"And, on your left, Grafton" a Grafton Travel Page by iandsmith

In the 21st century this bustling town has shown its ability to survive being bypassed. Once upon a time there were only ferries across Australia's fastest flowing river, the Clarence, and these were stationed at several points, mostly downstream from Grafton where you needed to cross more than one to get to the other side of the delta.
That changed in 1932 with the building of the bridge that finally made a link between the first settlement, South Grafton, and the town proper.
A legacy of wide streets, some striking Victorian buildings, a sense of permanence and a long-standing concern with civic beauty have seen this town survive where others have wilted. In fact, the first ornamental trees were planted as early as 1874 and the city's most famous claim to fame is nearing its centenary, the much-publicized jacarandas having first been planted in 1907-08. The festival surrounding them commences on the last Saturday in October each year.

Although Grafton is well inland you can access the north coast beaches in just over half an hour either heading towards Coffs Harbour or Yamba. Either way will put you beside some of the north coast's finest.
This particular one is Pebbly Beach, part of Yaraygir National Park.