Soak Up The Sun At The Best Coffs Harbour Beaches

Peel yourself away from the marina in search of natural beauty at the best Coffs Harbour beaches.

While one sizeable banana and a historic jetty cement Coffs Harbour’s place on the NSW North Coast tourist trail, I love visiting the coastal town for its magnificent stretches of sand. Embraced by locals yet often overlooked by travellers, the best Coffs Harbour beaches offer big wave energy when the heat’s too much, and calm serenity when lowkey lazing calls. Here are my time-after-time favourites.

In short

If you only visit one of the best Coffs Harbour beaches, make it Charlesworth Bay Beach for its locals-only allure away from the beaten track. The water is crystal-clear, and it gives year-round remote island feels.

1. Charlesworth Bay Beach

friends walking along Charlesworth Bay Beach, Coffs Harbour — Soak up the sun at this secluded haven. (Image: Destination NSW)

The most hidden beach in Coffs Harbour revealed itself to me only after a local friend gave me a heads up. While many think Charlesworth Bay Beach belongs exclusively to the Pacific Bar Resort, which is situated right by it, the secluded slice of heaven is open to anybody, including dogs if they’re leashed. Leaving my car in the Charlesworth Bay Beach car park, I step into paradise: an untouched 500-metre north-east-facing gem with an old boat shed still standing down one end. While it’s not patrolled, the waves drift low, making me wish I’d brought my kids along to endlessly chase them. A totally sublime setting for family beach picnics (there are barbecues and toilets up at the reserve near the car park), this Coffs Harbour beach also readily hooks anglers who like to drop a line on the northern end’s rocks.

2. Emerald Beach

a kangaroo on the Look At Me Now Headland, Emerald Beach — Spot kangaroos along the scenic coastal walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Here to step up your longboard game? Emerald Beach is my pick for amateur surfers thanks to a southern headland that makes for sheltered, super consistent conditions. The Coffs Harbour beach is also a winner among the more experienced as its left-hand reef break dials up the excitement. The beauty is also great for a get-together as electric barbecues and picnic tables are up on the grass behind the sand and the elevated pitch creates epic water views. If you’re visiting during the Christmas period, lifeguards offer patrolled swimming conditions. Always keep your eyes out for dolphins, too, because they’re known to drop in.

3. Woolgoolga Beach

Woolgoolga Beach, Coffs Harbour — The ‘Buster’ shipwreck at Woolgoolga Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

I like to hit up Woolgoolga for its legendary craft spirits and beer scene, but Woopi (as it’s better known locally) is also home to one of the region’s most quintessential Aussie beaches. Offering dreamy conditions for surfing, swimming and fishing, Woolgoolga Beach is also a great spot to spy whales when they migrate to warmer waters between June and November (August and September score the most sightings, you should note). Families will find red and yellow flags poked into the sand from the September school holidays through to the end of the April school holidays, so it’s also a ripper spot for beach days with the extended clan.

4. Diggers Beach

Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour from above — Rainforest meets beach at the Instagram-worthy Diggers Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

The extremely family-friendly Diggers Beach is another beautiful beach hang along the Coffs Coast, located right across the road from the Big Banana. My husband loves to take our kids climbing along the rocks – just make sure everyone’s got their grippiest footwear on – before they tear up the children’s playground at the neighbouring picnic area. One of my favourite sunset walks in town is the two-hour trail from Diggers Beach to Charlesworth Bay, so if you’ve got the time, make it happen. You’ll wander through the rainforest at Diggers Head and past the Solitary Islands Aquarium, which is another great stop for little ones.

5. Little Diggers Beach

Coffs Harbour’s unofficial nude beach, Little Diggers Beach is within walking distance from its older sibling and never really gets that busy, so peeling your kit off is highly encouraged. Parking is a cinch at this spot too, as there’s a car park at the southern end, plus there’s tall bluffs behind the sand to cosy into if you’re feeling a little shy.

6. Jetty Beach

a woman enjoying a morning walk at Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour — Welcome the sunrise with a morning walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another awesome family-friendly spot, Jetty Beach is an always-busy Coffs Harbour beach that, as the name suggests, houses that historic jetty. Additionally, it’s in the middle of town and it’s netted by Coffs’ breakwall so I like it for easy and forever-safe swims. Visitors with access needs should also visit this Coffs Harbour beach for its long beach mat and multiple wheelchairs you can reserve for free here . There’s also the amenity-heavy Jetty Foreshores Park right behind the sand, which houses toilets, showers, picnic shelters, barbecues, a bike path and a playground. Need more convincing? Jetty Beach is smack-bang in front of a train station so getting there without a set of wheels is simple.

7. Moonee Beach

the Look At Me Now Headland track leading to Moonee Beach — Moonee Beach is an idyllic slice of paradise. (Image: Destination NSW)

The almighty Moonee Beach is long and chilled, luring surfers and fishing folk all year round. I like it for family days myself as there’s loads of shade, but visitors should note that this Coffs Harbour beach isn’t patrolled so swimming is at your own risk. If you’ve got a four-legged pal in tow, you can bring them along too, but all dogs must remain leashed. Roll a rug over the sand or park your set-up at the Moonee Beach Reserve, right behind the beach, for pet-friendly picnicking in proximity to the water. You’ll also find barbecues, toilets, showers and a playground at the reserve so lazing the entire day away isn’t out of the ordinary.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

The most idyllic Coffs Harbour beaches for summer getaways