How to spend 48 hours in Coffs Harbour

Located on the north coast of New South Wales, and a little over the halfway point between Sydney and Brisbane, Coffs Harbour and the Coffs Coast region is worth adding to your list of places to visit. From the Big Banana, to animal encounters and incredible local produce, Coffs Harbour is a great spot for foodies and nature lovers to enjoy a weekend.

Day 1

8:00 am – Start your day with some local produce

Waking up in a place renowned for its local produce, mainly its fruit, presents you with a healthy and delicious way to start your day. Head down to Twenty46, located right on the Coffs Harbour Jetty, and experience their impressive breakfast and brunch menu.

9:30 am – Head to The Big Banana

Many of Australia’s favourite region destinations have one thing in common, and that’s having a big ‘something’. Coffs Harbour is no exception to the rule, The Big Banana is an absolute must-see on any visit to Coffs. 

In 1964 John Landi wanted something to make passing traffic stop at his roadside banana stall. He had heard of a “Big Pineapple” in Hawaii and thought that something big would definitely stop traffic. Times have certainly changed, and The Big Banana now boasts the biggest water park between Sydney and the Gold Coast, as well as an ice-skating rink, a toboggan ride, the ‘Word of Bananas Theatre’, laser tag, go-carts, a café and more. Give yourself a few hours here to fully enjoy all that’s on offer, especially if you’re travelling with the family (or you’re just a big kid at heart!).

Sun shining over the sign welcoming visitors to The Big Banana attraction in Coffs Harbour
Big Banana, Coffs Harbour. Image courtesy Destination NSW

6:00 pm – Indulge in a dining experience

After an action-packed day, a seafood dinner overlooking the marina is the perfect way to end it. We recommend booking a table at Latitude 30, and exploring their menu of oysters, tapas, modern-Australian mains, and seafood platters. With the menu changing every two months, and something for everyone to enjoy (including non-seafood and vegetarian options), you can enjoy a beautiful meal while watching the sun go down over the water.

Fresh oysters from Latitude 30, Coffs Harbour.
Latitude 30, Coffs Harbour. Image courtesy Destination NSW

Day 2

8:00 am – Explore the Harbourside Markets

Running every Sunday at the Coffs Harbour Marina, the Harbourside Markets are an excellent place to start your day. Grab some fresh produce for breakfast, and enjoy the entertainment and locally made goods on offer.

10:30 am – Get up close and personal with a Dolphin

The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park offers ‘hands-on’ experiences with their animals, to inspire life-changing habits in those who visit. The park offers several attractions, including live demonstrations featuring dolphins and sea lions, and small group experiences where you can actually jump in the water with dolphins and seals. (Make sure to give yourself some extra time if you’re going to do one of the up-close encounters!). Grab a bite to eat for lunch at the on-site Creekside Café.

Indo-Pacific Bottlenosed dolphin at Dolphin Marine Conservation Park, Coffs Harbour.
Dolphin Marine Conservation Park, Coffs Harbour. Image courtesy Destination NSW

3pm – Find a spot on the sand

No trip to a coastal destination is complete without a bit of time on the beach. Head down the Coffs Harbour beach, a section of which is patrolled by surf lifesavers, and kick back with a book, play in the waves, or just enjoy watching the world go by for a few hours.

Need a place to stay?

Book your stay at Quality Hotel City Centre, an award-winning accommodation conveniently located a few kilometres from the Coffs Harbour airport. Another great option is Comfort Inn Premier, where guests can enjoy the children’s play park and family barbeque area.

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