Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour, Australia

Coffs Harbour is a paradise of attractions, from thrilling skydives and underwater adventures to dolphin shows and waterfront dining. Nearby you can walk above a rainforest canopy in a World Heritage wilderness. Famous for its bananas, fish and surf, this coastal city on the NSW North Coast is at the southern edge of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, a haven for turtles and great for diving. And relax on beautiful beaches in Coffs, as the locals call this much-loved destination halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and easy to get to by air, road or rail.

Population:

32,000

Currency:

Australian Dollar (AUD) $1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Police, Fire, Ambulance 000

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Some retailers are open on Sunday including the Plaza, which also trades until 9pm on Thursdays.

Newspapers:

The Coffs Coast Advocate
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Daily Telegraph (NSW)
The Australian (National)

The City

Coffs Harbour is on the Coffs Coast, a 90 km stretch of beautiful beaches and marine sanctuaries with brilliant blue skies. The friendly beachside city is the vibrant heart of the region, with a range of accommodation, shopping venues, restaurants and cafés, and entertainment for all ages. And it's home to the Big Banana - one of the oldest and most visited "big things" in Australia.

Do & See

Coffs Harbour is teeming with attractions. You'll be delighted with the shows at Dolphin Marine Magic and the colourful clownfish and lionfish at the aquarium. Popular activities include swimming, sailing, surfing, diving and fishing. Visit the Big Banana, explore a World Heritage rainforest and walk through a flight of butterflies.

Cafés, Dining and Bars

Farmlands bursting with banana and blueberry plantations, a subtropical climate and great fishing have made Coffs Harbour a haven for connoisseurs of fine food and fresh local produce. Enjoy quality restaurants with award-winning chefs creating tantalising treats from the freshest local seafood, fruit and vegetables.The café scene along the Coffs Coast is diverse, with a range of lovely locations. Coffs Harbour’s pubs and clubs provide a vibrant night life after the Sun goes down.

Shopping

Coffs Harbour offers various shopping experiences, from boutiques to markets. On Harbour Drive you'll find the Palms Shopping Centre with supermarkets and specialty stores, and the landscaped City Square for coffee and meals. Near the harbour is the Promenade with designer outlets and restaurants overlooking pretty Coffs Creek. There’s also the Park Beach Plaza Mall, off Pacific Highway, offering the most diverse variety of specialty stores on the Coffs Coast and open seven days.

Coffs Harbour is renowned for its markets, including the Growers Markets, Jetty Markets, Twilight Markets and Uptown Markets, as well as the Car Markets, the Made With Love Markets, the Bollywood Markets and more. On Thursdays, the Coffs Coast Growers Markets is a great place to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, smoked specialty meats, herbs, nuts, spring water, organic hearth fired breads and food seasonings.

Markets are also held in the towns of Glenreagh, Woolgoolga, Sawtell, Bellingen and Dorrigo. The Dorrigo Markets, on the first Saturday of the month, are known for arts, craft and fresh local produce. Bellingen Community Markets, on the third Saturday of the month, are one of the largest regional markets in Australia with 250 stalls, children’s activities, live music and camel rides. Every other Saturday the Bellingen Growers Markets feature a wide range of organic and locally grown foods.