Famous for its Big Banana, Coffs Harbour is an ideal spot for a family holiday. Only four hours drive north of Newcastle on the northern NSW coast, it’s an easy place to get to and, with it’s fun family attractions, activities and pristine beaches, you’ll find it hard to leave. There are so many things to do with kids in Coffs Harbour and the surrounding Coffs Coast.
Wondering what to do in Coffs Harbour? Here’s our guide to visiting Coffs Harbour with kids. It includes attractions and activities, kid-friendly places to eat, family-friendly accommodation and more.
Jump to a specific section to enjoy Coffs Harbour with kids: Attractions | Low-cost Family Fun | Beaches | Places to Eat | Places to Stay | Shopping | More Info
Coffs Harbour Attractions
The Big Banana Fun Park
A visit to Coffs Harbour wouldn’t be complete without a family photo in front of The Big Banana. Built in 1964, The Big Banana was one of Australia’s first ‘Big Things’. It’s a large, walk-through banana, with a Café/Ice Creamery at one end and a gift shop at the other. Arrive early or be prepared to wait in line for a photo with the Big Banana. In its Pacific Highway location, it gets busy with travelers stopping constantly to take photos.
The Cafe and Ice Creamery at The Big Banana serves an array of banana-related food and drinks. Choose from banana pancakes, a Big Banana burger, a banana smoothie and more. Or, for the ultimate indulgence, try a choc-coated banana or a banana split.
Coffs Harbour is often associated with its sublime weather and The Big Banana Fun Park is a great place to visit on a hot, sunny day. Cool off with a session of ice skating or on the water slides and water park. There are 7 other attractions to choose from including laser tag, tobogganing, mini golf and giant slide.
Our advice is to jump online, decide which attractions you want to experience and purchase one of the Combo Packages. Not only will you save money but it also saves lining up to get in. We found the 3-Attraction Combo enough for our younger kids by the time we had lunch, had our photo taken with The Big Banana and lined up for the toboggan rides.
There is also Reptile World (extra cost), The Opal Centre and The Coffs Candy Kitchen located at The Big Banana Fun Park.
For more information visit The Big Banana Fun Park website.
The Clog Barn Holiday Park
The Clog Barn is a unique, family-run attraction where you can experience the colour and charm of Holland in the heart of Coffs Harbour. You might have even been there yourself as a kid, as The Clog Barn has been in operation for over 35 years! See clogs being made, enjoy the miniature Dutch village, shop for clogs, souvenirs or Dutch groceries in the gift shop or enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea at Big Oma’s Coffee House.
For more information visit The Clog Barn Holiday Park website.
Coffs Harbour Butterfly House
The best time to view the butterflies at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House is between 10am and 2pm when they are at their most active. Strolling amongst hundreds of butterflies is a magical experience for both kids and adults.
Kids will also love the outdoor maze, fairy grove, the dinosaur forest and dino shows. The onsite café serves up delicious homemade food. The Coffs Harbour Butterfly House is located at Bonville, less than 10km from Coffs Harbour and is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
For more information visit the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House website.
Dolphin Marine Conservation Park
Experience marine animals up close at the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park. Kids will love the talks and presentations included in your entry fee. There are also some amazing encounters and experiences, such as Meet the Dolphin and the Mermaid Splash Experience, which cost extra.
The Creekside Café, overlooking Coffs Creek, is a beautiful spot to have lunch. Buy lunch at the café or bring your own picnic lunch. You don’t have to enter the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park to access the café. There are plenty of shaded areas to eat, a small playground and they’re dog-friendly.
For more information visit the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park website and the Creekside Cafe website.
Jetty Dive Whale Watching
From June to October you can board Jetty Dive’s ‘Wildfin’ charter boat and take a 1.5 hour tour to see Humpback Whales in the waters of the Solitary Islands Marine Park as they travel south or return north on their annual migration. Most of the tour is spent idling quietly along with the whales and you’re guaranteed to see a whale or you get another trip for free!
For more information visit the Jetty Dive website.
Solitary Islands Aquarium
Visit the Solitary Islands Aquarium, located at Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre, to explore, learn about and interact with the unique marine environment of Coffs Harbour. With aquariums, guided tours and interactive displays, it’s a great place for budding marine biologists. The Solitary Islands Aquarium is located just north of The Big Banana and is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday as well as every day during the NSW School Holidays.
For more information visit the Solitary Islands Aquarium website.
Treetops Adventure Coffs Harbour
Tackling a treetops rope course at Treetops Adventure Coffs Harbour will appeal to the adrenaline junkies in the family. Choose from the Junior Ropes Course for 3-7 year olds or a Tree Ropes Course ranging from Beginner (8+ years) right up to Expert (13+ years). There’s also instructor-led options where kids 8+ are supervised so Mum and Dad can put their feet up or have a go on one of the harder courses.
For more information visit the Treetops Adventure Coffs Harbour website.
Low-Cost Family Fun
Brelsford Park Playground
There are over 50 parks and reserves in the Coffs Harbour region, but our favourite is Brelsford Park Playground. Not only is it fully-fenced, but it’s also well-shaded and, with equipment for kids of all ages to swing, slide, climb, bounce, dig and spin on, as well as water fountains and toilet amenities, it ticks all the boxes!
For more information about Brelsford Park Playground visit the Coffs Harbour City Council website.
Coffs Harbour Bushwalking and Walking Trails
Coffs Harbour is home to some magnificent National Parks, offering wonderful bushwalking opportunities. Try one of the short, easy grade bushwalks in Bongil Bongil National Park or the Bangalore Falls walking track in Bindarri National Park. While you’re visiting Bindarri National Park stop for a picnic at the Bindarray picnic area where kids can splash in the water, spot frogs and look for platypus. Less than an hour’s drive from Coffs, in Dorrigo National Park, you can walk to waterfalls in the in the World-Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforest.
Other walks to consider in Coffs are the flat walks located in the Botanic Gardens or the Gumgali Track at Korora Lookout where you can follow the Gumbayggirr Dreaming story through sculpture, murals, and signage.
For more walks, visit CoffsTrails. There’s over 75 walks listed including beach walks, headland walks, waterfalls and more. One of our favourites is the Muttonbird Island Walk. The island is named for the wedgetailed shearwaters, otherwise known as muttonbirds, and is one of the most easily accessible place in NSW to see these birds up close.
Coffs Harbour Jetty
The historic Coffs Harbour Jetty is a top spot to sit, relax and watch the activity on the water. It’s also a great place to fish from or to enjoy some fish and chips while watching the sunset. If you’re lucky you might even spot some dolphins or see turtles swimming around below the jetty. Although there are signs prohibiting it, you’ll also likely see teenagers jumping from the jetty into the clear, clean water below.
Forest Sky Pier
The Forest Sky Pier at Sealy Lookout is a must-do if you are visiting Coffs Harbour. Projecting 21.6 metres beyond the lookout, it offers amazing views over Coffs Harbour City, the coastline and beyond. The drive up to the lookout, through the hillside banana plantations, is wonderful as well.
Find more information on the Forest Sky Pier at the visitnsw.com website.
Coffs Harbour Beaches
Park Beach
There are plenty of beaches in and around Coffs Harbour but a favourite with families is the main surf beach, Park Beach. Aptly named, Park Beach is located next to a park reserve with shady trees, barbecues, playgrounds and toilet amenities.
Park Beach is perfect for a surf, swim or SUP and is patrolled year-round, 7 days a week. As Coffs Creek flows out to Park Beach, there are lovely shallow sandy spots in the creek, which are perfect for kids to swim and splash in. There are also cafes and restaurants nearby.
Jetty Beach
Jetty Beach is also popular with families and is patrolled every day during the peak of the summer holidays. Jetty Beach is also wheelchair accessible, with a beach mat and 2 beach wheelchairs available to book for free.
Sawtell Main Beach
Sawtell Main Beach is great for swimming, surfing and fishing and is patrolled daily during most of the summer. While you’re there take a dip in the Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool.
Places to Eat
Greenhouse Tavern, Coffs Harbour, is a family favourite. With a large bistro area and both an indoor and outdoor kids play area it has a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The indoor play area features a playground, Playstations and a kids cinema and the outdoor playground has a jumping castle.
If you’re looking for pub/club style dining The Plantation Hotel is family-friendly with a mouth-watering menu including a good selection for kids. The iconic Hoey Moey is another good choice for families, with its casual dining and summery, beach vibes. Located inside the Coffs Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club is Matt Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant and Bar. Open for brekkie, lunch and morning or afternoon tea you can dine in and enjoy stunning views over the sand dunes to the Solitary Islands or grab some takeaway.
If it’s fish and chips you’re after the Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co op claims the best fresh seafood in Coffs Harbour with locally caught fresh fish and seafood. Located on Marina Drive, you can eat in (just watch out for the cheeky seagulls who will try to steal your chips!), takeway or buy fresh and cook later.
Also on Marina Drive is Eric and Deb’s Homemade Icecream. Grab a takeaway sorbet or gelato for dessert or to eat while you take a stroll along the Coffs Harbour Marina Walkway, but be prepared to line up for your icecream on weekends and school holidays.
Places to Stay in Coffs Harbour
After all the activity, you’ll need a place to rest. Being a tourism centre, Coffs Harbour has a range of family accommodation to suit every budget such as resorts, motels and holiday parks. Most have swimming pools or play equipment to keep the kids busy.
BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort
A favourite with families, BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort offers different room configurations to suit every family, from hotel rooms to beach bures and 2, 3 and 4 bedroom self-contained villas. The highlight of the resort is the pool complex featuring three pools of varying depths including a toddler pool. There’s also a small playground located next to the pool area with swings and play equipment. If you feel like cooking, take advantage of the BBQs and picnic tables and cook up some snags while the kids play.
Beautiful Diggers Beach is just a short stroll away. It’s a popular beach for a surf or swim and ideal for families. Jordan’s Creek flows out to the beach creating a shallow estuary perfect for kids to splash around and build sandcastles.
BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort
11 Firman Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW
(02) 6652 7555
Website
BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park
You just can’t beat a BIG4 Holiday Park when travelling with kids. The kids (young and young at heart) will love the resort pool at Park Beach BIG4 with its slides, tipping bucket and toddler pool. As well as a jumping pillow, games room and playgrounds there is also a kids club, kids activities and mini golf so the little people will never be bored. Pop across the road and you’re at the beach. Accommodation options are 1-5 bed villas or powered, unpowered and ensuite caravan and camping sites.
BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park
1 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour, NSW
1800 200 555 or (02) 6648 4888
Website
Shopping
If you’re after some retail therapy, peruse through the boutiques in Coffs Central or wander through Park Beach Plaza. If you’ve forgotten to bring anything on holiday, you’ll be sure to find it at Park Beach Plaza as it’s the largest regional shopping centre between Newcastle and the Gold Coast.
If you prefer market shopping, visit the Harbourside Markets on Sundays from 8am-2pm at Jetty Foreshore. You’ll find produce stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables, handmade art and craft, clothing and coffee and wine. You can even enjoy a massage while listening to live music.
Every Thursday in Coffs CBD, you can purchase fresh local produce. The Coffs Coast Growers Market features local growers and producers selling their locally grown produce.
The family-friendly Park Beach Reserve Twilight Food Market is open on Friday evenings from 4-9pm (weather permitting) from September until mid-April. Bring a blanket or a chair and kick back and enjoy the live entertainment while enjoying something delicious to eat from the food-only market.
More Info
Coffs Harbour is a four hour drive north of Newcastle via the Pacific Highway.
For more information, visit the Coffs Coast website. For family-friendly activities visit the Coffs for Kids website.
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Meg is a born and raised Novocastrian whose interests include gardening, reading and writing poetry. In between writing for Newy With Kids and working as a School Learning Support Officer, Meg enjoys camping and travelling with her family and exploring Newcastle and all it has to offer. Meg has two energetic kids and is passionate about kids having the opportunity to be outdoors as often as possible.