Destination focus: Coffs Harbour
It’s the unsung hero of the Australian coast. From what to do and where to eat, here a guide of the best things to do when travelling to Coffs Harbour.
Do
Sure, you could just spend your time flopped on any one of the 90 gorgeous beaches around the Coffs Coast, but there’s plenty more on offer. One of the country’s best golf courses, Bonville, is around 10 minutes south of Coffs Harbour itself. It’s considered one of the most beautiful courses in the country and you’ll regularly see kangaroos, wallabies, goannas and maybe even koalas in the bush that surrounds the fairways. Then, hop on a horse and head off for a ride along the sand of Boambee Beach. The horses are even happy to wade right into the surf, which is a one of a kind experience.
Learn
If you’ve always wanted to surf, the Coffs Coast is a great place to learn. The winding nature of the coastline creates some great beginner breaks where you can safely test out your burgeoning skills. Lee Winkler is an ex-pro surfer who now runs a surf school and runs fun group or private lessons that will get you hanging ten in no time. Or you can try standup paddle boarding along the calm waters of the rivers and creeks around the coast, or in the calm waters around the jetty.
Explore
The Coffs Coast is one of the only places in the country where you’ll find subalpine mountain escarpments meeting subtropical rainforest, so you’ll definitely want to get out and explore on foot (or even on two wheels). There are more than 50 official walking tracks around the region, taking your through lush green forest, along stunning coastline or to hidden waterfalls. The nine-kilometre Coffs Creek circuit is a great short walk or experienced hikers can try the four-day Solitary Island Coastal Walk, with 20 or so places to stay along the way.
Eat & Drink
What’s a holiday without a little indulgence? The seafood here is sublime, plucked straight from the Pacific Ocean or from oyster estuaries along the river. Excellent fresh produce comes from the surrounding hills, so make sure you visit a farmers’ market like the ones in Dorrigo or Bellingen. The rich volcanic soils and sub-tropical sunshine make for some great wines, and there are even local breweries and a vodka distillery for tastings.
Stay
There are more than 200 places to stay along the Coffs Coast, ranging from caravan parks and motels through to B&Bs, holiday houses and resorts. Try the stylish oceanfront Opal Cove Resort or splash out with a beachfront spa bure at the BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort. To really get away from it all, the Lombok on Waterfall retreat is a private Balinese-style villa tucked away in the mountains near Bellingen. Surrounded by 16 acres of tropical gardens and with sweeping views of the valley from every side, you’ll never want to come home.
Have you ever been to Coffs Harbour? Tell us what your favourite things you did are in the comments below.
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