Coffs Harbour is a coastal resort town & an unspoiled paradise of beaches
& rainforests on the North Coast 558 km north-east of Sydney, famous as the home of 'The Big Banana'.
Coffs Harbour was discovered in 1847 by John Korff who took shelter behind Mutton Bird Island during a fierce storm.
The first bananas were introduced into the area from Fiji in 1881 but there was no great market until 1914-18 when workers on the railway line & the breakwater provided a demand for fresh fruit. Coffs Harbour is the largest banana producing district in NSW.
Coffs Harbour is one of Australia's top Holiday Coast destinations with its pristine beaches & nearby sub-tropical World Heritage rainforests. The Solitary Islands Marine Reserve attracts divers, while other attractions include the Botanic Gardens, museums, galleries & sports from whitewater rafting, para-sailing, tandem skydiving, big game fishing, championship golf & horse racing. The annual whale-watching season extends from June to November.
The Coffs Coast region extends from the rainforest escarpments of Dorrigo to the beaches of Scotts Head & Woolgoolga & includes the Solitary Islands Marine Park. It is a place of special natural beauty with a climate to match. A feature of the region is the relaxed, casual dining on offer in pubs, clubs, cafes & restaurants.
Coffs Harbour appearance has changed with the emergence of high-rise units nonetheless, it has a kind of glorious subtropical laziness, while at the same time being a thriving city.
