Surrounded by mountain escarpments, rainforests and more than 90km of uncrowded beaches, Coffs Harbour is about six hours’ drive from both Sydney and Brisbane.
This North Coast destination has been a NSW family holiday favourite since our parents were kids – and while some of the same attractions remain, like the beautiful beaches and the Big Banana, there are plenty of new additions. For kids who love the outdoors, the Coffs Coast offers a nature-based adventure with waterfalls, wildlife, sun and sand.
Add these 15 fun activities to your family holiday to-do list to unlock the ultimate beach getaway.
15 kid-friendly things to do on the Coffs Coast
Coffs and the Big Banana go hand-in-hand, but don’t stop there – there’s so much more to explore! Snap that larger-than-life family photo on day one, then dive into the rest of this list.
1. Have a blast at the Big Banana Fun Park
The Big Banana Fun Park is one of the most famous attractions in Coffs Harbour. The giant fruit was built by in 1964 when John Landi, inspired by a ‘Big Pineapple’ he had heard about in Hawaii, wanted to encourage passing traffic to stop at his roadside banana stall.
It is now home to the largest water park between Sydney and the Gold Coast, a laser tag arena, ice-skating rink, toboggan ride, giant slide, Go Bananas Fun Zone arcade with toddler play area, 36-hole mini-golf course and a 4D simulator ride, as well as a café, gift and souvenir shop. Whew!
There’s still plenty of classic fruit-themed fun here, though, so be sure to tour the World of Bananas to check out the banana plantation and packing shed. See candy-making demonstrations at The Coffs Candy Kitchen and treat the family to a bunch of banana pops.
The Fun Park is also home to MindTrap Escape Rooms (great for teens), The Opal Centre, and Steve McEwan’s Reptile World, where kids can have their photo taken cuddling up to a scaly snake or lizard. On school holidays you can even help feed Snappy the Crocodile.
2. Tackle the Treetops Adventure Coffs Harbour
Visit Treetops Adventure Park Coffs Harbour, where you can climb across over 100 elevated obstacles and fly along a zipline through the trees for an exhilarating bird’s eye view of the stunning bush landscape.
3. Experience the magical Coffs Harbour Butterfly House
Coffs Harbour Butterfly House invites you to stroll amongst hundreds of Australian butterflies in an indoor subtropical rainforest setting. See them fly, court, mate, sip nectar or rest in the light showing off their pretty patterns and colours. If possible, time your visit for between 10am and 2pm, when the butterflies are at their most active.
4. Meet the animals at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
You can see dolphins, seals, penguins and turtles at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. Formerly known as the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park, it’s a great place for kids to learn first-hand about the importance of protecting the world’s oceans.
This marine park still puts on a great display, showcasing the skill and agility of these clever marine mammals through enrichment sessions, but the biggest emphasis here is on rehabilitation and education. A new highlight is the Dolphin Dreamtime presentation, where you can learn the origin story of these special animals from a local Gumbaynggirr elder.
5. Drop into the Carobana Carob Confectionery Factory
Sample some sweet treats at Carobana Confectionery in Korora, north of Coffs Harbour. Take a tour of the factory and ask the skilled confectioners everything you want to know as you watch them make carob buttons, coconut rough, rocky road, fudges, honeycomb and Easter eggs.
6. Hike across to Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve
Take a short walk along the break wall from Coffs Harbour Marina to the nature sanctuary, Muttonbird Island. It’s a steep hike past breeding nests for wedge-tailed shearwater birds to the lookout, but worth it for spectacular views of the coast and hinterland.
7. Follow the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk
The Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is a string of golden beaches, rocky headlands and lush rainforest tracks along the coast. A lovely section of the walk, from Sapphire Beach to Emerald Beach, passes through the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve with the ‘Look at Me Now Headland’. The trek along the headland and sandy beaches has spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Solitary Islands. You may spot sunbathing kangaroos on the beach, while the headlands are also a great vantage point to watch playful humpback whales on their annual migration.
8. Snorkel, dive or spot whales in the Solitary Islands
Coffs Harbour’s deep waterways are perfect for snorkelling around the harbour, and the protected waters of the Solitary Island Marine Park are ideal for whale watching and diving tours. Jetty Dive Centre can take you out to the South Solitary Islands to explore sub-tropical waters, complete with pretty corals, and plenty of marine life. You’re almost guaranteed to spot turtles, and if you’re really lucky, manta rays.
In the winter months, the Jetty Dive boat transforms into a whale-watching cruise, which gets you out to the whale-breaching action so fast you won’t have time to be seasick.
9. Chase the Waterfall Way scenic drive
Considered one of the best scenic drives in NSW, Waterfall Way takes you from Coffs Harbour through the quaint township of Bellingen, past lush green paddocks and UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforests to Dorrigo National Park. See the Newell and Sherrard Falls cascading next to the roadway, and the spectacular Dangar Falls, just 2km from the township of Dorrigo. The 50m Skywalk at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre provides panoramic views, or venture on the bushwalking trail through the ancient Gondwana Rainforest to Crystal Shower Falls.
10. Learn to surf on the Coffs Coast
There are lots of great surf beaches along the Coffs Coast, and if you need lessons, there are several surf schools to choose from, including Solitary Islands Surf School and Lee Winkler’s Surf School.
11. Picnic on the pristine Moonee Beach
Don’t miss the chance to visit the gorgeous Moonee Beach, a clean gentle inlet leading to the Coffs Cost’s most uncrowded surf beach. Although it’s unpatrolled, it’s the ideal beach for young families to enjoy the sun and sand. There are no crowds, no parking hassles and clean, convenient amenities. Moonee also has a shopping centre on the way, so drop in and pick up a picnic to enjoy on the beach.
12. Try sea kayaking or surf rafting
Sea kayaking with C-Change Adventures is the perfect way to get up close with the dolphins and turtles that frequent the sub-tropical waters around Coffs Harbour. If you want something a little more adrenalin-pumping, Exodus Adventures can teach you the art of surf rafting (suitable for kids aged 12 and over). It’s a bit like white water rafting except you catch waves instead of navigating rapids.
13. Rev your engines at Raleigh International Raceway
If you’re a bit beached out – or your teens are keen for something more exciting – check what’s on at Raleigh International Raceway. The racetrack at Bonville, about 15km south of Coffs Harbour, hosts all kinds of motorsports events from drifting to rally driving, and has even played host to the World Rally Championships.
14. Browse Coffs Harbour's best markets
Coffs Harbour has some fantastic markets, both out of town and in the main area itself. The City Centre Sunday Markets and the Harbourside Markets, on the Jetty Foreshore, have been going on for decades. With food, arts and crafts to discover, they’re on every Sunday morning – so why not visit them both?
15. Get dizzy at the Coffs Jetty Carnival
From Boxing Day until late January, the Jetty foreshore transforms into a world of colour after dark. You can find all the old favourites at the Coffs Jetty Carnival, including a ferris wheel, dodgems, teacups, sideshow alley and those irresistible Dagwood dogs.
Family-friendly restaurants in Coffs Harbour
Coffs has a wide range of kid-friendly dinner destinations. Head to Greenhouse Tavern for a great night out, complete with an indoor play area and outdoor playground to keep the kids occupied. Park Beach Bowling Club has a café and Asian fusion restaurant with a great family atmosphere. Fish and chips at the Jetty is the perfect lunch, so head to Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-op for the freshest catch around.
Where to stay on the Coffs Coast with kids
When it comes to places to stay, the Coffs Coast has a range of options families will love, including resorts, motels, beach houses, cottages and holiday parks. Many properties have child-friendly facilities, including pools and playgrounds, to keep the little ones further entertained.
NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort
Eco-friendly NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort is located on Arrawarra Beach just north of Coffs Harbour. Set in over 110 acres of coastal forest, accommodation options include caravan, RV and camping sites as well as modern two and three-bedroom family villas and waterfront cabins. The whole family will love the activities on offer, including a nine-hole golf course, resort pool area with waterslides, BMX track, lawn bowls, archery and a kids’ club.
BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park
BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park is a multi-award winning park located beside Coffs Harbour’s most popular surfing and swimming beach. Choose your accommodation style with Ocean View villas, wheelchair-friendly options and adjoining villas for large families plus lots of camping options including drive through and ensuite sites. Facilities include an on-site café, barbecues, camp kitchen and lounge. Kids will love the swimming pool with water slides, mini golf course, jumping pillow and kids’ club. Close by are cafes and restaurants, Park Beach Plaza and all the attractions of the Coffs Harbour Marina.
Pacific Marina Apartments
Pacific Marina Apartments is located just a short walk from the main patrolled beach, as well the town’s top cafes and restaurants. Even better, staying here means everyone in the family can have their space with a choice of modern one, two and three-bedroom apartments. All include a large balcony, courtyard or patio and fully equipped kitchen for a ‘home away from home’ experience.
Reflections Moonee Beach - Holiday Park
Reflections Moonee Beach Holiday Park is a great place to stay for families and their pets. 10 minutes north of Coffs Harbour, the park offers dog-friendly tiny homes and cabins to sleep up to six guests, as well as powered and unpowered sites for your tent or caravan. Kids and dogs love splashing in the clear shallow water of Moonee estuary, and make sure you bring a yabby pump – they make great fishing bait! You can also hire a kayak or SUP or warm up by the fire pit in winter.
More information
Main image: A family playing in the sand near Coffs Harbour jetty. Image: Destination NSW
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Holly O’Sullivan, Louise Clark
