Coffs Harbour is the only place in New South Wales where the Great Dividing Range meets the Pacific Ocean, and that odd geography shapes most of the things to do in Coffs Harbour: reef and whales on one side, rainforest parks on the other.
This page covers the sights, walks and outdoor activities of the area, plus the two tours listed on this site. For the wider picture, start with our Coffs Harbour destination guide.
Sights around the harbour
The Big Banana
The Big Banana is one of the first of Australia's Big Things. It turned 50 in 2014 and celebrates the region's best-known export, from the days when Coffs was the hub of a thriving banana industry. The world's biggest banana sits within the Big Banana Fun Park. It is a bit kitsch, and we reckon that is the point.
Coffs Harbour Jetty
The timber jetty on Jordan Esplanade was once used by coastal shipping to move timber from the hinterland. It was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register on 25 June 2021, recognised as the longest coastal timber jetty built by the Harbours and Rivers Section of the NSW Public Works department in the 19th century. The surrounding area is being redeveloped by Property and Development NSW as a mixed-use precinct with residential, cultural and public spaces, so expect the setting to change over time. Ferguson's Cottage at 1 Breakwater Road is also heritage listed.
More ideas for visitors are collected on our Coffs Harbour attractions page.
Muttonbird Island and whale watching
You can walk to Muttonbird Island along the breakwater from the harbour. The nature reserve protects a significant wedge-tailed shearwater breeding site. A footpath leads up to a viewing platform, and whales are often spotted from there between May and November.
Winter is the quieter, drier season, which suits the walk. July averages 17.5 degrees for a daily maximum and about 5.7 rain days, while August is the sunniest month in the table below.
Solitary Islands Marine Park
The Solitary Islands Marine Park runs through the Tasman Sea from Coffs Harbour to Wooli. It preserves a diverse underwater ecosystem that mirrors the biodiversity on land, covering the southern limit of northern tropical species and the northern limit of southern temperate species. South Solitary Island lies 18 km north-east of Coffs Harbour inside the park. There is also a popular dive spot on a small natural reef near the city.
If you would rather see the marine park from the water, browse the Coffs Harbour cruises page.
National parks and reserves
The city is ringed by parks, which makes it easy to swap the beach for the bush. They include:
- Dorrigo National Park, just south of Dorrigo township
- Bongil Bongil National Park, south of Sawtell
- Bindarri National Park, 20 km west of the city near Ulong and Dairyville
- Yuraygir National Park, stretching from Yamba to Red Rock
- Moonee Beach Nature Reserve, between Moonee Beach and Emerald Beach
- Coffs Coast Regional Park, with beachside reserves along the coast
- Nymboi-Binderay, Cascade, Junuy Juluum, Ulidarra and Bellinger River national parks, plus Hayden Dent Nature Reserve
The Gumbaynggirr people are the Traditional Custodians of this country. Their name for the harbour is Gitten Mirreh, meaning "big moon".
Tours you can book
| Tour | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Rush or Max Freefall Tandem Skydive on the Beach | 2 hours | from AUD 379 |
| Climbing & Junior Ropes Course | 2 hours 30 minutes | from AUD 38 |
The tandem skydive launches from 8,000 or 15,000 feet with a trained instructor. You freefall together before the chute opens, then drift down past the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve towards a beach landing. The two hours run from ground briefing through to your landing certificate. The climbing and junior ropes course is the gentler, cheaper option. Check current prices and times with the operator, and see everything else on the Coffs Harbour tours page.
When to go and how far it is
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26.5 | 20.7 | 156.6 | 15.2 | 27.7 |
| Feb | 25.9 | 20.6 | 176.4 | 16.1 | 25.0 |
| Mar | 24.6 | 19.4 | 175.2 | 17.8 | 28.2 |
| Apr | 22.4 | 17.1 | 80.8 | 12.8 | 28.3 |
| May | 19.9 | 14.6 | 76.8 | 9.3 | 28.6 |
| Jun | 17.9 | 12.5 | 85.1 | 7.8 | 27.0 |
| Jul | 17.5 | 11.3 | 41.9 | 5.7 | 28.5 |
| Aug | 18.9 | 11.4 | 45.1 | 5.4 | 29.5 |
| Sep | 21.5 | 13.5 | 44.6 | 6.7 | 28.5 |
| Oct | 23.1 | 15.6 | 86.0 | 10.3 | 28.2 |
| Nov | 24.4 | 17.6 | 130.8 | 14.1 | 26.9 |
| Dec | 25.7 | 19.4 | 145.8 | 15.6 | 27.6 |
The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, wet summers and short mild winters. The city is relatively sunny, with 122.1 clear days a year. Floods have a history here, so check conditions in the wetter months.
By road, Port Macquarie is 153 km (about 113 minutes) away, Byron Bay is 232 km (about 166 minutes), Newcastle is 385 km (about 281 minutes) and Sydney is 525 km (about 383 minutes).
Where to stay for the outdoors
Four holiday and caravan parks are listed on this site, all with powered sites and cabins. Contact each park for current rates and availability before booking.
- BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park, Coffs Harbour
- BIG4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park, Sawtell
- Discovery Parks - Emerald Beach, Emerald Beach
- NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort, Arrawarra
Other options are on our Coffs Harbour accommodation page. For official planning information, see Visit NSW, and for background on the city, see Wikipedia: Coffs Harbour.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see whales at Coffs Harbour?
Whales are often spotted from the Muttonbird Island viewing platform between May and November.
How do you get to Muttonbird Island?
Walk along the breakwater from the harbour, then follow the footpath to the viewing platform.
How much does a skydive cost?
The Ground Rush or Max Freefall tandem skydive is listed from AUD 379 and takes about two hours in total.
