Sussex Inlet in the NSW South Coast Shoalhaven region is a haven for those looking to escape the daily grind and reconnect with both nature and their core selves. The town itself is situated on the south bank of the inlet where the town takes its name, is surrounded by National Park, and is a five-minute drive from the ocean, St. Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Lagoon.
Recent posts by Taryn Blight
6 min read
Activities for Mindfulness and Wellbeing in Sussex Inlet
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Haven Wellness
4 min read
Riverside Honoured to receive Ian J Cooper Awards on IDPwD 2022
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside FCSWC
5 min read
Riverside wins Gold three years in a row at the NSW Tourism Awards
The team at Riverside Holiday Resort are jumping for joy after last Thursday night's win at the NSW Tourism Awards in the category "Excellence in Accessible Tourism".
Celebrations at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Accessibility Club News Riverside FCSWC
3 min read
Club Holiday Resorts Mid-Week Discount on Accommodation until Xmas
We are running a mid-week 10% off promo on all bookings of two nights or more between now and Christmas at all three of our NSW Club Holiday Resorts!
The summer school holidays are nearly completely booked out at each of our holiday resorts, with just a few nights available here and there at Haven in Sussex Inlet, and the last week at Riverside Urunga.
If you haven't yet stayed with us, there are plenty of reasons to!
- All accommodation over our three resorts is two or three-bedroom self-contained apartment or villa style, perfect for families or long stays.
- Our accommodation has ground-floor accessible and wheelchair-friendly options, as well us upstairs apartments that make the most of the surrounding views.
- Each resort has a resort pool and BBQ areas for guests to use.
- All three resorts are situated in stunning NSW coastal areas surrounded by natural beauty.
- We keep our rates competitively low as we believe everyone should be able to enjoy an amazing holiday.
- It is easy to become a member of any one of our affiliated clubs and save 20-25% on the full-priced rates.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Club News Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Family Holidays Seaside Riverside Haven
14 min read
Our guide to eating out in Fingal Bay
We set the New South Wales seaside village of Fingal Bay within the stunning holiday paradise of Port Stephens, 30 minutes from Newcastle and 2.5 hours north of Sydney. The region is renowned for its stunning beaches, great surf, koala habitat, the breathtaking coastal sand dunes which are also the largest moving dunes in the southern hemisphere, calm waters of the bay \where you will find the largest dolphin pod on the east coast, and incredible seaside dining.
We have put together a list of where you can eat out in Fingal Bay, and our other favourites to visit on your travels.
Breakfast at the Longboat Cafe, Fingal Bay
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Seaside
10 min read
Unveiling the new and improved Haven Holiday Resort, Sussex Inlet
Haven Holiday Resort in Sussex Inlet will finally open all of its apartments to guests again from Friday the 18th November 2022, after undergoing extensive renovations since May earlier this year.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Haven
3 min read
Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet receive Recognition of Excellence
HotelsCombined recognises Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet amongst the best hotels in Australia for its high star ratings from guests over several booking platforms.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet FCSWC Haven
2 min read
Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal receives Recognition of Excellence 2022
HotelsCombined recognises Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay amongst the best hotels in Australia, having consistently received high star ratings from guests over a variety of categories.
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Seaside FCSWC
8 min read
Riverside announced a finalist at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022
The team at Riverside Holiday Resort in the Northern NSW coastal town of Urunga in the Bellingen Shire, is elated after being announced as a finalist in the category for Excellence in Accessible Tourism at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside FCSWC
12 min read
Our Guide to Fishing in Urunga
Urunga has been a popular destination with keen anglers since its beginnings as a sleepy fishing village, now having grown into a favoured holiday destination for families, groups of friends and empty nesters alike.
With the ocean, breakwall, estuary, and the two rivers of the Kalang and Bellinger to choose from, there are plenty of catches available to suit all fishing styles.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside
2 min read
Anchors Wharf set to reopen its doors after devastating fire in 2021
Anchors Wharf cafe and restaurant, on the waters of the Kalang River in Urunga, is set to reopen its doors on Tuesday, October 4th 2022, after being devastated by fire on the 3rd of May 2021.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside
3 min read
Riverside Holiday Resort earns Travelmyth Top Hotel Awards for 2022
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.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside FCSWC
3 min read
Seaside Holiday Resort earns Travelmyth Top Accommodation Award 2022
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.
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Seaside FCSWC
19 min read
Our Guide to Fishing in Port Stephens
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.
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Seaside
4 min read
Riverside Urunga wins Bronze at the Australian Tourism Awards 2021
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.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside
8 min read
Club Holiday Resorts now accepting Stay NSW and Parent NSW Vouchers
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.
How to use your Stay NSW or Parents NSW Vouchers with Club Holiday 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.
About our three Coastal NSW Holiday Resorts:
Riverside Holiday Resort - Urunga
Come Play on the Coffs Coast
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.
Book Now: 02 6655 3911
Seaside Holiday Resort - Fingal Bay
Enjoy Life at Fingal
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.
Book Now: 02 4981 1533
Haven Holiday Resort - Sussex Inlet
Escape to Nature at Sussex
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.
Book Now: 02 4441 2367
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Family Holidays Seaside Riverside FCSWC Haven
4 min read
Riverside Holiday Resort wins GOLD at the NSW Tourism Awards
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.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside
3 min read
Port Stephens recognised as one of the must visit Travel Destinations
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!
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Seaside
12 min read
Our guide to fishing in Sussex Inlet on the NSW South Coast
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.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Haven
12 min read
The best beaches from Coffs Harbour to Nambucca Heads
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.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside
12 min read
Seven of the best beaches in Port Stephens that you need to visit
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.
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Seaside
8 min read
Best beaches near Shoalhaven's Sussex Inlet
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.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Haven
14 min read
The best nature walks in and around the Bellingen Shire
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.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside
10 min read
The Best Bushwalks in Port Stephens
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.
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Adventure Tourism Things to do Seaside
3 min read
Riverside announced as NSW Tourism Awards Finalist 2021
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".
Topics: Riverside
7 min read
Our guide to Shoalhaven's Top 5 Walks
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.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Things to do Haven
10 min read
Discount Weekender and Short-Term Accommodation on the NSW Coast
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.
28 min read
Our Guide To Eating Out In Urunga & Bellingen - Coffee Fix to Evening Feast
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!
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
3 min read
The Port Stephens Multisport Festival - 18-19 September 2021
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.
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Seaside
2 min read
The Sussex Inlet Viking Festival - 12th-13th June Long Weekend
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.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet
3 min read
Haven Holiday Resort is a Registered COVID Safe & COVID Clean Business
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.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Covid-19
28 min read
Day Trip Stunning Shoalhaven on the NSW South Coast
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.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Things to do Haven
3 min read
Moto Trekkin 2021 Ridge Rider
Ridge Rider Motorcycle Experience
Hunter Valley to the Gold Coast
Topics: Sponsorship
20 min read
Why you need to add Port Stephens to your Destination Bucket-List
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay
7 min read
Accessible NSW Getaways at Riverside, Seaside & Haven Holiday Resorts
Topics: Accessibility
7 min read
An Australian Christmas
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.
Topics: Family Holidays
12 min read
Day Trip to the Hunter Valley
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.
Topics: Things to do
16 min read
Back to Nature in the Bellingen Shire
Bellingen the Promised Land
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.
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
10 min read
The Story Behind Port Stephens and Fingal Bay
Worimi (Warrimay) Country – The Worimi Nation
We acknowledge the Traditional Worimi Owners and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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.
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay
7 min read
A Brief History of the Town of Urunga
Urunga
Yurruun.Ga – long white sands
Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
7 min read
Whale Watching in Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven
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.
Topics: Haven Holiday Resort Sussex Inlet Things to do
6 min read
Whale Watching in Spectacular Fingal Bay
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.
Topics: Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay Adventure Tourism Things to do
6 min read
Experiencing the Annual Humpback Whale Migration on the Coffs Coast
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.