The Coffs Harbour Pubs Putting the Coastal City on the Map

From beachside beer gardens to buzzing brewpubs and historic hotels, the best Coffs Harbour pubs blend coastal charm with character.

Whether you’re chasing a Sunday session by the sea, a family-friendly courtyard, or a pint poured by the bloke who brewed it, Coffs Harbour and the greater Coffs Coast region have you covered. Use the ultimate guide to Coffs Harbour pubs and watering holes to help you plan your next visit.

In short

If you only visit one pub in Coffs Harbour, make it the Hoey Moey. With its beachfront location, open-air party atmosphere, free live gigs and tasty plates, this is nothing like your local boozer. Enjoy the lunch specials and Sunday roast or mix it up on the dance floor with surfers, backpackers and holidaymakers.

Jetty Beach House

Update your out-of-office message using a selfie taken at Jetty Beach House. The bar and restaurant housed in a 1920s beach house overlooks Solitary Islands Marine Park. And it’s that coastal Corambirra Point location that imbues it with a relaxed, surfie sensibility. My hot tip is to nab a table on the deck so you can watch the kids do cartwheels on the lawn with the ocean in view. Dive into fish tacos, Korean fried chicken and fries. Visit on weekends when music lights up the venue, which is both kid- and dog-friendly (by request). Head here for $2.50 Oyster Hour from 4pm to 5pm Fridays and Saturdays.

Address: 1 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour

King Tide Brewing

King Tide Brewing deserves its cult following in Coffs Harbour. Gleaming tanks are the centrepiece in the 250-seater taproom, which spills into a beer garden where locals enjoy tasting paddles and share plates. Natural light, a soaring timber bar and fireplace are also central to the vibe at the inner-city venue. The microbrewery produces everything from crisp lagers to hazy IPAs onsite and features a crowd-pleasing menu of burgers, schnitzels and the like. Grab a Kraut burger or tasting flight on trivia night and put talk of that sea change back on the agenda.

Address: 1 Studio Lane, Coffs Harbour.

The Pier Hotel

Rather than arriving by horse to The Pier Hotel, built circa 1905, weary travellers can now pull up to the curb in their EV. After being destroyed by fire, the original pub was rebuilt in 1914 and, more than a century on, remains a top place for a pitstop. Expect hearty pub fare such as Pier parmies or prawn and crab linguini. The upstairs Cellar Lounge hosts live music and DJ nights, and the street-side verandah is perfect for a pre-dinner drink. The recently renovated pub has retained much of its heritage charm with exposed bricks, high ceilings and original floorboards. The revamped accommodation is also a great base from which to explore the Coffs Coast.

Address: 356 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour

Woolgoolga Brewing Co (Woopi Brewing Co)

al fresco dining at Woolgoolga Brewing Co, Coffs Harbour — Enjoy relaxed drinks outside.

Stalk @woopibrewingco to get a vibe check at Woolgoolga Brewing Co., a short drive north of Coffs Harbour. It’s a brewery and a tavern, serving easy-going charm and a nickname – ‘Woopi Brewing’ – to match the town. Get a sense of the Woopi community by lounging on the lawn, which is dotted with picnic tables and festooned with fairy lights. Pizzas from the wood-fired oven are the go here, best paired with a Headland Hazy. Meet the local shapers at a Boards, Beers & Beats night and bring the kids and doggo to a Sunday session for a gossip and a giggle.

Address: 7 Willis Road, Woolgoolga

Moonee Beach Hotel

Nothing induces parents’ good cheer more than a playground, mini golf and a pet-friendly beer garden. Moonee Beach Hotel is one of the best pubs in Coffs Harbour for families, with its menu jam-packed with everything from pizzas to burgers and jerk chicken wings. Weekends bring a line-up of live entertainment with a vibe that is still Birkenstocks, beards and boardies.  Join the locals for a Sunday sesh where you must guard your chippies with your life from gulls wheeling overhead. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a swim at Moonee Beach Creek. Note: the pub has a Tesla Super Charger.

Address: 2 Moonee Beach Road, Moonee Beach

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

The Coramba Hotel

You will find it hard to pry yourself away from The Coramba Hotel, which is tucked neatly into the folds of the Orara Valley. The back deck overlooks a patchwork of farmland over a crook of the Orara River, which has a rope swing for older children. Another beautiful thing about this boozer is its elite weekday specials like the pie of the day with chips or 200g rump steak. On weekends, live music and friendly locals make a visit to The Coramba Hotel feel compulsory. Bring your dog, grab a seat outside and gulp down lungfuls of crisp country air.

Address: 17 Gale Street, Coramba

Toormina Hotel

Road-trippers visiting the Coffs Coast will appreciate the excellent artisan ales and schnitties on offer at the Toormina Hotel. The pub is also conveniently located a mere totter away from the town’s shopping centre. Pick up some more sunscreen and snacks and then head into The Palms, the pub’s leafy and laid-back outdoor area furnished with cabanas and heaters. There’s a contained playground for kids and a menu with standouts like beer-battered snapper and Thai yellow seafood curry. Trivia nights and big-screen sports add to the atmosphere.

Address: Lot 1 Minorca Place, Toormina

Sawtell Hotel

This Mediterranean-inspired beauty in Sawtell has become a favourite for visitors to NSW’s Mid North Coast. It’s the atmosphere that makes The Sawtell Hotel exceptional. But the sister venue to the Moonee Beach Hotel and Toormina Hotel is also acclaimed for its pub grub. The venue first flung open its doors in 1932. But a recent renovation has made the pub all the more vibey. Stop for a pale ale and stay for the banter in this contemporary pub, which offers gun-barrel views down First Ave, lined with giant fig trees. Go for a swim at Boambee Creek. Then head to the Sawty to get sorted with pappardelle alla norma paired with a glass of Château Tanunda chardonnay.

Address: 51–55 First Avenue, Sawtell

Seaview Tavern

A Woolgoolga institution, Seaview Tavern is all about comforting country fare and relaxed hospitality. And, like any good country pub, it’s totally in sync with making Woopi a destination. Check Instagram for $16 daily specials such as the rump or schnitty on Wednesdays or the Franken-tastic Parmageddon every Friday. The beer garden is the place to be, on point with its festoon lighting and communal tables. Families are catered to with kids’ meals, a kids’ zone and supervised games and activities. Live music fires up most weekends. And there’s a Local Legends Pool Comp if you’re game.

Address: 51 River Street, Woolgoolga (25 minutes from Coffs Harbour)

The Hoey Moey

Coffs Harbour’s only beachfront pub, The Hoey Moey, is iconic for its massive beer garden just metres from the waves, which peak and crash all around. In fact, its very location is quintessential Coffs. The Sunday roast at this rowdy local rattler is also off chops, served with a giant Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, carrots and broccolini. You can eat, stay and play at the Coffs Coast pub by Park Beach, which is always packed with tangled knots of surfers, drawn in with the promise of live music and a good time. Come for Sunday reggae sessions or a few schooeys after a surf. And expect impromptu hoedowns at the Hoey when those salty-haired surfers cut loose. Beer-larious.

Address: 84 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour

The Coffs Hotel

My craving for a good pub feed is always met at The Coffs Hotel. The popular Coffs Coast pub has been a community hub since 1937. The pub has also moved with the times, with its proprietors understanding that live music is the best way to bring people together. The beer garden is a haven for basking in the sun. But it’s the Backroom where you might spot the next big thing. The venue also hosts weekly events like trivia and comedy. It’s one of those places where you will find yourself returning for weekly specials such as Burger & Wings night and a stellar Sunday roast for a redback ($20). Rest your head in a queen room upstairs.

Address: 135 West High Street, Coffs Harbour

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar

Set on prime real estate overlooking Park Beach, Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar blends surf-club nostalgia with a boho-chic vibe. Sit by one of the windows that frame the views. Or gather around a table on the dreamy open-air deck, the sweet spot for ocean breezes and afternoon light. Reach peak holiday chill mode while tucking into everything from a pork belly and king prawn salad to salt and pepper calamari. Locals swear by the seafood chowder and big breakfasts after an early surf. My hot tip? Take some Heat & Eat meals back to your Airbnb.

Address: 23 Surf Club Road, Coffs Harbour

Greenhouse Tavern

This Coffs Harbour pub on the city’s northside could trade on its good vibes alone. But the food, drinks and service are seriously good, too. The Greenhouse Tavern offers daily deals such as Schnitilious Schnitty Night on Wednesdays and a Happy Hour on selected schooners to get you over that family holiday hump day. A counter lunch at the Greenie is also a great option. Nudge the kids into the outdoor playground to run around on a sunny day. Catch a game of footy, cricket and UFC action in the sports bar. Join the Pub+ promotion to get discounts on dishes such as a pot pie with mash, peas and gravy. Or the Greenie Supreme pizza topped with pineapple.

Address: 489 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour

Mogul Beer

Mogul Beer was established by a hobbyist home brewer whose beers were so popular with mates he decided to bring them to a wider audience. Quench your thirst with a $7 Crispy Boy schooner (every Wednesday to Thursday) before stocking up on some Mogul merch souvenirs. You should also ogle the Mogul range of beers so you can purchase a six-pack of lager or stout to go. Let the live music flow through you between Thursday and Sunday at the 80-seater venue which has a rotating roster of food trucks such as the Taco Whisperer and Benny’s Brisket. The brewpub is warm and inviting, with Italian leather seating, olive green tiles and wood panelling.

Address: 20C Featherstone Drive, Woolgoolga

Corindi Beach Hotel

Corindi Beach Hotel is a beacon for fishos who come in for the odd Corindi Fishing Club weigh-in. The pub also has ice-cold bevvies and a roster of live entertainment featuring artists that play everything from swamp pop to hillbilly disco and raw blues. The pub has a happy hour Monday to Friday every week, free pool on Tuesdays, and flower bouquet workshops for kids during the school holidays. The classic Mid North Coast NSW pub also has a beer garden with ocean views and a playground to suit free-range kids. Want something light? There’s a section on the menu called Greener Pastures, dedicated to salads.

Address: 7 Tasman St, Corindi Beach

Plantation Hotel

You might have initially planted yourself at the Plantation Hotel in Coffs Harbour to access the on-site EV Charging Station. But you will be tempted to stay on at ‘the Planto’ in the heart of Coffs Harbour for the scheduled events each week. It’s okay. Chill. You can check in at the Planto, as this pub in the heart of the city also offers accommodation. Add to this an impressive range of some 17 beers on tap as well as jugs of sangria that are the colour of a Coffs Harbour sunset. Sit and sip at the bar until your tonsils are limber enough to tackle karaoke. There are also pool tables primed for competitive fun and games for the Sear (a steak), Sing (some karaoke) and Shoot (free pool) night.

Address: 88 Grafton St, Coffs Harbour

The Coast Hotel

The Coast Hotel is equal parts pub, restaurant and nightclub. Scan the blackboard for family-friendly lunch specials such as Monday’s Mexican night of Nachos & Tacos or the Sunday All Day roast with guaranteed lashings of gravy. You can also tuck into fuss-free fare such as crumbed lamb cutlets or salt and pepper squid in the bistro. Upstairs is more party mode for millennials. Don your Dickies and Doc Martens for a beer and a boogie when DJs and cocktails flick the switch to lit. Don’t miss the Friday seafood special. This is the city’s most social pub and the place you’re most likely to form connections with Coffs Coast locals. Grab a few espresso martinis so you can go the distance.

Address: 123 Moonee Street, Coffs Harbour

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

Coastal classics: top pubs in and around Coffs Harbour