Top Experiences For Visitors
Orara East State Forest
Orara East State Forest is a short 10-minute drive from Coffs Harbour. Once your flights to Coffs Harbour land and you’ve picked up your vehicle from Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS), you can visit the beautiful Forest Sky Pier and Sealy Lookout within the reserve. You'll be rewarded with stunning views of the coastline and the city! There are also walking trails that wind through the forest and picnic tables.
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve
Nature lovers buying flights to Coffs Harbour will love exploring Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. It's one of the best spots in the city for bird-watching especially, if you want to catch a glimpse of the migratory wedge-tailed shearwater birds. The reserve is also a sacred place for Aboriginals. It's a fantastic place to learn about ancient Indigenous traditions and culture. Once you’ve confirmed your flights to Coffs Harbour, you can sign up for an award-winning guided tour that's led by the local Gumbaynggirr rangers.
Solitary Islands Marine Park
Covering an area of 71,000 hectares, the Solitary Islands Marine Park is one of the largest protected areas in New South Wales. It's the perfect day trip to add onto your itinerary once your flights to Coffs Harbour arrive at Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS). You can explore the area's diverse marine life by discovering the many dive sites or snorkelling through the estuaries. There are also beautiful beaches for travellers who prefer to worship the sun while on holiday.
Jetty Beach
Jetty Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Coffs Harbour. Many tourists who buy plane tickets to Coffs Harbour end up spending at least one day relaxing on its shores. Once you've had enough sun for the day, you can get something to eat along the Jetty restaurant strip or take your children to one of the nearby playgrounds.
Major Events and Festivals
Made with Love Markets
The Made with Love Markets are a quarterly event that takes place in Coffs Harbour. It's been a permanent fixture on the city's events calendar since 2011 and is one of the best markets on the North Coast. If you're buying return flights to Coffs Harbour to attend, don't forget to leave enough space in your suitcase to bring back all your souvenirs and vintage finds! There are more than 100 stalls selling everything from woodwork, candles, artwork and gourmet food!
Coffs Harbour Running Festival
If you're an avid runner, you'll definitely want to book your airfare to Coffs Harbour to coincide with this annual event. The Coffs Harbour Running Festival takes place at the beginning of September and has a 21km, 10km, 5km, and 3km run for people of all ages and abilities. The trail for the route goes past the beautiful Coffs Creek, the mangrove forests, the centre of the town and the city's coastline.
Coffs Harbour International Buskers and Comedy Festival
The Coffs Harbour International Buskers and Comedy Festival is a three-week event that runs from the end of the September to the mid-October. It's one of the largest gatherings of professional buskers, and you'll want to book your flights to Coffs Harbour well in advance if you're going to attend. The shows take place at venues such as the Botanic Gardens, the Moonee Beach Tavern and the Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre.
Screenwave International Film Festival
The Screenwave International Film Festival is one of the leading cultural events in Northern New South Wales. It’s an event that sees people from all over Australia buying tickets to Coffs Harbour. It's hosted along the Coffs Coast and is a two-week event that features more than 100 films. With the film festival being a popular event, you can expect prices for flights to Coffs Harbour to increase. You'll need to book your accommodation in advance.
The Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Coffs Harbour is just after the busy summer months. From March to April, the temperatures are still warm, and you'll have an easier time finding deals on cheap flights to Coffs Harbour. Hotels in the city also start to drop their rates, and there will be fewer crowds at the top attractions. If you're travelling to Coffs Harbour over the summer months (December to February) you'll need a bigger budget. It's peak season for tourists as Australians are drawn to the city for the end of year holidays.
You can save money by booking your flights to Coffs Harbour a couple of months before your trip and keeping an eye out for any last minute deals. The cheapest time to visit the city is between June and August. The winter months see few travellers compared to the other months of the year. It's perfect for budget travellers who aren't looking for a hot, summer getaway. You’ll have an easy time finding low fares for flights to Coffs Harbour, many of the top hotels will have specials and car rental prices at Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS) may be cheaper.
When is The Best Time to Visit Coffs Harbour?
With a subtropical climate, and average temperatures ranging between 16-24°C, there isn't really a wrong time to visit Coffs Harbour
The busiest time of year is during the summer season. From December to February, the school holidays see families descending upon Coffs Harbour for the break. If you're planning your trip during this period, you'll need to book ahead and have your accommodation locked before high season hits.
If you're looking peace and quiet, aim to visit in February. The peak season crowds start to disappear, and the kids will all be back at school.
March to May is autumn in Coffs Harbour. There is more rain during these months, so remember to pack an umbrella. But if you don't mind the showers, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful lush, green countryside to explore.
The winter months (June to August) are ideal for travellers that want to go whale watching. The oceans are crystal clear, and visibility is at its finest. While it doesn't get as cold as other parts of Australia, you will need to pack some warm layers for the cooler nights.
Spring is the best time to visit Coffs Harbour if you plan on doing a ton of outdoor activities. September is the driest month of the year, and there's also an endless list of outdoor events. Attend one of the food festivals, cultural celebrations or simply explore the regions natural heritage.
Airports in Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour Airport
Coffs Harbour Airport is one of the largest airports in New South Wales. It's the 22nd busiest airport in Australia and only operates routes to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The airport is serviced by four regional airlines Qantas, Virgin Australia, Tigerair and Fly Corporate.
Getting To and From Coffs Harbour Airport
Take the Action Coach Shuttle Service. It runs from the airport to all the major resorts and surrounding areas.
You'll find the taxi rank located outside the arrival terminal. The cabs run 24 hours a day and service the Coffs Harbour district as well as nearby areas.
Another affordable option is to take one of the Sawtell Coaches. It provides passengers with a regular bus service to and from the airport for only AUD 4.30 each way.
Car rental desks are located inside the arrivals terminal.