COFFS HARBOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Wonderful attractions
Coffs Harbour, recently voted Town Of The Year by Wotif, offers some fantastic attractions, from dolphins and whales, to butterflies and superb beaches, to seafood dining and water sports. ‘Coffs’, as it is referred to by locals, is perfect for family holidays and adventurers. Visit the iconic Big Banana, and explore Solitary Islands Marine Park, which is an amazing haven for turtles, corals and whales.
ABOUT COFFS HARBOUR
Coffs Harbour has always been a bit of a sleepy little beach town, unassuming and without much in the way of development. As such, it has somehow slipped under the radar of a lot of people, and remained a fairly unaffected little beach side spot until recently. Now it seems people have seen its potential, ie the stunning beaches and nearby attractions, and are looking at the city as a potential future development location.
Natural beauty and fun family attractions always draw families to the Coffs Harbour area. Coffs Harbour is a small coastal city on the Mid North Coast of NSW. You can enjoy spending time on absolutely gorgeous, sparkling beaches, get a little wild with some exciting water sports, or go extreme with some adventure sports including skydiving, scuba diving and game fishing! Best of all, you’ll appreciate lots of friendly encounters with animals. Nature can be unpredictable, so always use common sense and caution.
If you’re visiting Coffs Harbour, you’ll definitely need somewhere to stay. While you won’t currently find any four or five star accommodations in the immediate city area, you’ll find plenty of humble, homey accommodation options, many of which are located near a lovely unspoiled beach.B&Bs are abundant. Try Booking.com or Expedia.com
Nearby Sapphire Beach has a few more luxurious/ comfortable properties for those seeking a higher standard of accommodation within a half-hour drive. Or of course Hermitage Estate is available 40 minutes away for those seeking ultimate luxury. Wander along the Jetty Strip at the end of Harbour Drive, and select from a range of family restaurants and cafes. You can walk across the breakwater near the marina to Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve for spectacular 360-degree views.
The Solitary Island Marine Park is a haven for marine creatures including whales during their annual migration between May and November. This beautiful marine park includes scenic estuaries, beaches and headlands. At Solitary Islands Aquarium, marvel at colourful clownfish and venomous lionfish. In the Butterfly House, you can walk among hundreds of butterflies.
You can also explore the amazing underwater world with Jetty Dive and during whale-watching season, take a cruise boat to see majestic humpbacks at play.
The green hillsides around the town are the perfect backdrop for the Big Banana, one of Australia’s most visited and iconic big things. The kids will love the amusement rides at the Big Banana Fun Park, including water slides, a thrilling tobogganing ride and a candy-making kitchen.
Coffs Harbour Attractions
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve
The Eastern lookout offers spectacular views of the Solitary Islands. Explore the area’s Aboriginal cultural significance on a school excursion, or enjoy some whale watching in the heart of Coffs Harbour.No…
Bongil picnic area
Bongil picnic area, on the banks of Bonville creek is great spot to kick back and relax. This grassy clearing is surrounded by tall, pencil-straight blackbutt trees.Enjoy a family picnic under the shelter or…
Jetty Memorial Theatre
The Jetty Memorial Theatre serves as an important arts hub and performance space for the Coffs Harbour region. A listed, heritage building with a rich local history, the refurbished theatre offers contemporary…
Park Beach
Coffs Harbour’s main surf beach is patrolled daily during most of the summer as Park Beach is the home for the Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club. Park Beach is a popular area for water sports,…
Bonville Creek
You don’t need to be an experienced paddler to enjoy Bonville Creek. While close to the thriving holiday village of Sawtell, paddling this tranquil waterway will make you feel you’re a million miles away from any…
Coramba Nature Reserve
Close to Coramba and Coffs Harbour, at Coramba Nature Reserve you can go walking through protected rainforest along Orara River and go birdwatching.Coramba Nature Reserve was created in 1982 to preserve and…
Mullaway Beach and Headland
Head south from Arrawarra to discover beautiful Mullaway Headland and Beach, near Coffs Harbour. Make the most of its picnic area and barbecues, go fishing or swimming.Mullaway Beach and Headland sit in a…
Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Yarrawarra is situated in the homelands of the Garby Elders and the Gumbaynggirr people. Surrounded by tranquil bushland, pristine beaches and abundant wildlife. The Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre boosts a…
The Big Banana
The Big Banana is Australia’s original and most famous ‘Big Thing’. No trip along The Coffs Coast is complete without a stop!The Big Banana Fun Park now boasts a brand new Giant Slide known as “The Racer”….
Rotary Cartoon Awards
The Bunker Cartoon Gallery is again proud to be hosting the 29th Rotary Cartoon Awards. Always fiercely competitive, with more than 360 entrants in six categories, the judges’ decisions were difficult but the…
Zorbing
Zorbing is the most fun you can have with a friend. Strap yourselves in to a three metre high “ball within a ball” and roll end over end down a hill until your face hurts from laughing (or screaming).This…
The SkyWire
The SkyWire is a dual cable zip line some 220 metres long where you can race your mate to the end of the line. Full body harnesses, purpose built trolleys and rated lanyards keep you safe whilst hurtling down the wire…
Muttonbird Island Outdoor learning space
Long before the island was connected to the shore, certain Gumbaynggirr peple were the only ones permitted to venture here. They came to collect muttonbirds for food, protected for their survival by a giant moon-man…
Dolphin Marine Magic
Dolphin Marine Magic is famous for its activities and exhibits, where guests enjoy many options for a fun filled experience.Dolphin Marine Magic is the only zoological park in New South Wales…
The Mega Drop
Climb the tower and feel the rush of adrenalin as you experience free falling from 13 metres above the ground. A full body harness and a powerfan keep you safe so you do it all over again!This activity is…
The tranquil Coffs Harbour Butterfly House is an indoor tropical habitat for around 300 live Australian butterflies and offers visitors the opportunity to “Get Close to Nature” and perhaps have a butterfly land on…
Eastern Side lookout
The Eastern Side lookout is located a short walk from the Muttonbird Island outdoor learning space along a paved walkway. As you’re walking along the track to the lookout, on either side of the path you’ll notice open…
Coffs Coast State Park
Famous for year-round sunny weather, Coffs Coast State Park is perfect for a relaxing summer holiday or warm winter retreat. Coffs Coast State Park boasts beautiful beaches, foreshores, estuaries and wetlands which…
Coffs Coast Regional Park
Coffs Coast Regional Park, near Coffs Harbour, is a top spot for fishing, surfing and birdwatching. You’ll find great picnic areas, plus beaches with off-leash dog zones.It’s easy to experience an endless…
Wedding Bells Forest Drive
The Wedding Bells State Forest boasts one hundred years of forestry management with its mix of native forest and eucalypt plantations. Wedding Bells State Forest features a beautiful waterfall and…
S and K Horse Connections Equine Education Centre and Riding School
Located just out of the centre of Coffs Harbour (five kilometres) at the beautiful Boambee Valley. Offering a range of Equine Education programs and Kids Holiday programs.Enjoy two hours of fun…
Bonville Golf Resort
Bonville Golf Resort is acknowledged as one of the worlds most beautiful golf courses, and is consistently voted the most beautiful in Australia. Situated halfway between Sydney and Brisbane on the beautiful Coffs…
Elite 1 Paintball
Elite 1 Paintball is the newest paintball field on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.They are located approximately 10 minutes or 10 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour just off the old Pacific…
Solitary Islands Aquarium
Dive in and explore the marine life of the Coffs Coast!The Solitary Islands Aquarium serves as an important community asset helping to bring an awareness and appreciation for the marine environment…
Bindarray Picnic Area
Escape the crowds and head to Bindarray picnic area. Enjoy 4WD touring, birdwatching, wildlife watching, swimming, liloing, paddling and picnicking by Urumbilum River.Looking for something to do with the…
Moonee Beach
Moonee Beach is not patrolled though is very popular with fishing enthusiasts. Moonee Beach Reserve, where Moonee Creek meets Moonee Beach, is a popular area for locals and visitors alike with smaller children. The…
Diggers Beach
The ever-popular Diggers Beach is perfectly located for tourists – right across the road from Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana. Wide and sheltered, Diggers makes for a lovely wind-free beach walk.It’s not only…
Forest Sky Pier at Sealy Lookout
The Forest Sky Pier is located at Sealy Lookout, within Bruxner Park Flora Reserve – Coffs Harbours first eco-certified tourism attraction – in Orara East State Forest. Only 15 minutes north of Coffs Harbour, the…
Plateau Circuit Loop Trail
Immerse yourself in this remote landscape and spend the day exploring on your mountain bike. Just a short drive from Coffs Harbour, you’ll see beautiful scenery while cycling along the gentle gravel roads of Bindarri…
Greenroom Gallery
Greenroom is a boutique/gallery on the lovely promenade in Coffs Harbour owned and operated by Wayne and Charlotte French. They offer timeless designs, comfortable and flattering clothes for women with a heart for…
ATTRACTIONS IN COFFS HARBOUR
Coffs Harbour is a great place to relax, breathe in fresh sea air and discover something new.
The town is home to many scenic beaches where you can swim, surf, kayak and enjoy other water activities including boating and fishing. Popular beaches include Diggers Beach, Jetty Beach and Park Beach. Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Marine Magic and meet more sea life at the Solitary Islands Aquarium.
Several nature reserves and national parks can be found in the region offering rainforest walks and plenty of scenic locations to picnic. Coastal walks are a great way to take in the natural beauty of the Coffs Harbour area. Follow the Look At Me Now Headland Walk and Solitary Islands Coastal Walk which feature stunning views over local beaches and panoramic vistas out to the ocean.
The Big Banana, Australia’s original and most-famous ‘big thing’, offers plenty of family-friendly activities, including ice skating, a water park and laser tag. The iconic attraction also gives visitors an insight into the history of bananas and local farming processes.