'''Coffs Harbour''' is a town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, approximately two thirds of the way from Sydney to Brisbane.

Understand

Coffs is one of the original family holiday destinations on the Australian east coast. Today the town attracts parents and grandparents bringing their children to the same destination they visited as a child, as well as many travellers between Sydney and Brisbane, including backpackers staying for a week or so. Less trendy than Byron Bay, or Noosa the town still had great beaches, a huge variety of accommodation, and a well developed tourist industry that has been one of the minstays of the community since the 1950's.

Get in

By car

Coffs Harbour is a 530 km drive north of Sydney and 350 km south of Brisbane on the Pacific Highway. As always on the Pacific Highway, take care. The road quality varies dramatically, and the only way to deal with holiday traffic is patience. The new licence requirements for teenagers to drive 120 hours at 80km/h before getting their licence, has made every second car on the way from Sydney to Coffs over summer a learner driver with the family car.

By train

After years financial neglect, line closures and discount airfares, Coffs Harbour (probably along with Dubbo) remains one of the few places in country New South Wales where the train still offers a reasonable service and a competitive price.

It is a nine-hour train ride on Countrylink [http://www.countrylink.info] (132232) from Sydney, but it is a nice view out of the window as the train travels out of Sydney and up via the Central Coast, Newcastle and Kempsey. There is a choice of trains daily, and the trains even arrive and depart at relatively sociable hours during the day. The train station is in the south of the town near the jetty area and is walking distance to the beach and to some accommodation. There are taxis available to get to resorts or the other accommodation around town.

Some of the trains continue on to Brisbane, which is 6 hours away by rail.

Tthere is also a railway station in the Sawtell that is in the Coffs Harbour vicinity.

By bus

All the coaches travelling the route between Sydney and Brisbane make a stop in Coffs.
  • Premier [http://www.premierms.com.au/]
  • Greyhound [http://www.greyhound.com.au]
  • By plane

    You can fly to Coffs Harbour
  • Qantas [http://www.qantas.com.au] (ph 131313) from Sydney or Lord Howe Island<br>
  • Virgin Blue [http://www.virginblue.com.au] (ph 136789) from Sydney or Melbourne<br>
  • Brindabella Airlines [http://www.brindabellaairlines.com.au] (ph Qantas) from Brisbane.
  • The airport is usually referred to by airlines as '''Coffs Coast''' and is located about a five minute drive outside the town. There is no transport into town aside from cars and taxis. The taxi fare is $10-$15.

    Get around

    '''Buses''' Busways Sawtell Coaches and Ryans bus service run regular services around the city to make up a local transit network. Buses also run to Nambucca Bellingen and surrounding areas.

    '''Taxis''' Coffs harbour has a local taxi network that will run you up and down the Coffs Coast.

    See

  • The '''Big Banana''', right on Pacific Highway, just north of town. [http://www.bigbanana.com/]. Yes, it is kitsch. Yes, it is a pure tourism. Yes, it has overpriced food and tacky souvenirs But this is Australia's ''original'' "Big Thing", over 40 years old, and you have to get your photo taken in front of it, as generations of Australians have done before you. While you are there, you can eat banana bread, banana cake, and choc-dipped bananas, while sipping on your banana smoothie. Browse what may be Australia's largest range of banana themed merchandise, including the banana water pistols, which are a real boon for the politically correct parent who prohibits their child playing with guns, but who encourages fruit. If you choose not to indulge yourself in all things banana, visting the big fruit itself is free.
  • '''The Big Banana Complex''' adjacent to the fruit, there are fun rides, ice skating, and a real snow slope (indoor). Take a tour of the real bananas as well.
  • Pet Porpoise Pool. rlando Street (near the jetty end). 2 6652 2164. nfo@petporpoisepool.com. pen 9am - 4pm every day, . dults $27, children $14. The pet porpoise pool is another Coffs institution, operating on the site for 40 years. The setup here is more informal (and smaller) that the Seaworld type operation further north. You can get close to dolphins and seals. There are a couple of shows a day, so check session times before you go. You can do the dolphin encounter thing if you pay extra.

  • Butterfly House. Strouds Road, Bonville NSW 2441. 61-2-6653-4766. ttp://www.butterflyhouse.com.au/. A indoor rainforest with lots of butterflies. It is one of those places where you walk amoungt them and they land on you if they feel like it. Good spot ot take photos. There is maze and a cafe here as well. It is a typical Australian maze, which means that a person of normal ability and kids can successfully complete it. If you are venturing to Scuba dive in the Solitary Islands [http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/parkContent/M0003?OpenDocument&ParkKey=M0003&Type=xo] marine park off the coast of Coffs.
  • * '''Jetty Dive''' [http://www.jettydive.com.au/], 398 High Street. ph 02 6651 1611. A day trip to the islands with two dives is $99, gear hire is $30. Full openwater courses start at $195. In non-peak season Jetty Dive conducts some $55 single dive trips, mainly for night dives.
  • Go on a '''dolphin or whale watching cruise'''. Whale season is June to November each year, and dolphins are seen in the area year round. Spirit Cruises takes a large day boat of whale or dolphin watchers out daily at 9:30AM. On weekends and holidays there is also a luncheon cruise at 1pm. The boat has a bar and, for the more active participants, there is a waterslide and pool set up in the ocean. Cruises are popular so book in advance, phone bookings are preferred. '''Spirit Cruises''' [http://www.spiritofcoffs.com.au/], Coffs Harbour International Marina, Marina Drive. tel and fax 02 6650 0155. email spiritcruises@westnet.com.au
  • Helicopter scenic flights over the stunning beaches and rainforest with [http://www.precisionhelicopters.com.au Precision Helicopters], 77 Aviation Drive, Coffs Harbour. Phone (02) 6652 9988. Flights start at $40.00. Half hour learn to fly lessons over the coast - spectacular!
  • Buy

    Markets

  • '''Jetty Markets'''. The Jetty Markets are a craft and produce market held under the Jetty Village Shopping Centre every Sunday.
  • Shopping Centres

  • '''Park Beach Plaza''', intersection of Pacific Highway and Park Beach Road. The Park Beach Plaza is a giant shopping centre with the usual assortment of useful shops including a '''Woolworths''' supermarket and pharmacies'''.
  • '''Jetty Village Shopping Centre''', 361 Harbour Drive. The Jetty Village Shopping Centre is a small shopping centre with a '''bakery''' and a small '''IGA supermarket'''.
  • '''Palms Shopping Centre''', Right in the CBD of Coffs Harbour with about 60+ stores including Coles, Big W and a post office and also outside is the mall with more specailty retailers. Also in town is the RSL (Returned Services League) great place for cheap beer and meals'''.
  • '''Centro Tormina'''. A Shopping Centre in the suburb of Tormina
  • this shopping centre at the moment is going under extensive renevations and will even include a Kmart in the list of new stores'''.

  • '''Promnade'''. Combines fine dining with fine shopping boutiques.
  • Eat

    There is a group of eateries in the '''Jetty area''', mostly on Harbour Drive. This area is known as having the best eating in Coffs.

  • '''Cafe Aqua''', 57 Ocean Parade, tel 02 6652 5566. Cafe Aqua is a small breakfast and brunch cafe behind Park Beach, locally famed for its coffee.
  • '''Foreshores''', 394 Harbour Drive, tel 02 6652 3127. Foreshores is a hugely popular breakfast and brunch cafe (it closes at 3pm), with a menu ranging from toast with Vegemite through to a big brekkie with sausages, egg and bacon.
  • '''Granma's Restaurant''', 92 Park Beach Road, tel 02 6651 4777. Granma's is a small German restaurant tucked away in a residential area near Park Beach Plaza. Large serves and really tempting desserts.
  • '''Jetty Village Cafe & Juice Bar''', Shop 7, Jetty Village Shopping Centre, 361 Harbour Drive, tel 02 6651 2287. The Jetty Village Cafe is a counter service sandwich shop with a small amount of hot food. Its main advantage is that it is open in the late afternoons when most of the other eateries in the Jetty area are closed.
  • '''Park Beach Bowling Club''' Park Beach Road. For great wholesome food home cooked food at cheap prices. Get there early though as it does get quite busy.
  • '''Split Cafe and Espresso Bar''' - located at First Avenue in Sawtell (south of the Coffs Harbour township), Split Cafe and Espresso Bar offers fresh juices, brilliant coffee and a lunch and breakfast menu that caters to all tastes. Split is open early (about 7:30) 7 days a week and is also open Friday and Saturday nights, with reservations being recommended as tables are very popular. Split offers a great small community feel that is complemented by the quiet and relaxed village atmosphere of Sawtell.
  • '''SSS BBQ Barns''', Great Steaks, Ribs, shanks. Service is fabulous, a wonderful country atmosphere. winner of tourism award for Coffs Harbour. It can be somewhat expensive.
  • '''Scoffs Restaurant''', 386 Harbour Drive, tel 02 6651 1516. Scoffs has good grilled seafood and steaks (beef and kangaroo), but is somewhat drastically understaffed, at least in peak times. Mains $20-$30. The quality of the food at this restaurant is also questionable, especially in regard to freshness. Instead it would be suggested that you go to another restaurant on the Jetty Strip or visit Sawtell.
  • Drink

    The '''Plantation Hotel''' is newly refurbished, has a lounge, food, sports bar, big screen TV, gaming, as well as an Internet cafe and bottle shop.

    Sleep

    The high season in Coffs Harbour is the summer school holidays, from late December until the end of January each year. Some accommodation on the spot is likely to be available even at those times.

    In addition to the usual hostel/motel/hotel accommodation, Coffs has a large number of motel-like facilities that call themselves 'holiday apartments'. These are typically large motel like flats with 2 or 3 bedrooms and some cooking facilities. They are designed to be booked on a week-to-week basis but are often available for shorter bookings.

    Budget

  • Coffs Harbour YHA Backpackers Resort. ttp://www.yha.com.au/hostels/details.cfm?hostelid=227. 1 Collingwood Street. 61 2 6652 6462. 61 2 6651 8629. coffsharbour@yhansw.org.au. The YHA is very close to the Jetty area. Facilities include a swimming pool. Beds from $23 per night in a dorm room, double rooms from $60 per night.

  • Aussitel Backpackers. 12 Harbour Drive Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia. 1-1800-330-335. ttp://www.aussitel.com/. It offers lots of free services

    Mid-range

  • http://www.matadormotorinn.com. atador Motor Inn. 61 2 6652 3166. orner of Pacific Highway and Albany St. At the top of the basic motels good for a nights stay. Friendly owners.

  • Dolphin Sands Holiday Villas. ttp://www.dolphinsandscabins.com/. 6 Prince Street. 61 2 6652 9550. 61 2 6652 3276. nfo@dolphinsandscabins.com. 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.

    Splurge

    Coffs also has some of the best beachside resorts in New South Wales. Pacific Bay, Opal Cove and Nautlius are all resort style accommodation near the beach in the Coffs area.

    Get out

    Continue north up the coast to Byron Bay, or inland follow the spectular Waterfall way through Bellingen to Armidale, or south down to the Forster, and Port Macquarie.