On the north coast of New South Wales, you’ll find the beautiful city of Coffs Harbour. Full of quirky charm and delightful things to see and do, you’ll want to hire a car to make the most of your time here. Take your pick from the Hertz Fleet and get ready to enjoy yourself – there’s so much to see and do here.
Whether it’s a fun and relaxing family holiday or an adrenaline-filled trek for thrill seeker friends, you’ll be able to plan the ideal driving holiday itinerary. Coffs Harbour is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and the locals want you to enjoy it all – beaches, bushwalks and all kinds of activities await you here. They also support a large number of local and regional festivals, so if you time your visit for one of these, there will be even more to do.
The Solitary Islands Marine Park, where turtles, dolphins and all manner of sea creatures make their home, borders the vibrant town on the south. From May to November it is a prime spot for whale watching too. There’s a beautiful jetty strip dotted with amazing restaurants and cafes, so you can wine and dine in style while you take in the refreshing sea breezes.
No trip to Coffs Harbour is complete without a visit to the “Big Banana” – there’s a lot more than a quirky photo-op here though, with an entire entertainment complex waiting for you to explore. The Big Banana Fun Park is home to the biggest giant slide in Australia, along with waterslides, mini golf, laser tag, a toboggan ride and plenty more. There are also quieter attractions like cheesemaking workshops and plantation tours, along with the chance to see some beautiful jewels (and pick up a very special keepsake) at the Opal Centre.
20 kilometres inland from Coffs Harbour you can immerse yourself deep in Gondwanaland, one of the worlds most ancient and pristine rainforests at Bindarri Park. Go four-wheel driving, ride a bike or trek into the rainforest on foot – there’s something for everyone here, with plenty of scenic options for picnics and swilling.
Make your way along the Waterfall Way scenic drive which winds through five national parks to Dorrigo, where you’ll find Dorrigo National Park – full of lookouts, walking trails, a spectacular Skywalk and as the name suggests, waterfalls galore sounded by breathtaking ancient rainforests. An amazing place where you can really get in touch with nature, and an easy one hour drive from Coffs Harbour. Once a year the sleepy town comes alive with a Blues and Bluegrass festival.
If you’d like to spot some whales and dolphins, you can head to Emerald Beach – take a walk along the headland (the trail is called “Look at me now”, testament to the spectacular views you’ll find) where the soaring views out to sea give you the best chance to spot some aquatic visitors. Even out of whale season there are kangaroos, birds and beautiful native fauna to see making this an enjoyable day out regardless of the time of year.
It’s easy to see why they call Coffs Harbour “the jewel of the coast” – with so many delights to explore, you’ll want to extend your stay – and your comfortable hire car will help you see it all in style.
