 or multiple $50 vouchers).
Stay NSW or Parents NSW Vouchers can be used on new or existing bookings.
If you have already made a booking to stay with us directly to stay at one of our three holiday resorts in the near future, you will be able to use the vouchers towards your balance. Otherwise, if you are making a new direct booking, you can redeem the vouchers towards your deposit.
Vouchers need to redeemed and processed before October 9 2022.
Guests will need to redeem their vouchers before the 9th of October. Any vouchers not processed before this date will expire.
Voucher codes refresh every 15 minutes.
The voucher codes refresh after 15 minutes, which means they need to be processed by one of our busy reception team within the resort office hours and can't be emailed during the evenings or over the weekends. This may be tricky when using multiple guest Stay NSW vouchers, so we recommend calling or emailing the resort to find out the best way to proceed.
Please note Vouchers are non-refundable.
If you have to cancel your booking and are unable to schedule to a later date, we are sadly unable to refund the voucher amount.
Located in Urunga in the Bellingen Shire and on the Coffs Coast, Riverside Holiday Resort is positioned along the river and surrounded by the town's golf course.
A short five-minute stroll to the shops, cafes and pub, and to the town's famous 1km boardwalk to the ocean, Riverside Resort treats guests to both river and mountain views, with the comfort of 40 two-bedroom fully self-contained apartments with both accessible and upstairs options, and five wheelchair accessible apartments.
The resort has a pool with mobility lift, BBQ areas and picnic tables, and trampolines and toddler play equipment, kayak and standup paddleboard hire and with accessible pathway to the town's playgrounds, Lido saltwater pool and accessible boardwalk, and town.
Positioned across from the beach and foreshore in the Port Stephens' town of Fingal Bay, Seaside offers the perfect affordable family beach holiday and is an easy 2.5hrs from the heart of Sydney.
The largest of our three Club Holiday Resorts, Fingal has a total of 60 self-contained apartments with two and three-bedroom options. 41 apartments are downstairs accessible (six of which are wheelchair accessible), and there are 19 upstairs apartments. There are two pools, one heated adult sized with mobility lift, and one for toddlers, fenced playground with trampolines and play equipment, BBQs and picnic tables, and coin-operated laundry.
The resort looks out to the Fingal Foreshore with playground, Surf Life Saving Club, cafe and a seafood restaurant. A ten-minute walk along the accessible pathway next to Fingal Beach will take you to the town's general store, takeaway food shop, and wine bar cafe/restaurant.
The NSW South Coast town of Sussex Inlet is the home to our bush hideaway, Haven Holiday Resort. Surrounded by native flora and fauna, and a mere 3hr drive south of Sydney and 2.75hrs from Canberra, Haven is the perfect location to escape it all.
Haven is tucked away in Shoalhaven's Conjola National Park and has private access to the sand and water of the rivulet that the town takes its name from. Across the water from Haven, you will find Jervis Bay Territory and the Booderee National Park that is owned and operated by the Wreck Bay Peoples.
It is a five-minute drive to the township of Sussex Inlet, which is set on a system of canals and the inlet that links St Georges Basin to the Tasman Sea; Swan Lake, which is the perfect spot for sailing and other water-based activities; and the Sussex Inlet Surf Life Saving Club and Cudmirrah Beach which is ideal for keen surfers.
Haven Holiday Resort has 14 two-bedroom self-contained apartments, 3 three-bedroom villas, and 1 three-bedroom executive residence. The resort has a heated pool, trampolines, play equipment, laundry, BBQs and picnic tables, with private water access and the Alemain bush track that takes you alongside the inlet into town.
By Taryn Blight on Feb 7, 2022 12:09:53 PM
Riverside Holiday Resort wins GOLD at the NSW Tourism Awards for Self-Contained Accommodation and Excellence in Accessible Accommodation and Enters the Hall of Fame.
By Taryn Blight on Feb 4, 2022 2:11:36 PM
We knew it already, but it seems that Port Stephens continues to be recognised as one of the top places to visit both domestically and now internationally!
By Taryn Blight on Feb 2, 2022 2:53:12 PM
The coastal village of Sussex Inlet in Shoalhaven on the NSW South Coast is famous amongst keen anglers for its superb fishing, with catches that have been luring fishing enthusiasts back year after year.
By Taryn Blight on Jan 27, 2022 3:26:37 PM
New South Wales possesses some of the most spectacular beaches in the country, and the beaches of the Mid North Coast certainly hold their own against the 'Bondi's and the 'Byron's, but unlike those world famous beaches, you are much more likely to get lucky and possibly have a few of these beaches almost all to yourself.
By Taryn Blight on Jan 19, 2022 3:17:30 PM
Port Stephens is home to some of the best beaches in the state, from the calm ocean waters in the bay to the surf along the Stockton Sand Dunes, and let's not forget for those who are old enough to remember the 2006 Tourism Australia commercial featuring Lara Bingle asking "So where the bloody hell are you?" at the stunning crescent shaped Fingal Beach.
By Taryn Blight on Dec 30, 2021 1:58:18 PM
The NSW South Coast is home to some of the best beaches in the State, if not the country. From the world renowned white sand beaches of Jervis Bay, to Mollymook's famous surf breaks and everything in-between, there is bound to be a beach close at hand that is just right for you when holidaying in Sussex Inlet.
By Taryn Blight on Dec 20, 2021 4:40:03 PM
The Bellingen Shire is renowned for its incredible natural environment and the diversity of landscapes. From the heritage Gondwana rainforest of the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range, lush valleys of sub-tropical vegetation and dairy farming paddocks surrounding Bellingen, to the long white stretches of sand and surf along the coastline near Urunga, the scenery continues to capture hearts and has people wanting to return over and over for more.
By Taryn Blight on Dec 9, 2021 10:55:03 AM
Port Stephens is one the most special places in the country, with the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, a thriving and diverse marine environment of the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park that stretches north from Birubi Beach to Forster and is home to various species of dolphins, turtles, fish, and seabirds, and mountains that look like they belong on a tropical island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean rather than the mainland.
By Taryn Blight on Nov 1, 2021 1:15:33 PM
Riverside Holiday Resort is ecstatic to yet again become a finalist of the NSW Tourism Awards for our contribution in the two categories of "Self Contained Accommodation" and "Excellence in Accessible Tourism".
By Taryn Blight on Oct 21, 2021 1:03:47 PM
Not only does Shoalhaven encompass the world-famous Jervis Bay with its pristine white sand beaches and rich and diverse marine life including many that are endemic to the area, but it is also home to ten National Parks, and as a consequence, it is no surprise that the region is a fantastic spot for avid bushwalkers as well as those just looking for a leisurely stroll in nature.
By Rebecca Beaton on Aug 3, 2021 11:37:51 AM
Hotels Combined recognizes Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga amongst the best accommodation in Australia.
HotelsCombined is a hotel price comparison website that was recognized as Best Hotel Booking Site two years in a row for 2020 and 2021 by Frommer's.
HotelsCombined owned by KAYAK, has selected Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga to receive the official Recognition of Excellence Award. This selection has come from HotelsCombined’s extensive surveys using data from millions of guest reviews for a wide range of accommodation within Australia.
Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga has consistently produced a high satisfaction rating among guests and travel industry experts.
Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga now joins an elite group of hotels around the world that have been awarded the HotelsCombined Recognition of Excellence. This exclusive collection of highly-rated accommodations has been chosen using a strict set of criteria such as the quality and consistency of reviews, the absence of recurring or unresolved issues with customers, popularity of the property and of course, the overall resulting score.
“We are thrilled to be working with the best accommodation in Australia. Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga has proven its place among them with this award and its commitment to providing high-quality services to all guests,” said Melinda Balazs, Hotel Awards Program Manager at HotelsCombined.
By Taryn Blight on Jul 30, 2021 1:20:22 PM
The one thing the pandemic has taught us, is how amazing discovering your own backyard can be! All those places close by that we have possibly shrugged off for not being exotic or far away enough, well they have turned out to be pretty amazing, especially when even travelling interstate, or to our closest cities, comes with so much uncertainty.
By Taryn Blight on Jul 28, 2021 9:19:28 AM
Knowing where to get the best coffee in town, or the best place to grab a bite when on holidays, often requires a bit of trial and error without the help of a savvy local, so we thought we would put together a little guide of some of our favourite spots in Urunga and nearby Bellingen to help you pick what is best for you!
By Taryn Blight on Jul 2, 2021 12:39:02 PM
The Port Stephens Multisport Festival is set to return to stunning Fingal Bay on the weekend of the 18-19th September 2021 with the TreX Port Stephens, Trail Run Australia Tomaree and Dirt Master Challenge after having been postponed last year due to Covid.
By Taryn Blight on Jun 7, 2021 9:15:00 AM
The town of Sussex Inlet in the Shoalhaven Region of NSW is set to come to life this coming long-weekend with the inaugural Scandinavian & Viking Festival, a family friendly two-day event with a range of activities and entertainment to be enjoyed by everyone.
By Taryn Blight on Jun 4, 2021 2:28:28 PM
As you may already know, Haven Holiday Resort is deeply dedicated to providing comfortable and safe accommodation to all of our valued members and guests, and we want to ensure all current and future guests that our commitment to providing a COVID Safe environment is stronger than ever following the recent contact tracing in the Jervis Bay region.
By Rebecca Beaton & Taryn Blight on Apr 15, 2021 3:18:01 PM
By Taryn Blight on Apr 14, 2021 9:00:12 AM
If you are looking for the perfect place to escape to for a weekend, week or more, there is no better place to unplug and reconnect with nature than stunning Shoalhaven on the New South Wales south coast. Stretching from Kangaroo Valley and the historic town of Berry in the north, almost all the way to Batemans Bay in the south, and with spectacular Jervis Bay to the east, this region has an abundance of natural beauty and potential for adventure on offer.
By Taryn Blight on Mar 18, 2021 9:33:28 AM
Hunter Valley to the Gold Coast
By Taryn Blight on Feb 25, 2021 4:41:55 PM
By Taryn Blight on Jan 21, 2021 3:27:41 PM
By Rebecca Beaton & Taryn Blight on Jan 8, 2021 7:44:30 AM
The team at Urunga's Award-Winning Riverside Holiday Resort are incredibly proud of all their achievements during the past few years. Having been recognised again and again for our commitment to inclusive tourism and quality self-contained accommodation, we will continue to strive to provide the best family-friendly accessible accommodation and facilities so that all our members and guests are able to enjoy their holidays to the fullest.
By Taryn Blight on Dec 14, 2020 1:06:29 PM
Christmas in Australia is synonymous with summer and the outdoors, often consisting of the three B’s: barbeques, the beach, and backyard cricket. A time for gluttony, our tables adorned with ham, prawns, roasts and salads, along with a festive blowfly or 30 for that extra layer of authenticity.
By Taryn Blight on Nov 27, 2020 4:01:00 PM
Intersected by the winding Hunter River, flanked by highland areas to the north and south, and home to the country's oldest vineyards, and a mere three hours north of Sydney, and two hours from Newcastle, it is easy to see why the Hunter Valley continues to be such a popular holiday destination as well as the largest growth centre in the state of New South Wales. For those considering a holiday at Seaside Holiday Resort in Fingal Bay, the Hunter Valley is only a two-hour drive away and makes a perfect destination for a day trip.
By Taryn Blight on Nov 12, 2020 4:55:33 PM
It is no secret that the Bellingen Shire is the home to the creative hub and picturesque township of Bellingen which boasts some amazing coffee, delicious food, remarkable arts and crafts, markets, festivals, and a thriving live music scene, but what truly makes the Shire one of the most spectacular places in the country is the incredible variation in the landscape.
By Rebecca Beaton & Taryn Blight on Oct 30, 2020 2:56:34 PM
Nestled three hours south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is undoubtedly home to some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Australia. In fact, with its white sands and gorgeous aqua coloured waters, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed on your own Pacific Island paradise.
By Taryn Blight on Oct 12, 2020 3:43:54 PM
Located in Worimi Country, Fingal Bay is a small coastal town nestled amidst the picture-perfect Tomaree National Park in Port Stephens, New South Wales. Less than a three-hour drive north of Sydney and an hour past Newcastle, Fingal Bay is only a hop, skip, jump, 12-minute drive away from the larger and slightly more famous township of Nelsons Bay. Originally named “False Bay” due to it often being mistaken as the entrance to Port Stephens harbour that is located just 4.5 kilometres to the north, it wasn’t until 1845 that the name Fingal Bay appeared on a chart drawn by Captain Phillip Parker King to become the official title we know it as today.
By Rebecca Beaton on Sep 30, 2020 9:01:19 AM
Keyword: Coffs Harbour, Things to do in Coffs Harbour
By Taryn Blight on Sep 3, 2020 1:58:23 PM
By Taryn Blight on Aug 7, 2020 2:29:05 PM
The stunning clear waters of Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven make for some remarkable whale watching. With sands that are the whitest of white, and an ocean teeming with marine life, the region is a favourite spot for romantics, families and adventurists alike.
By Taryn Blight on Aug 7, 2020 2:28:47 PM
Picturesque Fingal Bay is the perfect holiday destination for whale-watching aficionados and photography enthusiasts alike. Situated in New South Wales’ Port Stephens a mere two and a half hours north of Sydney, the region boasts the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern hemisphere and features a plethora of natural wonders from its pristine oceans to its enthralling national parks.
By Taryn Blight on Jul 31, 2020 10:43:57 AM
The ultimate nature experience for the genuine wildlife lover is to view the majestic humpback whales on their yearly migration along the Australian eastern coastline. There truly is no way to adequately describe to someone the awe-inspiring feeling these gigantic mammals leave you with.
By Bob Broadfoot OAM JP (Rebecca Beaton) on Jul 23, 2020 4:27:10 PM
Bob Broadfoot OAM JP - Spent 50 years (1965 to 2015) involved with The Federation Of Community Sporting & Workers Clubs, from Northern Region Committee Member to Federation Secretary and assisted in the Development of the three Holiday Resorts In NSW.
By Rebecca Beaton on Jul 18, 2020 2:18:21 PM
The Federation of Community Sporting & Workers Clubs and their three Holiday Resorts is asking holidaymakers to follow all recommendations that are currently in place from the NSW Government in regards to travel during the recent Covid-19 outbreaks.
By Rebecca Beaton on Jul 3, 2020 2:55:13 PM
Fingal Bay is the eastern-most suburb in the Port Stephens community. Fingal Headland marks the north-eastern head of the bay (the bay itself is less than two kilometres at its widest point) and is connected to the mainland via a sand spit. Much of Fingal Bay is part of the Tomaree National Park. The park provides a striking backdrop to the bays and beaches of the area. Whether it’s kayaking, fishing, surfing, mountain biking, bush-walking or bird-watching, or even just enjoying lunch on the beach, Fingal Bay and the Port Stephens area have a multitude of activities. Here are some of the best things to do while staying at Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay.
By Rebecca Beaton on Jun 17, 2020 1:21:03 PM
The Federation of Community Sporting & Workers Clubs offer affordable accommodation at three New South Wales holiday resorts on the East Coast of Australia. All resorts have been registered as Covid Safe businesses through the NSW Government and have Covid-19 safety plans in place. In addition to this, each individual resort has strict cleaning & sanitation procedures in place to protect our staff & guests.
Health & Safety has always been the Federation's primary concern, we will continue to do our part to contain & reduce the spread of Covid-19 throughout the local shires and the wider community of our three-holiday resorts.
By Rebecca Beaton on Jun 11, 2020 9:58:24 PM
Top 20 seasonal things to do around Urunga
The Riverside Holiday Resort is located right on the river at Urunga and boasts wildlife galore – including native birds, fish and reptiles. Part of the Bellingen Shire, the relaxed little town of Urunga is located just 20 minutes south of Coffs Harbour, making it perfectly accessible for a quick run to the larger shopping centres, cinemas, sporting fields or a night out. Urunga boasts a great boardwalk, close to one kilometre in length that takes you from the tidal lagoon out to the beach – perfect for a little exploration or fish spotting. As a tributary to the Pacific Ocean, this area offers numerous great beaches and surf spots close by such as Hungry Head and North Beach at Mylestom. The town of Urunga also has many local cafes, stores and shops to casually peruse.
By Rebecca Beaton on Jun 10, 2020 1:56:04 PM
Looking for the perfect holiday destination? Riverside Resort Urunga has what you need
By Rebecca Beaton on Jun 10, 2020 10:48:06 AM
A quiet but spirited town, Sussex Inlet is located just 45 kilometres south of Nowra on the New South Wales south coast. Serene, isolated and tranquil, you’ll be surprised to discover Jervis Bay territory just 30 kilometres away, perfect for shopping and taking advantage of the world-famous attractions for a quarter of the cost.
Sussex Inlet isn’t just your next seaside break – it’s a place you’ll be sad to leave and eager to return, year after year. Here are some of the best things to do, whenever you decide to visit Haven Holiday Resort in Sussex Inlet.
By Rebecca Beaton on May 27, 2020 7:51:28 PM
There is so much to see & do while staying in Urunga and visiting our Award Winning Riverside Holiday Resort
By Rebecca Beaton on May 27, 2020 4:38:26 PM
By Rebecca Beaton on May 22, 2020 1:39:55 PM
The True History of Sussex Inlet
By Rebecca Beaton on May 15, 2020 11:03:52 AM
Looking for the perfect holiday destination? Haven Resort Sussex Inlet has what you need
By Steve Allan on Mar 31, 2020 4:01:39 PM
By Rebecca Beaton on Mar 29, 2020 9:00:43 AM
By Rebecca Beaton on Mar 18, 2020 2:17:47 PM
The Federation of Community, Sporting & Workers Clubs, management, and staff at our three NSW holiday resorts located at Sussex Inlet, Fingal Bay & Urunga, have your Health & Safety as our main concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Rebecca Beaton on Mar 18, 2020 1:17:59 PM
HAVEN RESORT CLEANING & SANITATION (UPDATED 29th November 2021)
By Rebecca Beaton on Mar 18, 2020 1:04:09 PM
SEASIDE RESORT CLEANING & SANITATION (UPDATED 26th March 2020)
By Rebecca Beaton on Mar 18, 2020 12:56:13 PM
RIVERSIDE RESORT CLEANING & SANITATION (UPDATED 29th November 2021)
By Rebecca Beaton on Feb 24, 2020 2:26:40 PM