| Coffs
Harbour - One of the larger centres on the Holiday
Coast, this subtropical holiday town is 555 km N of Sydney on
the Pacific Hwy. The surrounding district produces timber, bananas,
vegetables, dairy products and fish. Coffs Harbour is really
two towns one on the highway and the other near the harbour
and railway station. In town: Coffs Harbour Explorer offers
bus tours of town and surroundings. Self-guide walks, md. Jetty
Walk and Coffs Creek Walk, brochures available. In High St:
Historic Pier Hotel (1908, rebuilt 1920s); jetty (1892, rebuilt
1997); Coffs Harbour Museum. The Marina: departure point for
fishing charters and scuba-diving; whale-watching trips to the
Solitary Islands (June-Nov.). A walk along northern sea wall
of harbour leads to Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, a vantage
point to see migration of humpback whales June-Nov., and to
sec short-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds Aug.-Apr. North of
jetty Pet Porpoisc Pool, Orlando St: performing porpoisu and
seals; research and nursery facilities Aquajet Waterslide, Park
Beach Rd. Nortt Coast Regional Botanical Gardens corn plex,
Hardacre St, has splendid rainfores and prolific birdlife. Sun.
markets a jetty. Oct.: Food and Wine Fiesta. Dec. Pittwater
to Coffs Harbour Yacht Classic In the area: Whitewater rafting
(on Nymboida River and Goolang Creek: canoeing, reef fishing,
diving, horseriding through rainforest, Harley rides and 4WD
tours; Gambaari Aboriginal Cultural Tour of coastal area; self-guide
tours through Wedding Bells State Forest and the Dorrigo region
(4WD only), brochures available. Clog-making and Dutch village
at Clog Barn on Pacific Hwy, 2 km N. The Big Banana, 4 km N
along Pacific Hwy concrete landmark in form of huge banana with
displays on banana industry; skywalk through banana plantation
alongside. Big Banana Theme Park features Aboriginal Dreamtime
Cave experience, ‘realistic’ bunyip, and ice-skating rink. World
of Horticulture, with monorail, is nearby. Coffs Harbour Zoo,
14 km N. Bruxner Park Flora Reserve, Korora, 9 km NW, a dense
tropical jungle area of vines, ferns and orchids; bushwalking
tracks and picnic area at Park Creek. Georges Gold Mine tours,
38 km W. Visitor information: Pacific Hwy; (02) 6652 1522, freecall
1300 369 |
