Diggers Beach, Coffs HarbourCredit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour in the state's North Coast.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
The New South Wales Coffs Coast isn’t just a great summer destination. While it’s often warm enough during the winter months to splash around at its beaches, there are plenty of other activities to keep you occupied in this easy going corner of the mid-North Coast. Here are five of them.
Swim with whales
There are only a handful of places around the world where you can swim with whales in their natural habitat, and the Coffs Coast is one of them. From June to October, Jetty Dive in Coffs Harbour takes you out in search of humpbacks and — when it’s safe — lets you slip into the water alongside these gentle giants (August and September only) for a snorkelling experience of a lifetime.
Sign up for a cultural SUP adventure
Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours is an Aboriginal-owned venture on the Coffs Coast that uses stand-up paddle boarding as a way to introduce people to local Gumbaynggirr culture. Not only do its tours offer a great day out, but they also help to support the community, with a percentage of profits invested in the not-for-profit Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation that runs programs to uplift Aboriginal youth.
Humpback Whale, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW; Coffs Coast Marketing
Humpback Whale, Coffs Harbour
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Humpback Whale, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW; Coffs Coast Marketing
Humpback Whale, Coffs Harbour
Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours, Red Rock Credit: Destination NSW
The Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours stand up paddleboarding experience on the Corindi River, Red Rock.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours, Red Rock Credit: Destination NSW
The Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours stand up paddleboarding experience on the Corindi River, Red Rock.
Soak up Sawtell
Just 15 minutes’ drive south of Coffs Harbour, the small coastal town of Sawtell is a charming seaside escape at any time of the year. The winter months are ideal for exploring Sawtell’s hip café scene — don’t miss the Hilltop Store, a licenced café set inside a 1924 general store with a menu championing local seasonal produce. With sweeping ocean views complementing its accessible café menu, The Kiosk Sawtell at the local surf club is another great place to soak up the winter sun over a good coffee.
Held in July, the Sawtell Chilli Festival is guaranteed to turn up the heat, and there’s good bushwalking and koala-spotting to be had in Bongil Bongil National Park year-round.
Enjoy family fun at the Big Banana
Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana is more than just a selfie stop — it’s the state’s biggest theme park north of Sydney, with family-friendly rides, mini-golf, laser tag and more. You can even sign up for a workshop at the Cheesemaking Workshop and Deli located on the plantation, and learn how to make your very own halloumi, ricotta, and more.
Cosy up in Diggers Beach Cottage
Opened in 2017, Diggers Beach Cottage is one of the region’s most charming boutique accommodation options. Set in the beautiful Coffs Harbour beach suburb of Diggers Beach, which has a good beach break for surfers, the cottage has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a modern kitchen and a spacious landscaped courtyard. Just 50m from the sand, it’s perfectly located for wintertime beach walks.
Sawtell rock pool at sunset, Coffs Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset at Sawtell rock pool at sunset, Coffs Coast
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Sawtell rock pool at sunset, Coffs Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset at Sawtell rock pool at sunset, Coffs Coast
Big Banana, Coffs Coast Credit: The Legendary Pacific Coast
The Big Banana on the Coffs Coast, North Coast
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Big Banana, Coffs Coast Credit: The Legendary Pacific Coast
The Big Banana on the Coffs Coast, North Coast
More Inspirational Stories
Roar and Snore, Taronga Zoo Sydney Credit: Taronga Zoo
Roar and Snore tents at Taronga Zoo Sydney overlooking Sydney Harbour.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
Gain a new perspective on Sydney as you observe through the eyes of children the best this magnificent city has to offer – be sure to stay on the Sydney Harbour foreshore to be close to world-class attractions for all ages.
Make Sydney your playground
Bond as a family with the exhilarating experience of climbing to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge at twilight with BridgeClimb Sydney. Kids aged eight years and up (and at least 1.2m tall) can join in the fun and take in the 360-degree views of this iconic Sydney landmark.
Take in the sights from two wheels as you pedal past the city’s parks, harbour and iconic sites with Bonza Bike Tours, which caters to all ages by providing kids’ bikes, ‘trail-alongs’ and baby seats, and Sydney Harbour Bike Tours, which offers guided e-bike tours.
Your kids will be delighted when they realise half the fun of getting to Taronga Zoo Sydney is taking the ferry from Circular Quay or jumping in a water taxi. They’ll also love seeing the Sumatran tigers, the incredible Free Flight Birds show and the popular Seals for the Wild presentation, and riding the cable car across the zoo.
Thrill to the colourful rides at Luna Park, a restored 1930s-era amusement park at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and keep the excitement flowing by visiting Sea Life Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour, where the kids can meet king penguins, sharks, turtles and a cheeky dugong named Pig.
Let the kids burn off any untapped reserves of energy at one of Sydney’s family-friendly beaches on the harbour, or head to the vast Centennial Parklands, a short drive from the city centre in the inner east, to let them loose in the Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden.
Expand the family’s horizons
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to the Seedlings Nature School, where little ones (2.5 to 5 years old) are encouraged to enjoy nature play. Help your kids connect with the oldest living culture in the world on The Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour, with your Aboriginal tour guide taking you through the Cadi Jam Ora garden so you can learn about native plants and try some bush foods.
Explore an amazing collection of Aboriginal and other Australian, European, Asian and contemporary art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, next to the Royal Botanic Garden. Inspire the family on a self-guided tour or head to the ticketing desk to find out about the latest family-friendly offerings.
Be intrigued by the ever-changing array of artworks and installations at the Museum of Contemporary Art in The Rocks before taking in amazing harbour views as your crew recharges with a snack from the healthy menu at the top-floor MCA Café.
Immerse in the worlds of science, technology, design and more at the fascinating Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, where the interactive displays offer the whole family insights into Australia’s unique culture. In nearby Darling Harbour, kids can climb aboard tall ships, a cold war submarine and many other vessels at the entertaining Australian National Maritime Museum.
BridgeClimb, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience at BridgeClimb, Sydney.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
BridgeClimb, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience at BridgeClimb, Sydney.
Bonza Bike Tours, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a ride through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney on their hired bicycles from Bonza Bike Tours.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
Bonza Bike Tours, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a ride through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney on their hired bicycles from Bonza Bike Tours.
Refuel and recharge for round two
You’ll find most Sydney eateries cater for children. Keep hungry kids happy with a snack from the bakery menu or something more substantial from the hawker-style pan-Asian fusion selection at House Canteen at the Sydney Opera House. Or take in spectacular views of Sydney’s most iconic building from across the waters of Circular Quay at The Glenmore on Cumberland Street in The Rocks – it’s a great dinner spot that offers a fun atmosphere, with the kid’s menu including favourites such as popcorn chicken and fish and chips.
Perk up flagging kids with a slice of the ‘world’s most Instagrammed cake’ — the exquisite strawberry watermelon cake — at Black Star Pastry, in The Galeries on George Street. And top off a visit to Darling Harbour with some moreish Italian fare at Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour, which offers a special kids’ menu featuring the perennial favourites of pizza and spaghetti (children under 12 can eat free on Sundays). Reward yourself with a grown-up Tokyo-style burger while the little ones feast on Japanese fried chicken or eat from the kids’ menu at Ume Burger, in nearby Darling Square. Then enjoy an after-dinner treat at Gelato Messina, which has an outlet at Darling Square as well as at Gateway at Circular Quay and at Martin Place in the city centre.
Play where you stay
Indulge in the Family Fun package at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney and you’ll be perfectly placed to experience the best of the stunning harbour and city centre as well as delight in treating your children. The package includes gifts for the kids, an in-room kids’ movie experience, daily breakfast at Mode Kitchen & Bar for two adults and two children aged under 12, a family pass to Taronga Zoo, themed linen and a magical tent experience.
Make the family pet part of your holiday with a Family Playcation package at the Langham Sydney in Millers Point – bring the pooch and put the kids in an interconnecting room, where they can be entertained with an in-house movie and popcorn after a busy day exploring the city.
Inject some adventure into your Sydney sojourn by swapping out the five-star suite for sleeping under the stars. The whole family will thrill to an exclusive night safari guided by zookeepers and guides before falling asleep to the sounds of wild animals calling out as you camp in safari tents on a Roar and Snore experience at Taronga Zoo.
Or leave Sydney with indelible memories when you glamp in the waterfront campground or stay in heritage house or apartment on Cockatoo Island, a short ferry ride from Circular Quay in the middle of Sydney Harbour. Here you can explore the fascinating industrial relics of this former naval shipyard and convict prison before cooking a barbecue dinner with one of the best views in town, while your children make new friends with fellow camping kids.
Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Family relaxing and roasting marshmallows at their Cockatoo Island waterfront campsite.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Family relaxing and roasting marshmallows at their Cockatoo Island waterfront campsite.
The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park Credit: Destination NSW
Children enjoying The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden in Centennial Park.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park Credit: Destination NSW
Children enjoying The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden in Centennial Park.