Outdoor Activities on the Coffs Coast

Warm waters and a rich variety of sea life make Coffs Coast an underwater paradise for scuba divers and snorkelers.
 
Snorkelling is possible in many locations close to our shores. Some excellent dive locations exist just a short boat ride away, where you’ll see beautiful corals and a wide variety of creatures. Among them could be endangered grey nurse sharks, turtles and the endemic banded anemone fish (Nemo!).
 
Arrange a trip with one of our local dive shops or hire your gear and a charter boat for your own adventure.

Between May and November, the Coffs Harbour region is a great destination for watching whales as they undertake their annual migration along the North Coast from Antarctica to the warm waters of Queensland and back again with their new calves.
 
Daily sightings are common from one of the many spectacular headland vantage points around Coffs Harbour, or you can take a whale watching cruise in the beautiful marine park for a closer look.
 
The Solitary Islands Marine Park is a haven for many marine creatures. Cruise operators include Pacific Explorer, Cougar Cat 12 Charters and Jetty Dive, which also offers snorkelling and diving tours in the marine park.

Coffs Coast’s rivers and creeks are ideal for exploration by kayak or canoe. You can spend hours paddling your way across calm waters surrounded by nature. Try Bonville Creek in Bongil Bongil National Park, Boambee Bay Reserve, Coffs Creek in Coffs Harbour, Moonee, Red Rock River or the Bellinger River between Bellingen and Raleigh.

Experience the thrills of rafting amongst lush rainforests, spectacular gorges and deep tranquil pools; awesome contrasts of power and peace on Australia's premier white-water rivers.
 
The Nymboida River is one of the worlds’ classic white-water rafting rivers. Located within the Nymboi-Binderay national park, the Nymboida River has gouged spectacular sheer-sided gorges, where raging rapids are interspersed with deep still pools.

The Holiday Coast provides loads of opportunities for all sorts of fishing - deep sea, freshwater, off the jetty or the rocks and from boats. Cast a line into the surf from a beach or rocky shore, try your luck for a bream, whiting or bass in the sheltered waters of a wide estuary, or head out to sea and spend a day fishing on the continental shelf.

Some call it life’s ultimate thrill. Skydiving is an incredible and sometimes life changing experience. The uplifting journey towards the clouds is followed by the heart-stopping leap out of the plane.
 
Freefall is an intense experience which is contrasted with a parachute ride, where you can feel like a bird, flying through the sky on your way back to the beautiful planet earth.
 
For more information: Coffs City Skydivers www.coffsskydivers.com.au

There are nine courses throughout the Coffs Coast and each has its own special character. Alternatively you might like to try the Coffs Harbour golf driving range near the racecourse.
 
Enjoy a relaxed round at a country club or the more upbeat feel of greens in the city of Coffs Harbour. www.coffsharbourgolfclub.com.au/cms
 
Golfers have the privilege of playing on the four-times voted ‘Australia’s Most Beautiful Golf Course’ at Bonville Golf Resort. www.bonvillegolf.com.au

Coffs Harbour’s famous icon, the Big Banana, recently turned 50 years old. Over one million people visit this attraction each year, to enjoy a wide range of activities including ice skating, laser tag, downhill toboggan rides, the candy making kitchen store, mini golf, the water park, the ‘World of Bananas’ theatre and plantation tour and of course walking through the Banana itself.
 
Kids of all ages love the Butterfly House where a world of flying colour comfortably floats in an indoor mini sub-tropical rainforest setting. Let beautiful butterflies surround you, watch them feed on nectar, and learn all about their amazing lives. www.butterflyhouse.com.au
 
At Dolphin Marine Magic where you can see a great marine presentation, swim with a dolphin, feed penguins and get kissed by a seal. www.dolphinmarinemagic.com.au
 
The Solitary Islands Aquarium offers an educational insight into the local marine life. solitaryislandsaquarium.com
 
Tabatinga, the award-winning indoor playground tabatinga.com.au is perfect for when the weather isn’t.
 
Raleigh International Raceway www.raleighraceway.com.au/calendar  has many events throughout the year.
 
The Clog Barn at Coffs Harbour clogbarn.com.au includes a model Dutch village, Big Oma’s Coffee House and accommodation.

A 60km walk lies between the coastal villages of Sawtell (at Bonville Headland) in the south to Red Rock in the north. You can walk as much or as little as you want. Choose whether to do a short stroll along the headland at Park Beach (as shown in the image) or pick different sections to walk or go the complete distance over 4 days and conquer the whole thing. This scenically stunning walk links golden beaches, rocky headlands and lush rainforest and is particularly memorable during whale watching season.

From basic tent sites in the bush to more established campsites or caravan parks with all the amenities and facilities you could want, camping really allows you to immerse yourself in Coffs Coast’s natural environment.
 
www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/coffs-harbour-area/accommodation-caravan-and-camping
www.coffscoast.com.au/see-and-do/camping

Jump in, buckle up, unfold the map and head off into the wilderness – our region is made for touring.
 
The smooth stretch of the Pacific Highway whisks you along the coast in comfort, but unless you take a few turn-offs and explore, you’ll miss some of the most beautiful and interesting spots. You’ll be surprised how many quiet bays and beaches there are, tucked away at the end of the roads that lead to the sea.
 
Inland too, there are surprises to discover – roads through green dairylands to friendly country towns, roads that wind up through rainforest to the rim of the Great Divide, roads that bring you to milestones in our rich heritage.

The gallery has a very flexible exhibiting space of 200 square metres and presents a diverse programme of historical and contemporary exhibitions designed for the enjoyment and education of the community of Coffs Harbour and outlying regions.
 
Group visits, visits by schools, TAFE and other organisations are encouraged and the gallery and staff can be made available outside usual opening hours. The gallery runs several classes and workshops such as Adult Art, HSC Visual Arts tutorial, children's art classes and special workshops and lectures for Friends of the Gallery.