Go for the beaches but stay for artisanal creativity and action-packed things to do in Coffs Harbour.

There are serious waves being made on NSW’s Coffs Coast as the holiday hot spot, almost smack-bang between Sydney and Brisbane, is poised to become the new capital of Mid North Coast cool. From hinterland exploration and inspired dining to activities you can’t do anywhere else, here are the very best things to do in Coffs Harbour and throughout the Coffs Coast.

1. Make furry friends at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary

The main town is a tourist magnet thanks to the exceptional Coffs Harbour restaurants and lively cafes that dot the streets but make time to meet the adorable locals.

Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is home to enchanting marine life as the passionate team strives to instil deeper care and responsibility through its conservation efforts.

What of the animals, you ask? Spy penguins, sea lions, dolphins, turtles, fantastical fish, peacocks and more as you stroll the relaxed space on Orlando Street right near the Jetty.

2. Soak up contemporary art at Yarrila Arts and Museum

Avant-garde art mightn’t be the first thing that pops into your mind when somebody says Coffs Harbour, but Yarrila Arts and Museum is upping the ante.

Paying respect to the original Gumbaynggirr country, the word ‘yarrila’ means illuminate, which sums up exactly what this fascinating space is doing to the region.

Appreciate more than 18,000 individual objects and artefacts and gaze at more than 600 pieces of art across five spaces as rotating exhibitions shine a light on contemporary thought leaders in the most intriguing of ways.

3. Surf or swim your dream waves in Coffs

Surf culture has long been part of Coffs Harbour’s DNA, but that scene is being increasingly energised as surfers looking to escape the crowds explore this part of the coastline in search of the perfect break.

Solitary Islands Surf School will find a wave to suit everyone at Boambee, Jetty, Murrays, North Wall and Sawtell beaches while swimmers can dip between the flags at Woolgoolga Beach.

Experienced surfers will froth on Gallows near the quarry and Trapdoors in Sawtell. Lee Winkler’s Surf School is another goodie and offers multi-day camps to help you really lean in.

4. Walk to the top of Muttonbird Island

Start your heroic stride to the top of Muttonbird Island from the Coffs Harbour Marina and along the northern part of the breakwall until you reach the base of Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, where interpretative signage tells the Dreamtime story of the moon-man who protected the land.

The 1.3-kilometre-return walk will steer you to the eastern lookout, which offers stunning views over Solitary Island, a prime spot for whale watching (from May to November).

5. Enjoy an Indigenous-led SUP tour

Who better to guide you on a two-and-a-half-hour SUP tour of Red Rock Creek than a Gumbaynggirr guide from Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours? Their ancestors have been cutting canoes from trees and paddling around these waterways for thousands and thousands of years.

Indeed, the most stirring stories about Gumbaynggirr country are written in the landscape and told by members of the local Aboriginal clan who invest a proportion of their profits to support young people in the community.

6. Swim with humpback whales

Visit the Coffs Coast in August or September and you will get the chance to swim with humpback whales as they migrate south to the waters off Antarctica.

It’s worth noting that whale-swimming tours with Jetty Dive Centre are weather dependant, as they are conducted in the deep ocean, and they’re only on offer to children over the age of 12 and those who can confidently swim 200 metres.

Those reluctant to slide off the boat and into the sea can enjoy a whale-watching tour instead.

7. Get on your bike and cycle around Coffs Harbour

Coffs Creek Walk and Cycleway is a shared trail that pretzels around the CBD, North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, Jetty Beach and Park Beach. While the walk and ride can be broken down into shorter sections, you can also go the distance if you’re feeling energetic. Alternatively, explore the Jetty foreshore by bike by renting two wheels from Coffs Harbour Electric Bike Hire. If you’re feeling like changing down a few gears, ask Coffs Harbour Trike & Private Tours to design a custom adventure just for you.

8. Soar through the treetops

Swing through the towering gum trees like Tarzan with Treetops Adventure right near Sealy Lookout in the Orara East State Forest. Courses are graded according to difficulty but there are more than 90 aerial challenges to choose from including 20 ziplines. Plus, kids from the age of three can get stuck in. Budding ninja warriors (and probably their parents) will enjoy the challenge of climbing through the adventure park configured with elevated obstacles, rope ladders, tunnels, cargo nets, wobbly bridges and more.

9. Flap around the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House

Learn about the life cycle of butterflies as they flit and fly around you at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, an institution for insects in Bonville, just 20 minutes south of Coffs Harbour.

Not only are there displays with live insects, but there’s also a dinosaur forest that houses “extinct" dinosaurs that move and roar around you. Here for the exclusively winged creatures? Look out for fairies that figure-eight around the trees, then.

Children will love learning about different species such as the distinctive Ulysses butterfly, which is velvety black and metallic blue.

10. Go horse-riding along Boambee Beach

Boambee Beach is much-loved by locals and you can see why as you plod along the beach to admire this pristine swathe of coastline on horseback with HWH Stables.

The popular ‘Photographic Horse Riding Tour’, which can be booked for one hour, two hours or three-and-a-half hours, heads along Boambee Beach and curves to Boambee Bay Lagoon, where your four-legged companions are led into the water for a swim as guide and photographer Chris Fenech zooms in on the action to help you savour the day.

11. Get a selfie at The Big Banana

You don’t need to consult your Little Book of Dad Jokes to pre-empt the fact old mate will likely say, ‘Keep your eyes peeled for The Big Banana’ when road-tripping toward this iconic tourist attraction.

While the giant yellow 13-metre piece of fruit, one of Australia’s best Big Things, is certainly an impressive landmark when it lurches into view, it’s the adjacent water park, toboggan ride, ice skating rink, bumper cars, escape rooms, candy kitchen, giant slide and laser tag that are the park’s main draws.

And that’s not even the entire list. Whatever you tackle, it’s compulsory to buy some choc-coated bananas, which are, thankfully, more to scale.

12. Discover the creative side of Coffs Harbour

The Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery at the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Corindi Beach exhibits traditional and contemporary art from First Nations people from the northern lowlands of Gumbaynggirr country and across regional Australia. ‘Yarrawarra’ means ‘happy meeting place’ and the centre, 30 minutes north of Coffs Harbour, hosts a range of activities spanning bush tucker tours and art workshops.

13. Go brewery hopping across the Coffs Coast

Craft beer nuts, this one’s for you. Flexing their artisanal chops in the centre of Coffs Harbour and right up along the Coffs Coast, local brewers are blending up the hard stuff like nobody’s business.

Embark on your brew trail at King Tide Brewing, paying homage to traditional European beers as well as fabulous twists on Aussie natives.

You won’t want to miss Woolgoolga Brewing Co. either, where killer IPA flows and locals converge for quality pub grub on a giant kid-friendly lawn. Don’t miss a chance to sample the fruits of Gallows Brewing Co.’s labour too, on tap at Jetty Beach House, one of the region’s best pubs, among other local hangouts.

This article was originally written by Carla Grossetti with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams.

For more inspiration and planning tips, read our comprehensive travel guide to Coffs Harbour and beyond.