When I was given an opportunity to join a Segway tour, I didn’t have to think twice. I’ve always wanted to try riding a Segway. They just look like so much fun, don’t they?

If you’re like me and you’d love to ride a Segway, learn to navigate obstacles, see how fast you can go and make your way up and down hills – all while enjoying great views, read on.

Take a fun 1-hour Segway Tour at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour

Riding a Segway around a resort

The Segway tours and fun rides are run by a company called Time Out Xperiences. They are based at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour.

In Australia, Segways aren’t allowed on public roads or cycle/footpaths (yet), but Time Out Xperiences has found a great location at Pac Bay Resort where there’s more than enough space to keep you interested and challenged for at least an hour.

The area includes an obstacle course as well as paved paths and dirt tracks around the resort, large grassy fields and plenty of bumps and hills for lots of fun and thrills.

You get to ride right up to a private beach as well as up onto a hill on the other side of the highway (don’t worry, there’s a tunnel so there’s no dodging cars to get across), from where you have a great view over banana plantations and down to the resort and coast below.

Some Segway Q&As

• Is riding a Segway difficult? No. It really isn’t. You follow the simple instructions, start slow, and off you go.
• Is it fun? Yes it is! After just a few minutes, it all feels quite natural and you just want to take one home to use all the time.
• Is it expensive? When you compare it to going to the cinema or going ice skating, then yes, it is. However, it isn’t when you consider you get to have a unique experience that you may have wanted to try for a long time. And it’s cheaper to tick it off your bucket list in Coffs Harbour than in Sydney or Melbourne for example, where it costs quite a bit more. Prices are below.

Segway up the hills behind the resort and down to the beach

Essential Info

Location: Time Out Xperiences is located at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, 3km north of the Coffs Harbour CBD.  From Bay Drive, take the 1st left into Resort Drive, go past the resort’s main entrance and you’ll soon see Zip Circus on your right hand side. The Segway rides and Time Out Xperiences’ other activities are right beside Zip Circus.

Pricing: Segways are expensive machines so you can’t expect Segway tours to be cheap. The standard 1-hour Segway Tour costs $65 per person and a 40-minute eco-tour is now also available for $49 per person (minimum 2 people per tour). If you just want to try one out quickly, there’s a 15-minute Segway Fun Ride that costs $20 per person (minimum 4 people).

Age: You need to be at least 12 years old to join a Segway Tour and those aged 12-17 need to be with a participating parent or guardian.

Times: Time Out Xperiences runs its Segway Tours 7 days a week during school holidays, at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm and 5.30pm. Less often outside of school holidays. Booking ahead is essential.

Other (group) activities: Time Out Xperiences also offers fun, safe and environmentally friendly Laser-Clay experiences, Giant Foosball on a life-size inflatable foosball field and several other activities that are fun for groups, parties and corporate team-building events.

Website/Phone: Find out more on the Time Out Xperiences website or call 1300 090 767 for further information.

I was afraid it would be a tiny ice rink but it was actually bigger than expected. I’ve been to an indoor ice skating rink before where you all you could do was go around in tiny circles, but at the Coffs Harbour ice rink, you can actually pick up some decent speed on the straight stretches before having to turn the corner.

The quality of the surface is also pretty good and there are lots of helpers on and off the ice eager to assist anyone who needs a hand.

Ice skating at The Big Banana ice rink, Coffs Harbour: fun for the whole family

(There’s also a short VIDEO at the bottom of this page)

It’s quite strange to see people ice skating in shorts and t-shirts, but it’s a permanent 15 deg C in the hall and if you dress too warm, I guarantee you’ll want to throw off some layers after skating a few rounds.

Essential Info

What do you need? Thick socks, that’s really the only thing you’ll need to bring. Wear something that’s comfortable to move around in and suitable for an air temperature of 15 degrees C. There are lockers for your bags and valuables.

Skates: Skate hire is included in the entry fee. You can choose from two different types of skates: figure skates or hockey skates. They’ve got them in all sizes. There are special kiddie skates as well.

Location: The ice skating rink is located at The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, just a few kilometres north from the CBD on the Pacific Highway. You can’t miss the Big Banana! From there, just follow the signs to the ice rink.

Tickets: Entry prices are: $14.50 adults (14+), $12 kids 4-13, $2.50 under 4 and $42.50 for a family pass (2 adults + 2 children < 14). This includes skate hire. The Big Banana also offers combo passes if you’re interested in different attractions.

Opening hours: Every day 1.00pm-2.30pm, plus 7pm-9pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Extra morning sessions run daily during NSW school holidays only: from 10.30am to noon.

Website/Phone: Visit the ice skating page on The Big Banana website or call (02) 6652 4355 for more information.

There’s no need to book, you can just turn up. Don’t forget your socks!

The Coffs Coast is a subtropical region and we do get our fair share of rain throughout the year. If you’d rather not tackle outdoor activities when it rains, or when it threatens to rain, don’t worry – Coffs Harbour has plenty of things to do on a rainy day.

Some of the wet weather activities listed below cater to children, while others appeal more to adults. But hopefully everyone should be able to find some indoor activity or attraction they like in this list.

Things To Do In Coffs Harbour When It Rains:

• Aquarium at the Marine Science Centre
• Art galleries (e.g. Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, Woolgoolga Art Gallery & many more)
• Big Banana (World of Bananas, Candy Kitchen)
• Bunker Cartoon Gallery
• Cafés and Restaurants (literally hundreds of choices)
• Coffs Harbour Butterfly House
• Cinemas (BCC Coffs Harbour, First Ave Cinema Sawtell)
• Clog Barn
• Ice Skating (at the Big Banana)
• Indoor Bowling (10-pin or 9-pin bowling)
• Indoor Kids’ Play Centres (Jungle Bungle, Tabatinga)
• Indoor Rock Climbing
• Indoor Swimming (e.g. Olympic pool, Aquatic centre)
• Markets (various/on weekends)
• Coffs Harbour Museum (currently temporarily closed)
• Pet Porpoise Pool (covered grandstand)
• Shopping (Coffs City Centre, the Promenade, Park Beach Plaza, Moonee, Woolgoolga, Sawtell, Toormina, Bellingen)
• Spa, massage or beauty treatment (dozens of options)
• Tabatinga Entertainment Centre (Balladium Ball Blaster, Glow in the Dark Mini Golf)

There are plenty of other things you can do when it’s raining in Coffs Harbour, including things to do outside despite the rain, but I have chosen to only list things to do inside for those of you who really do not like getting wet (well… don’t go to an indoor swimming pool then either!).

If you would like to suggest another indoor activity in or around Coffs Harbour that you think belongs in this list, please let me know and I’ll consider adding it.

The walking tracks at Bruxner Park are only a 10-minute drive from the CBD, which make them  the closest rainforest walks to the Coffs Harbour city centre.

These bushwalks are so near and so easily accessible that you’ll have no excuse not to go there at least once. It’s amazing how many Coffs Harbour residents have never actually walked along these forest trails.

Immerse yourself in a rainforest experience just 10mins from Coffs Harbour

There is even a special flyer available from the Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre that has a map showing all the walking trails.

The leaflet, produced by State Forests of NSW, also has some interesting information about the flora, fauna and history of the Bruxner Park Flora Reserve.

Pick up the flyer with map from the Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre

Walking tracks in Bruxner Park, Coffs Harbour:

• Rainforest Walk. Interpretive trail with some labelled trees. Loop trail, 1.6km (approx. 45 mins). Park your car at The Gap.
• Creek Trail. This one-way trail (approx. 1km, 20-30 mins return) joins the Rainforest Walk at Halfway Creek so it’s easy to combine both walks. You can also walk back via the road and check out The Vincent Tree, one of the biggest flooded gums in NSW.
• Korora Lookout Trail. Easy 20-min return walk along a ridge with great views north along the Coffs coastline and towards the Solitary Islands. Starts from the Scenic Drive about 500m from Sealy Lookout.

There are no cafés or shops in the area, so bring your own picnic – there are picnic tables at Halfway Creek and Swans Road Crossing.

And don’t forget the insect repellent – you’re in a rainforest and can expect mosquitoes and other insects as well as possibly leeches sometimes, particularly after rain and in summer. Spraying your shoes, socks and exposed limbs with insect spray will keep them off you.

Autumn, winter and spring are the best times for a visit, when it’s cooler and there aren’t that many insects around.

While you’re there, you should definitely drive a further 2km from The Gap to Sealy Lookout to enjoy expansive views over Coffs Harbour. A fabulous new skywalk and viewing platform has been built at Sealy Lookout in 2011 (completed November 2011), giving you even better views over the top of the trees!

View over Coffs Harbour from Sealy Lookout in Bruxner Park

Getting there:

Drive north along the Pacific Highway for about 5km from the Coffs Harbour City Centre and turn into Bruxner Park Road (about 1km after The Big Banana). The road winds its way up through banana plantations and avocado groves for another 5km to The Gap where the Rainforest Trail starts.

You can also drive about 1km further along Bruxner Park Road to Halfway Creek where the Creek Trail starts. A 2km Scenic Drive from The Gap in the other direction takes you to the Korora Lookout Trail and to the Sealy Lookout point.

Find out more about Coffs Coast fish and other sea creatures at the Coffs Aquarium

The Aquarium is only open on Saturday and Sunday, and daily during NSW holidays, and it makes a nice brief outing for a rainy day on the weekend. Treat yourself and have lunch or coffee at Pacific Bay Resort afterwards – it’s right there, after all.

It’s not big (don’t expect something like the Sydney Aquarium) but the NMSC Aquarium gives a good overview of the fish, coral and other sea creatures of the Coffs Coast area.

I found it quite interesting to see all the fish that live in the Solitary Islands Marine Park and we enjoyed the half-hour video presentation, but after about 75 minutes, we’d really seen and done everything and stood back outside.

If you have kids, you can spend a little longer as the Aquarium has an education room with fun games and activities for children.

What fish will you see?

The Coffs Aquarium is really like a window into the Solitary Islands Marine Park, which stretches north from Coffs Harbour. Because this is where warm tropical waters from Queensland meet cooler waters from the south, our part of the ocean has a unique mix of marine life.

You’ll see various members of Nemo‘s extended family but also the type of fish you can expect to catch locally such as mullet, bream and whiting. My favourite fish was the butterfly cod – it looked amazing!

Some extraordinary marine species live in Coffs Harbour waters!

A fun and educational video presentation starts on the hour every hour and there are several fish feeding sessions throughout the day. There’s also a guide who you can approach if you have any questions (which you may well have because not all the fish tanks display information about all the creatures you see inside it).

Essential Info

Location: The Aquarium is located at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour, next-door to Novotel Pacific Bay Resort – just a few minutes up the highway from the Coffs Harbour CBD.

Tickets: Entry is $10 adults, $6 children, $8 concession, $25 family (2 adults + 2 children < 16) and free entry for children under 3.

Opening hours: Every Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm and daily during NSW school holidays.

Website/Phone: The National Marine Science Centre website has a page about the Aquarium and you can call (02) 6648 3931 with questions or to arrange a group visit.

Will we see whales today? If so, how many? And will they merely spout some spray into the air to alert us to their presence, will we see their backs glide gently out of and back into the water, will there be some tails up in the air or are they putting on a full-on breaching and tail-flapping show for us?

Watching mighty humpback whales in the ocean off Coffs Harbour

No matter how many times you’ve seen whales, because they’re so mighty and so unpredictable, every time you see one it’s exciting again. And it unites people, pointing them out to those who haven’t spotted them yet and going “oh” and “ah” and “wow” in unison.

Every year from late May, thousands of mighty humpback whales migrate north along the east coast of Australia from the cold Antarctic seas to the warm ocean waters off the Queensland coast to breed.

Along the NSW Coffs Coast, in June, July and early August you’ll see them on their way up, while from late August to early November they’ll be going back south with their calves. The whales actually tend to swim a bit closer to shore on their way back in order to protect their calves, so you may even get a closer view then.

Various tail-shots of migrating humpback whales along the Coffs Coast

Here are some excellent spots around Coffs Harbour to watch whales:

• On the water – aboard a whale-watching cruise - choose from the large ’Spirit of Coffs Harbour’ (ph. 02 6650 0155), the sailing catamaran ‘Pacific Explorer’ (ph. 02 6652 8988) or Jetty Dive’s ultra-fast ‘Wild Fin’ (ph. 02 6651 1611)
• From the top of or the viewing platform on Muttonbird Island in Coffs Harbour
• From Beacon Hill Lookout on Victoria Street, Coffs Harbour Jetty area
• From Boambee or Bonville Headlands in Sawtell
• From Macauleys Headland, between Diggers Beach and Park Beach in Coffs Harbour
• From Look At Me Now Headland in Emerald Beach
• From Woolgoolga Headland in Woolgoolga

Bring your binoculars and if you’re going on a boat, make sure you bring your camera as I guarantee you’ll want to take lots of photos or videos!

All the headlands and lookout points mentioned above have benches to sit on, or bring a rug and a picnic and park yourselves on the grass for a relaxing game of “spot the whales”.

It’s a good idea to wait for calm weather because it can be incredibly difficult if not impossible to spot whales when the sea is choppy. Have fun!

One popular cycle route is the cycle path along Hogbin Drive between Coffs Harbour and the neighbouring village of Sawtell. The cycleway is separated from the road by a nature strip so it’s a safe and relaxing ride. And Sawtell makes a fun destination.

Just the stretch along Hogbin Drive is 6km, but if you go from the centre of Coffs Harbour to the centre of Sawtell it’s 10km. That’s a distance you can easily do in one hour (i.e. going a very leisurely 10km/hr).

A tree-lined section of the Hogbin Drive cycleway, Coffs Harbour - Sawtell

We enjoy meeting up with friends early on Sunday morning at the start of Hogbin Drive and riding to Sawtell to have breakfast before making our way back.

Some sections of the route you’ll be riding in the shade of tall trees while others are more open, giving you wide views of the area.

Cycling along Hogbin Drive near the university campus in Coffs Harbour

At the end of Hogbin Drive, you turn left into Sawtell Road and follow that for about 3km until you reach the centre of Sawtell.

However, if you want to avoid some steep hills, take the following easier, flatter option: At the roundabout at the end of Hogbin Drive, continue straight onto Toormina Road. After passing Centro Toormina Shopping Centre, turn left into Minorie Drive, at the end turn right into Werambie Street and take the path that brings you to the back of the Sawtell Railway Station.

Cross the railway line, follow Hulberts Road to Sixteenth Avenue and then take any left turn off there to bring you to First Avenue, Sawtell’s main street.

Park the bicycles, have a look around the Sawtell shops or follow the inevitable coffee aromas to find a good café for breakfast, morning tea or lunch.

The outdoor café at the Sawtell Surf Club, overlooking the beach

The Sawtell Surf Club Café being my favourite destination in Sawtell, we usually end up at a table overlooking magnificent Sawtell Beach. Keep an eye out for dolphins frolicking in the ocean and, between May and November, passing humpback whales.

For the bike ride back to Coffs Harbour, you can go the same way you came, but in reverse, or try an alternative route through the streets of Sawtell back to Hogbin Drive, although you may want to have a map with you… or someone who knows the way.

Once you’ve done this fun, safe and easy bike ride, I’m sure you’ll want to do it more often. Especially with the cafés in Sawtell having such great rewards on offer for your efforts!

I’ll go over the various ways to get to Coffs Harbour from Sydney – by car, bus, coach via the Pacific Highway; by plane with Virgin Blue or Qantas flights; or by train with Countrylink.

Personally, I prefer flying. It’s quick and you can get good deals on air tickets if you keep an eye out for sales, that seem to be on almost all the time. I subscribe to both Virgin Blue V-mail and Qantas Red email newsletters that alert me when there’s a sale on.

UPDATED: All prices are as found online on 30 October 2010 and may vary. They apply when pre-purchased, and are for one-way travel.

By air: Sydney to Coffs Harbour flights

• Airline: Virgin Blue
  Price: Currently starting from $88 economy (can drop to as low as $55 when on sale) + $10 for check-in baggage if pre-purchased or $20 at the airport
  Duration: 1 hour 5 min
  Frequency: 2 flights per day
• Airline: Qantaslink (Qantas)
  Price: Currently starting from $118 economy (sometimes down to $69 when on sale) including check-in baggage
• Duration: 1 hour 5 min
  Frequency: 5 flights per day (3 on Saturday)

By rail: Sydney to Coffs Harbour trains

• Rail service: Countrylink
  Price: Currently $80 economy / $112 first class
  Duration: 8 hours 40 min / 8 hours 55 min
  Frequency: 3 trains per day

By bus: Sydney to Coffs Harbour coaches

• Coach service: Greyhound
  Price: Currently available: $60, $70, $75 and $98 
  Duration: from 7 hours 25 min (night) to 10 hours 5 min
  Frequency: 4 coaches per day
• Coach service: Premier Motor Service
  Price: Currently $66
  Duration: 7 hours 50 min (night) / 8 hours 35 min
  Frequency: 2 coaches per day

By car: Sydney to Coffs Harbour via the Pacific Highway

• Vehicle: Your own or hired car
• Price: Whatever petrol you use
• Distance: 535 km (from Central Station, Sydney)
• Duration: 6 hours 45 mins according to Google maps – depending on traffic!

View Larger Map & Get Sydney to Coffs Harbour Directions

Zoom in on the map for route details or get Sydney to Coffs Harbour driving directions from Google maps.

If you know of another good way to travel from Sydney to Coffs Harbour that I haven’t mentioned above, please let me know and I may include it.

They’re called the Harbourside Markets. Not to be confused with the Jetty Markets, which are held indoors underneath the Jetty Village Shopping Centre.

The Harbourside market stalls are set up underneath the trees and the atmosphere is really laid-back. It’s the perfect way to start your Sunday.

There's a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere at the Harbourside Markets

There’s a paved walkway along the Jetty Foreshores, just behind the sand dunes, all the way from Coffs Creek to the Deep Sea Fishing Club (probably between 1 and 2km). You can park your car on many spots along the foreshores, go for a walk on the pathway, Jetty Beach or the Jetty itself, and end up at the markets.

There are usually around 40 stalls or so, selling only home-made and home-grown products and produce. From fresh veggies to cakes, plants, jewellery and arts and craft, you’ll usually find something you like, want or need. 

You can also get a massage and there’s often a jumping castle, fake tattoos and pony rides for kids. There’s music playing to add to the relaxed atmosphere and from 10.00am, musicians (different ones every week) play live music in the centre of the market ‘circle’.

We go to the Harbourside Markets nearly every week. Sometimes we bring the Sunday paper, buy a large cup of freshly brewed, organic coffee and perhaps a slice of banana bread or something, and settle down on a picnic bench in the shade just behind the market, where we can still enjoy the music.

The market stalls are set up in the shade of the trees on the Jetty Foreshores

The markets are on every Sunday from 8am to 2pm. A bit of rain doesn’t stop them, and ever since they started in September 2007, I think they’ve only been cancelled half a dozen times in all due to swamped grounds.

I really do think the Harbourside Markets are the best way to start your Sunday in Coffs!

The Coffs Creek Walk is right in town but nicely hidden away between the trees, and I can guarantee you’ll feel far away from it all. It’s a real bushwalk through the forested fringes of Coffs Creek, with several boardwalk sections across wetland areas and mangroves.

The Coffs Creek Walk is a real bush walk right in the middle of Coffs

Reasons to do the Coffs Creek Walk – or sections of it:

• Beauty: It’s a pretty walk along the water
• Accessibility: It’s very close to the Coffs Harbour city centre as well as the Jetty area
• Flexible length: you can join or leave the track from many different points along the route
• Easy: It’s not strenuous as it’s all flat – no hills!
• Cool: If the sun is hot, you’ll be protected by the shade of the trees
• Places to rest: You’ll pass many benches to rest on plus several cafés where you can stop for a drink.

The Coffs Creek Walk is a circuit that takes you from the Coffs Harbour CBD to the mouth of Coffs Creek at the Jetty and back to the city centre along the other side of the creek.

The full circuit is about 9km, but really, the trail is as flexible as anything and you can make the walk as short or as long as you like. Since the Hogbin Drive bridge over Coffs Creek was completed early 2008, you can do a half circuit as well.

Of course, you can always just do little sections of the walk here and there, picking a 2km or 3km walk for instance. The most popular sections of the Creek Walk are between the CBD and the Promenade, and between the Promenade and the Pet Porpoise Pool at the Jetty (and vice versa).

Points of interest and places to stop along the way:

• Shops, cafés, restaurants at the Coffs Harbour CBD (one block away from the trail)
• Coffs Harbour Olympic Swimming Pool
• Coffs Harbour City Gallery
• Coffs Harbour Regional Botanic Garden
• Boutique shops and restaurants at The Promenade
• Great fishing spots
• Secluded benches and picnic areas
• Mangrove boardwalk
• Excellent swimming spots near the Orlando St road and railway bridge
• Pet Porpoise Pool & riverside café

Amazing panoramas over the Coffs Creek estuary at the coastal end of the walk

The northern side of the creek is officially a walking track only, but the southern side is a shared pedestrian/cycle path, so just watch out for bicycles when you’re walking.

You’ll come across beautiful vistas, especially when you see the sunlight reflecting in the water or can just make out the bends in the creek through the trees. The open parts around the creek’s wide and sandy estuary are equally stunning.

There are plenty of places to stop and rest, and you’ll hear all sorts of birds singing in the trees, no matter what time of day you’re there. If you’re really early, you may even cross paths with a koala or encounter other wildlife.

Best of all, it’s free, it’s healthy and you can end your walk with a nice refreshing swim in the creek or a cool drink at an al fresco café overlooking the water at The Promenade or the Pet Porpoise Pool!

To get an idea of the route and the distances, just look at the map that’s available on the Council website, which also has a PDF of the Coffs Creek Walk brochure that you can download.