{"id":5070,"date":"2024-03-20T03:28:21","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T03:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5070"},"modified":"2024-03-24T23:12:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-24T23:12:21","slug":"5-unexpected-experiences-you-can-have-in-coffs-harbour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/5-unexpected-experiences-you-can-have-in-coffs-harbour\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Unexpected Experiences You Can Have in Coffs Harbour"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Coffs Harbour<\/a> is famous for its gorgeous climate, spectacular beaches and, of course, the Big Banana. It’s also NSW’s first official eco destination<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there’s even more to this coastal town on NSW’s North Coast. Here are five experiences you might not expect to have in Coffs Harbour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fly to a lighthouse on an island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On South Solitary Island, 18 kilometres off the Coffs Coast, you\u2019ll find one of Australia\u2019s most isolated lighthouses. In fact, it was the last lighthouse in New South Wales to swap kerosene for electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guests are allowed to visit on just eight weekends of the year, and must join a tour \u2014 by helicopter. You\u2019ll take an eight-minute flight, then a two-hour guided walking tour. Stops include the keeper\u2019s quarters and the lighthouse, where you\u2019ll climb a spiral staircase to reach a balcony with extraordinary views. Tours take place in winter, so there\u2019s a good chance of seeing whales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"South
Image credit: Peter Shanks <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meet a life-sized dinosaur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, Coffs is home to six life-sized dinosaurs. Not only do they look like the real thing, they act like it, too \u2014 and that includes roaring. They live in a dedicated dinosaur forest at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you\u2019re there, look out for flying fairies (really!), and, of course, butterflies. Hundreds of colourful species flit around the subtropical gardens \u2014 including yellow-and-aqua Cairns Birdwings, Blue Banded Eggflies, black-and-white Chequered Swallowtails and Orange Lacewings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also on site is a maze, where you can test your knowledge of butterflies, while getting lost. Plus, there\u2019s a cafe and gift shop, so you can fuel up before hitting the road for your next adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SWIM UNDER A WATERFALL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swim under a waterfall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Swap the sand and surf for a waterfall at Scouts Falls. This magical spot lies at the end of a 1.6 kilometre walking trail through pretty bushland. It can be a bit of a scramble at times, and there’s some creek-hopping to do, but it\u2019s worth it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The falls cascade over several rock ledges into a deep swimming hole. You can paddle around, watching and listening, and, once you\u2019re ready, get directly under the falling water. There\u2019s nothing quite so refreshing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afterwards, hang around for a picnic on the rocks, soaking up some sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Turtle
Green turtle underwater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visit a turtle hospital<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sick and injured turtles are well looked after by the Coffs community. In fact, they have their very own hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find it in the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. And it\u2019s not only turtles that get much-needed medical care here. So do dolphins, fairy penguins, sea lions, seals and hundreds of other marine species. And, once they\u2019re better, they\u2019re released back into the wild. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a bunch of ways to get up-close and personal with the animals. On the \u2018Ultimate Dolphin Experience\u2019, spend 20 minutes in the water interacting with dolphins, and on the \u2018Sea Lion Splash\u2019, try hand-feeding a sea lion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swing among the treetops in Coffs Harbour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a monkey somewhere in each and every one of us \u2014 even if it\u2019s deep down. Find yours at Treetops Adventure, in the state forest just minutes from Coffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone ages three years or over can get in on the action. There are 20 ziplines, the least-scary being one-metre high and the scariest being 20 metres high. Plus, you\u2019ll find more than 90 aerial challenges to attempt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courses are set out according to age and experience. While three to seven year olds and newbies might try out the junior challenge, those aged 13+ and old hats can jump on the expert challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a good idea to book in advance, especially on weekends and during school holidays.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Coffs Harbour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coffs Harbour is a six-hour drive north of Sydney<\/a>. Alternatively, fly to Coffs Harbour Airport<\/a> and pick up a SIXT hire car. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Coffs Harbour is famous for its gorgeous climate, spectacular beaches and, of course, the Big Banana. It’s also NSW’s first official eco destination. But there’s even more to this coastal town on NSW’s North Coast. Here are five experiences you might not expect to have in Coffs Harbour. Fly to a lighthouse on an island…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[95,122],"class_list":{"0":"post-5070","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-coffs-harbour","8":"tag-roadtrips-nsw","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n5 Unexpected Experiences You Can Have in Coffs Harbour<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Coffs Harbour is famous for its gorgeous climate, spectacular beaches and, of course, the Big Banana.\u00a0But, there are some more unusual adventures to be had in and around town.\" \/>\n<meta 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