Follow the Waterfall Way

The Waterfall Way is a 185-kilometre scenic drive that climbs from Bellingen through rugged mountains to the highlands of Armidale. Much of the route travels through the misty heights of Dorrigo National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area, where you’ll find four of the best falls. Duck into the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre for maps and advice, then step out onto the elevated Skywalk for views that stretch clear to the coast.

Waterfall Way Scenic Drive, Dorrigo National Park

Or drop to the forest floor on the Wonga Walk, a 6.6-kilometre return track that passes two waterfalls, including Crystal Shower Falls, where a suspension bridge lets you walk behind the curtain of water. A short drive north of town, Dangar Falls tumbles 30 metres over the Bielsdown River amid dairy farmland – there's a viewing platform, picnic tables and a walking trail down to a swimming spot at the base.

Dangar Falls, Dorrigo

Discover ancient rainforest

Beyond Dorrigo, the region's national parks hide rainforest that has barely changed since Gondwana broke apart. The Nymboida River carves through the heart of Nymboi-Binderay National Park, where unmarked trails wind beneath tallowwood and coachwood trees – keep an eye out for powerful owls, stuttering frogs, koalas and kookaburras. On the coast, Bongil Bongil National Park protects wild beaches and pockets of littoral rainforest; walk the Bluff Loop Walking Track or the Bundagaree Rainforest Walk for a mix of forest and ocean views.

Nymboi-Binderay National Park, Wild Cattle Creek - Credit: John Spencer | DCCEEW

Get out on the water

Though the beaches are spectacular, there’s plenty more water to be found around the Coffs Coast. Bellingen Canoe Adventures leads flatwater, sunset and full moon paddles along the Bellinger River, spotting water dragons, koalas and birdlife along the banks. C-Change Adventures runs kayak, SUP and yabbying eco-tours through Boambee Creek and Bonville Creek near Sawtell. Their sunset paddles are a local favourite. For a cultural experience, join Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours for a stand-up paddle led by Indigenous guides, who will share Gumbaynggirr language, bush tucker and stories of Country.

C-Change Adventures, Coffs Harbour

Beginners can catch their first wave with Solitary Islands Surf School, running private and group lessons for all ages and abilities at Woolgoolga, Sawtell, Darlington and Emerald beaches, where big headlands provide shelter from the wind and the breaks stay gentle and forgiving year-round. For the best waves, head to Diggers Beach, a wide, sheltered beach break opposite the Big Banana that's popular with longboarders and stand-up paddlers, or Sawtell Beach, home to everything from long barrelling sections to short peaky waves. Arrawarra-Corindi Beach further north is known for its gentle, forgiving waves that suit beginners and longboarders alike. You can join Mojosurf for a multi-day surf camp here to experience the best of it.

Solitary Islands Surf School, Woolgoolga

And dive beneath it

Suit up to snorkel or dive with Jetty Dive Centre, Coffs Harbour’s only PADI 5-star centre. They run daily boat trips into the Solitary Islands Marine Park, where warm and cool ocean currents collide to create one of the most biodiverse dive destinations in NSW. Sanctuary zones around South Solitary Island and Split Solitary Island teem with turtles, colourful corals, resident grey nurse sharks and huge schools of tropical and temperate fish, while beginners can join a guided snorkel trip with all equipment supplied. If you'd rather stay dry, the Solitary Islands Aquarium gives a hands-on introduction to the marine park's underwater world, with guided presentations and interactive displays perfect for families.

Jetty Dive Centre, Coffs Harbour

Go in search of whales

Between June and November, thousands of humpback whales migrate along the east coast of Australia and pass close by the Coffs Coast. The Solitary Islands Coastal Walk – a 60-kilometre trail linking Sawtell to Red Rock – has some of the best vantage points to spot them breaching offshore, along with dolphins and seabirds year-round. For a closer look, Jetty Dive Centre runs fast-boat whale watching tours from June to October, and offers the rare chance to swim alongside migrating humpbacks in August and September season. Learn more in our guide to whale watching on the Coffs Coast.

Jetty Dive Centre, Coffs Harbour - Credit: Sharyn Coffee

Get lost in botanic gardens

The North Coast Regional Botanic Garden Coffs Harbour is the only eco-certified botanic garden in NSW. Spread across 20 hectares beside Coffs Creek, it blends natural coastal forest, mangroves and rainforest with a Japanese garden, sensory garden and a glasshouse of orchids and bromeliads – home to some of the state's most endangered plant species. Wheelchair and stroller accessible, it's a lovely spot for a slow wander or a picnic under the trees.

North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, Coffs Harbour - Credit: The friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden Incorporated

Throw a line in

The Coffs Coast delivers fishing year-round, from trout in the cool waters around Dorrigo to marlin, mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna offshore. Book a trip with a local deep-sea fishing charter and gear is supplied – no experience necessary. If you'd rather cast from the sand, Bongil Bongil National Park near Sawtell has excellent beach fishing spots. Coffs Harbour’s iconic jetty is also a popular fishing spot.

Coffs Harbour Marina and Jetty Area, Coffs Harbour

Take a ride

Mountain bikers can lose a day on the trails of Orara East State Forest, while the Woolgoolga Lake Walk offers an easier shared path through wetlands and forest. For 4WD adventurers, drive onto the beach at Bongil Bongil National Park, or tackle the Orara Escarpment 4WD Touring Route, a remote drive through eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest with waterfalls and swimming holes along the way. Or saddle up with HWH Stables for a ride along pristine Boambee Beach, wading into the surf or swimming your horse in the lagoon on longer rides – sunrise and sunset rides can be arranged, and it's not unusual to spot dolphins or whales offshore.

HWH Stables, Upper Orara

Get your adrenaline pumping

Get a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful coastline on a tandem skydive with Coffs Skydivers. Safely strapped to an experienced instructor, you’ll freefall for up to 70 seconds from more than 15,000 feet. If you prefer to stay (mostly) grounded, visit Treetops Adventure Coffs Harbour in the Orara East State Forest. Tackle more than 110 aerial challenges and 20 ziplines on the thrilling high ropes course that winds through the lush canopy.

Treetops Adventure Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour

Drink in the views

Just north of Coffs Harbour, Niigi Niigi - Sealy Lookout was the region's first eco-certified tourism attraction. Its Forest Sky Pier rises 15 metres above the forest floor for panoramic views from mountains to coastline, with rainforest walking tracks and a picnic area below. Nearby, the Gumgali Track is an interactive walk sharing the Gumbaynggirr story of Gumgali the black goanna in sculpture, art and sound, finishing at Korora Lookout. South of Coffs, the Urunga Boardwalk threads out over the river towards the coast, with an elevated viewing platform and fishing deck – keep an eye out for dolphins and pelicans as you stroll.

Niigi Niigi - Sealy Lookout, Korora