Evans Head: Beaches, River and History

Evans Head offers a range of reasons to stay: beach conditions, activities on the Evans River, scenic views and collections about local history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Evans Head, you can start planning your trip around the themes you’d like to explore. The coast and river offer different activities, while museums and lookouts add nature and history experiences to the mix.

Beaches and Coastal Scenery

Evans Head Main Beach is sheltered from large south-easterly swells and is suitable for beginner surfers. Fishing is also possible on the beach. The river estuary at Main Beach attracts plenty of marine wildlife, bringing together two different interests: surfing and coastal fishing, as well as observing life in the estuary.

North of Main Beach is Airforce Beach, a 4.6-kilometre coastal stretch in Evans Head and the Richmond Valley. The designated access point on Terrace Street is for authorised four-wheel-drive vehicles. As vehicle rules can change, check them before driving there. Shark Bay offers a different kind of beach experience: the small, sheltered beach lies south of the mouth of the Evans River and below Razorback Lookout. You can swim and explore the rocky shoreline there; Shark Bay is also suitable for picnics and riverside barbecues.

The Evans River and Scenic Views

Conditions on the Evans River in Evans Head are suitable for canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and boating. A walking path runs along the riverbanks. At the southern end are two boat ramps, fish-cleaning facilities and pontoon moorings. As well as paddling and boating, the river therefore has practical facilities for boat trips and fishing. The range of options makes planning easier: if you prefer to get around on foot, there’s also a walking path by the river.

Razorback Lookout overlooks the New South Wales coast and the town of Evans Head. Binoculars are provided for whale watching and views of the rolling hinterland hills. As facilities may change, check before your visit whether binoculars are available.

Nearby Chinamans Beach is bordered by native bushland in Bundjalung National Park and Dirawong Reserve. A walking track leads from the car park down to the beach. Walking tracks also lead from Chinamans Beach to Goanna Headland, where information panels explain its significance to Indigenous people. The beach, bushland and cultural information come together as part of the natural experience here.

Museums with Different Areas of Focus

The Evans Head Living Museum is located in Clarrie Kirkland Reserve on the banks of the Evans River. Its collection includes historic photographs, newspaper articles, Second World War memorabilia and other items relating to the history of Evans Head. The Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum is at Evans Head Aerodrome; its collection includes aircraft, training equipment and historical artefacts. The collections have different areas of focus: the Living Museum is dedicated to the history of Evans Head, while the Aviation Museum centres on aviation, training and historical objects.

You can organise your trip around your own interests: beach and river activities, scenic views, nature walks or local and aviation history. The attractions differ not only in subject but also in the kind of experience they offer—from water sports and a lookout to museum collections.

Discover more destinations: Isabella, Murrumburrah, West Ryde, Woomargama, North Star, Fordwich, Wiangaree, Uralla

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.