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For those who’re planning a go to to Coffs Harbour, you’re in all probability heading there to go to the seashores and seize a selfie with the Massive Banana monument.
However there are loads extra issues to do in Coffs Harbour than simply this. The city is ideally positioned close to to some wonderful snorkelling and diving spots, fowl watching places, and the rainforest of Ulidarra Nationwide Park.
The reality is, the city simply doesn’t do this a lot for me. However what I do actually like is the area surrounding Coffs Harbour. There are some nice close by seashores, cities, and Nationwide Parks, you simply have to drive somewhat additional to get to them.
So in the event you’re planning a visit to Coffs Harbour however you’re undecided what to do in addition to seashores, then hold studying to see a few of our favorite sights there!
The place Is Coffs Harbour?
Coffs Harbour is a 6-hour drive north from Sydney or 4.5 hours drive south of Brisbane. For those who’re coming from Armidale down the Waterfall Approach it’s a few 2.5 hours drive.
The closest airport is Coffs Harbour Airport, which is true by Boambee Seaside. It’s about 10 minute drive from the airport to the city centre.
Nonetheless, after we visited we didn’t really keep in Coffs Harbour, however we stayed close by on the Sawtell Seaside Vacation Park which is a ten minute drive from Coffs Harbour.
This area is kind of rural, so you’ll need a automobile to get round. You possibly can lease a automobile from the airport, in case you are not driving to Coffs Harbour on a wider street journey.
Is Coffs Harbour Price Visiting?
Once I consider Coffs Harbour, I consider it as a base for exploring the encircling space, and that is what will get us as a household going again for extra.
Even the drive into Coffs is fairly whether or not you’re coming from Sydney or from Armidale down the Waterfall Approach.
On our go to throughout our street journey by way of NSW, we didn’t even keep in Coffs Harbour, however down the street in close by Sawtell which we a lot favor (extra on that later).
However Coffs Harbour is price visiting for its location alone. When you have a automobile and are able to driving exterior the city heart to discover extra of the area, you’ll discover there’s a plethora of wonderful sights in Coffs Harbour.
Not solely that, however it’s ideally located half-way between Sydney and Brisbane, making Coffs a well-liked cease off level for folks doing the Sydney to Brisbane street journey.
Nonetheless, for these trying to spend every week or two the area is large enough and has one thing for everybody.
Finest Issues to Do in Coffs Harbour NSW
Under I’ve shared a few of my private suggestions for the world in addition to the standard Massive Banana and Park Seaside sights. Listed below are all of the unmissable and enjoyable issues to do in Coffs Harbour.
1. Go to Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve
One among my favorite issues to do in Coffs Harbour is take the brief stroll up Muttonbird Island.
We didn’t even learn about this place till a number of years in the past after we went for a stroll alongside the breakwall on the Coffs Harbour Marina and there it was.
On method, I really envisioned myself being again in Eire because it was so inexperienced and had the rugged cliff face look about it.
The stroll to the highest provides you unimaginable views up and down the coast and over the mountains. It’s the right spot to sit down and watch the sundown over the Marina.
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve can be nice for fowl lovers, being one of many solely easily-accessible locations in NSW the place the migratory wedge-tailed shearwater nests.
2. Go to Coffs Harbour Marina and Jetty
For those who like boats and cities with a marina and jetty, Coffs has a very nice one. It’s positioned within the coronary heart of Coffs Harbour and can’t be missed.
On the entrance to the historic jetty precinct on Harbour Drive there’s a set of cafes and eating places and on Sunday’s is the harbourside markets.
The Marina Village additionally has cafes, eating places a fish co-op and an ice creamery.
Latitude 30 and the Coffs Harbour Yacht Membership are good spots to have a wine and beer and watch the surfers and the solar go down.
The Marina can be the place the whale watching boats depart from in season (June to November).
3. Loosen up on Diggers Seaside
One among our buddies who lives in Coffs Harbour beneficial we take a look at Diggers Seaside (positioned throughout from the Massive Banana) and we’re glad they did.
It’s a terrific family-friendly seashore being sheltered and vast making it a pleasant place for our youngsters to swim and play on the sand.
It’s additionally a well-liked browsing spot for the locals or for a wind-free seashore stroll.
4. Take the Diggers Seaside to Park Seaside Headland Stroll
While within the Diggers Seaside space, we did the Macauleys Headland stroll which runs between Diggers and Park Seaside.
You can begin at both finish and the views of the Pacific Ocean and of each seashores are spectacular.
The spot overlooking Park Seaside within the picture above is a good place to sit down and watch the surfers.
5. Go to Sawtell
Sawtell is a stunning little city quarter-hour drive south of Coffs Harbour and the place we selected to base ourselves.
The primary avenue is picturesque and divided by large fig timber with loads of cafes and outlets lining either side of the road.
Seasalt is widespread for takeaway fish & chips, and the cafe on the Surf Membership on the seashore is nice for a meal, a espresso and traditional seashore views.
Sawtell Seaside is household pleasant, particularly towards the southern finish which has a pleasant tidal rock pool space and Sailors Bay, an space sheltered by a small island which may be reached at low tide.
We stayed on the Big4 Sawtell Seaside Caravan Park.
6. Verify Out Bellingen
Bellingen is a brilliant laid-back city within the valley only a 30-minute drive from Coffs Harbour on the Waterfall Approach.
It has a stunning tree lined avenue and river working by way of city, and has an inventive really feel and vigorous cafe scene (we suggest Black Bear Cafe).
However on our go to to Bellingen the factor we appreciated most was visiting the Bellingen Markets that are one of many greatest and finest regional markets in Australia.
You could find contemporary produce, artisan candy treats, dwell music, crafts and handmade presents. It’s the right place to choose up souvenirs in your journey.
The markets are solely on each third Saturday of the month so it’s a must to time your go to, however in the event you can they’re positively price it.
7. See The Waterfalls of Dorrigo Nationwide Park
For a terrific day journey from Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo is barely 65km (1 hour by automobile).
Proceed on previous Bellingen and up the Waterfall Approach and also you’ll get to the city of Dorrigo. Drop in for a espresso after which go to close by Dangar Falls.
This city can be the gateway to Dorrigo Nationwide Park, positioned within the heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from waterfalls and rainforest walks – together with an elevated Tree High stroll beginning on the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre.
We additionally suggest the stroll to Crystal Bathe Falls (you’ll be able to stroll behind the falls) and the Glade Picnic space is a pleasant spot for lunch.
8. Go to the Coffs Harbour Butterfly Home
Our children actually loved The Butterfly Home in Bonville. Kalyra is mad on butterflies, and so is Caz.
Get amongst 400 butterflies in an indoor subtropical rainforest setting as they fly round and even land on you making it one of many best locations I’ve ever photographed a butterfly.
There’s additionally a maze to discover within the aspect backyard. We got a chunk of paper with a paragraph about butterflies that had lacking phrases in it. We needed to seek for the lacking phrases on the wood partitions of the maze
9. Loosen up on Crimson Rock Seaside
One other nice tip from our pal residing in Coffs was to go to Crimson Rock Seaside.
Crimson Rock is a tiny however lovely village a simple half an hour drive (40km) north of Coffs Harbour, and the seashore is completely gorgeous. Climb up the cliff on the northern finish for a prime view trying down the seashore.
Kalyra and Savannah liked taking part in within the mild waves and amassing shells on the seashore.
There’s a Caravan Park at Crimson Rock in the event you’d like to remain over a number of days and discover the various seashores, lagoons, and swamps within the space.
10. Seize a Selfie with The Massive Banana
I can’t determine whether or not the Massive Banana is a should go to or a very over-hyped vacationer entice. I’m leaning in direction of the latter.
It’s a kind of well-known Massive Issues we have now occurring right here in Australia and you may’t miss it from the street as you head north out of city.
I’d visited many instances as a teen and it now seems to be extremely small in comparison with once I was ten.
We didn’t cease in on this event, however our youngsters loved it a number of years again which is all that issues, and for me (and presumably our youngsters) one of the best factor concerning the Massive Banana is the banana break up sundae from the cafe.
The Massive Banana is a part of the Massive Banana Enjoyable Park, which is a giant amusement park and water park that has an ice skating rink, tobogganing, mini-golf, laser tag, and different enjoyable video games and rides.
11. Verify Out The Views from Sealy Lookout and Forest Sky Pier
The Forest Sky Pier is a 15 meter excessive pier that overlooks Coffs Harbour from Ulidarra Nationwide Park.
There’s a automobile park proper subsequent to the look out, so no have to hike as much as see the unimaginable vistas it presents.
It’s also possible to pack a picnic and revel in it from the picnic space close by, or seize a espresso from the Little Cafe.
There are a collection of strolling tracks close by that take you to different lookouts. The Sealy Lookout is a 500 meter loop stroll from the automobile park and likewise has unimaginable views and a picnic space.
12. Go Diving within the Solitary Islands Marine Park
From Coffs Harbour Marina, you’ll be able to take a diving journey to the Solitary Islands, that are positioned 75km off the Coffs Coast.
Diving fans will discover a protected reef that’s residence to greater than 550 reef fish together with pelagic fish and turtles, making it the best reef fish range in Australia. In actual fact, it has the densest protection of anemone fish on the earth.
For those who don’t get pleasure from diving, you’ll be able to go to the Solitary Islands Aquarium the place you’ll be able to study concerning the range of the park with guided excursions and interactive reveals.
It’s a small aquarium although so you’ll want to make a reservation if you wish to go to as customer numbers are restricted to 50 folks per day.
13. Loosen up at Jetty Seaside
Positioned subsequent to the Marina on the jetty foreshore is Jetty Seaside, a stunning seashore that’s protected by the bay, making it a terrific place to see stingrays and turtles swimming within the waters.
The waves are additionally mild so little swimmers can splash within the waters with out worrying concerning the large waves.
The jetty markets are positioned simply behind the seashore, so you’ll be able to wander over to the grassy space and take within the environment. There’s additionally loads of eating places, cafes and parking close by.
14. Go to the North Coast Regional Botanic Backyard
The botanic backyard in Coffs Harbour is a good place to discover the range of NSW’s vegetation and fauna. It has themed backyard areas that make for the right place to chill out in.
For those who’re all for biodiversity, the gardens presents excursions that educate you about their conservation efforts and the work they’re doing.
In addition to caring for uncommon vegetation, the gardens have a pure forest which makes up half of the grounds.
There are a lot of nature trails across the backyard which you are able to do by your self or with a educated information.
15. See the Miniature Dutch Village at Clog Barn
A bizarre however great vacationer attraction in Coffs Harbour is the Clog Barn, which is positioned on a caravan web site.
Guests can see a miniature model of The Netherlands with little windmills, cities with canals working by way of them, and even little folks.
You possibly can even see clogging demonstrations after which go to a dutch-themed cafe for some dutch meals.
Remaining Ideas on Issues to Do in Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour is a small and quiet city with quite a lot of lovely nature surrounding it. Most of the prime sights in Coffs Habour contain getting out of the city and into the pure landscapes.
Whether or not you’re trying to see thriving marine life or just wish to laze on a seashore, or stroll by way of the rainforests or benefit from the bustling markets, you’ll discover loads of issues to do right here.
I hope this information helped you intend your journey to Coffs Harbour and gave you some inspiration on what to do.
For extra info on issues to see and do in Coffs Harbour, take a look at the the Vacation spot NSW web site.
Extra North Coast NSW Journey Ideas
Are you planning to go to different elements of New South Wales? Then you could discover the beneath sources helpful…
Do you have got any recommendations on issues to do in Coffs Harbour? Share within the feedback.
Supply: Breaking Travel News
