Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour

Big Banana, Solitary Islands marine park and whale-watching on the sub-tropical coast.

2 tours
4 caravan parks
8 articles
📷 7 photos
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Tours in Coffs Harbour

See all 2 tours →
Coffs Harbour Ground Rush or Max Freefall Tandem Skydive on the Beach

Coffs Harbour Ground Rush or Max Freefall Tandem Skydive on the Beach

2 hours
From AUD $379
Coffs Harbour Climbing & Junior Ropes Course

Coffs Harbour Climbing & Junior Ropes Course

2h 30m
From AUD $38
Coffs Harbour, locally nicknamed Coffs, is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, 529 km (329 mi) north of Sydney, and 390 km (240 mi) south of Brisbane. It is one of the largest urban centres on the North Coast, with a population of 78,759 as per 2021 census. The Gumbaynggirr people are the Traditional Custodians of Coffs Harbour and the surrounding area, they have occupied this land for many thousands of years. Coffs Harbour's economy was once based on timber and agriculture. Over recent decades, tourism has become an increasingly important industry for the city. Once part of a region known as the Bananacoast, today the tourist city is part of a wider region known as the Coffs Coast. The city has a campus of Southern Cross University, and a campus of Rural Faculty of Medicine University of New South Wales, a public and a private hospital, several radio stations, and three major shopping centres. Coffs Harbour is near numerous national parks, including a marine national park. There are regular passenger flights each day to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane departing from Coffs Harbour Airport. Coffs Harbour is also accessible by road, by NSW TrainLink, and by regular bus services.

Background information about Coffs Harbour adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Next 7 days at Coffs Harbour

Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.

Loading forecast…

Best time to visit Coffs Harbour

Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Apr, Aug, Sep — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Jan, Feb if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.

Jan
26°
21° low
157mm
Feb
26°
21° low
176mm
Mar
25°
19° low
175mm
Apr
22°
17° low
81mm
May
20°
15° low
77mm
Jun
18°
13° low
85mm
Jul
18°
11° low
42mm
Aug
19°
11° low
45mm
Sep
21°
14° low
45mm
Oct
23°
16° low
86mm
Nov
24°
18° low
131mm
Dec
26°
19° low
146mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.

Beach & ocean conditions at Coffs Harbour

Typical wave height around 1.2 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.

Avg wave height
1.2 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.

What else is around Coffs Harbour

Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.

🔭 Lookouts & viewpoints (37)
🌳 Nature reserves & national parks (1)
🦁 Family — zoos, aquariums, theme parks (1)
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Drive times to and from Coffs Harbour

Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.

To Lord Howe Island
105 km · 1h 23m
To Port Macquarie
153 km · 1h 53m
To Byron Bay
232 km · 2h 46m
To Newcastle
385 km · 4h 41m
To Port Stephens
386 km · 4h 44m
To Hunter Valley
418 km · 5h 6m
To Central Coast
454 km · 5h 29m
To Sydney
525 km · 6h 23m

Photos from around Coffs Harbour

NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort (Coffs Harbour)
NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort (Coffs Harbour)
park
BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park
BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park
park
BIG4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park
BIG4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park
park
Discovery Parks - Emerald Beach
Discovery Parks - Emerald Beach
park
Dining
Dining
article
Backpackers
Backpackers
article
Apartments
Apartments
article

Frequently asked about Coffs Harbour

Where is Coffs Harbour?
Coffs Harbour is in Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other New South Wales destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Coffs Harbour?
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Coffs Harbour are typically September, April, August — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. February tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
What's the weather like in Coffs Harbour?
Summer daytime highs average around 26°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 11°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 1245 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
How do I get to Coffs Harbour?
Most travellers arrive by road. From Lord Howe Island it's about 105 km — roughly 1h 23m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other New South Wales destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
What are the top things to see in Coffs Harbour?
Well-known spots within day-trip range include Coffs Coast Growers Market, ANZAC Memorial, Coffs Harbour Historical Museum, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, Mt Coramba. The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
Where can I stay near Coffs Harbour?
We list 4 caravan and holiday parks in and around Coffs Harbour above — powered sites, cabins, glamping, and big-rig-friendly options. Pet rules, dump points and shaded sites are noted on each park's page. For hotel-style stays, the Drive Times panel makes it easy to base yourself in a nearby town and day-trip in.
How many days should I spend at Coffs Harbour?
Most travellers spend 1–2 days at Coffs Harbour to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 2 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
Is Coffs Harbour good for families with kids?
Yes — there are 13 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
What day trips can I do from Coffs Harbour?
Within ~2.5 hours' drive: Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie. The drive-times panel above lists every nearby destination with road distance and travel time — pick one, drive across in the morning, and you're back for dinner.
Is there public transport at Coffs Harbour?
Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
Is Coffs Harbour accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Coffs Harbour are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
How much does a trip to Coffs Harbour cost?
Budget travellers can do Coffs Harbour on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
Will I have phone signal at Coffs Harbour?
Most named destinations in New South Wales have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.

Everything in Coffs Harbour

Browse every guide, listing and how-to for Coffs Harbour.

Transport & hire(1)

Dining(1)

Travel guide(1)

All tours in Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour Ground Rush or Max Freefall Tandem Skydive on the Beach
Coffs Harbour Ground Rush or Max Freefall Tandem Skydive on the Beach
★ 5.0 · from AUD $379
Coffs Harbour Climbing & Junior Ropes Course
Coffs Harbour Climbing & Junior Ropes Course
from AUD $38

Caravan parks nearby

NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort (Coffs Harbour)
NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort (Coffs Harbour)
Arrawarra · Coffs Harbour City Council
★ 4.6
BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park
BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park
Coffs Harbour · Coffs Harbour City Council
★ 4.5
BIG4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park
BIG4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park
Sawtell · Coffs Harbour City Council
★ 4.4
Discovery Parks - Emerald Beach
Discovery Parks - Emerald Beach
Emerald Beach · Coffs Harbour City Council
★ 4.4

Nearby destinations

Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie
Mid North Coast
Byron Bay
Byron Bay
North Coast

Coffs Harbour travel articles

Dining
Dining
Quick Links Coffs Harbour Dining offers an unforgettable experience for both locals and visitors, whether you’re on holiday or on a business trip. From international flavours to hidden local gems, this vibrant city has something to satisfy every craving and then some, just around every corner! No ma
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Coffs Harbour Tours
Discover Coffs Harbour with NSW Travel — The Ultimate Guide to Coffs Harbour Tours Welcome to NSW Travel , your trusted guide to exploring one of the most beautiful regions on the New South Wales coast — Coffs Harbour . Our website, nswtravel.com.au , makes it easy to plan and book the best Coffs Ha
Backpackers
Backpackers
Quick Links Coffs Harbour is a great base camp for backpackers to come and enjoy all that this bustling city has to offer. Backpackers that come to this city has so many excellent opportunities to have fun, meet new people and see the sights and attractions. From an endless array of things to fill i
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Activities
Quick Links Coffs Harbour has an awesome variety of tourist attractions, from tranquil horse rides through lush rainforests, to adrenalin filled adventures. Whatever you want, it is all on offer in Coffs! Coffs Harbour is located halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and has for many years been a favo
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Real Estate
Quick Links Real estate in Coffs Harbour is generally units and older houses with the advantage of being within easy walking distance to the central shops. Good value for investors and buyers looking to renovate. Coffs Harbour is about 570kms north of Sydney and 350kms south of Brisbane, and has a s
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Cruises
Quick Links One of the main pass times for both locals and visitors to Coffs Harbour always includes that water with a variety of cruises and water sports to fill up your days with. As this seaside holiday destination is fringed by calm blue waters you can only imagine the endless possibilities that
Apartments
Apartments
Quick Links Coffs Harbour Apartments offers a great selection of properties that can be your home while you are in this beautiful coastal town. There is a property to suit your budget, taste and style. These accommodations, which range from modern self-contained apartments to luxurious ones with add
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Attractions
Quick Links Coffs Harbour has an awesome variety of tourist attractions, from tranquil horse rides through lush rainforests, to adrenalin filled adventures. Whatever you want, it is all on offer in Coffs! Coffs Harbour is located halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and has for many years been a favo