The sub-tropical city of Coffs Harbour, with a population of approx. 65,000, can be reached by car, air, bus or rail. There are 44 kms (27 miles) of long, white beaches and the climate has been assessed as one of the best in Australia.

The city offers a wide range of entertainment, from wildwater rafting to a quiet laze on the beach; from a game of golf on an international standard course to a leisurely stroll through the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens.

Coffs Harbour has it all. Whether you're into light aircraft, ballooning, four-wheel driving, sailing, horse riding, horse and carriage driving or touring on a Harley Davidson.

The first settlers arrived in the 1840's and bananas were introduced some 40 years later.

Coffs Harbour is the regional centre for shopping. There's the City Centre Mall & the Palm Centre and the newly revamped Park Beach Plaza as well has lots of smaller arcades and centres.

In the hinterland you'll find the Orara Valley, its secret dales lush with native trees, grasses, ferns and waterfalls. Australian native flora and fauna abounds.

Twenty Minutes north of Coffs Harbour lies Woolgoolga, an idyllic coastal village with one of the largest Indian populations in Australia. A Short drive south along the coast will lead you to Sawtell and Toormina.

A BRIEF HISTORY

An unspoiled paradise of beaches and rainforest, Coffs Harbour was discovered around 1847 by John Korff who took shelter behind Mutton Bird Island during a fierce storm. He named it Korffs Harbour but the name was changed by the surveyor when the land around the harbour was reserved. Korrf's Ship had been aiming for Bellinger River to load cedar. Cedar cutting had begun in Bellingen in 1841. The forestry commission took over the management of the forests in 1916 and by 1930 trade had all but collapsed due to lack of timber. When the timber business was at its height, 449 ships a year called at Coffs Harbour.

COFFS COAST

Coffs Harbour is the capital, boasting the largest regional shopping centre in New South Wales. The population has grown enormously since 1990 with many residents arriving from colder climes to enjoy the region's sub tropical splendour year round.

Most of our rain (some 79 inches annually) falls from February to May making for lush green hillsides and many banana plantations. The driest time of year is from July to October. In Winter and Spring the coast enjoys warm sunny days and cool nights, although nights in the Hinterland can reach below zero.

25 Newcastle Drive, TOORMINA