Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a city on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, roughly two thirds of the way from Sydney to Brisbane.

An introduction to Coffs Harbour

Coffs is one of the original family holiday destinations on the Australian east coast. Today the city attracts parents and grandparents bringing their children to the same destination they visited as a child, as well as many travellers between Sydney and Brisbane, including backpackers staying for a week or so. Less trendy than Byron Bay, or Noosa the town still has great beaches, a huge variety of lodging, and a well developed tourist industry that has been one of the mainstays of the community since the 1950s.

How to travel to Coffs Harbour

By car

Coffs Harbour is a 530 kilometers drive north of Sydney and 350 kilometers south of Brisbane on the Pacific Highway. As always on the Pacific Highway, take care. The road quality varies dramatically, and there are normally traffic build-ups during peak holiday periods.

Travel by train to Coffs Harbour

After years of financial neglect, line closures and discount airfares, Coffs Harbour (probably along with Dubbo) remains one of the few places in country New South Wales where the train still offers a reasonable service and a competitive price.

It is a nine-hour train ride on info NSW Trainlink (132232) from Sydney, but it is a nice view out of the window as the train travels out of Sydney and up via the Central Coast (New South Wales) | Central Coast, Newcastle (New South Wales) | Newcastle and Kempsey. There is a choice of trains daily, and the trains even arrive and depart at relatively sociable hours during the day. The train station is in the south of the town near the jetty area and is walking distance to the beach and to some lodging. There are taxis available to get to resorts or the other lodging around town. Buses also run close by at the jetty village Shopping Centre.

Some of the trains continue on to Brisbane, which is 6 hours away by rail.

There is also a train station in Sawtell that is in the Coffs Harbour vicinity.

Travel on a Bus in Coffs Harbour

All the coaches travelling the route between Sydney and Brisbane make a stop in Coffs.

Premier
au Greyhound

Fly to Coffs Harbour

You can fly to Coffs Harbour

Qantas-Australia (☎ 131313) from Sydney or Melbourne
Virgin Australia (☎ 136789) from Sydney or Melbourne

Tigerair Australia from Sydney or Melbourne.

The airport is referred to by airlines as Coffs Coast and is about a 5-minutes drive outside the town. A bus runs into town from the airport. The service is operated by es.com.au Sawtell Coaches. Taxis can also be hailed to the downtown.

There is an off-road cycleway that runs outside the airport into town and the riding into town is quite practical.

How to get around in Coffs Harbour

-30.30222|153.11889

Take a bus to Coffs Harbour

Busways run regular services around the town to make up a local transit network. Buses also run to Nambucca Bellingen and surrounding areas.

By taxi

Coffs Harbour has a local taxi network that will run you up and down the Coffs Coast.

What to see in Coffs Harbour

Big Banana 351 Pacific Highway -30.2749, 153.1315 just north of town ☎ +61 2 6652 4355 Opening Hours: Daily 9AM Monday - 5PM Yes, it is souvenirs. Yes, it is pure tourism. Yes, it has overpriced food and tacky souvenirs. But thit is Australia's original Big things in Australia|"Big Thing", over 40 years old, and you have to get your photo taken in front of it, as generations of Australians have done before you. While you are there, you can eat banana bread, banana cake, and choc-dipped bananas, while sipping on your banana smoothie. Browse what may be Australia's largest range of banana themed merchandise, including the banana water pistols. If you choose not to indulge yourself in all things banana and the area around has undergone big developments. There is a now a fun park where you can ice skate, play mini-golf and laser tag.

The Big Banana Complex adjacent to the fruit and there are fun rides, ice skating, and a real snow slope (indoor). Take a tour of the real bananas as well.

Dolphin Marine Magic - Pet Porpoise Pool | Orlando Street (near the jetty end) -30.2983098, 153.1366888 ☎ +61 2 6659 1900 Opening Hours: Daily 9AM Monday - 4PM Adults $27, children $14 The pet porpoise swimmingpool is another Coffs institution, operating on the site for 40 years. The setup here is more informal (and smaller) that the Seaworld type operation further north. You can get close to dolphins and seals. There are a couple of shows a day, so check session times before you go. You can do the dolphin encounter thing if you pay extra.

Butterfly House 5 Strouds Road, Bonville ☎ +61-2-6653-4766 - An indoor rainforest with lots of butterflies. It is one of those places where you walk amongst them and they land on you if they feel like it. Good spot to take photos. There is maze and a cafe here as well. The maze is geared to a muslim-friendly skill level; a person of normal ability and kids can successfully complete it.

There is a Creek-side Boardwalk through mangroves near the jetty area and a quite extensive Botanical Garden nearby.
Shearwater nesting on Muttonbird Island. Muttonbird Island is a peninsula extending out from the marina area. It is completely treeless, but is a nesting site for the migratory birds call wedge-tailed shearwaters, or muttonbirds. Birds complete their courtship in November and the eggs hatch towards the end of summer. On the eastern side of Muttonbird Island and there is a great view out to sea and whales can also be seen at some parts of the year. Walking over Muttonbird Island is a short walk (10-20 minutes), but it's also steep and there is no shade. Wear a hat, cover your shoulders, and take a bottle of water with you.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Coffs Harbour

Swim at Coffs' beaches.
Park Beach is the main beach in Coffs, and is just to the north of the mouth of Coffs Creek. It is a surf beach and the swimming can be a little rough.
Just inside the mouth of Coffs Creek is a small sheltered beach. Families with small children swim here and there are lots of fishermen.
There is another calm beach between the jetty and the wharf area that is popular with families.
Scuba diving|Scuba dive in the Solitary Islands ishing/marine-protected-areas/marine-parks/solitary-islands-marine-park marine park off the coast of Coffs.

Jetty Dive 398 High Street ☎ +61 2 6651 1611 - A day trip to the islands with two dives is $99, gear hire is $30. Full openwater courses start from $195. In non-peak season Jetty Dive conducts some $55 single dive trips, mainly for night dives.

Go on a dolphin or whale watching cruise. Whale season is June to November each year, and dolphins are seen in the area year round. Spirit Cruises takes a large day boat of whale or dolphin watchers out daily at 9:30AM. On weekends and holidays there is also a luncheon cruise at 1pm. The boat has a bar and, for the more active participants and there is a waterslide and swimmingpool set up in the ocean. Cruises are popular so book in advance, phone bookings are preferred.
Helicopter scenic flights over the stunning beaches and rainforest with Precision Helicopters, 77 Aviation Drive, Coffs Harbour. +61 2 6652 9988. Flights start from $80. Half-hour learn-to-fly lessons over the coast - spectacular!
Rally Australia is the Australasian leg of the World Rally Championship, held (from 2022) in late November. Moving between the stages isn't overly easy but if you are a petrol-head it is definitely a trip worth taking.

Shopping in Coffs Harbour

Markets

Jetty Markets Marina Dr ☎ +61 407 661 990 - The Jetty Markets are a craft and produce market held under the Jetty Village Shopping Centre every Sunday.

Harbourside Markets are a craft and produce market featuring handmade and local products only and there is also live music. The markets offer a beautiful setting under shaded trees a 5-min walk to the beautiful beaches located at the popular Jetty Foreshores area every Sunday.

Shopping centres

Park Beach Plaza, intersection of Pacific Highway and Park Beach Road. The Park Beach Plaza is a giant Shopping Centre with the usual assortment of useful shops including a Woolworths supermarket with selected Halal food, JB Hi-Fi, Target, Big W, IGA and many other specialty stores.

Jetty Village Shopping Centre 361 Harbour Drive - The Jetty Village Shopping Centre is a small Shopping Centre with a bakery and a small IGA supermarket.

Coffs Central, in the CBD of Coffs Harbour with more than 60 stores including Big W, fashion and specialty stores. It is undergoing extensive renovation to add new dining facilities and stores.
Centro Toormina. A Shopping Centre in the suburb of Toormina that has had extensive renovations and includes a Kmart in the list of new stores.
Promenade. Combines fine dining with fine shopping boutiques.

Halal Restaurants

Please be informed that on some destination such as Coffs Harbour we had no local Muslim/a that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/a and have been to Coffs Harbour or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Coffs Harbour, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io or email us your updates.

There is a group of eateries in the Jetty area, mostly on Harbour Drive. This area has been known as having the best eating in Coffs.

Cafe Aqua - ☎ +61 2 6652 5566 - 57 Ocean Parade. Cafe Aqua is a small breakfast and brunch cafe behind Park Beach, locally famed for its Coffee.

Foreshores 394 Harbour Drive ☎ +61 2 6652 3127 - Foreshores is a hugely popular breakfast and brunch cafe (it closes at 3pm), with a menu ranging from toast with Vegemite through to a big breakfast with Sausages,egg and bacon.

Jetty Village Cafe & Juice Cafe - ☎ +61 2 6651 2287 - Shop 7, Jetty Village Shopping Centre, 361 Harbour Drive. The Jetty Village Cafe is a counter service sandwiches shop with a small amount of hot food. Its main advantage is that it is open in the late afternoons when most of the other eateries in the Jetty area are closed.

Park Beach Bowling Club Park Beach Road. For great wholesome food home cooked food at affordable prices. Get there early though as it does get quite busy.
Split Cafe and Espresso Bar - located at First Avenue in Sawtell (south of the Coffs Harbour township), Split Cafe and Espresso Cafe offers fresh juices, brilliant coffee and a lunch and breakfast menu that caters to all tastes. Split is open early (about 7:30AM) 7 days a week and is also open Friday and Saturday nights, with reservations being recommended as tables are very popular. Split offers a great small community feel that is complemented by the quiet and relaxed village atmosphere of Sawtell.
Outback Jacks, Grill. Largest selection of Steak in the world, Ribs, shanks. Service is fabulous, a wonderful country atmosphere. winner of tourism award for Coffs Harbour. It can be somewhat expensive.

Scoffs Restaurant 386 Harbour Drive ☎ +61 2 6651 1516 - Scoffs has good grilled seafood and Steak ( beef and kangaroo), but is somewhat drastically understaffed, at least in peak times. Mains $20-30. The quality of the food at this restaurant is also questionable, especially in regard to freshness. Instead it would be suggested that you go to another restaurant on the Jetty Strip or visit Sawtell.

Bangalay Restaurant - Coffs Harbour | 353 Pacific Highway next to the Big Banana ☎ +61 2 6652 8222 Opening Hours: Breakfast 7-9AM, dinner 6:30-8:30PM Mains $15-36 This muslim-friendly restaurant offers a variety of fresh seafood as well as other wonderful à la carte dishes made from the freshest produce, all prepared with the greatest care.

Hogs Breath cafe
Mangrove Jacks The Promenade, 321 Harbour Drive ☎ +61 2 6652 5517 - Nestled on Coffs Creek near the Jetty Theatre with delightful views out over the water, Mangrove Jacks is a popular cafe choice in the busy Jetty precinct of Coffs Harbour. Relax on the verandah with a bowl of fresh ocean prawns and an ice-cold Coopers 'on tap' as your hosts Phil and Julie Studley and their team prepare you a truly memorable meal.

The Plantation Hotel - The Planto | 80 Grafton Street ☎ +61 2 6652 3855 Known affectionately by local residents as "The Planto". Regularly hosts touring acts. Includes a night club featuring local and touring DJs which is open til late every Friday and Saturday night. The Plantation Hotel also has Backpackers' Accommodation upstairs, with 30 dorm-style rooms.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Coffs Harbour, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Coffs Harbour. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Coffs Harbour and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Coffs Harbour. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Coffs Harbour. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Coffs Harbour: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Coffs Harbour.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Coffs Harbour: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Coffs Harbour, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Coffs Harbour.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Coffs Harbour, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Coffs Harbour, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Coffs Harbour and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Coffs Harbour, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Coffs Harbour, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Coffs Harbour without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Coffs Harbour is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Coffs Harbour.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Coffs Harbour is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Coffs Harbour, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Coffs Harbour Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Coffs Harbour

eHalal Group Coffs Harbour is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Coffs Harbour. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Coffs Harbour.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Coffs Harbour ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Coffs Harbour. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Coffs Harbour, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Coffs Harbour are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

The high season in Coffs Harbour is the summer school holidays, from late December until the end of January each year. Some lodging on the spot is likely to be available even at those times.

In addition to the usual hostel/motel/hotel lodging, Coffs has a large number of motel-like facilities that call themselves 'holiday apartments'. These are typically large motel-like flats with 2 or 3 bedrooms and some cooking facilities. They are designed to be booked on a week-to-week basis but are often available for shorter bookings.

Plantation Hotel Backpackers 80 Grafton Street 1800 076 445 From $27 In the centre of Coffs Harbour, close to shopping, cafes, facilities and public transport. Free Wi-Fi and parking.

Coffs Harbour YHA Backpackers Resort | 51 Collingwood Street ☎ +61 2 6652 6462 +61 2 6651 8629 - The YHA is very close to the Jetty area. Facilities include a swimming pool. Beds from $25 per day in a dorm room, double rooms from $70 per day.

Aussitel Backpackers | 312 Harbour Drive ☎ +61 -1800-330-335 - Close to the jetty area and Coffs Creek. It offers free canoes, free bodyboards, free fishing rods. Nice friendly atmosphere with daily activities organised by staff. Beds from $20 per day in a dorm room, double rooms from $50 per day.

Arosa Motel | ☎ +61 02 6652 3555 From $95 Fully air-conditioned motel rooms, all equipped with bathroom, kitchen and a carport. Facilities and services are Outdoor in-ground pool, Laundry facilities and Games room with a swimming swimmingpool table.

Chelsea Motor Inn 106 Grafton Street ☎ +61 2 6652 2977 - In the CBD opposite the Coffs C.ex Club, Close to everything. Has some good deals available.

Coffs Harbour Sanctuary Resort | 250 Pacific Highway ☎ +61 2 6650 5111 +61 2 6652 4725 Check-in: 2PM / Check-out: 10AM Sanctuary Resort has lots to offer, nestled amongst 7 acres of bushland, 2 kilometers from the City, and close to the airport. Play tennis, squash, or relax in the sauna or have a great time in the swimmingpool with the slippery slide. Various motel rooms and apartments with fully equipped kitchens. Excellent rates, licensed "Treehouse" Restaurant (open to the public) some great discounts are available for multiple night stays.

Matador Motor Inn - Corner of Pacific Highway and Albany Street ☎ +61 2 6652 3166 - At the top of the basic motels good for a nights stay. Friendly owners.

Dolphin Sands Holiday Villas | 16 Prince Street ☎ +61 2 6652 9550 +61 2 6652 3276 Dolphin Sands has seven freestanding cabins one block back from Park Beach. The cabins are 2 bedroom and sleep up to five people. The cabins share a swimming pool, spa and barbecue area. The standard rate is $150 per day per cabin, some discounts might be available if booking in advance.

Country Comfort Coffs Harbour | 353 Pacific Highway close to the Big Banana and Digger’s Beach ☎ +61 2 6652 8222 3.5-star hotel with large hotel rooms and apartments.

Luxury

Coffs also has some of the best beachside resorts in New South Wales. Pacific Bay, Opal Cove and Nautilus are all resort style lodging near the beach in the Coffs area.

Stay safe

Coffs Harbour is reasonably safe but the main thing is to keep vigilant at night in the CBD. Also it is unadvisable to walk the park beach area at night near the Hoey Moey Hotel. Toormina is not a safe place to be during the night. Be particularly vigilant to avoid making eye contact, or attempting to interact with KOB Gangs (kids on bikes) at all times, especially in the popular scenic day trip village towns of the Orara Valley region such as Coramba and Nana Glen.

Some Coffs hotels and resorts advertise and are proud of their beachfront settings. However, not all Coffs beaches are patrolled, and paying for lodging near to the beach, and then finding it may not be one that is safe to swim at can be frustrating if that was your plan.

News & References Coffs Harbour

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Coffs Harbour

Continue north up the coast to Byron Bay, or inland follow the spectacular Waterfall way through Bellingen to Armidale, or south down to the Forster, and Port Macquarie.

The scenic village towns of Coramba and Nana Glen are a scenic 30 minutes drive North-East of the main center of Coffs Harbour. Check out Mountain Ash pottery and gallery in Coramba and the local bakery for the valley's best pies and desserts. Visit the local fruit cocktailry in Nana Glen as well as the Kookaburra Cafe for lunch with its unique tram carriage dining area. Along your drive, be sure to purchase some local produce sold at roadside stalls!