Coffs Harbour is one of the best places on the NSW north coast for a holiday with kids. Think endless golden sand beaches, fun parks, family-friendly restaurants, mountain bike and hiking trails.
We’ve asked the locals for the best things to do in Coffs Harbour with kids and we were swamped with answers. Check out the best ideas below.
The best beaches for surfing are Diggers Beach, Gallows and Murrays at Sawtell. You’ll need to use Google Maps to find them as these are local names and not the actual signposted beach names.
Diggers and Murrays are patrolled and these are the best options for all skill levels. Gallows is popular but unpatrolled so you will need to be a competent surfer and swimmer.
Experienced and advanced surfers can try the pumping swell off the southern headland in Sawtell. To get into the water you’ll either need to float through Bonville Creek or jump off the rocks. Once in you will be rewarded with long perfectly formed waves and often a few barrels.
Surf lessons
The SurfGroms program with the friendly Lee Winkler’s Surf School operates out of Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and Woolgoolga. Lee has been a professional surfer for years, carving barrels against the likes of Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning. SurfGroms is broken into two programmes: MiniGrom for children aged five to eight years and SuperGrom for those nine to 12, so there is a difficulty level suited to each individual Kelly Slater-in-training.
Surfing competitions
Sawtell, 10 minutes south of Coffs Harbour, hosts the annual Barney Miller Charity Surf Classic. The three-day event raises money for a different individual each year who has suffered a life-changing spinal injury.
The classic attractions top-tier surfers such as World Surf League Junior Tour competitor Will Vignes.
Event founder, David (Barney Miller) was on his way to a professional surfing career when he was injured in a car crash in his late teens.
If you’re looking for calm gentle waves for toddlers, head to Jetty beach.
Little kids will also love to splash and play in the tidal estuaries. The best ones are at the entrance to Coffs Creek off Park Beach, Moonee Beach estuary to the north of Coffs Harbour and Boambee and Bonville Creeks in the town of Sawtell to the south.
Sawtell Main beach, Diggers and Park Beach are the best-patrolled beaches for families.
Teenagers will like “Jetty Jumping” from the Coffs Harbour jetty. Just make sure you do it from the end of the pier where the water is deep enough.
Coffs Harbour is one of the best places on the east coast of Australia to witness the annual migration of humpback whales. If you want to see them from land, head to McCauley’s headland, Muttonbird Island (near the Jetty) or Sawtell Headland.
Jetty Dive tours operate whale watching tours from June to October, tracking them from the shallow waters of Coffs Harbour to the beautiful Solitary Islands Marine Park.
For a long beach walk where you’re very likely to spot dolphins, head to Boambee Beach. You can access Boambee Beach from the southern headland of Jetty Beach.
If you’re looking for things to do in Coffs Harbour with kids, you can’t go past the Big Banana fun park.
While it may be the epitome of tourism kitsch, the Big Banana was one of Australia’s first “big things”. A family snap in front of the ripe fruit was a tradition decades before taking a selfie was even a thing.
Don’t stop there. The Big Banana is more than a giant fruit. It also has a water park, toboggan rides, laser tag, a candy kitchen, Max’s Mini Golf and ice skating.
Traverse the bushland, beaches and resort grounds of Coffs Harbour with kids while learning to ride a Segway with Time Out Adventures.
The 60-minute ride starts from Opal Cove Resort and costs $69 per person.
C Change Adventures runs daily kayak eco-tours exploring Boambee and Bonville Creek in Sawtell and Coffs Creek in Coffs Harbour.
No experience is required as the company supplies all safety equipment and qualified tuition.
The tours run during the day, at sunset and on full moon nights. Each tour has a qualified marine scientist.
C Change also hires canoes, kayaks and SUPs by the hour, the day or the week if you want to explore the waterways of Coffs Harbour with kids at your own pace. They will even deliver to you! You can add on a lesson if you are not feeling confident with your skills.
For hires of Kayaks or SUPS call 0468 406 222.
If you’re looking for things to do in Coffs Harbour with kids that are a little more adventurous, you may need to head to the hills.
The Nyboydia River in the mountains behind the Coffs Coast is one of the best natural rafting rivers in Australia. It tumbles through lush rainforest, spectacular gorgeous and deep tranquil pools.
Exodus Adventures offers pick ups from Coffs Harbour for daily rafting adventures. Expect surging grade 1-2 rapids on exciting whitewater on the family whitewater tour. You can book a tour with up to Grade 5 rapids if you think your kids are above 14.
If the rafting is too much, try a tubing adventure. The kids will love floating down the river and rapids on inflatable tubes.
Exodus Adventures also run a raft-building adventure, where teams have to work together to plan and construct a raft. It’s a great day out when you are travelling with a big group of friends.
The Solitary Islands Marine Park starts at Coffs Harbour and runs north for 90km. This incredibly diverse marine reserve is where the warm Great Barrier Reef water meets the cooler water from Sydney.
If you’re looking for things to do in Coffs Harbour with kids, it’s a unique place to scuba dive or snorkel. The sheltered island havens provide a unique habitat for both tropical and sub-tropical marine life as well as hard and soft corals.
Jetty Dive Centre runs full and half-day dive or snorkelling tours to more than 25 dive sites in the Solitary Islands.
The company also runs Kids Scuba courses for children aged between 8 and 12, with lessons in the pool. Once kids turn 12 they can undertake a Junior Open water Diver course. Adults can also complete the PADI dive courses. If you can already dive, you can undertake specialised courses such as underwater photography and free diving.
Make your way to the unhurried town of Bonville, famous for two things: the nearby Bongil Bongil National Park and the beloved Butterfly House.
The indoor rainforest gives kids an Alice In Wonderland moment, as they are surrounded by around 400 native Australian butterflies fluttering, feasting on nectar and mistaking them for a flower … landing right on their fingertips.
The Butterfly House is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 3pm. Admission costs $20 per adult and $11 per child (4-16 years).
If you’re heading to Coffs Harbour with kids for a sporting tournament, the Coffs Coast Adventure Centre is the place for you. The 30-acre property is just 10 minutes from Coffs International Stadium. Your sporting team will have access to pre-match training, recovery and relaxation facilities. The adventure centre has rugby and soccer fields as well as volleyball and basketball courts, cricket nets and a swimming pool.
But best of all, it has fun activities for the siblings of your competitor to enjoy, including zip-lining, zorbing, a giant swing and a commando course.
The Coffs Harbour region has several great markets to explore with kids.
The Harbourside Market is held every Sunday alongside the water at the Jetty. The markets focus on locally made products and locally grown produce with live music and performers.
The Coffs Growers Market is a great place to grab some fresh snacks for your holiday. It is held every Thursdays from 8am to 2pm in the newly renovated City Square opposite Coffs Central Shopping Centre. At this market, you will find great jams, honey, cakes, bread, coffee, eggs, soaps, flowers, fruit and vegetables. Make sure you grab some blueberries. The Coffs Harbour region was once famous for bananas, but many local growers switched to blueberries and the results are oh-so-delicious.
If you’re staying in Woolgoolga, the Villiage farmers market offers a farm to plate experience every Friday on Queen Street. You can meet the local producers and pick up delicious bread, eggs, pasta, chutneys and jams.
Coffs Harbour’s Twighlight Food market is held every Friday night (weather permitting) at Park Beach Reserve. This is the place to sit back and relax with a bottle of wine or a beer and to listen to great music.
The Made with Love markets is one of the most popular markets in Coffs Harbour. It is dedicated to boutique, local, handmade items and is held four times a year at Park Beach Plaza. This is the place to find bespoke homewares, bags, clothing, accessories, toys, woodwork, soaps, candles and artwork.
Local Coffs Harbour teenagers often ditch the beach and head to one of dozens of secret waterholes.
One of the most popular is Never Never Creek in the Promised Land near Bellingen. The water is cool since it runs down from the mountains, but kids will love the deep sections with rope swings.
Scout’s Falls in the northwest of Coffs Harbour near Woolgoolga is another gorgeous place to swim. To get here you will need to scramble up the riverbed in Sherwood Nature Reserve. The first pool you come to is a small pool under the trickling cascade of Scout’s Falls. Keep going up the hill and you will find a deeper pool under the falls. Do not dive in. This pool has submerged rocks.
One of the best is in the town of Coramba. Stop the car where Martin Street crosses the Orara River and find the trail down to the water. Or ask the locals where to find the rope swing.
13. Marvel at Muttonbirds
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve is an island linked to the Coffs Harbour mainland by a causeway near the marina.
The island is a major breeding ground for the Muttonbird’s formally known as wedge-tailed shearwaters and you can see their burrows all over the island. From the many viewpoints and lookouts, you’ll get gorgeous views of the Solitary Islands and mainland.
Take a tour with local Gumbaynggirr rangers to hear the Aboriginal stories of Muttonbird. You might even spot a whale from May and October.
14. Mountain bike trails
If you’re planning a trip to Coffs Harbour with kids, you might want to pack the bikes.
In the past decade, a dedicated collection of mountain bike enthusiasts have carved out a series of exceptional trails around Coffs Harbour.
If you like Enduro and Downhill MTB riding, head to Coramba 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour. The Coramba Downhill is for advanced riders only. This trail has great views of the mountain and the sea. Expect smooth jumps, exciting drops, fun fast sections and a load of challenging natural obstacles.
Check it out in the video below:
If your kids aren’t quite up to Coramba, try Pine Creek, near Bonville, south of Coffs Harbour.
Pine Creek has 14km of excellent MTB trails.
Cows with Guns is a hand-built single track that is appropriate for beginners through to advanced. It has lots of roots and loamy soil, but few rocks. Sidewinder is a downhill berm run with pump rollers and tabletops. It follows the edge of the creek and you will feel like you are flying.
Zarzoff has loads of twists and turns as it goes through to Creek trail. If you like tight canopy riding, try Back of Bourke, the dark soil is covered with a frenzy of tree roots making for a great technical ride.
Sawmill is more suited to intermediate and advanced riders.
You could see a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins at any one of the viewing platforms along the Coffs Coast. Click here for the 7 best lookouts for spotting dolphins.
If you want to learn more about these incredible creatures, head to Dolphin Marine Conservation Park. The park provides a permanent home for marine mammals that can not be released back into the wild following an injury. Families can join the daily animal tours to learn about the work Dolphin Marine Conservation Park does to conserve dolphin and seal populations.
Kids can book into an animal carer experience or tour to help the park staff look after the marine animals in their care.
This walk is one of the easiest things to do in Coffs Harbour with kids. It’s also pram friendly.
Forest Sky Pier at Sealy lookout has incredible views over the Coffs Coast. It juts out 310m above Coffs Harbour for a length of 21.6m. On a clear day, you can see 100km to the south.
If you’re feeling up for a bit of a walk you can try a track through the rainforest. The Gumgali walking track has a great indigenous story trail.
The lookout has a few picnic tables, toilets and a cafe.
Fly down flying foxes and climb from tree to tree on suspension bridges at Coffs Harbour’s Treetop Adventure Park.
The park has 115 challenges including 20 flying foxes. The longest flying fox run is 200m.
Treetops costs between $28 and $51 per person but it is one of the most thrilling things to do with kids in Coffs Harbour.
Standing at 30-metres high, Dangar Falls is two kilometres north of Dorrigo. You’ll find the falls and volcanic crater hidden amongst farmland.
Take the bushwalk down to the swimming hole (recommended for strong swimmers only), check out the viewing platform, playground and have a bush picnic. There are toilet facilities there too.
You can’t do Coffs Harbour with kids without visiting the Jetty. Grab some bait and a fishing rod and see if you can catch a bream from the end. Walk around to the nearby Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-operative to grab fish and chips and take it to the Jetty and eat with your legs dangling off the 975-metre wharf.
If you’re in Coffs with teenagers or tweens, they will want to “Jetty Jump”. It’s deep enough to take the plunge off the end if you are careful.
This Urugna institution is the sweetest spot on the mid-north coast.
Families can watch a colony of bees making honey, taste different varieties of the sweet condiment and browse the themed gift shop.
Our tip – try the chilli honey. You’ll probably leave with a 1kg jar.
Coffs Harbour boasts a plethora of great fishing spots. From estuary fishing to beach fishing and deep-sea – you’ll find something for every level of fisherman.
Mulloway, tailor, kingfish, bream, flathead, and snapper can all be caught from the rock ledges along the coast.
Coffs Creek, Boambee Creek and Bonville Creek are great for catching bream, whiting and flathead.
Head offshore and you can catch big game species such as marlin, wahoo, mahi-mahi, large mackerel and tuna.
For a fun hike that can be done whole or in segments, head to the Coffs Creek and Harbour Loop.
The 24-kilometre trail is a mix of road, dirt, bike path and boardwalk over and around mangrove wetlands.
Locals love to sit on a headland to watch the sunset, and Moonee Beach, Red Rock and Sawtell headlands are three of the best spots.
Nothing says beach holiday like a striking vista of Australia’s east coast.
The little town of Urunga, south of Coffs Harbour is slowly gaining a big reputation for family-friendly holidays.
Urunga’s incredible boardwalks is one of the best boardwalks on the east coast of Australia. It passes along the banks of the Kalang River to the junction of the Bellinger River and out to the ocean. Along its length, you will have stunning views of the ocean, the mountains and the town.
The entire length is wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly. If you have your dog, you will find a pet-friendly beach to the south of the river mouth.
Planning a Coffs Harbour holiday with teens? Elite 1 Paintball is 10 minutes south of Coffs Harbour on the old Pacific Highway at Bonville. It’s open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm. Children need to be aged 12+ to play.
Paintball packages start from $49 per person for 200 paintballs up to $240 for 2000 paintballs.
Elite 1 also runs Nerg games for $15 for two hours of play.
Coffs Harbour has several places where you can go horseriding with kids.
Abbotsford Park Horse riding offers trail rides and private lessons for all riding abilities. The small group trail rides wander through the rainforest about 30 minutes north of Coffs Harbour from the town of Glenreagh.
If you want to ride a horse on the beach in Coffs Harbour with kids, you should check out HWH riding school, in Upper Orara. HWH offers a two hour horse trek through the Orara Valley or a three-hour beach ride along the stunning Boambee Beach.
The stables have well-trained horses that are suitable for first-time riders.
Fun Fact: HWH stands for Holidays with Heart.
Coffs Harbour is home to a colony of duck-billed platypus and the kids will love trying to find the elusive animals in the upper reaches of Coffs Creek.
The best time to glimpse them is in the early morning or the late evening as they dive for food.
Head to Engineering Drive in Coffs Harbour and you will find an indoor archery range. Sherwood Archery offers holiday classes for $20 so kids can come along and try to hit the bullseye.
All the equipment and introductory instruction is included. You just need to bring enclosed shoes and a water bottle. Bookings essential.
Coffs Harbour is also home to one of the largest koala populations in New South Wales. Koalas spend a large part of the day sleeping curled up, high in eucalypt branches. So if you’re in Coffs Harbour with kids, get them to look up into the trees to see if they can spot any.
At night, koalas tend to bellow, brunt and belch loudly, so you will know if they are close.
Planning a getaway to Coffs Coast? You can read our complete family-friendly guide to the Coffs Coast with more great ideas here.
This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.
Main image: Bongil Bongil National Park © Destination NSW
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