Plan your 2024 Coffs Harbour Family Holiday
Luke Young • Nov 23, 2023
Thinking about taking a break after the chaos of Christmas and heading on your family holiday in January? Look no further than Coffs Harbour, just 6hrs from Sydney or 4hrs from Brisbane it is the perfect location to spend a week to recoup before 2024 really kicks into gear.
Here's our top recommendations for a four night visit:
Day 1: Arrive in Coffs Harbour
- Arrive in Coffs Harbour and check into your accommodation at the Observatory apartments. We have a range of room options to suit every family.
- Get your bearings by heading out for a walk down to Jetty Beach, along the break wall and out to Muttonbird Island.
- Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or check out the Friday night Twilight Food Markets at Park Beach Reserve (weather permitting).
Day 2: Beach Day and Butterfly House
- Start your day with a visit to the Coffs Harbour Jetty, a popular spot for a morning stroll and quick dip. Daze Coffee is perfect spot for a coffee and light breakfast
- Head to the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, a fascinating and family-friendly attraction. Learn about various species of butterflies and admire the lush gardens.
- Afterward, you can have a picnic lunch in the garden or enjoy a nearby cafe.
Day 3: Explore the Rainforest
- This is the day to hop on the "Rainforest Rattler" scenic train. (Make sure you check train times as they are only in Coffs for a limited time each January)
- Enjoy the breathtaking views of the countryside, lush rainforests, and possibly some waterfalls along the way.
- Feeling up to a short, picturesque drive today? Head to Dorrigo and explore the National Park, including the Rainforest Centre, and various walking trails.
- After a busy day out and about grab a seafood platter from the Fisherman's Co-op and relax on the balcony overlooking amazing ocean views.
Day 4: Big Banana Fun Park
- Visit the iconic Big Banana Fun Park, which offers various attractions and activities for the family, including a water park, ice skating, and a giant slide.
- Have lunch at the park's cafe and enjoy a banana split while getting an iconic photo in front of the Big Banana.
- Take the afternoon to unwind and relax, try fishing at the Jetty or grab a picnic basket from reception and enjoy one of our many beautiful headland lookouts.
Day 5: Final Moments
- You can't go past the Butterscotch Pancakes at Coffs Harbour Surf Club before heading home. The view is unreal and will have you missing Coffs already.
Remember to book your accommodation and any train tickets well in advance, especially if you plan to take the "Rainforest Rattler." Also, keep an eye on any updates or changes to local attractions and services as you get closer to your travel dates. Enjoy your family holiday in Coffs Harbour.
Thinking of a wintery getaway? With average daily temperatures in the low 20s and stunning attractions to enjoy, winter is the perfect time to visit Coffs Harbour. Plus take advantage of low season deals to visit some of our best wildlife encounters. Whale Watching Adventures with Jetty Dive Winter marks the annual migration of humpback whales along the east coast of Australia, and Coffs Harbour is perfectly positioned for unforgettable whale watching experiences. Join Jetty Dive between June and October for an exhilarating whale watching tour and set sail along the pristine coastline in search of these majestic marine giants. From the deck of your boat, you'll have the opportunity to witness awe-inspiring displays of breaching, tail-slapping, and spy-hopping as the whales make their journey north to warmer waters. If being on the water isn’t your thing The Observatory Apartments are perfectly located to Whale Watch from your balcony – ask our friendly reception team for a pair of binoculars and our cheat sheet on how to spot breaching whales. Discover the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the region's diverse wildlife. Every day the Sanctuary team strives to engage and inspire visitors to protect local animals and their environment through education and unique experiences. The sanctuary is home to many marine animals including Indo-Pacific bottle-nose dolphins, Australian sea lions, a colony of little blue penguins, green sea turtles, freshwater turtles, and a variety of local fish species. The sanctuary is just a short walk from the Observatory Apartments and the perfect way to spend a day with the whole family. A Fluttering Experience at the Butterfly House Step into a world of enchantment at the Butterfly House, where thousands of vibrant butterflies flutter amidst lush tropical gardens. Located in the heart of Coffs Harbour, this magical sanctuary offers visitors the chance to witness these delicate creatures up close as they dance through the air. Winter is an ideal time to visit, as the warm and humid environment inside the Butterfly House provides a welcome escape from the cooler outdoor temperatures. Lose yourself in the beauty of nature as you wander among the colorful blooms and marvel at the intricate patterns of the butterflies' wings. Get Up Close with Reptiles at Steve McEwan's Reptile World For those with a fascination for the scaly and slithery, Steve McEwan's Reptile World offers an exciting opportunity to get up close and personal with a diverse range of reptiles. Brave visitors can even participate in thrilling hands-on experiences, such as holding a python or getting to know a friendly blue-tongue lizard. Winter in Coffs Harbour is a time of unparalleled natural beauty and wildlife encounters. So why wait? Bundle up and embark on an unforgettable journey through Coffs Harbour's winter wonderland today. The Observatory Apartments is centrally located in the Jetty Precinct offering the perfect base for your next adventure. Check out our availability HERE , we can’t wait to see you!
Let us take you on a journey from Woolgoolga in the North to Sawtell in the South to uncover the stunning cultural heritage of Coffs Harbour. Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Corindi Beach Yarrawarra is located in the homelands of the Garby Elders and the Gumbaynggirr People. The Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre includes a bush tucker cafe, Indigenous Art Gallery, Monthly Cultural Programs, Aboriginal Art Classes and Story Sessions. This space is proudly open to the public so that they can learn about and enjoy Gumbaynggirr culture, art and history. Sikh Heritage Museum in Woolgoolga A warm and welcoming space showcasing the traditional and religious life of the Sikh people in Australia. The exhibits contain information on the Sikh understanding of the origins of the universe, the lives and teachings of the Ten Gurus, the Sikh empire, Sikhs in the world wars, the Sikh ANZAC contribution, the first migration of Sikhs to Australia and finally, the establishment of a Sikh community in Woolgoolga. Yarrila Arts and Museum Located in the heart of our City Centre, YAM boasts five exhibition spaces hosting national and local touring exhibitions such as the Archibald Prize and STILL: National Still Life Award. It’s home to a permanent display, Yaamanga Around Here, which explores the history and identity of the Coffs Coast through themes of place, community and belonging, with Gumbaynggirr culture at its heart. Take your exploration of YAM outdoors with a visit to the South Solitary Island Lighthouse Optic. A beacon of safety for sailors it was New South Wales' most isolated lighthouse on South Solitary Island between 1880-1975. It has been painstakingly restored in its new location upon the Jetty Foreshores where it now sits in sight of the ocean. Jetty Memorial Theatre The Jetty Memorial Theatre serves as an important arts hub and performance venue for the Coffs Coast region. Showcasing a range of local, state and international shows including musical theatre, comedy, musicians and productions, movie screenings and more. Sawtell Art Gallery To finish your cultural journey of the Coffs Coast head to Sawtell Art Gallery where you can participate in arts classes or enjoy monthly exhibitions. Then head down treelined First Ave and explore a wide variety of beautiful boutiques and cafes that all add to the tapestry of Sawtell. Ready to pack your bags and journey through the Coffs Coast? The Observatory is located in Coffs Harbour Jetty and the perfect base for your next cultural adventure. Check out our rooms HERE and book your getaway today.
