Coffs Harbour Jetty

The Coffs Harbour Jetty is the heart of this coastal city, a working harbour where fishing trawlers bob beside pleasure craft and the air smells of salt and fresh fish. This is a place to watch the daily catch unloaded, stroll the timber boardwalk, and dip into a laid-back beachside culture that feels a world away from the highway.

Highlights & What to See

• The Jetty Strip – A lively promenade lined with cafes, fish-and-chip shops, and boutiques. Grab a takeaway coffee and watch the boats come and go.
• Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores – A grassy park with a swimming enclosure, picnic tables, and a kids' playground. Perfect for a family afternoon.
• Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve – Reachable via a short causeway from the jetty. A steep but rewarding walk offers panoramic views of the coastline and, from October to April, a chance to see thousands of wedge-tailed shearwaters nesting.
• Jetty Beach – A sheltered, patrolled beach right beside the harbour, ideal for a safe swim or a paddleboard session.
• Fishing Co-op – Watch the trawlers unload or buy ultra-fresh seafood direct from the co-op. The local prawns are legendary.

Suggested Time to Spend

Half a day is ample to explore the jetty precinct, walk out to Muttonbird Island, and enjoy a meal. If you want to linger, combine it with a morning at the nearby Botanic Garden or an afternoon dolphin-watching cruise. Most visitors find 3–4 hours satisfying, but you could easily fill a full day if you add a beach session or a coastal walk.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Coffs Harbour Botanic Garden – A lush 20-hectare garden with rainforest, mangroves, and a boardwalk; just a 5-minute drive from the jetty.
• Park Beach – Coffs' main surf beach, with a long sandy stretch and a surf club; 5 minutes north.
• Big Banana Fun Park – A kitschy but fun theme park celebrating the region's banana-growing heritage; 10 minutes south.
• Solitary Islands Coastal Walk – A spectacular 60-km walking trail that passes through the jetty area; tackle a short section like the 5-km stretch to Diggers Beach.
• Sawtell – A charming beachside village 15 minutes south with a relaxed vibe, good cafes, and a patrolled beach.

Please check official sources for current details.