Challenger - Live local to where you are going so my advice , assuming you are coming NTh through Belfast, yes stop and have a look around Carrickfergus, do visit the promenade in Whitehead there is a lovely walk there but do not overnight at either, the Aire in Whitehead is actually part of the municipal golf club car park , on a slope and not a pretty place to stay. Go on to Larne up the A2 coast rd overnight at nearly any of the pull in spots on it, favourite being Glenarm beside the marina.(The girl in the tourist office is friendly and informative )
Continue up coast rd to Cushendall and the main A2 to Ballycastle , I would advise against the Torr Head Rd as any enjoyment you might get from the views will be outweighed by the risk of collision especially at weekends, plenty of nice views from Ballycastle to Bushmills actually a nice hill top car park just a couple of miles after Ballycastle where you can stop and look down on the rope bridge. ( decide to do it or not) Big car park (signposted) in Bushmills village where you can stop ,and decide where next . ( from the tourist advice brochures you picked up in Glenarm)