7 Hidden-Gem Villages and Towns To Explore On The Coffs Coast

Untapped foodie experiences and magical hinterland hamlets breathe new life into holidaying on NSW’s Coffs Coast.

There’s nothing undiscovered about beach life on the Coffs Coast, a magnet for surf-seeking holidaymakers. But beyond the bustle of Coffs Harbour lies a huddle of hinterland townships, hipster-cool craft breweries and distilleries, deeply inspired dining and an abundance of natural splendour. Add our seven favourite locales into your NSW mid-north coast itinerary for unexpected delights away from the beaten track.

1. Woolgoolga

friends sampling spirits at Critters Distillery, Woolgoolga

Try award-winning gin and vodka at Critters Distillery. (Image: Destination NSW)

You might know it better as Woopi for reasons spanning its traditional custodian roots and historical mispronunciation. Woolgoolga, located 20 minutes’ north of Coffs Harbour, is a thriving community offering scenic trails, water activities and handcrafted sips.

Mark our words, this town won’t be hidden for long, particularly when news of its industrial precinct off the Pacific Highway catches on. Go warehouse wandering to find Critters Distillery’s award-winning gin and vodka, Mogul Beer for a soon-to-open cellar door and the jewel in the region’s craft crown, Woolgoolga Brewing Co. for live music and great vibes throughout its giant shed and spacious sloping lawn.

Explorers will love the Falls Walking Track from Woolgoolga Creek picnic area and the Woolgoolga Coastal Loop, plus there’s lovely village life along Beach Street, around the corner from Seaview Tavern, one of the best pubs within the Coffs Coast.

2. Glenreagh

a cruffin at Glenreagh Bakery, Coffs Coast

The humble muffin has been revamped into a cinnamon-dusted croissant and muffin hybrid.

The historical town of Glenreagh, along the Orara Valley Tourist Trail, which clusters several Hinterland villages that hug the Orara River, is a must-visit.

Located just off Orara Way at the Trail’s northern end near Grafton, it’s home to one of Australia’s most underrated Big Things — The Golden Dog Hotel’s Big Golden Dog. Guarding the pub at four metres tall and six metres long, the giant pup was constructed by one of the team who delivered the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour.

Grab a selfie before popping across the road to Glenreagh Bakery, where pastry gods whip up buttery, blistery bliss from Tuesday to Saturday. Pudgy focaccia topped with roasted veg and herbs, crunchy cruffins (the muffin-croissant hybrid), Jalapeno Turkish bread and corned beef and dill pickle puffs bring big-city creativity to the humble Coffs Coast pit stop.

Elsewhere, there’s the Glenreagh Memorial Museum and Post Office to transport you back in time, and you can soak up the scenery on the back of a horse through the Abbotsford Park Riding Centre.

3. Ulong

Ulong the Village in the Valley signage with lush greenery in the background

Navigate the extremely winding Eastern Dorrigo Way to reach the charming village of Ulong.

Rolling green hills, geese-freckled farm scapes and one exceptional beer garden — Ulong is another brilliant stop within the Coffs Coast and Orara Valley. You’ll need to venture just off Orara Way to reach it and if you’re coming from the north, you’ll need to navigate the extremely winding Eastern Dorrigo Way. But once you’re there, unwinding is easy.

Pine Avenue is where it’s at, as the Ulong General Store and Cafe In The Valley are endlessly charming, and it’s also where you’ll find the Ulong Ex-Services Club. Established in 1956 and featuring the most jaw-dropping country NSW pub views, it’s the ultimate spot for lunch or sundowners. Grab a seat on the deck or pick a picnic table on the grass under the umbrellas as the kids make use of the undercover playground just a few steps away.

And don’t miss snapping panoramic town vistas from the lookout on Eastern Dorrigo Way where a tree-sheltered picnic table encourages you to savour the sights.

4. Nana Glen

the interior of Idle In Café, Nana Glen, Coffs Coast

Pull up a chair inside the rustic Idle In Cafe.

You’ll recognise the name as Rusty Crowe’s home away from Hollywood but there’s more to Nana Glen than trying to spot his Coffs Coast acreage. Located within the Orara Valley along Orara Way, it’s a charming horse-dotted town that attracts visitors for the impressive Idle In Cafe, nailing top-notch coffee, fluffy homemade scones and a delicious all-day breakfast. Take a seat in the cosy courtyard and don’t leave without sussing out whatever peak local produce they’re selling on the day.

Nana Glen also houses Coffs Harbour Camping & 4WD, a beautiful 230-acre property fitted with shaded campsites. Meanwhile, aimless wandering throughout Nana Glen will offer fresh country air and picturesque farm scenes (think cows dipping their hooves into trickling creeks, as spotted during our last visit) straight out of storybooks.

5. Coramba

It’s the hinterland but don’t forget your cozzies. Coramba in the Orara Valley offers direct access to the soothing Orara River via Martin Street. Enjoy serene swims before grabbing a feed at the wonderful Coramba Hotel, which offers yet another atmospheric beer garden overlooking tree-lined mountains and farmland. Once you’re done gazing at Coramba’s natural beauty, get stuck into experiencing it. A stroll along Coramba Nature Reserve’s subtropical rainforest walk offers excellent birdwatching and ancient greenery.

6. Lowanna

motorbike riders posing for a photo in front of Lowanna General Store

Lowanna General Store is the spot to stop for a meal and a yarn with locals.

Ulong’s next-door neighbour also follows the ever-winding Eastern Dorrigo Way from the north; however, you’ll hit it before you reach Ulong, no matter where you’re travelling inland from. The town itself is small, but don’t miss the Lowanna General Store and Box Car Cafe for a tasty bite, reliably lovely cuppa and great chats with endearing locals. Once you’ve filled your cup, in every sense, take advantage of Lowanna’s proximity to Little Nymboida River, where tranquil waters beckon swimming, kayaking and paddling.

7. Sawtell

Sawtell Hotel serves up seriously good pub food. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Indulge in excellent seasonal produce and authentic international flavours in Sawtell, a beach town that’s emerging as a haven for winers and diners. The patrolled Sawtell Beach is a hit with surfers while Sailors Bay at the southern end offers sublime rock pool dips.

When it’s time for a feed, there are plenty of hospitality stars to choose from. Bello e Buono is an unmissable Italian deli and café dishing up cannoli, amaretti, mortadella focaccia, al dente pasta and more with truckloads of love.

Lime Mexican rolls out classics alongside a menu of tequila, mezcal, sangria and cocktails, and Morty’s Joint is the place to be for American-style comfort food and a round of pool. Meanwhile, if it’s a laidback meal you’re craving, head straight to Sawtell Hotel for a reliably good pub feed.

For more unexpected wonders of the Coffs Coast, read our guide to Coffs Harbour and beyond.

Make this dazzling stretch of beaches and natural wonders your home base for a grand adventure

Whether you’re setting out solo, bringing a mate, or packing in the whole family, no road trip along Australia’s East Coast is complete without at least a few days spent exploring the Coffs Coast. A stunning stretch of NSW coastline nestled between ancient high-elevation rainforests and magnificent, undiscovered beaches, Coffs offers amazing biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, and heaps of local charm, without the crowds. Pull up in Coffs Harbour, your perfect home base for these unforgettable day-trips.

1. Southern Beaches

The Coffs region boasts 30 of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, directly abutting a dramatic tableau of mountains and rainforests. Drive South of Coffs Harbour to find up-and-coming surf destinations where it’s still possible to catch an empty wave. First up is the picturesque Sawtell village. Wander the famous fig-tree-lined main street packed with laid-back places to eat and drink. Enjoy panoramic views and seasonal whale sightings at Bonville Headland on the Southern end of the beach.

Nearby Bongil Bongil National Park boasts seven kilometres of empty beach, along with hiking and cycling trails through beachfront rainforests – keep an eye out for koalas living in the trees. Boambee Beach and Boambee Creek Reserve are great for families, with shallow waters perfect for kayaking and SUPing, plus an off-leash dog beach.

Experience small-town charm in Sawtell.

2. Orara Valley Tourist Trail

The Orara Valley Tourist Trail has it all: hinterland bushwalks, birdwatching, horse riding, pristine swimming holes and rolling green pastures dotted with dairy farms and historic villages. And it’s only 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour.

Sample produce at a roadside stall, stop into Coramba Hotel for a quintessential country pub lunch, or try the Idle in Cafe in Nana Glen for coffee and scones. Then spend the afternoon kayaking the Orara River or mountain biking on Mt Coramba. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the 4WD touring route along the Orara Escarpment in Bindarri National Park, a rugged landscape with dazzling views that winds through untouched eucalypt rainforests and waterfalls.

A family sitting by the Orara Valley Tourist Trail.

Explore the green heart of Coffs.

3. Dorrigo National Park

Enjoy a classic day trip from Coffs to forest bathe in some of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world at Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. These million-year-old ecosystems promise rare bird sightings, towering strangler figs, and epic walking tracks and picnic spots. Try the 6.6 km Wonga Walk to experience dreamy Crystal Shower Falls (where you can walk behind the falls) and the Skywalk Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the valley and coast. Then stop in Dorrigo town for a homey lunch. It’s worth noting that a section of the road between Ulong and Dorrigo – which dates to the 1880s – is unsealed, adding to the area’s end-of-the-earth allure but making travel difficult in adverse weather conditions. Alternatively, head to Dorrigo via the delightful township of Bellingen.

Three people standing at the SkyWalk lookout.

Wander the Skywalk.

4. Northern Beaches

For another tranquil expanse of sun, sand and surf breaks, head north to Woolgoolga (Tourism Australia’s Best Mainland Beach for 2025. Taste the coffee and local-produce breakfast at one of several cafes, then spot whales during their migration season along the Woolgoolga Whale Trail to the headland. Emerald Beach offers clear blue waters and another headland walk, perfect for taking in views of South Solitary Island, a dramatically rocky-cliffed island with a historic lighthouse. Red Rock, some 40km north of Coffs and named for its striking coastal rock formations, boasts a gorgeous estuary reserve that’s perfect for languorous days spent picnicking, swimming, fishing, and connecting with the relaxed local pace.

Freshly caught seafood by the beach, with sparkling ocean views.

Enjoy fresh seafood overlooking Woolgoolga Beach.

5. Jetty precinct

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the Jetty precinct – from its foreshores to the marina to Muttonbird Island. Start with fresh fish and chips from local institution Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op, before browsing the popular Harbourside Markets held every Sunday on the foreshores.

Take a scenic walk along the breakwall to Muttonbird Island, a cultural and ecological treasure with panoramic views and rich Gumbaynggirr heritage. The Giidany Miirlarl Education Space shares the island’s ancient stories, or join a guided moonlight tour to see the seasonal return of the muttonbirds.

Back at the Jetty Strip, find a buzzing mix of cafes, bars and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, open from morning until late. Don’t miss The Jetty Pavilion, a favourite for its unique menu blending modern Australian cuisine with vibrant world flavours.

walk to muttonbird island from coffs harbour

Walk the path where land meets sea and sky.

6. Grafton

Head inland from mid-October to early November to catch Grafton’s jacaranda season, when the town’s streets and parks are covered in purple. Even better, time your trip between 24 October and 2 November to attend the famous Jacaranda Festival, with special food items, performances and more. At any time of year, follow the self-guided Grafton Heritage Trail to discover the town’s historic buildings, landmarks and stories. Or get the blood pumping with a trip along the longest mapped white-water trail in Australia – the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail. Book a tour with Exodus Adventures.

woman walking through jacaranda trees in grafton

Time your Grafton trip to see the jacarandas in full bloom. (Image: @myclarencevalley)

7. Nambucca

Just south of Coffs Harbour sits Nambucca, the ideal town for a relaxed, coastal day trip. Hire a canoe, kayak or boat to explore over 80 kilometres of waterways stretching from the hinterland to the ocean. For those who prefer to stay on dry land (or double up their adventure for the day), stretch your legs along the V-Wall – a scenic coastal walk along the Nambucca River – dotted with boulders painted by the community, sharing messages, art and local stories. Stop along the way to buy Sydney rock oysters direct from local farmers, or try your own hand at fishing. Before heading back to Coffs, refuel on fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at Matilda’s in Nambucca.

Explore Nambucca’s waterways. (Image: Seen Australia)

Visit coffscoast.com and download the Coffs Coast Explorer App for more daytrips and trails.

7 hidden-gem villages and towns to explore on the Coffs Coast