Coffs Harbour region NSW

Coffs Harbour, NSW

Coffs Harbour is the pseudo capital of the NSW north coast. Central to a whole bunch of idyllic towns it has everything you need including caravan repairs, and good shopping from all the major retailers. Foodwise, you can’t beat the local produce. This is one of those ‘food bowl’ areas. As well as fresh fish at the wharf, there are avocadoes, blueberries, and bananas from the farms. On one trip I discovered a physiotherapist with magic fingers who I wanted to bring home with us. To the north and south of Coffs there are interesting towns and beautiful caravan parks. The hinterland is dotted with quirky towns and actor Russell Crowe lives up there. Coffs Harbour wharf is a great place to eat fish and chips while you drool over the luxury yachts.

Wooli

North of Coffs is Wooli, and the Solitary Islands Resort it is another great park. Situated on the Wooli River the kayaking is excellent and there is gear for hire. The camp kitchen is 2 storey and very comfortable. Geared up for families it’s a peaceful spot outside of school holidays and weekends. Over the winter they often offer two weeks for the price of one which is a deal that you can’t sneeze at. It’s a short walk to the beach and there’s a good pub at the front gate as well as a shop and a butcher who regularly visits. The actual town is a bit further on and is a higgledy piggledy bunch of fishermen’s weekenders but there is an oyster shed. There’s a Bowls Club that we haven’t tried but it does host an annual Goanna Pull. One hopes no goannas are involved. Further north you’ll find the tiny town of Minnie Water, it’s well worth a drive for the great pies at the general store and the dreamy ocean beach. Basic camping is available in the Yuraygir National Park.

Darlington Beach

Darlington Beach (not to be confused with Darlington Point) NRMA Holiday Resort is near Woolgoolga at Arrawarra. This very large park has the largest sites of any caravan park we’ve ever stayed in (the sites between Dune & Eucalyptus) and they’re well grassed. There is another bonus and that’s the mob of kangaroos that live in the park. Our mate Elle had her toes licked by a kangaroo as she was dozing in the sun. There’s a golf course, cafe and an ocean beach for ridiculously long walks. There are cabins overlooking the water lily filled lagoon if you happen to have any non-campers in tow. If you need supplies the famous Seikh town of Woolgoolga is only 9kms away and has all you’ll need and two elegant temples. I could wax lyrical about this park, the flora and the fauna for pages, but when you book a site for a week and end up staying 3 weeks…well I guess that says it all.

Moonee Beach

I’ll challenge you not to say “Wow”, when you see the view at Moonee Beach. The caravan park has a mix of sunny and shady spots, but the amenities are excellent. It’s a few minutes’ stroll to a good shopping centre. But forget all that, the beach, the creek,  and the walks are the attraction here and there’s loads of birdlife to keep you amused.