Heading to New South Wales on a family holiday? Coffs Harbour is the perfect place to soak up a sunny getaway by the beach. The city’s laid-back atmosphere and range of attractions guarantee a relaxing escape with plenty of room for fun and adventure. Whether you’re making sandcastles on the beach or filling up your itinerary with family activities and exploration, Coffs Harbour offers a blend of both. Featuring expansive views from the Forest Sky Pier lookout to the unique Clog Barn holiday park, Coffs Harbour is beloved by locals and tourists alike. Start your adventure by picking up the keys to your Dollar rental vehicle and get ready to discover the best of the North Coast.

Discover Wildlife

From the beach to the Big Banana, Coffs Harbour is known for its natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere, but there’s plenty more to discover here! For animal lovers, a day out at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is a must. Here you’ll get up close and personal with adorable creatures and spend the day admiring dolphins, seals, insects and reptiles. The sanctuary is committed to the conservation and rehabilitation of wildlife, and with tailored experiences available, you’re set for an educational and fun day out. Try your hand at feeding and caring for the animals with the Animal Carer experience or get a behind-the-scenes look at training and handling animals with the ‘Trainer for a Day’ tour - both are great opportunities to meet native Australian wildlife and make magical memories for little and big kids. Settle in for lunch at the Peckish Penguin cafe on the banks of Coffs Creek and stop by the gift shop on your way out to bring home a souvenir.

Interested in birding? Just a 15-minute drive out of the city centre, Muttonbird Island is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve waiting to be explored. As the name suggests, the Island is home to the oceanic birds that visit to breed and nest here. To find out more, book a spot on the Muttonbirds by Moonlight guided tour to view the Shearwaters after nightfall and learn about their migratory habits. During the day, the Eastern Side lookout offers panoramic views of the Solitary Islands, and is an excellent spot for whale watching and birdwatching. At the Outdoor learning space, you can view signage and murals depicting Aboriginal history and read Dreamtime stories that outline the importance of Giidany Miirlarl (Muttonbird Island) as a sacred site. As a relatively small island, it’s easy to park the car and explore the land on foot before heading back into town.

A Scenic Drive and Unmissable Attractions

Get the most out of your rental car and turn your holiday into a North Coast adventure with a scenic drive along Waterfall Way. The drive takes about five hours return, so make sure you’re stocked up on snacks and plan accordingly. Beginning in Coffs Harbour, the first stop along the route is the Dangar Falls in Dorrigo. This 30-metre waterfall is a spectacular sight to behold and an ideal place to stop for photos. Here you can admire the rushing falls from the viewing platform, settle in for a peaceful picnic or head on a walk through the woods. Plus, if the weather allows, you can take the little ones for a swim in the waterfall! From here, it’s a two-hour drive inland to the Guy Fawkes River National Park. Named a ‘wilderness paradise’, the Park is home to brush-tailed rock wallabies, wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons - see if you can spot them from the Misty Creek lookout. The best way to discover Australian flora and fauna is on a bush walk, and the Park has an abundance of walking trails and tracks. The Escarpment walk is a challenging 5-7 hour trail, with stops along the way for those who prefer a shorter stroll. On this track, you can visit local landmarks including Chaelundi Falls and Lucifers Thumb as you make your way to the Spring Gully picnic area.

Back in town, a trip to Coffs Harbour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Big Banana Fun Park. With a 13 metre banana structure at the entrance, it’s hard to miss! Inside, you’ll find a water park with waterslides and play areas, as well as the biggest giant slide in the country. At 17.5 metres tall, kids and adults will enjoy challenging friends to see who can race to the bottom of the slide first. Also within the park is the Banana Plantation, where you can head on a self-guided walk through the ‘world of bananas’. With memorabilia and interactive displays throughout, it’s the perfect place to snap some photos and discover the uniqueness of Coffs Harbour.

From the beach to the forest, the North Coast is ready and waiting for your visit. Whether travelling with kids, family or friends, a holiday in Coffs Harbour guarantees an adventurous trip with something for everyone, and a Dollar rental car lets us do the heavy lifting so you can spend more time making memories.