Coffs Harbour
Oceania · Australia
See also
Port Macquarie
Australia31.43°S 152.89°E · 5 m
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Guyra
Australia30.22°S 151.67°E · 1,336 m
Overview
Coffs Harbour is a classic family holiday destination on the Australian east coast, attracting parents revisiting childhood memories and backpackers staying a week or so. Less trendy than Byron Bay or Noosa, it offers great beaches, diverse accommodation, a well-developed tourist industry, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Languages: English
Why go?
Coffs Harbour is a classic family holiday destination on the Australian east coast, attracting parents revisiting childhood memories and backpackers staying a week or so. Less trendy than Byron Bay or Noosa, it offers great beaches, diverse accommodation, a well-developed tourist industry, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
Coffs Harbour Airport is about a 5-minute drive from town, served by Qantas and Virgin Australia from Sydney, and Fly Corporate from Brisbane. The city lies about two-thirds of the way from Sydney to Brisbane via the Pacific Highway (M1/A1).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
No detailed local transport information is provided in the article; a map is available. The city is compact and many attractions are within walking distance or a short drive.
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See
The Big Banana Complex offers rides, ice skating, and a snow slope, plus a tour of real bananas. Muttonbird Island is a short, steep walk with nesting shearwaters, whale views in season, and no shade. Other sights include the Dolphin Marine Magic (pet porpoise pool, $27 adults, $14 children), the Butterfly House in Bonville, a creekside boardwalk, and the botanical garden.
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Do
Swim at Park Beach (surfed), the sheltered Coffs Creek mouth, or the calm beach between jetty and wharf. Helicopter scenic flights start at $80 with Precision Helicopters. Dolphin/whale watching cruises (Spirit Cruises, daily 9:30AM, whale season June–Nov) include a waterslide. Rally Australia (World Rally Championship) is held in late November. Little Diggers Beach is a clothing-optional beach with tricky access.
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Eat
The Jetty area (Harbour Drive) has the best dining. Foreshores is a popular brunch cafe (closes 3pm). Cafe Aqua near Park Beach is famed for coffee. Jetty Village Cafe is open late afternoon. Scoffs Restaurant serves seafood and kangaroo steaks ($20-30 mains) but can be understaffed. Bangalay Restaurant (next to Big Banana) offers fresh seafood mains $15-36. Mangrove Jacks overlooks Coffs Creek with prawns and beer. Park Beach Bowling Club has cheap home-cooked food. Split Cafe in Sawtell (south of town) serves breakfast, lunch, and Friday/Saturday dinner.
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Drink
The Plantation Hotel ('The Planto') on Grafton St hosts touring acts and has a nightclub with DJs on weekends. Also has backpacker accommodation upstairs.
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Sleep
Accommodation ranges from backpacker hostels to motels and holiday apartments. YHA Backpackers Resort (close to jetty, dorms from $25, doubles from $70). Aussitel Backpackers ($20 dorm, $50 double) offers free canoes, bodyboards, fishing rods. Plantation Hotel Backpackers (dorms from $27, free Wi-Fi). Motels like Arosa Motel (from $95) and Chelsea Motor Inn (CBD) provide budget-friendly stays. Holiday apartments are common, often with cooking facilities.
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Stay safe
Coffs Harbour is reasonably safe, but stay vigilant at night in the CBD. Avoid Park Beach near the Hoey Moey Hotel at night, and Toormina is unsafe after dark. Be cautious of KOB (kids on bikes) gangs in scenic villages like Coramba and Nana Glen. Not all beaches are patrolled; check swimming safety.
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Go next
Continue north to Byron Bay, or follow the spectacular Waterfall Way via Bellingen to Armidale. Southbound destinations include Forster and Port Macquarie. Day trips to Coramba and Nana Glen (30 min drive north-east) offer scenic villages, pottery, bakeries, wineries, and roadside produce stalls.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
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Arosa Motel
Fully air-conditioned motel rooms, all equipped with bathroom, kitchen and a carport. Facilities and services are Outdoor in-ground pool, Laundry facilities and Games room with a pool table.
Recorded price: From $95
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Aussitel Backpackers
Close to the jetty area and Coffs Creek. It offers free canoes, free bodyboards, free fishing rods. Nice friendly atmosphere with daily activities organised by staff. Beds from $20 per night in a dorm room, double rooms from $50 per night.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Chelsea Motor Inn
In the CBD opposite the Coffs C.ex Club, Close to everything. Has some good deals available.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Coffs Harbour Sanctuary Resort
Sanctuary Resort has lots to offer, nestled amongst 7 acres of bushland, 2 km from the City, and close to the airport. Play tennis, squash, or relax in the sauna or have a great time in the pool with the slippery slide. Various motel rooms and apartments with fully equipped kitchens. Excellent rates, licensed "Treehouse" Restaurant (open to the public) some great discounts are available for multiple night stays.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Coffs Harbour YHA Backpackers Resort
The YHA is very close to the Jetty area. Facilities include a swimming pool. Beds from $25 per night in a dorm room, double rooms from $70 per night.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Country Comfort Coffs Harbour
3.5-star hotel with large hotel rooms and apartments.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Dolphin Sands Holiday Villas
Dolphin Sands has seven freestanding cabins one block back from Park Beach. The cabins are 2 bedroom and sleep up to five people. The cabins share a pool, spa and barbecue area. The standard rate is $150 per night per cabin, some discounts might be available if booking in advance.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Matador Motor Inn
At the top of the basic motels good for a nights stay. Friendly owners.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
High season is late Dec to Jan. Hostels, motels, and holiday apartments available; book ahead in summer.
Money
No specific local payment info; assume credit cards widely accepted. Backpacker dorms from $20/night, motels from $95.
Safety
Avoid CBD, Park Beach near Hoey Moey at night; Toormina unsafe. Be wary of KOB gangs in Coramba and Nana Glen.
Transport
Coffs Harbour Airport is 5 min from town with flights from Sydney (Qantas, Virgin) and Brisbane (Fly Corporate).