Game-Changing Things To Do In Coffs Harbour

Here are the best things to do in and around Coffs Harbour, the capital of Mid North Coast cool.

The best things to do in Coffs Harbour usually revolve around the ocean. But there are also waves being made across the city for everything from Coffs Harbour’s artisanal coffee houses to Indigenous art. From exploring hidden hinterland gems to inspired epicurean experiences, here are the very best things to do in Coffs Harbour and the broader Coffs Coast when you’re road-tripping between Sydney and Brisbane.

Make furry friends at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary

Coffs Harbour remains a draw for road-trippers thanks to its exceptional restaurant scene and mix of lively cafes. But Coffs Harbour is also a dream destination for a growing number of visitors in search of Australia’s marine animals. Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary cares for animals such as little blue penguins, Australian sea lions, dolphins and green sea turtles that are ill or injured. Learn about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and how you can participate. The sanctuary is located on Orlando St, near the Jetty.

Soak up contemporary art at Yarrila Arts and Museum

installation viewing at Yarrila Arts and Museum — Explore the installations and exhibits at Yarrila Arts and Museum.

Pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the Coffs Coast, the Gumbaynggirr people, with a visit to Yarrila Arts and Museum. The word ‘yarrila’ means illuminate, which sums up exactly how this fascinating space lights up the region. See Yaamanga Around here, one of the permanent exhibitions on show at the museum, which explores the Coffs Coast through its themes of place, community and belonging. All up, there are more than 18,000 individual objects and artefacts on display as well as 600 artworks across five spaces.

Surf or swim your dream waves in Coffs

a woman heading to Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour — Surf’s up at Jetty Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Surf culture has long been part of Coffs Harbour’s DNA, and that scene is being increasingly bolstered by surfers looking to escape the crowds in search of the perfect break. Solitary Islands Surf School will find a wave to suit everyone at Boambee, Jetty, Murrays, North Wall and Sawtell beaches while swimmers can dip between the flags at Woolgoolga Beach. Experienced surfers will froth on Gallows near the quarry and Trapdoors in Sawtell. Lee Winkler’s Surf School offers multi-day camps to help you really lean in.

Walk to the top of Muttonbird Island

an aerial view of aerial of Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, Coffs Harbour — The aptly named island is a site for nesting mutton birds. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start your heroic stride to the top of Muttonbird Island from the Coffs Harbour Marina and along the northern part of the breakwall until you reach the base of Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. The 1.3-kilometre return walk will steer you to the eastern lookout, which offers stunning views over Solitary Island. BYO binoculars as this is a prime spot for whale watching during the season (from May to November). The trail features an outdoor learning space with interpretative signage that tells the Dreamtime story of the giant moon-man who protected the land. Tours are available on request through the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve.

Enjoy an Indigenous-led SUP tour

SUPing with Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours — Go SUPing with a Gumbaynggirr guide. (Image: Destination NSW)

Who better to guide you on a two-and-a-half-hour SUP tour of Red Rock Creek than a Gumbaynggirr guide from Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours? This mob’s ancestors have been cutting canoes from trees and paddling around these waterways for thousands and thousands of years. Indeed, the most stirring stories about Gumbaynggirr Country are written in the landscape and told by members of the local Aboriginal clan who invest a proportion of their profits to support young people in the community.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Swim with humpback whales

a humpback whale swimming in the water, Coffs Harbour — Coffs Coast is one of the best locations in Australia to spot whales. (Image: Destination NSW/Coffs Coast Marketing)

Visit the Coffs Coast in August or September and you will get the chance to swim with humpback whales as they migrate south to the waters off Antarctica. It’s worth noting that whale-swimming tours with Jetty Dive Centre are weather-dependent, as they are conducted in the deep ocean. Furthermore, they are only on offer to children over the age of 12 and those who can confidently swim 200 metres. Those reluctant to slide off the boat and into the sea can enjoy a whale-watching tour instead.

Paddle the waterways

Be prepared for time to dissolve while you’re paddling through Boambee Creek with C-Change Adventures. The experience-based tour company hires out kayaks and SUPs and offers eco-tours around Coffs Harbour, an accredited ECO destination. On my last visit to Coffs Harbour, I paused during my paddle to observe an osprey plunge feet-first into the water to pluck out a fish. Up in the canopy, common sightings include kingfishers and cockatoos.  Aim for early morning or late afternoon paddles when the mirrored waters reflect the sky and wildlife is most active.

Soar through the treetops

a man walking along the course at Treetops Adventure Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour — Embrace your inner Tarzan at Treetops Adventure. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swing through the towering gum trees like Tarzan with Treetops Adventure right near Sealy Lookout in the Orara East State Forest. Courses are graded according to difficulty but there are more than 90 aerial challenges to choose from including 20 ziplines. Plus, kids from the age of three can also participate. Budding ninja warriors (and probably their parents) will enjoy the challenge of climbing through the adventure park configured with elevated obstacles, rope ladders, tunnels, cargo nets, wobbly bridges and more.

Flap around the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House

a close-up shot of a butterfly at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House — Get up close and personal with beautiful butterflies in the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House. (Image: Destination NSW)

Learn about the life cycle of butterflies as they flit and fly around you at Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, an institution for insects in Bonville, 20 minutes south of Coffs Harbour. In addition to displays of live insects, there’s a dinosaur forest that houses “extinct" dinosaurs that move and roar around you. Here for the exclusively winged creatures? Then look out for fairies that figure-eight around the trees. Children will love learning about different species such as the distinctive Ulysses butterfly, which is velvety black and metallic blue.

Go horse-riding along Boambee Beach

horse-riding along Boambee Beach with HWH Stables — Join the ‘Photographic Horse Riding Tour’ with HWH Stables.

Boambee Beach is much-loved by locals and you can see why as you plod along the beach to admire this pristine swathe of coastline on horseback with HWH Stables. The popular ‘Photographic Horse Riding Tour’ starts with a canter along Boambee Beach before curving back to Boambee Bay Lagoon, where your four-legged companions are led into the water for a swim. HWH Stables guide and photographer Chris Fenech is on hand to help you capture the day.

Get a selfie at The Big Banana

The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour — See the iconic Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. (Image: Destination NSW)

You don’t need to consult your Little Book of Dad Jokes to pre-empt the fact old mate will likely say, ‘Keep your eyes peeled for The Big Banana ’ when road-tripping toward this iconic big thing. While the giant yellow 13-metre piece of fruit, one of Australia’s best Big Things, is certainly an impressive landmark when it lurches into view, it’s the adjacent water park, toboggan ride, ice skating rink, bumper cars, escape rooms, candy kitchen, giant slide and laser tag that are the park’s main draws. It’s also compulsory to buy some choc-coated bananas, which are, thankfully, more to scale.

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Discover the creative side of Coffs Harbour

inside the Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery, Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Coffs Harbour — Admire traditional and contemporary art from First Nations people. (Image: Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery/Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre)

The Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery at Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Corindi Beach exhibits traditional and contemporary art from First Nations people from the northern lowlands of Gumbaynggirr Country and across regional Australia. ‘Yarrawarra’ means ‘happy meeting place’ and the centre, 25 minutes north of Coffs Harbour, hosts a range of activities spanning bush tucker tours and art workshops. Another great stop for art lovers is The Gallery, which celebrates artists and makers from the Worimi, Biripi, Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr nations across the Saltwater Freshwater region of the Coffs Coast.

Sip your way around the Coffs Coast

gin and vodka at Critters Distillery, Coffs Coast — Kick off your gin tasting at Critters Distillery. (Image: Destination NSW)

Coffs Harbour breweries are calling. Be it for blonde beers, crisp lagers or XPAs, the craft of brewing is considered somewhat of a religion in Coffs Harbour. Kick off your brewery trail at King Tide Brewing, where you can sip on traditional European beers such as a wheaty Weissbier or German IPA. For more of an easy-drinking beer, try the Blue Groper lager or ‘Beached as’ XPA.  Woolgoolga Brewing Co., or ‘Woopi Brewing’, makes for a pleasant excursion for its Road Trip’n IPA.  Meanwhile, Critters Distillery uses hyperlocal ingredients to craft vodka, gin and rum. If you are still thirsty, check our guide to the region’s best pubs.

Spot a koala in the wild at Bongil Bongil National Park

A short drive south of Coffs Harbour leads to Bongil Bongil National Park, where subtropical forest meets open beach. The Bundagaree Rainforest Walk loops through a grove of eucalypts and pretzels around a palm forest before opening out onto beautiful Bongil Beach. The park has one of the region’s most reliable wild koala populations, so keep an eye on the canopy as you walk. You might also spot marsupials crashing through the undergrowth. The six-kilometre-long circuit is mostly flat and easy underfoot. Be sure to carry water and set off early to avoid the midday heat.

Take in the view from Forest Sky Pier

Forest Sky Pier, Niigi Niigi - Sealy Lookout, Korora — Capture spectacular rainforest views and the Coffs Harbour coastline. (Image: Destination NSW)

Forest Sky Pier at Niigi Niigi – Sealy Lookout – just 10 minutes up from Coffs Harbour – is one of the best lookouts on the Coffs Coast. It juts out like an open drawer over the Orora East State Forest towards ribbons of blush-coloured sand and turquoise-tinted tributaries. Set your phone to panorama mode to capture the breathtaking views of Solitary Islands Marine Park and surrounding mountain ranges. Head to Nyanggan Gapi Cafe to pick up a picnic lunch to enjoy in one of the nearby picnic shelters. Visitors should also tackle Gumgali Track, a short forest walk that follows a Gumbaynggirr Dreaming story through sculptures and audio. Visit when the forest lights up in the late afternoon.

Get active, and a bit competitive at Town Padel

a man playing racket sports at the Town Padel, Coffs Harbour — Pop into the Town Padel for an action-packed game of racket sports. (Image: Supplied)

Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, and Town Padel brings the action to Coffs Harbour. The centre offers courts for casual play and coaching sessions for beginners and experienced players alike. The hybrid sport – a blend of tennis and squash – is fast-paced, social and a lot of fun, whether you’re joining friends for a game or testing your skills for the first time. Fossick for some short shorts, eighties windbreakers or vintage tennis whites so you look the part. Online booking is recommended, particularly on weekends when the courts are in high demand.

Discover the best Coffs Harbour markets

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

Things to do in Coffs Harbour: Swimming with whales, the Big Banana and contemporary art