The NSW Far North Coast and its hinterland is a beautiful part of Australia, where glorious beaches are backed by world heritage rainforests, and the temperature is often warm enough to feel like summer - all year long.

There are many opportunities for camping, both in national parks and commercial camping areas, the latter usually located along the coastal strip.

It's worth noting that this region is holiday heaven for many southerners, and in peak periods it's advisable to book as far ahead as possible, particularly for caravan sites and in the more popular coastal national parks.

There are now nearly 30 national parks and nature reserves under National Parks and Wildlife Service management. Camping is not permitted in some, however most have vehicle access.

The two major coastal parks are Yuraygir, 50 km east of Grafton between Red Rock and Yamba, and Bundjalung, north of the Clarence River between Iluka and Evans Head. The smaller Broadwater National Park is just north of Evans Head.

Yuraygir has the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in NSW. The Wooli and Sandon Rivers reach the sea at Yuraygir, and if you're into fishing and canoeing you've found the right place. Surfers can also have a go at the famous Angourie break at the northern end of the park, while the 10 km Angourie walking track takes you through a variety of pristine coastal environments - swamps, lagoons, heathlands and beaches.

Camping (and caravans) is permitted at Red Cliff, Lake Arragan, Sandon River and Illaroo. Fees apply.

Bundjalung encompasses a 38 km stretch of beach, where four- wheel drive access is permitted in the section south of Black Rocks rest area (where basic camping facilities are provided), about halfway along. Access is via Gap Road from the Pacific Highway.

Bundjalung's main camping area is at its southern end, adjacent to the village of Iluka, which is 14 km from the Pacific Highway.

Iluka is one of few north coast communities where the fibro holiday shack still survives in numbers. It's a lazy, timeless place, especially the ramshackle old pub by the Clarence.

The Woody Head camping area, six kilometres north of Iluka, gives you access to the Esk River, one of the only truly wild rivers left on the coast, plus freshwater lagoons, mudflats and littoral rainforests. Bookings for Woody Head, which has all amenities and is suitable for caravans, are essential in holiday periods. Call (02) 6646-6134.

No camping facilities are available at Broadwater.

Further north, none of the coastal reserves has camping facilities, but in towns such as Ballina and Byron Bay large commercial caravan parks cater to visitors.

Border Ranges National Park, in the hinterland behind Murwillumbah, has a spectacular day drive and a couple of camping areas.

On the 65 km Tweed Scenic Drive through the eastern side of Border Ranges National Park, you'll see magnificent views from the 1000 metre western rim over the Mt Warning caldera, and remnants of the ancient super continent of Gondwana, evident in the large stands of Antarctic Beech trees along the route.

On a hot, humid north coast day, you can also cool off with a swim in one of the many creeks or waterfall pools.

The drive is nearly all dirt, but presents no problems for a two-wheel-drive sedan as long as you take your time. Parts of the drive are narrow, and the eastern approach, via Wadeville or Lillian Rock on the Kyogle-Nimbin Road, is quite steep. This is also a high rainfall area, so things can get a bit slippery at times.

It is recommended that you enter the park from the Lillian Rock side - the road is two way, but taking an anti-clockwise direction is easier.

Initially, you climb a steep grade to the rim of the caldera.

Blackbutts picnic area provides the best view of the caldera. Straight ahead is the volcanic plug - Mt Warning - and you can clearly see the hills and ridges which were once the rim of the enormous volcano.

At the Pinnacle Lookout, 15 minutes further on, walk out to the point for an equally spectacular perspective.

You're very close to the Queensland border at Antarctic Beech picnic area - from the lookout you can see across the border to that state's Lamington National Park, which also forms part of this large area of protected rainforest.

Forest Tops and, a few kilometres further on, Sheepstation Creek, where extensive facilities are provided, are the two camping areas in the park.

Nimbin is close to the start of the Tweed Scenic Drive, and if you want to stay for a few days in the area it has a terrific little caravan park which is just behind the main part of town. If you're camping with kids, it's a great spot because the swimming pool is right next door and you can walk to Nimbin central - which, if nothing else, is very different to any other town you have visited.

Nimbin, The Channon and Uki are villages where the alternative lifestyle movement still thrives. Markets, cafes, craft shops and slow drives along gorgeous country lanes make it a part of the world worth making time for.

At Terania Creek, a short dive north of The Channon in Nightcap National Park, you can take a short bushwalk through the rainforest to Protestors' Falls, where in 1979 environment activists first took a stand against logging. When you get there, you'll be glad they succeeded.

NSW National Parks can be closed at times of bushfire and bushfire danger. It is advisable to check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you set off. Either phone 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600 or visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.