Should You Visit Coffs Harbour?

Is Coffs Harbour worth visiting?

This vacation town is a good place to visit for three to seven days. Coffs Harbour is a popular holiday destination on the north coast of New South Wales. It has beautiful beaches that are good for surfing, swimming, and snorkeling, as well as many natural areas that are filled with wildlife. There's also a range of resorts and accommodation types in the area that include luxury resorts, campgrounds, and everything in between.

Coffs Harbour

Reasons to Visit Coffs Harbour

Beaches
People come for the beaches, and they won't disappoint. You can enjoy everything from surfing, swimming, fishing, or simply walking and taking in the beauty. Popular beaches in the area include Emerald Beach, Woolgoolga, and the family-friendly Jetty Beach.

Food
It's a popular tourist destination, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that cater to families, couples, and all types of vacations. There are quaint cafes as well as fine dining restaurants and the cuisine ranges from local seafood to modern Australian favorites, or international treats.

Nightlife
It's a vacation spot that attracts visitors who want to enjoy the evening activities. The Jetty Strip is popular for its nightlife scene, but you'll find no shortage of bars and pubs in other areas as well.

Resorts
There's a huge range of accommodation types in the area with everything from camping to luxury resorts. There are also budget-friendly hostels and family-friendly hotels.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular in the area, as this is where the Solitary Islands Marine Park begins. The area sees a mix of the warm water from the Great Barrier Reef and the cooler waters from around Sydney, so the marine life is diverse. There are sheltered areas that offer snorkeling for all ages and you'll see a great mix of tropical and sub-tropical marine life, as well as both soft and hard corals.

Hiking
There are many national parks and natural areas nearby with excellent hiking and bush walks. The Coffs Creek Walk is a walking and biking path that's in town and connects the city center to many of the top sights that are nearby. Out of town, there's the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, the Gumgali Track, Sherwood Nature Reserve and Ulidarra National Park.

Shopping
The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Museums
The town is home to the infamous Big Banana Fun Park. It's a large amusement park that's become recognized for the "Big Banana" at the entrance - which is the first of the "Big Things" found in Australia. The town also has several other landmarks to check out such as the Forest Sky Pier, the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, and the Butterfly House.

Is Coffs Harbour worth visiting in the Summer?

The high season for travel in Coffs Harbour is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.

The weather in Coffs Harbour is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 23°C (74°F). But it can get as warm as 27°C (80°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the hiking, and the museums and landmarks. Also, you can check out the resorts and the nightlife.

Is Coffs Harbour worth visiting in the Autumn?

Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 20°C (67°F).

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Coffs Harbour, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.

This is a great time of year to take in the beautiful scenery, wander through the museums, and get out into nature.

Is Coffs Harbour worth visiting in the Winter?

Winter is the low season for travel in Coffs Harbour. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 13°C (55°F).

You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to browse through museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and enjoy an evening out.

Is Coffs Harbour worth visiting in the Spring?

This is the shoulder season for travel in Coffs Harbour. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.

Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during spring, and temperatures hover around 19°C (66°F).

During this season it's fun to experience the shops and boutiques, the famous sights and museums, and the gorgeous scenery. Also, you can grab some drinks at a bar.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Coffs Harbour

Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.

The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Coffs Harbour might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Coffs Harbour here or see if Coffs Harbour is expensive here.

Related

What is Coffs Harbour most famous for?

Coffs Harbour is most famous for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". People visit this impressive vacation town for its great beaches. It is also known for its great food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and shopping. And many visitors also come to this vacation town for its museums. It is often described as fun, nature-filled, lively, and relaxing.

What is the most famous sight in Coffs Harbour?

The most popular sight in Coffs Harbour is the Solitary Islands Marine Park. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Coffs Harbour on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for the Solitary Islands Marine Park and other attractions here.

How touristy is Coffs Harbour? Is it a popular vacation town to visit?

Coffs Harbour is a popular vacation town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Rainforest & Waterfall Experience: $123
• Coastal Adventure: $123
• Sunset Experience: $77
• Sunset Kayak Eco Tour with Marine Scientist: $39
• Coffs Harbour Whale Watch Experience: $62
• Daytime Kayak Eco Tour of New South Wales: $39

How long should I spend in Coffs Harbour?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Coffs Harbour is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Coffs Harbour has a variety of activities such as beaches, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Coffs Harbour?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Coffs Harbour?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Coffs Harbour?.