Panoramic view of the Coffs Harbour marina, NSW Australia, from Muttonbird Island
Coffs Harbour, locally nicknamed Coffs,[4] is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, 540 km (340 mi) north of Sydney, and 390 km (240 mi) south of Brisbane. It is one of the largest urban centres on the North Coast, with a population of 78,759 as per 2021 census.[1]
The Gumbaynggirr people are the Traditional Owners of Coffs Harbour and the surrounding area, they have occupied this land for many thousands of years.[5][6]
Coffs Harbour's economy was once based on timber and agriculture. Over recent decades, tourism has become an increasingly important industry for the city. Once part of a region known as the Bananacoast, today the tourist city is part of a wider region known as the Coffs Coast.[7][8]
The city has a campus of Southern Cross University, and a campus of Rural Faculty of Medicine University of New South Wales, a public and a private hospital,[9] several radio stations, and three major shopping centres. Coffs Harbour is near numerous national parks, including a marine national park.
Sawtell, 10 km (6.2 mi) south along Hogbin Drive from the city has become a satellite suburb of Coffs Harbour; it is increasingly referred to as being part of the city instead of its own entity as a town.[citation needed]
Looking west from Moonee Street after a shower of rain – Coffs Harbour, NSW, 1922
The traditional inhabitants of the Coffs Harbour region are the Gumbaynggirr people, who have occupied the land for thousands of years, forming one of the largest coastal Aboriginal nations in New South Wales. Their nation stretches from the Nambucca River in the south to around the Clarence River in the north and to the Great Dividing Range in the west.[14]
By the early 1900s, the Coffs Harbour area had become an important timber production centre. Before the opening of the North Coast railway line, the only way to transport large items of heavy but low value, such as timber, was by coastal shipping. This meant sawmillers on the North Coast were dependent on jetties either in rivers or off beaches for exporting their timber. Timber tramways were constructed to connect the timber-getting areas, the sawmills and jetties built into the ocean at Coffs Harbour.[15]
The Gumbaynggirr language name, for the harbour for which the town is named, is Gitten Mirreh which translates as 'big moon'.[16]
Coffs Harbour, the town, owes its name to John Korff, a ship builder and ship owner, who named the area Korff's Harbour after he was forced to take shelter from a storm there in 1847.[17][16]
The name was accidentally changed by the surveyor for the Crown when he reserved land in the area during 1861.[18]
According to the 2021 Census[22] the population of suburban Coffs Harbour is 78,759. This is an increase from 72,944 in 2016. 52.6% of the population is female in contrast to the national average of 50.7%. The average age is 43, which is higher than the national average of 38. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 5.6% of the population.
75.5% of residents reported being born in Australia; higher than the national average of 66.7%. Other than Australia the most common countries of birth are England (3.2%), New Zealand (1.3%), Myanmar (1.1%), India (0.9%) and Germany (0.5%). 62.2% of residents also reported both their parents being born in Australia, considerably higher than the national average of 47.3%. 82.1% of people spoke only English at home.
The top religious affiliations in Coffs Harbour are Catholic 20.0%, Anglican 17.9% and Presbyterian and Reformed 3.9%. 29.3% declared no religion and 11.1% did not submit a response.[22]
Coffs Harbour has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa according to the Köppen climate classification system) with hot, wet summers and short mild winters, with marked seasonality of rainfall. The city is relatively sunny, receiving 122.1 clear days annually, higher than Brisbane and Cairns but not as sunny as Townsville. Summers are moderately hot, wet and humid. Winters are mild, albeit featuring cool nights, with light to moderate rainfall. There is a history of floods in the city, with major flooding occurring in the years 1917, 1938, 1950, 1963, 1974, 1977, 1989, 1991, 2009 and 2021.[23]
Climate data for Coffs Harbour MO (1991–2015, extremes to 1943)
Coffs Harbour was the hub for a thriving banana industry. One of the biggest attractions is the Big Banana, one of the first of Australia's Big Things (it celebrated its 50th birthday in 2015), with the World's Largest Banana celebrating the region's best-known export.[25] There is also a popular underwater diving spot on a small natural reef.
The Coffs Harbour Jetty is an historically important timber wharf where coastal shipping once moved the timber from the hinterland. It was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register on 25 June 2021, recognising its significance "as the longest coastal timber jetty built by the Harbours and Rivers Section of the NSW Public Works department in the 19th century."[5] The jetty area is the subject of planning from 2018 by Council and consultants to develop a cultural precinct and rejuvenated residential area.[citation needed]
Nearby, the Solitary Islands Marine Park preserves a diverse underwater ecosystem that mirrors the terrestrial biodiversity, covering the southern limit of northern tropical species and the northern limits of the southern temperate species. Muttonbird Island is accessible by walking along the breakwater from the harbour, with the nature reserve protecting a significant wedge-tailed shearwater breeding site. The Muttonbird Island footpath leads to a viewing platform where whales are often spotted between June and November.[citation needed]
There are many national parks, reserves and marine parks surrounding the city, including:
Yuraygir National Park (stretching from Yamba to Red Rock and west along the Coast Range)
The town's water supply comes from the nearby Orara River at Cochranes Pool and is supplemented by the Nymboida River. The city hosts the Coffs Harbour Regional Botanic Garden.[citation needed]
Coffs Harbour is home to the Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC) which is a partnership between the Southern Cross University, TAFE and the Coffs Harbour Senior College.
Other universities include the University of New South Wales Rural Clinical School located on the Coffs Harbour Health Campus. Australian Catholic University, Rural Education (REZ).
Local state and private high schools include Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Orara, Toormina, John Paul College, Coffs Harbour Christian Community, Bishop Druitt College and the Coffs Harbour Senior College.[citation needed]
Primary schools include; Boambee, Bonville, Coffs Harbour Public, Coramba, Corindi, Crossmaglen, Karangi, Kororo, Lowanna, Mullaway, Nana Glen, Narranga, Upper Orara, Sandy Beach, Sawtell, Toormina, Tyalla, Ulong, William Bayldon and Woolgoolga Public School. Private primary schools in the area include; Mary Help of Christians, St Augustine's and St Francis Xavier's.[citation needed]
Defunct primary schools
Brooklana Public – 1920–1949
Bucca Central Public – 1910–1963
Bucca Lower Public (Formerly Bucca Creek until May 1919) – 1896–1978
Corindi Creek Public – 1920–1962
Timmsvale Public – 1928–1970
Yalbillinga Special School (Amalgamated with Coffs Harbour PS) – 1965–1993
Other schools
Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School
Casuarina School for Steiner Education
The new Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge main span lift which took place in October 2024, looking North.Bishop Druitt College
Coffs Harbour Bible Church School
Coffs Harbour Christian Community School
Special schools are public schools designed for children or youth with chronic disabilities or who for other reasons cannot be accommodated in the comprehensive school system. Coffs Harbour Learning Centre is available for these students.
Bypass under construction in 2024 looking toward the Shepards Lane tunnel portal, looking North
The Pacific Highway cuts through the centre of the city of Coffs Harbour. As a part of the Pacific Highway Upgrade (organised from the NSW government), has started working on building a 14-kilometre (8.7 mi) deviation containing three interchanges and three tunnels through the ridge line. The new highway starts at Englands Road, runs west to Coramba Road, and joins near Campbell Close and Solitary Islands Way, Korora. Key features at the Englands Road are include:
The separation of the existing Pacific Highway, a new service road running from Lindsey's Truck Depot to the south roundabout of Englands Road Interchange, a new interchange at Englands Road which separates the existing Pacific Highway (as of 2025), a New set of lights which replace the existing roundabout on the Pacific Highway (as of 2025), New access to the local Waste Service centre for all workers and residents, and new access to Ozgroup, Isles Drive and Englands Road.
The North Boambee Road/Roberts Hill areas include:
Bridges going over Newports Creek and North Boambee Road, a new tunnel going through Roberts Hill (Mccans Road), bridges going over Coffs Creek and other catchments, a new interchange at Coramba Road in which looks similar to the Sapphire Beach interchange at Solitary Islands Way, new service road access from Coramba Road Interchange via western roundabout
New bridges in the Shepards Lane area including:
A new bridge for access via Shepards Lane, an overpass bridge going over the North Coast Railway, a new tunnel in between North Coast Railway Line and Mackays Road and an overpass bridge going over Mackays Road, a new tunnel going through the Gatleys Road Hill, a new overpass bridges going over Jordans Creek and West Korora Road, a new interchange at Korora Hill which meets the existing Pacific Highway (as of 2025) The Korora Hill areas include:
New access to Bruxner Park Road and James Small Drive, a new set of lights which connect Charlesworth Bay Road and the nearby Caravan Park, on/off ramps continue via the existing Pacific Highway, and a new service road that goes through the Kororo Public School areas.
The Kororo Public School areas include: a new bus interchange for Kororo School students/residents, new footbridge access which will stand as a memorial for the beloved Luke Bowen who tragically died in a motorbike accident.
Key locations in the Korora/Sapphire Beach area include:
New overpass bridges going over Pine Bush Creek (which 2 of them meet the existing Pacific Highway, as of 2025), a new bridge upgrade for local residents and cars on Old Coast Road, opposite Kororo Basin Road, a new service road connecting Old Coast Road, Campbell Close and Seaview Close, an overpass bridge which connects Solitary Islands Way, Old Coast Road, Campbell Close and Seaview Close
Upgrades to Campbell Close including:
The connection of the Existing Pacific Highway, a new noise wall on the western side of the highway (travelling north), the connection of a new noise wall to the existing noise wall that was completed in late 2013 - early 2014, the connections of the existing Solitary Islands Way and the new service road, and a new grey support wall that will support the new Campbell Close entrance. The Coffs Harbour Bypass achievements to motorists will achieve saving up to 12 minutes of driving time, bypassing up to 12 sets of traffic lights, (14 including the 2 new marked sets), making trips from and to Coffs Harbour easy for local residents, saving time driving through Coffs for local residents and improving safety for all motorists. However, trucks with hazardous chemicals (HAZCHEM) must use the existing highway for safety reasons and concerns. The noise walls that will stand for the new bypass will represent Gumbaynggirr based "Dream Time Stories" as the theme for the whole bypass, from South to North, the first design will be apart of the "Childs Journey" dreamtime story, which will resemble the colour Yellow, and is based on a mother and child on a journey across a day and into the Dreamtime, discovering special places, creatures, and new things (according to Google AI Overview), it will be featrured only around the Englands Road area. The next cultural Theme is called the "Golden Waanji" The colour for this story is Blue, slightly darker than Cyan. The dreamtime story represents a Dingo forming the creation of the sea and the creation of the Seven Sisters constellation, and how the two jiinda (sisters) became part of the Pleiades constellation, it is featrured around Coramba Road interchange and Shepards Lane area (according to Google AI Overview). The next cultral theme will be known as the "Yuludarla Creation" which will resemble the colour of a slightly darker Orange. The story is about the "Man Shining Like the Sun" who created the land and people by dividing it with rivers, forming different clans, and giving them their languages. It will be seen around the Gatleys Road Tunnel area only. The last and very North dreamtime story recreation will be the Gumgali Stories, otherwise will be known as the Goanna Stories. These stories will tell the story about the Gumgali, a black goanna, and the formation of the Korora ridge. The stories are shared through sculptures, murals, and soundscapes, it is also shared along the Gumgali Track in the Orara East State Forest.[26] The project was approved in November 2020, and the contract by the NSW Government was given to Ferrovial Construction and Gamuda Construction in June 2022. The project is due to be open to traffic in late 2026 and completed in late 2027 at a cost of $2.2 billion dollars AUD ($1,387,386,000 USD) Construction Updates, Resource Libraries and more of the Latest News are kept at the NSW Government Boating and Transport Wesbite, the Final Place Design and Landscape Plan (chapters 1-3) is shown for local transportation such as buses and impacts as a result of constructing the entire Coffs Harbour Bypass. [27][28]
News Of The Area – Printed and on-line publications.[citation needed]
Coffs Coast Advocate – The Advocate newspaper was until 2019 published on Wednesdays and Saturdays and delivered free to all homes. The newspaper is now online only.[29] An online index of articles between 1993 and 2004 and selected articles dating back to 1900 is maintained by the Coffs Harbour City Library, though only articles relating to Coffs Harbour and its people are indexed.[30]
Historical:
Coffs Coast Independent – Weekly full-colour newspaper delivered free each Thursday to all homes in the Coffs Harbour district, closed 2012.[citation needed]
Nine airs NBN News, a regional hour-long program including opt-outs for the Mid North Coast, every night at 6pm. It is broadcast from studios in Newcastle with reporters based at a local newsroom in the city.
The Seven Network (formerly Prime7) airs a half-hour local Seven News (formerly Prime7 News) bulletin for the North Coast at 6pm each weeknight. It is broadcast from studios in Canberra with reporters based at a local newsroom in the city.
WIN Television airs short local news updates throughout the day, broadcast from its Wollongong studios.
2HC 639 AM and 100.5 FM – talkback, news – including local, national & international; sport; and music. Part of the Broadcast Operations Group's Super Radio Network relaying a majority of programs from 2SM in Sydney and 2HD in Newcastle. The station was purchased by Bill Caralis in 2005.[citation needed]
Triple M 106.3 FM – Part of Southern Cross Austereo, Triple M has limited local content – with shows such as Moffee For Breakfast, as well as networked programming – like The Ray Hadley Morning Show, and The Marty Sheargold Show. The station was formerly known as 2CS FM until 15 December 2016.[citation needed]
Hit 105.5 (105.5 FM) – Part of Southern Cross Austereo, Hit 105.5 has a local Coffs Harbour Breakfast Show called the A.B & Ben Show. It began in 1997 as a third commercial licence for the Coffs Coast. The station was formerly known as Star FM until 15 December 2016.[citation needed]
The Coffs Harbour bus network extends from Grafton and Red Rock in the north to Macksville and Grassy Head in the south. Regular route services are operated by Busways and Forest Coach Lines. Forest Coach Lines also operate the Woopi Connect On Demand bus service in the Northern Beaches area.[citation needed]
The Coffs Harbour Aero Club on Aviation Drive supports private pilots. Flying lessons and discovery flights, as well as air-work and charter flights are available from the club, which is also working closely with local high schools to provide flying training for students.
The most popular sport in Coffs Harbour is rugby league. The city has four clubs in the Country Rugby League of NSW's Group 2 rugby league competition; Coffs Harbour Comets, Sawtell Panthers, Woolgoolga Seahorses, and Orara Valley Axemen. All clubs offer entries in age groups ranging from under-7s to first grade. The Sawtell Panthers are the current champions in first grade and under-18s, and Woolgoolga Seahorses were runners up to the Port Macquarie Sharks in reserve grade.
There is a local Australian rules football competition with three clubs in the city; Coffs Harbour, Northern Beaches–Woologoolga and Sawtell Saints.
There is also a men's and women's soccer league, two rugby union clubs (Coffs Harlequins and Southern Cross University), junior and senior basketball competitions and the representative Coffs Suns, field hockey and netball competitions.
In 2001, Coffs Harbour hosted the Oceania region's qualification matches for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. One these matches played at Coffs Harbour was the Australia 31–0 American Samoa game, which set a new world record for international association football's biggest-ever win.[34]
Pacific Bay Resort hosted 'Camp Wallaby' throughout the 2000s, in which the Wallabies called Coffs Harbour home.
The region has hosted international rallying through the 1970s through to the early 1980s. After that time, the events became part of the Australian Rally Championship and NSW Rally Championships. It was the host city for Rally Australia, a round of the World Rally Championship in 2011. The rally used roads from the neighbouring Bellingen, and Nambucca shires in addition to Coffs Harbour. The rally returned permanently to Coffs Harbour in 2013. In 2016, the rally was run in November with a Super special Stage at the Coffs Jetty. It was last held in 2018.[35]
Coffs Harbour is home to three locally grown sporting events attracting thousands of competitors each year: the Coffs Harbour Triathlon (bcu Coffs Tri), the Coffs Harbour running festival and the Coffs Ocean Swims, all raising money to local children's charities.
^"Korff, John (1799–1870)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
^"Local Builders Win Top Awards". Coffs Coast Advocate. North Coast News. 6 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
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Coffs Harbour travel guide from Wikivoyage
