Fast facts
- Peaceful, coastal fishing village
- Located on the banks of the Evans River
- 727 km north-east of Sydney, population 2631
Why go there
Evans Head is an old-fashioned beach town surrounded by national parks, with 6 km of surfing beaches and pretty coastal scenery.
It’s the perfect location for an easy-going family holiday where the kids can swim in the river or at the shallow beaches along the river estuary.
The town claims to have one of the largest caravan parks in NSW, right by the river with plenty of shade and access to the town’s facilities.
History
This was the first commercial prawning port in Australia - there still good catches of school and king prawns today. The first European settler, Captain Thomas Paddon, named the river after the first lieutenant of his ship. Paddon tried gold mining in the late 1870s, before embarking on oyster farming and later, prawning.
Things to do
- Enjoying the beach is the major pastime here for visitors. Serious surfers ride the swell around Goanna Headland while the main beach and river estuary are great for kids and other swimmers.
- Rock, beach and ocean fishing – there’s plenty of choice at Evans Head.
- Explore the national parks along the coast to the north and south of Evans Head. Bundjalung National Park has 38 km of beaches while Broadwater National Park to the north has 8 km. There are good bushwalking trails, perfect for enjoying the beautiful wild flowers and birdlife.
Events
- Evans Head Fishing Classic in July
- Evans Head Triathlon in September
- Evans Head Longboard International in September
- Community markets on 4th Saturday of the month
Don’t miss
- Razorback Lookout with views north to Cape Byron Lighthouse on a clear day
- Salty Lagoon Walking Track in Broadwater National Park
- Gumma Garra picnic Area on the banks of the Evans River in Bundjalung National Park
- Canoeing on the pristine Esk River in Bundjalung National Park
- Fish’n chips overlooking the river
