Coffs Coast attractions - 10 of the best to explore

From the tried and true to experiences so new that even the locals don’t know about them - check out what’s in store to keep you busy.

The Barrel Run Custom Tours visit a number of venues around the Coffs Coast.

Supergroup ABBA coined the phrase “it’s the name of the game” - and the answer to that on the Coffs Coast is tourism.

The patch of wonderland is geographically unique as it is the only place in NSW where the Great Dividing Range kisses the Pacific Ocean.

The Coffs Coast boasts 13 national parks and many more state forests and reserves that extend from mountainous hinterland through to unspoilt coastline bordering the Solitary Islands Marine Park, the oldest marine park in the state.

Visitation numbers to the Coffs Coast were 1.54 million for the latest 12 month period available (and that was Covid-affected).

Here’s our list of the Top 10 things to experience over the summer holidays - from the tried and true to experiences so new that even the locals don’t know about them.

Fresh is best

The Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-operative is a must do - with the covered dining deck always a hub of activity.

You can nestle up at the outdoor tables overlooking the fishing vessels, take a stroll around the harbour, or for the more energetically-inclined, take the walk to picturesque Muttonbird Island.

The Co-Op is at 69 Marina Drive, Coffs Harbour.

Walk, forest, walk

One of the best rainforest adventures in NSW, the Wonga Walk in Dorrigo National Park, has just re-opened on the back of a $1.1 million upgrade.

The trail winds through ancient Gondwanan rainforest, past 600-year-old trees and cascading waterfalls.

National Parks and Wildlife Service area manager Glenn Storrie said the just completed first stage of the upgrade work made it easier for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the spectacular rainforest.

Visitors should contact the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre on [phone].

Wheely great

Through Montem Bike Tours you can enjoy an early morning ride, and catch the sunrise over the beach or the iconic jetty. The sunrise, sand and sea breeze is just the beginning of your journey on one of the guided tours.

Montem will supply guests with a unique mountain bike and an Australian standard approved helmet.

The tour will acquaint you with the Coffs Harbour region, acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land, the Gumbaynggirr people.

Call 0487 600 839.

Crime mystery

Think you could solve a complex murder case? Immerse yourself in the life of a crime scene investigator in this brand new nail-biting outdoor event coming to Coffs Harbour on Saturday, February 5.

CluedUpp Games are back with a brand new mystery that combines outdoor gaming and crime-solving in this unique one-off experience.

The latest CSI-inspired storyline will have players follow a crime scene investigation like no other. Using forensic techniques, codebreaking, and good old-fashioned detective work, it’s up to your team of up to six investigators to crack the case.

Taking place entirely via the CluedUpp smartphone app - all you need to take part is a phone and a team of willing investigators.

Tickets are $95 for a team of six adults (little detectives and dogs play free!) and can be purchased via the CluedUpp website. For more information, visit: https://www.cluedupp.com/products/csi-coffs-harbour

Bug-eyed wonder

One of the district’s most amazing attractions is the award-winning Coffs Harbour Butterfly House.

Stroll among hundreds of live Australian butterflies in an indoor subtropical rainforest setting.

Share the world of butterflies as they fly, court, mate, sip nectar or rest in the light showing off their fascinating colours and patterns.

Then there’s the outdoor Alice in Wonderland maze area, plus the unforgettable dinosaur show twice a day.

Walk through the dinosaur forest, and be sure to check out the bug room, which includes spiders and scorpions.

5 Strouds Road, Boambee. 6653 4766.

Foodies delight

The Barrel Run Custom Tours specialise in taking you behind the scenes of local brewery, winery and distilleries.

They’ll pick you up in an air-conditioned bus and you’ll visit the award-winning Critters Distillery for delicious tastings before stopping at Woopi Brewing Co for their tour, wood-fired pizza and craft beers.

From there, it’s off to Two Tails winery in Nana Glen (Russell Crowe’s hometown), where you can enjoy their unique wines and dessert or tapas from their award-winning restaurant.

Next stop is King Tide Brewing where you can order from the Polish menu, and enjoy craft beer tastings. Call 0424 357 091.

How’s the serenity

Bundageree Rainforest walk is an easy walking track through coastal rainforest, in Bongil Bongil National Park. It’s easily combined with a beach walk along North Beach to see Tuckers Rocks.

With rainforest on one side of the dunes, including red olive berry, coastal banksias and staghorns, you’re sure to see a variety of birdlife, including Lewin’s honeyeaters and satin bowerbirds. You might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a male satin bowerbird’s bower - two parallel walls of sticks decorated with blue coloured objects.

The track leaves the rainforest at the rocky shoreline of Bundageree Creek, great for exploring the rockpools or enjoying the view. From here, you can loop back to your start point along sandy North Beach. Keep an eye out for white-bellied sea eagles soaring in the sky.

6km loop. Suggested duration: 90 minutes to 3 hours. Bring drinking water, hat and sunscreen. The 3km return option along North Beach is exposed, so come prepared (or you can return along the rainforest track).

Getting there: On entering Bongil Bongil National Park continue travelling along Tuckers Rocks Road until you reach Tuckers Rocks carpark. Call [phone].

Horses for courses

HWH Stables offers exciting horse riding tours throughout Coffs Harbour’s foreshores and its hinterland along with private lessons at its riding school.

Saddle up for one, two or three-hour rides along the pristine Boambee Beach, or try a two-hour horse trek through the picturesque Orara Valley.

HWH Stables caters for all level of riders and provides well trained horses suitable for first time riders or the more experienced.

Minimum age for rides is seven years old, and maximum weight is 90 kilograms, group size is one to six riders for all rides.

Call [phone].

Whole bunch of fun

Tried, trusty and world famous - The Big Banana Fun Park is the biggest theme park between Sydney and the Gold Coast, featuring rides and attractions for all ages.

Make the most out your time at the Big Banana Fun Park with one of the School Holiday Unlimited Day Passes.

Whether you want to chill out with the Theatre and Tour Experience, jump into the action at Laser Tag Area 351, go full speed down the awesome Kamikaze water slide or try a bit of everything - it’s ‘the’ ticket to have over summer.

Package inclusions: mini golf, laser tag, giant slide, World of Bananas Theatre & Tour, 4D Ride Simulator, ice skating, toboggan ride and water park. Cost: $59 children, $69 adults.

Visit: https://bigbanana.com/

The ultimate explore

The Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is a 60km stretch between Sawtell in the south to Red Rock in the northern beaches - and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful trek on the east coast of NSW.

Unlike many walks, you can dip in and out of this trail and do as little or as much as you want (the walk has numerous access points close to villages and towns).

No matter if you want to complete the full walk over several days, or just take the kids for an hour-long stroll over a headland to meet the kangaroos, the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is a must explore.

Muttonbird Island is picturesque and makes for perfect birdwatching, so bring your binoculars.

Dolphins surf the waves of these beaches all year round and the headlands are ideal for whale watching through the winter months.

The walk takes in Indigenous and maritime history at various locations.

To learn more, visit www.coffscoast.com.au/SICW