Major city · Australia
Coolongolook
Do not book a night here: Coolongolook has no beds. Treat it as a 20–30 min highway coffee and fuel stop on the A1 between Bulahdelah and Nabiac.
Coolongolook is a highway village of about 380 people on the Pacific Highway (A1) in the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales. The highway runs straight through town as Bengal Street, so you slow to 80 km/h rather than exiting. There is fuel, food and a bus stop, and no accommodation. Plan it as a break in a drive, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Sep–Nov, Mar–May
- avoid Dec–Jan (school holidays, highway traffic and heat)
- Airports
- SYD · NTL · PQQ
- Nights
- 0
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Coolongolook000 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire information1800 679 737
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Coolongolook, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyVery low crime in a village this size; the real risks are highway traffic on Bengal Street, wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles · 1800 679 737 NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire information
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 3.5–4 h drive north via the M1/A1; the usual international gateway.).
- Getting aroundBy car or on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a highway service stationA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealMeat pie or bakery snackA$5–8 (≈ US$4–6)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$10–30 (≈ US$7–20)
- Budget bedCaravan park cabin or powered site nearby, a night, per roomA$60 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room nearby (Bulahdelah or Nabiac), a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel double room nearby (Bulahdelah or Nabiac), a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$80 (≈ US$55) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$300 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 3.5–4 h drive north via the M1/A1; the usual international gateway.) · NTL Newcastle (Williamtown) (About 1.5–2 h drive north; smaller, fewer flights.) · PQQ Port Macquarie (About 1.5 h drive south; regional flights from Sydney.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Mar (13 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Coolongolook: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
13 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
By car or on foot. The town is a strip along Bengal Street (the Pacific Highway), so everything is a short walk from the roadside. The 154 bus route stops in both directions, but there is little reason to use it here.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive south on the A1, about 20 min
Bulahdelah has the beds and shops; Myall Lakes has lakeside walks and camping.
Nabiac
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive north on the A1, about 10 min
Small town with the National Motorcycle Museum and a bakery stop.
Forster and Tuncurry
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive east via Nabiac, about 30–40 min
Beaches, Wallis Lake oysters and the nearest real town amenities.
Taree
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Drive north on the A1, about 45 min
Regional centre with supermarkets, hospital and rail.
Seal Rocks
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Drive south then east via Bulahdelah and the Lakes Way, about 1 h 15 min
Worth a day, but the last stretch is slow and unsealed in parts.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
None in Coolongolook
There is no accommodation in town. Sleep in Bulahdelah (about 20 min south), Nabiac (about 10 min north) or Forster/Tuncurry (about 30–40 min east).
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$80–140 (≈ US$55–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$140–260 (≈ US$95–180) excl. bed
- High
- A$260 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room nearby (Bulahdelah or Nabiac)1 × 1 night × A$180 | A$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160 | A$320 |
| Fuel top-up, 40 L1 × A$70 · check | A$70 |
| Coffee and a snack at the service station2 × A$12 | A$24 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$15 | A$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$62 |
| Trip total≈ A$343 per person per day, bed included | A$686≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; Coolongolook has no beds, so the bed line is for a nearby town. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a highway service station | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Petrol, per litrecheck | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| Meat pie or bakery snack | A$5–8 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Takeaway sandwich or burger | A$10–18 (≈ US$7–12) |
| Motel double room nearby | A$120–280 (≈ US$80–190) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$10–30 (≈ US$7–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No accommodation in Coolongolook: book a bed in Bulahdelah, Nabiac or Forster before you arrive.
- The Pacific Highway runs through town: cross Bengal Street with care and expect trucks.
- Fuel and food are limited to the service stations; southbound services are the main option.
- Mobile coverage: Telstra and Optus have indoor and outdoor 4G; Vodafone is outdoor only.
- Kangaroos and wombats on the highway at dawn and dusk.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
- NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire information
- 1800 679 737
Pocket card
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CoolongolookCoolongolook
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Bengal Street (the Pacific Highway through town)Bengal Street, Coolongolook
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire information1800 679 737
Embassy
No consulates here. The nearest are in Sydney; for emergencies call 000.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel, Coolongolook service station: A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) per litre (check)
- Drive Coolongolook → Bulahdelah: about 20 min south on the A1
- Drive Coolongolook → Nabiac: about 10 min north on the A1
Say or show
- Where's the servo? — Where is the petrol station?
- Flat white, thanks — A coffee, please
- How much is that? — How much is it?
- Card okay? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the loo? — Where is the toilet?
No accommodation in town: book a bed in Bulahdelah, Nabiac or Forster.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Coolongolook. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May · avoid Dec–Jan (school holidays, highway traffic and heat) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Highway-stop contract for the A1: verified fuel, food and toilet stops between Bulahdelah and Nabiac, with opening hours.
- Walking cluster along Bengal Street with a safe crossing point and a rescue anchor at the service station.
- Bushfire and flood closure fixtures for the A1 so the stop can be marked go or skip in real time.
- Bus 154 timetable check so a car-free traveller can plan a stop.