Travel the Magical Coffs Coast, Australia
Many people use Coffs Harbour as a brief lunch stop on their way to the Gold Coast or Sydney. Take the time to spend a few days in one of the most beautiful and diverse regions of Australia.
In 2002, Coffs Harbour was voted Most Liveable City in the World for Population Under 75,000. The area has a perfect climate, fabulous beaches and a beautiful, lush hinterland. Weekend markets, the Big Banana, skydiving, surfing, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, iceskating, mountain biking, nature trails and pure relaxation are all on offer.
Accommodation is plentiful – resorts, hotels, motels, quaint cottages, historical pubs, caravan parks and backpackers. You’ll find award winning restaurants and plenty of fish and chips.
The natural attractions and features are almost endless including a world heritage rainforest, marine parks and bustling hamlets to explore. You’ll see dolphins, whales, kangaroos, koalas, platypus and a huge range of birdlife. And you’ll experience fesitvals and entertainment on a big scale.
Coffs Harbour will entertain you with their Chilli Fesitval in early July, and their Buskers festival in late September/early October. Boat lovers shouldn’t miss the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race in January.
About 20 minutes south of Coffs Harbour, you’ll find Urunga, a seaside town which sits at the mouth of the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers. It has fabulous surf beaches and great fishing. Canoeing and water-skiing are favourite pastimes, or savour the delights of the Urunga Food and Wine Festival, held every Father’s Day in September.
From Urunga, meander along the Waterfall Way through fertile dairy farms, to the pristine area of the Bellinger Valley. The historical town of Bellingen at the foot of the Dorrigo Plateau has many galleries and craft shops to explore. It has one of the most popular community markets in Australia which is held every third Saturday offering local produce, food, entertainment, buskers, bric-a-brac, arts and crafts .
Bellingen is also host to the highly-acclaimed Global Carnival in spring, the Flamenco Festival in mid winter, and the Bellingen Jazz and Blues Festival during August. Or visit the Promised Land with it’s picture perfect scenery and take a refreshing dip in the ice cold Never Never Creek. Say no more!
Then wind your way up the Dorrigo Plateau and visit the world heritage rainforest where you can take a number of walks or you can picnic beneath ancient, splendourous buttressed figs, giant tallowoods and Australian cedars or visit some of the beautiful waterfalls in the region. In October you can experience the Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival. And don’t forget the art exhibitions, the wood-craft expo, the movie festival and agricultural show. There are also rodeos, whitewater rafting, trout fishing, abseiling or horse riding to experience.
In fact, this fantastic region is worth more than spending just a few days!
Tags: arts and crafts, Bellingen, boating, Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo, festivals, fishing, marine parks, markets, rainforests, surfing, Urunga