Photo: Adam.J.W.C. / CC BY 3.0
Diggers Beach is a serene stretch of golden sand on the New South Wales North Coast, just a few kilometres north of Coffs Harbour. Backed by lush coastal vegetation and offering sweeping views of the Pacific, this beach is a favourite among locals for its uncrowded feel, reliable surf breaks, and easy access to the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk. It's the kind of place where you can spread a towel, watch the waves roll in, and feel the stresses of the road melt away.
Highlights & What to See
- Surfing & Swimming: The beach offers consistent waves suitable for intermediate surfers, while the northern end provides calmer waters for a safe swim when conditions permit. Always check local flags and rips.
- Solitary Islands Coastal Walk: The Diggers Beach section of this stunning coastal trail offers a short, scenic stroll with clifftop views, whale-watching opportunities (June–November), and a chance to spot seabirds and dolphins.
- Diggers Beach Lookout: A short walk north leads to a lookout with panoramic views of the coastline, perfect for sunrise or sunset photography.
- Picnic & BBQ Facilities: The beach has well-maintained picnic tables, electric barbecues, and shaded grass areas, making it ideal for a relaxed family lunch.
- Nearby Moonee Beach Nature Reserve: A short drive south, this reserve offers walking trails through coastal heath and rainforest, plus a quieter beach and a small creek perfect for kids.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors spend half a day at Diggers Beach — a morning swim and walk followed by a picnic lunch. If you're walking part of the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, allow 1–2 hours for the Diggers Beach section. To fully unwind, you could easily while away a full afternoon here, especially if you combine it with a visit to the nearby Moonee Beach Nature Reserve or the Coffs Harbour Jetty precinct.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Coffs Harbour — 10 minutes south; explore the marina, Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, and the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.
- Moonee Beach — 5 minutes south; a quieter beach with a creek and nature reserve walking trails.
- Sawtell — 20 minutes south; a charming beach town with a relaxed café culture and a great surf break.
- Woolgoolga — 15 minutes north; known for its Sikh temple, long beach, and the Woolgoolga Lake walk.
- Dorrigo National Park — 45 minutes west; part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area, with spectacular waterfalls and rainforest walks.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Coffs Harbour — Paul Lakin / CC BY 3.0
- Moonee Beach — Neegzistuoja / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sawtell — JaredMcKenzie / CC0
- Woolgoolga — No machine-readable author provided. Superjub~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). / Public domain
- Dorrigo National Park — Cgoodwin / CC BY-SA 3.0