Coffs Coast

The Coffs Coast is one of those Australian regions that keeps surprising visitors who expect little more than a highway stopover. Yes, there's the Big Banana — but beyond the roadside kitsch lies a genuinely spectacular stretch of coast where subtropical rainforest meets some of the best snorkelling in NSW.

Coffs Harbour itself is a real working town with a fishing fleet, a marina precinct and direct beach access. But the real draw is what surrounds it. The Solitary Islands Marine Park is a collision zone between warm tropical currents from the north and cold southern water — the result is extraordinary marine biodiversity. Over 90 species of coral and 280 species of fish have been recorded here, and conditions for snorkelling and diving rival the Great Barrier Reef in clarity and colour.

Dorrigo National Park sits above it all on the escarpment — ancient Gondwana rainforest with a skywalk that extends over the rainforest canopy. The Waterfall Way connecting Dorrigo to Armidale is one of NSW's great drives. Add in the surf beaches at Sawtell and Woolgoolga, the famous Blue Pool, and the excellent local seafood, and the Coffs Coast turns a planned overnight into a week.