You’ll probably visit Coffs Harbour to take a selfie with the Big Banana monument and explore the beaches. Coffs Harbour has much more to offer. Read on to discover Coffs Harbour’s must-sees if you’re looking for more than beaches!
Is Coffs Harbour worth visiting?
You should definitely put Coffs Harbour on your list of places to visit. Its scenic beaches, scenic areas, and numerous attractions make it a popular vacation spot on the northern coast of New South Wales. Some say you need to stay there for at least two full days to see each of Coffs Harbour’s main sights.
Is Coffs Harbour considered a Honeymoon Destination?
Coffs Harbour is ideal for couples to have a romantic getaway. From enjoying sunsets on one of its pristine beaches to romantic walks along its beautiful rainforest reserves, couples can enjoy the tranquility and solitude of the town to enjoy their moments together.
Also, for couples who want to get lost in their love cocoon, Hermitage Estate near Bellingen is the perfect place for a romantic and intimate getaway. From elopements to honeymoons, this beautiful European-style villa is the perfect spot for couples to create lasting memories together.
What is Coffs Harbour famous for?
Coffs Harbour is a resort community located along the central coast that is known for its fishing, resorts, mild climate, and banana plantations (including the Big Banana Monument). It’s in an idyllic location where the mountains cascade into the ocean.
18 best things to do in Coffs Harbour
Explore the 18 best experiences in Coffs Harbour, delving into its breathtaking natural landscapes, thrilling activities, and captivating attractions for an unforgettable journey.
1. Experience the marvel at the majestic Dangar Falls
Dangar Falls is the classic rainforest waterfall; it drops 30 meters from a basalt platform into a pristine pool against a background of a verdant mix of subtropical flora and moss-covered basalt. Indicative of the region’s volcanic origins are the indistinct columns in the bedrock beneath it.
2. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve
Near the marina, a causeway links Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve to the mainland portion of Coffs Harbour. The island is a major breeding ground for Muttonbirds, also called wedge-tailed shearwaters. Their burrows can be found all over the island.
You may also spot whales between the months of May and October. The reserve has Gumbaynggirr rangers who love to tell Aboriginal stories of muttonbirds while you go around and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Among the many things to do in Coffs Harbour, visiting Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve stands out for its unique wildlife and cultural experiences.
3. Marvel at the scenery from Sealy Lookout
Although it isn’t completely unknown, different vantage points make Sealy Lookout appear small. It is a breathtaking location and offers amazing ocean, hinterland, and Great Dividing Range views. The Forest Sky Pier is the place to go for an exciting new vantage point.
4. Discover local art and culture at Coffs Markets
Explore a vibrant showcase of local artistry and culture at Coffs Markets, where a diverse array of creative expressions awaits discovery.
- Made with Love Market is a place to buy handmade, one-of-a-kind things. It is the largest dedicated craft market on the Coffs Coast, taking place four times every year and featuring over 120 stallholders. It is held at the Exhibition Hall at Coffs Harbour Showgrounds.
- Harbourside Market is a beachfront boutique market held near the picturesque Jetty Foreshores of Coffs Harbour every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It doesn’t get any more local than this! There are art, jewelry, clothes, plants, old and collectible items, food trucks, and more. Harbourside Market’s ethical, fair-trade, locally produced, and cultivated items provide a unique experience.
- The Bellingen Growers Market has been run by volunteers in the area for 24 years. Its goal is to help local farmers, artists, and growers by giving them a place to sell their goods to people in the area. People who have stalls sell a variety of things, such as fresh, locally certified organic and non-organic food, grass-fed meat, homemade soaps, fresh bread, candles, secondhand books, food, coffee, and more.
- Bellingen Community Markets is a sizable neighborhood marketplace featuring one-of-a-kind items from one-of-a-kind vendors. Here, various products are sold by artistic and talented folks from Bello and beyond. Handmade and grown clothing, shoes, textiles, homewares, bric-n-brac, 2nd hand, recycled, upcycled, jewelry, pottery, metal/wood/glass work, candles, soaps, honey, fresh produce, plants, flowers, alternative therapies, and community groups are among the impressive choices. The market is held every third Saturday of the month.
5. Enjoy Sun, Sand and Surf
Diggers Beach, Gallows, and Murrays at Sawtell are best for surfing. These are not official beach names, so you’ll need to use Google Maps to find them.
Among the many things to do in Coffs Harbour, surfing is a highlight. Diggers and Murrays are patrolled and best for all skill levels. Popular but unpatrolled, Gallows requires competent swimming and surfing skills.
Surfers with more experience and skill can take advantage of the pumping swell off Sawtell’s southern headlands. You must either leap off the rocks or float through Bonville Creek in order to reach the water. You’ll get long, perfectly shaped waves and barrels once in.
6. Cool Off in Coffs Hinterland Hidden Gems
A famous one is Never Creek in the Promised Land, near Bellingen. The water is cool as it originates from the majestic mountain ranges. The pristine water is tucked away behind the beautiful Hermitage Estate. The Estate enjoys nearly 500 meters of serene, secluded riverfront, making it an ideal destination for couples seeking a relaxing oasis for honeymoons and romantic getaways.
Scout’s Falls, located near Woolgoolga to the northwest of Coffs Harbour, is another beautiful swimming spot. You must hike up the riverbed in Sherwood Nature Reserve to get here. The first pool you’ll see is a small pool under Scout’s Falls. For a deeper pool under the falls, keep going up the hill. Do not jump right in; rocks are submerged within this pool.
You will find one of the best in the town of Coramba. You can find the path that leads down to the water from where Martin Street crosses the Orara River.
7. Discover Coffs Coast Craft Beer
Unwind and enjoy exquisite artisanal beers crafted by these brilliant local brewers.
King Tide Brewing
Simply take a cab from The Observatory to get there. It features two bars, a spacious beer garden, and seating for 250 people. In addition to their signature beer, “Coco” (Coffs Coast) Hazy Pale Ale, they also produce “Beached As” XPAs and “Cows with Guns” Indian Brown Ale, among others. This place is all about European food and bubbly drinks in an incredibly large beer garden—you’ll love it!
Woopi Brewing Co.
This place has a relaxed, bright atmosphere. Their delectable woodfired pizzas, accompanied by a woodfired cookie for dessert, and “Between The Flags” American Blonde Ale will surely captivate you. Sip a fresh, crisp beer outside under the umbrellas and soak up the sunshine.
8. North Coast Adventure at Emerald Creek
Emerald Beach is a haven for nature lovers and beachgoers alike. You may swim, surf, and snorkel in the water, or take a kayak and explore the nearby rivers and creeks. It’s simple, easy, and doesn’t require any prior expertise because you just go with the flow.
When considering what to do in Coffs Harbour, a visit to Emerald Beach should be on your list. You’ll begin in a mangrove section with darker water until you get to the most stunning emerald water, where you might encounter stingrays and a variety of fish. This is a place where kids of all ages can take part in a variety of outdoor activities.
9. Capture the Beauty of the Golden Hour
As the sun goes down, people who are strolling on the beach or the pier in the late afternoon love to watch the colors change and the sun melt into the water. When considering what to do in Coffs Harbour, make sure to visit three of the most popular locations among locals for sunset viewing: Sawtell, Red Rock, and Moonee Beach headlands.
As far as beach vacations go, nothing beats a breathtaking view of the east coast of Australia.
10. Go horse riding on the beach
Go for a horseback ride at HWH Stables along Boambee Beach. When considering what to do in Coffs Harbour, this is a fantastic option for both beach and countryside experiences. Feel more like venturing into the countryside? Suitable for riders of all skill levels, from complete novices to seasoned professionals, the riding school provides year-round access to rainforest and river trails in the Orara Valley.
Beach rides along the Coffs Coast are also provided by Valery Trails Horse Equestrian, in addition to equestrian lessons and an exceptional children’s camp during the holidays.
11. Meet the Hoppiest Residents at Look At Me Now Headland
Take your camera to Look At Me Now – it’s the ideal selfie location! When figuring out what to do in Coffs Harbour, this spot is perfect for capturing memorable photos. Sharing the grassy headland with the picturesque eastern grey kangaroos, it is also an ideal site to admire the sunrise. When the weather is right, you can use this vantage point to watch the birds, whales, and surfers at Emerald Beach.
12. Wander through the captivating Botanic Garden
Discover the variety of flora and fauna native to New South Wales at the Coffs Harbour Botanic Garden. Among the many Coffs Harbour things to do, exploring the gardens is a highlight. Some of the more relaxing spots are the themed garden areas.
The gardens provide tours that educate visitors about their conservation efforts and the work they are doing if they are interested in biodiversity.
A natural forest covers half of the parks’ grounds, and they also take care of rare plants. Around the garden, there are a lot of wildlife trails that you can walk on your own or with a teacher.
13. Embark on a Cultural Expedition
The Coffs Coast is known for its amazing scenery and for becoming the first certified ECO Destination in New South Wales. Among the Coffs Harbour things to do, you will uncover a rich tapestry of arts, history, and culture with a closer look.
Known as ‘the sharing people,’ the Gumbaynggirr peoples of Coffs Harbour shared food and other natural resources with other Aboriginal groups since their territories were so bountiful.
Visitors to Corindi Beach, north of Coffs Harbour, can experience Gumbaynggirr Culture on the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre’s monthly Bushtucker & Medicine Tour and Tasting. One of the tour guides will teach you about the Gumbaynggirr peoples’ bush foods, medicines, and fiber plants used for healing and weaving as you stroll through lush coastal heath and wetlands.
The journey concludes at the cultural center’s Pipeclay Café, where you may sample wattleseed, quandong, saltbush, lemon myrtle, and warrigal greens from their original menu.
14. Diving and snorkelling in the Solitary Islands Marine Park
The Solitary Islands Marine Park stretches over ninety kilometers northward of Coffs Harbour. The warm water from the Great Barrier Reef meets the cooler water from Sydney in this marine reserve.
When considering things to do in Coffs Harbour, snorkelling and scuba diving at the Solitary Islands Marine Park are ideal activities for families visiting the area. Divers will be pleasantly surprised to learn that this protected reef is home to turtles, pelagic fish, and over five hundred species of reef fish. In fact, it has the most dense anemone fish population in the entire globe.
If diving is not your thing, you can still learn about the park’s richness through interactive displays and guided tours at the Solitary Islands Aquarium.
15. Swing through the treetops
Take a break from city life and swing through the trees at the Coffs Harbour Treetops Adventure. When figuring out what to do in Coffs Harbour, trying your hand at some of the 110 challenges and 20 ziplines at the adventure park offers a thrilling new perspective on the Orara East State Forest.
The four tree ropes courses reach a staggering 12 meters above ground, while the four Junior Courses vary in height from 1 to 6 meters. Everyone in the family can have fun because people aged three and up are welcome.
16. Find your zen at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House
Stroll among hundreds of live Australian butterflies in an indoor subtropical rainforest in the Butterfly House.
Embark on a whimsical journey through the indoor rainforest and experience a moment straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Countless native Australian butterflies will flutter around, sip nectar, and even land on your fingertips as they mistake you for flowers.
17. Journey deep into a 180-Million-Year-Old Wilderness
Nestled behind Coffs Harbour’s charming coastline is a captivating and lush rainforest hinterland. This ancient wilderness is more than 180 million years old, dating back to the early days of life on Earth.
Spend the night under the stars at a campsite, learn about the history of the ancient rainforest from local guides, or take a bird’s-eye view from the Skywalk. It’s a truly great experience for nature lovers, anyone looking to get away from the city and decompress in the peace and quiet of the forest, or anyone who enjoys incredible scenery.
18. Embark on a cultural paddle-boarding with Gumbaynggirr Cultural Stand-Up Paddle Tours
Take a full-day cultural trip with the direct descendants of the world’s first stand-up paddlers and connect with the sea and land via language and stories. Experience the Gumbaynggirr from both land and water.
Tours are conducted on ancestral lands of the Gumbaynggirr people, and all tour guides either belong to the native Gumbaynggirr or have Aboriginal ancestry with deep roots in the Gumbaynggirr land. This tour offers a delightful combination of a stand-up paddle tour and a cultural walking tour.
How to get to Coffs Harbour
It’s easy to get to Coffs Harbour since it’s between Sydney and Brisbane. You may drive there in around five and a half hours or take a nine-hour rail journey from Sydney’s Central Station. The distance is 527 km. From Brisbane, the 384 km travel takes approximately four hours. Direct flights to Coffs Harbour Airport are also available from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne on a regular basis.
Which of the things to do in Coffs Harbour are you most looking forward to doing?
Wrapping Up Your Coffs Harbour Adventure: A Destination Rich in Diversity and Delight
Coffs Harbour truly offers a rich array of experiences beyond its iconic beaches and the Big Banana monument. From the thrill of zip-lining through the treetops to immersing yourself in the region’s cultural heritage at the Gumbaynggirr Cultural Centre, there is no shortage of engaging activities for every type of traveler. Whether you’re exploring lush rainforests, diving into the vibrant marine life of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, or enjoying the local markets, Coffs Harbour promises an unforgettable adventure. So pack your bags and prepare to discover the diverse and captivating attractions that make this coastal gem a must-visit destination.