Coffs Harbour

The Coffs Harbour or Coffs Coast, a seaside city known for its bananas and fishery, is located in the northern portion of the Australian state of New Souh Wales. A tourist destination favored for its temperate climate, beaches and diving spots, it is also a famous surfing area where regional surfing competitions are held. Located between Sydney and Brisbane, Coffs Harbour is surrounded by apartments, resorts, lush forests, hills, farms and banana plantations.

Coffs Harbour was named after Captain John Korff, who called the region after himself when he had to stay in the area during a storm in 1847. It was altered by accident from Korffs to Coffs by a surveyor who reserved the area in 1861.

Coffs Harbour is famous for producing Australia's finest bananas. In fact, one of the region's main tourist features is the Big Banana, a large banana-shaped establishment built in 1964, where bananas and other related products are showcased and sold. A banana plantation is also situated on its grounds. The Big Banana turned 40 years in 2005 and it is the first structure to be included in Australia's Big Things.

The region has three major beaches situated near its central business district. The Park Beach, the region's most prominent beach, is situated in the north. This open beach is a good surfing site with a few secure areas for swimming. Close to the marina is the famous Jetty Beach, which has a calm swimming area safe from big waves. To the south of Jetty Beach is open water with changing conditions called Boambee Beach.

There are other great beach sites up north, which tourists may also want to visit such as Campbells, Diggers, Emerald, Fiddamans, Moonee, Mid Sapphire, Sandy Beach and Shelley. These beaches have good fishing spots, surfing areas and facilities.

Tourists may also want to take note of the annual events and fairs in Coffs Coast and schedule their visit to the region during these exciting festivities. An example is the Jetty Carnival, which runs from December 16 to January 28 and opens nightly at 6:30. Tourists should definitely visit the carnival during the holidays as admission to the carnival is free and there are many events and surprises scheduled during Christmas, New Year and Australia Day. Other annual events include the Pittwater to Coffs Yacht Race in January, and the Coffs Harbour International Buskers and Comedy Festival in October.

Coffs Harbour has other interesting tourist attractions such as the Coffs Harbor Butterfly House, Maze and Tearooms. Visitors will surely enjoy strolling in the lush indoor rainforest and coming across hundreds of beautiful live butterflies. A visit is also educational since tourists will be told about the life cycle of the amazing butterflies. It also has an outdoor maze where families and groups are tasked to solve four levels of the maze by seeking for information on butterflies.

Aside from swimming and surfing, tourists can also take part in many other outdoor activities in Coffs Harbour. The Coffs City Skydivers offers solo and group sky dives with the assistance of experienced sky dive instructors. Feel the rush of rafting, canoeing and kayaking tours offered by The Liquid Assets Adventure Tours. Experience speed and take advantage of the go karting packages of the Raleigh International Raceway.

Coffs Harbour provides venues for all kinds of fun activities for partners, families and friends. Tourists and locals will surely enjoy a Coffs Harbour vacation and will certainly return for its waters, festivals, shopping areas and exciting outdoor locations.