Have You Heard of Sawtell? Here's What You've Been Missing

It’s renowned for its beach but Sawtell has a whole lot more to offer if you look a little closer.

Sawtell is a pretty resort town south of Coffs Harbour that has long been popular with road-trippers who want to break up their drive along NSW’s North Coast. The idyllic seaside village is bracketed by two rocky headlands that sit adjacent to Boambee Creek in the north and Bonville Creek in the south. And while the number one reason for passers-by to pull off the highway is to picnic, surf or paddleboard at the pretty beach that sits between the two promontories, Sawtell is also full of undiscovered gems to seek out – a compelling reason to ditch a longer NSW road trip and fly direct to embrace a deeper exploration of the region.

1. See Indigenous art at Yarrila Arts and Museum

visitors looking at the art displays inside Yarrila Arts And Museum

Delve into the Indigenous art on display at Yarrila Arts and Museum.

Sawtell is known in the local language as Ganyjarr Ganyjarr and the revival of Gumbaynggirr language is central to Indigenous culture in the region. Head to the Yarrila Arts and Museum in Coffs Harbour, just a 10-kilometre drive from Sawtell, to examine themes of place, community and belonging. Don’t miss the Yaamanga Around Here exhibition, which is on permanent display.

2. Visit Sawtell Art Gallery

Visit the dinky Sawtell Art Gallery for a snapshot of what inspires the local artists in the area. The gallery is one of Sawtell’s hidden secrets with weekly classes on everything from painting and drawing techniques using ‘Anything but Watercolour’ to workshops revolving around the ideas of abstraction. The most recent exhibition, Beauty of Sawtell, included a lot of works featuring the wild, verdant landscapes of the Coffs Coast.

3. There are plenty of cafes and bars in Sawtell to satisfy

people dining outside Cafe Treeo, Sawtell

Cafe Treeo is a great spot to take in Sawtell’s charm.

Sunny Sawtell is much-loved for its iconic main strip, which is lined with giant fig trees that help preserve the town’s charm. Although the town (population: 3788) is rather sleepy, it has plenty to offer on the foodie front. Plan a progressive feast that bounces between its best cafes and bars. Dine on the best local cuisine at Hilltop Store, The Spare Room, Bar Que Sera, The Athletic Club, Café Treeo, Split Café & Espresso Bar and Morty’s Joint. Fish and chips on the headland are also a thing.

4. Pretty swimming spots in Sawtell

Sawtell Beach is your go-to for surfing. (Image: Destination NSW)

There’s a lot of inspiration to be found in Sawtell for surfers who look out to sea in search of crashing waves. Sawtell Main Beach is a popular place to pull on a neoprene suit and paddle out, while Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool and Jetty Beach are sheltered spots for swimming.

Soak up the sun and walk against the tide at Boambee Creek Reserve before drifting back to the sand spit and doing it all over again. On-leash dogs are welcome.

5. Sawtell lookouts to spot whales and dolphins

the Sealy Lookout in Sawtell, Coffs Harbour

Find Sealy Lookout perched on a ridge just above Coffs Harbour. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sawtell Headlands is a top spot to sit and stare out to sea at dusk and dawn in the hope of spotting whales and dolphins. Even if you don’t see any tail-slapping or dramatic breaches, there are worse ways to bookend your day. Sawtell Headland and Sealy Lookout are perfect viewpoints, and a pair of binoculars should reap awards in the height of the season (between June and October). It’s one of the best things to do on the Coffs Coast.

6. Explore the watery world of Boambee

Fishos should also cast off near the Bonville Railway Bridge where mangrove jack, bream, trevally and flathead can be found. There’s great crabbing and fishing to be had when you venture from Boambee Creek Estuary into Newport’s Creek. Or head downstream to Boambee Creek Reserve, where you will see fishing platforms jutting out over the water. Buddy up with a Boambee local and they might point out the local jewfish hole.

7. Golf, mountain bike, SUP or kayak in Sawtell

an aerial view of kayaks at C-Change Adventures, Sawtell

Go kayaking in Sawtell with C-Change Adventures. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sawtell Golf Club is just 500 metres from the boutique village of Sawtell, where golfers of all abilities can get in the swing. Bonville Golf Resort is another top spot to enjoy a round. Keen mountain bikers should also download the Coffs Coast Mountain Biking Map to help make sense of the trails that squiggle around the Cows with Guns trail in Pine Creek State Forest. Kayaking and SUPing are also popular: book an ecotour with C-Change Adventures.

8. Spot koalas in the wild at Bongil Bongil National Park

Your kids will declare bushwalking to be a ‘pretty cool’ pursuit when you steer them away from their devices and into the Eco Certified Bongil Bongil National Park. The park on Gumbaynggirr Country is a great day trip from Sawtell with one of NSW’s largest populations of koalas in the wild. Stay in Tuckers Rocks Cottage overnight so you can cover a lot of ground: there’s fishing, beach and rainforest hikes and mountain bike trails, too.

9. Showtime at Sawtell Cinema

family eating lunch in front of sawtell cinema

Pop into the cute Sawtell Cinema.

This Art Deco cinema in Sawtell is the regional theatre of your dreams. The two-screen Sawtell Cinema (formerly the Majestic) complex screens a range of funky arthouse films and foreign flicks, too. It also schedules the latest family and mainstream blockbusters and is fully licensed. Settle in with a choc top for the annual Sawtell Film Festival, which runs from April to May. Follow up your night at the movies with a wander down fig-lined First Avenue.

10. Spice things up at the annual Chilli Festival

Any guide to the secrets of Sawtell includes the annual winter Sawtell Chilli Festival. The festival ticks a lot of boxes for lovers of all things hot and spicy, luring more than 13,000 people for the annual event, held on the first Saturday in July. Don’t miss the chilli chicken wing eating challenge, and the chance to choose from a diverse range of chilli products such as the Alsa range of rubs, seasoning and spices, Mel’s Sweet Picnic chilli and condiments from The Chilli Factory.

11. Take home treasures from Sawtell’s boutique shops

Find stores filled with antique furniture, clothing, books and more along the main tree-lined strip of Sawtell. Forget generic chains and malls. Sawtell is an oasis for shoppers who like people-watching and ease of access when weaving in and out of stylish boutiques and homeware stores along the high street. If you feel the need to recalibrate, bliss out at the Figtree Day Spa.

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.

12 surprising secrets of Sawtell to discover