Located half-way between Sydney and Brisbane, Coffs Harbour is a nature lover's dream. Nestled in
the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, the city is one place where the mountains literally reach
down to touch the ocean. Two totally different worlds exist within a stone's throw of each other, both largely undiscovered by all but a handful of Australians who are in the know. If you are someone who associated Coffs Harbour with the Big Banana and nothing more, it's about time you visited the area for yourself and went on a voyage of discovery. You won't be disappointed. The Dorrigo plateau and its magnificent rainforests, the Promised Land, the olde world charm of Bellingen, the picturesque Orara Valley, the amazing underwater world of the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve are all a part of Coffs Harbour itself. And unlike some popular tourist destinations north of the area, the weather is perfect for exploring. The sticky humidity doesn't seem to exist and instead there is a balmy heat that is tempered by the refreshing sea breezes. It doesn't matter whether you come to the area seeking adventure, relaxation, intellectual stimulation or romance -- the chances are that you will find it. Perhaps one of the most appealing things about Coffs Harbour is that it has all the advantages of city living while still retaining the friendly atmosphere of the country. The restaurants are too numerous to choose from, the night-life is lively and the shopping is brilliant. The accommodation caters for everyone from the budget conscious family to luxury-seeking jetsetters. If all this sounds too much like a city, drive for five minutes and you will hit country punctuated by dairy farms, banana hills, avocado, kiwi-fruit and macadamia plantations and quaint country towns. PLACES OF INTEREST: ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES: USE ACCOMMODATION SEARCH INFORMATION CENTRE: Nambucca Valley Information Centre Free Call 1800 025 650 Coffs Harbour Tourist Information Centre Cnr. Pacific Hwy. & Marcia St. Coffs Harbour, NSW. 2450. 02 6652 1522 Reservations: 1800 025 650 Email: coffsfuture@coffs.net.au HOW TO GET THERE: By car along the Pacific Hwy. (1) north of Sydney, south of Brisbane |