Coffs Harbour NSW

Discover Coffs Harbour Australia including Coffs Harbour Accommodation

Coffs Harbour's breathtaking sandy beaches make it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the north east coast. 245 km south of Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour is also famous for its giant man-made banana which is worth a visit for its comic value alone. Coffs Harbour has many popular spots for surfing, fishing and beach barbecues. The town centre has a great choice of shops, bars and nightclubs. If you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of Russell Crowe as Coffs Harbour is his home town! The nearby Nymboida River is renowned for its white water rafting. Coffs Harbour and the surrounding area is also famous for whale watching. Coffs Harbour attractions worth visiting include Dorrigo National Park and the Solitary Islands. If you still have time whilst you are staying in Coffs Harbour try some dolphin watching, sea kayaking and sky diving.

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The Lazyshark Coffs Harbour Map

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Fast Facts

  • Famous for its bananas and fishing.

  • A six hour drive north of Sydney its sandy beaches and man made harbour make it an idyllic tourist destination.

  • One of the best locations in Australia for whale watching either by land or sea.

History

The first Europeans to land at Coffs Harbour were escaped convicts taking refuge on Muttonbird Island. Timber getters were the first settler to the area in 1841 with timber cutting remaining the most important industry well into the 1900's. This was then replaced by the banana growing industry. Coffs Harbour is now one of the most popular destinations on the NSW north coast.

Things to do in Coffs Harbour

  • Take a whale or dolphin watching cruise.

  • Go kayaking through Bongil Bongil National Park.

  • White water raft down the Nymboida River.

  • Go swimming and surfing on the sandy beaches at Nambucca Heads.

Coffs Harbour Events

Coffs Harbour hosts a variety of sporting events throughout the year. Pick of the music festivals is The Bellingen Jazz and Blues Festival in August. To view the Lazyshark full listing of New South Wales events click here.

Don’t miss

  • Visit “The Big Banana”, an iconic tourist attraction with a giant man-made banana - comical!

  • Go scuba diving off the Solitary Islands. The largest protected marine are in NSW is an underwater paradise containing more than 550 species of fish, four turtle species and various marine mammals all living within 90 species of coral.

  • Take a trip to Dorrigo National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The best way to explore the park is to either take the Rainforest walk along the rainforest floor or look down on the canopy from the stunning Skywalk boardwalk, 70 metres in the air.

Where to next

Heading North - Continue heading north to Grafton where you will be able to explore Yuraygir National Park, a sensational strip of coast teeming with wildlife. It also boasts pristine beaches, high dunes, paper bark lagoons, freshwater creeks that spill into the sea and some of the best coastal walking tracks in the State.

Heading South - Head back down the coast to Port Macquarie. Established as a penal colony in 1821 it is now a popular resort with its sandy beaches and fine climate. Not the most happening of places there is still plenty to do if you love the water. Choose from surfing, scuba diving, waterskiing, and dolphin and whale watching. If you want to keep your feet dry then check out the Billabong Koala Park where you can pat a koala and see the spider monkeys being fed.

Places to Stay in Coffs Harbour

Aussitel Backpackers (Hostel, Room Only )

Centrally located, Aussitel Backpackers is close to beaches, cafes, pubs and restaurants in the heart of the jetty area. Our fun, friendly hostel is the ideal place to relax, make friends and enjoy some great adventure activities. Our quality hostel is a busy, active and vibrant... more

Bosuns Inn Motel (Hotel / Motel, Room Only )

Why not spoil your self at the Bo'suns Inn... So you got your well deserved holiday, why not come along and spoil your self at the Bosuns Inn Motel, which has a great atmosphere straight across from Coffs Harbour main patrolled beach. Accommodation Consists of - 12 Modern ... more

Coffs Harbour YHA (Hostel, Room Only )

New YHA located close to the jetty and beach. Spacious rooms, dining and common rooms, TV, internet, BBQ, pool area. Surfboards, body boards and bikes available. ... more

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour, Australia

Plantation Hotel (Hotel / Motel, Room Only )

It combines the home style comforts of a fully equipped self catering kitchen, recreation area and laundry service with the convenience of an in house restaurant and bar. We have dorm room’s 3 - 8 beds, with ensuite available and double rooms that can be booked on request. All ro... more

Bonville Lodge, Coffs Harbour, Australia

Bonville Lodge Luxury Bed & Breakfast (, Bed & Breakfast )

Studio Apartment or Self Contained Style Accommodation, located Mid North Coast Coffs Harbor NSW. A romantic resort style hideaway, a great place for a holiday or treat yourself to a stopover on your journey ... Bonville Lodge offers guests the country atmosphere of Bonville and ... more

Coachmens Inn, Coffs Harbour, Australia

Coachmens Inn Motel (Hotel / Motel, Room Only )

The Coachmens Inn is a 3½ Star motel ideally situated within walking distance of Coffs Harbor's beautiful patrolled Park Beach, numerous tourist attractions, hotels, bowling club, restaurants and extensive shopping centers. Check in 2pm to 9pm with out prior arrangements. Feat... more

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Places to Eat/Drink in Coffs Harbour

  Plantation Hotel (Speciality: Meals from $6)

  Coffs Hotel - Shamrock Bar (Speciality: )

  Cafe Bellissimo (Speciality: Coffee and Cakes) Reviewed here....

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Trips / Tours & Excursions from Coffs Harbour

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Reviews of Coffs Harbour