Game-Changing Things To Do In Coffs Harbour

Here are the best things to do in and around Coffs Harbour, the capital of Mid North Coast cool.

The best things to do in Coffs Harbour usually revolve around the ocean. But there are also waves being made across the city for everything from Coffs Harbour’s artisanal coffee houses to Indigenous art. From exploring hidden hinterland gems to inspired epicurean experiences, here are the very best things to do in Coffs Harbour and the broader Coffs Coast when you’re road-tripping between Sydney and Brisbane.

Make furry friends at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary

Coffs Harbour remains a draw for road-trippers thanks to its exceptional restaurant scene and mix of lively cafes. But Coffs Harbour is also a dream destination for a growing number of visitors in search of Australia’s marine animals. Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary cares for animals such as little blue penguins, Australian sea lions, dolphins and green sea turtles that are ill or injured. Learn about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and how you can participate. The sanctuary is located on Orlando St, near the Jetty.

Soak up contemporary art at Yarrila Arts and Museum

installation viewing at Yarrila Arts and Museum — Explore the installations and exhibits at Yarrila Arts and Museum.

Pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the Coffs Coast, the Gumbaynggirr people, with a visit to Yarrila Arts and Museum. The word ‘yarrila’ means illuminate, which sums up exactly how this fascinating space lights up the region. See Yaamanga Around here, one of the permanent exhibitions on show at the museum, which explores the Coffs Coast through its themes of place, community and belonging. All up, there are more than 18,000 individual objects and artefacts on display as well as 600 artworks across five spaces.

Surf or swim your dream waves in Coffs

a woman heading to Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour — Surf’s up at Jetty Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Surf culture has long been part of Coffs Harbour’s DNA, and that scene is being increasingly bolstered by surfers looking to escape the crowds in search of the perfect break. Solitary Islands Surf School will find a wave to suit everyone at Boambee, Jetty, Murrays, North Wall and Sawtell beaches while swimmers can dip between the flags at Woolgoolga Beach. Experienced surfers will froth on Gallows near the quarry and Trapdoors in Sawtell. Lee Winkler’s Surf School offers multi-day camps to help you really lean in.

Walk to the top of Muttonbird Island

an aerial view of aerial of Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, Coffs Harbour — The aptly named island is a site for nesting mutton birds. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start your heroic stride to the top of Muttonbird Island from the Coffs Harbour Marina and along the northern part of the breakwall until you reach the base of Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve . The 1.3-kilometre return walk will steer you to the eastern lookout, which offers stunning views over Solitary Island. BYO binoculars as this is a prime spot for whale watching during the season (from May to November). The trail features an outdoor learning space with interpretative signage that tells the Dreamtime story of the giant moon-man who protected the land. Tours are available on request through the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve.

Enjoy an Indigenous-led SUP tour

SUPing with Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours — Go SUPing with a Gumbaynggirr guide. (Image: Destination NSW)

Who better to guide you on a two-and-a-half-hour SUP tour of Red Rock Creek than a Gumbaynggirr guide from Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours ? This mob’s ancestors have been cutting canoes from trees and paddling around these waterways for thousands and thousands of years. Indeed, the most stirring stories about Gumbaynggirr Country are written in the landscape and told by members of the local Aboriginal clan who invest a proportion of their profits to support young people in the community.

Swim with humpback whales

a humpback whale swimming in the water, Coffs Harbour — Coffs Coast is one of the best locations in Australia to spot whales. (Image: Destination NSW/Coffs Coast Marketing)

Visit the Coffs Coast in August or September and you will get the chance to swim with humpback whales as they migrate south to the waters off Antarctica. It’s worth noting that whale-swimming tours with Jetty Dive Centre are weather-dependent, as they are conducted in the deep ocean. Furthermore, they are only on offer to children over the age of 12 and those who can confidently swim 200 metres. Those reluctant to slide off the boat and into the sea can enjoy a whale-watching tour instead.

Paddle the waterways

Be prepared for time to dissolve while you’re paddling through Boambee Creek with C-Change Adventures . The experience-based tour company hires out kayaks and SUPs and offers eco-tours around Coffs Harbour, an accredited ECO destination. On my last visit to Coffs Harbour, I paused during my paddle to observe an osprey plunge feet-first into the water to pluck out a fish. Up in the canopy, common sightings include kingfishers and cockatoos.  Aim for early morning or late afternoon paddles when the mirrored waters reflect the sky and wildlife is most active.

Soar through the treetops

a man walking along the course at Treetops Adventure Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour — Embrace your inner Tarzan at Treetops Adventure. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swing through the towering gum trees like Tarzan with Treetops Adventure right near Sealy Lookout in the Orara East State Forest. Courses are graded according to difficulty but there are more than 90 aerial challenges to choose from including 20 ziplines. Plus, kids from the age of three can also participate. Budding ninja warriors (and probably their parents) will enjoy the challenge of climbing through the adventure park configured with elevated obstacles, rope ladders, tunnels, cargo nets, wobbly bridges and more.

Flap around the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House

a close-up shot of a butterfly at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House — Get up close and personal with beautiful butterflies in the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House. (Image: Destination NSW)

Learn about the life cycle of butterflies as they flit and fly around you at Coffs Harbour Butterfly House , an institution for insects in Bonville, 20 minutes south of Coffs Harbour. In addition to displays of live insects, there’s a dinosaur forest that houses “extinct" dinosaurs that move and roar around you. Here for the exclusively winged creatures? Then look out for fairies that figure-eight around the trees. Children will love learning about different species such as the distinctive Ulysses butterfly, which is velvety black and metallic blue.

Go horse-riding along Boambee Beach

horse-riding along Boambee Beach with HWH Stables — Join the ‘Photographic Horse Riding Tour’ with HWH Stables.

Boambee Beach is much-loved by locals and you can see why as you plod along the beach to admire this pristine swathe of coastline on horseback with HWH Stables . The popular ‘Photographic Horse Riding Tour’ starts with a canter along Boambee Beach before curving back to Boambee Bay Lagoon, where your four-legged companions are led into the water for a swim. HWH Stables guide and photographer Chris Fenech is on hand to help you capture the day.

Get a selfie at The Big Banana

The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour — See the iconic Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. (Image: Destination NSW)

You don’t need to consult your Little Book of Dad Jokes to pre-empt the fact old mate will likely say, ‘Keep your eyes peeled for The Big Banana ’ when road-tripping toward this iconic big thing. While the giant yellow 13-metre piece of fruit, one of Australia’s best Big Things, is certainly an impressive landmark when it lurches into view, it’s the adjacent water park, toboggan ride, ice skating rink, bumper cars, escape rooms, candy kitchen, giant slide and laser tag that are the park’s main draws. It’s also compulsory to buy some choc-coated bananas, which are, thankfully, more to scale.

Discover the creative side of Coffs Harbour

inside the Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery, Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Coffs Harbour — Admire traditional and contemporary art from First Nations people. (Image: Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery/Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre)

The Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery at Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Corindi Beach exhibits traditional and contemporary art from First Nations people from the northern lowlands of Gumbaynggirr Country and across regional Australia. ‘Yarrawarra’ means ‘happy meeting place’ and the centre, 25 minutes north of Coffs Harbour, hosts a range of activities spanning bush tucker tours and art workshops. Another great stop for art lovers is The Gallery , which celebrates artists and makers from the Worimi, Biripi, Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr nations across the Saltwater Freshwater region of the Coffs Coast.

Sip your way around the Coffs Coast

gin and vodka at Critters Distillery, Coffs Coast — Kick off your gin tasting at Critters Distillery. (Image: Destination NSW)

Coffs Harbour breweries are calling. Be it for blonde beers, crisp lagers or XPAs, the craft of brewing is considered somewhat of a religion in Coffs Harbour. Kick off your brewery trail at King Tide Brewing, where you can sip on traditional European beers such as a wheaty Weissbier or German IPA. For more of an easy-drinking beer, try the Blue Groper lager or ‘Beached as’ XPA.  Woolgoolga Brewing Co. , or ‘Woopi Brewing’, makes for a pleasant excursion for its Road Trip’n IPA.  Meanwhile, Critters Distillery uses hyperlocal ingredients to craft vodka, gin and rum. If you are still thirsty, check our guide to the region’s best pubs.

Spot a koala in the wild at Bongil Bongil National Park

A short drive south of Coffs Harbour leads to Bongil Bongil National Park , where subtropical forest meets open beach. The Bundagaree Rainforest Walk loops through a grove of eucalypts and pretzels around a palm forest before opening out onto beautiful Bongil Beach. The park has one of the region’s most reliable wild koala populations, so keep an eye on the canopy as you walk. You might also spot marsupials crashing through the undergrowth. The six-kilometre-long circuit is mostly flat and easy underfoot. Be sure to carry water and set off early to avoid the midday heat.

Take in the view from Forest Sky Pier

Forest Sky Pier, Niigi Niigi - Sealy Lookout, Korora — Capture spectacular rainforest views and the Coffs Harbour coastline. (Image: Destination NSW)

Forest Sky Pier at Niigi Niigi – Sealy Lookout – just 10 minutes up from Coffs Harbour – is one of the best lookouts on the Coffs Coast. It juts out like an open drawer over the Orora East State Forest towards ribbons of blush-coloured sand and turquoise-tinted tributaries. Set your phone to panorama mode to capture the breathtaking views of Solitary Islands Marine Park and surrounding mountain ranges. Head to Nyanggan Gapi Cafe to pick up a picnic lunch to enjoy in one of the nearby picnic shelters. Visitors should also tackle Gumgali Track, a short forest walk that follows a Gumbaynggirr Dreaming story through sculptures and audio. Visit when the forest lights up in the late afternoon.

Get active, and a bit competitive at Town Padel

a man playing racket sports at the Town Padel, Coffs Harbour — Pop into the Town Padel for an action-packed game of racket sports. (Image: Supplied)

Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, and Town Padel brings the action to Coffs Harbour. The centre offers courts for casual play and coaching sessions for beginners and experienced players alike. The hybrid sport – a blend of tennis and squash – is fast-paced, social and a lot of fun, whether you’re joining friends for a game or testing your skills for the first time. Fossick for some short shorts, eighties windbreakers or vintage tennis whites so you look the part. Online booking is recommended, particularly on weekends when the courts are in high demand.

Discover the best Coffs Harbour markets

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

Things to do in Coffs Harbour: Swimming with whales, the Big Banana and contemporary art