Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour, a popular tourist destination on the northern NSW coast, lies along the Pacific Highway between Port Macquarie & Grafton. Set on a relatively narrow strip of land between the Great Dividing Range and the coast, the city is surrounded by vast quantities of spectacular scenery and excellent surf beaches. Established in the 1860's around the nearby natural harbour, the town initially grew slowly around mixed use farming which mainly featured timber, dairying, bananas and sugar. Stronger growth occurred post WW1 after the arrival of the railway and when the regions banana plantations became more important due to disease affecting those further north. From the 1960's and 70's the region boomed due to increasing popularity from both tourism and retirees which sprouted several coastal developments north and south of the town centre. Consequently Coffs Harbour (now a city) has become an important regional centre in the state.
Of interest in the area include the Big Banana (3km north), the Coffs Harbour Zoo, Muttonbird Island, Surf beaches (north to Woolgoolga and south to Sawtell), the Clog Barn (miniature Dutch village) and several national parks to the west. A recommended holiday destination.

Population: 58,000
State: New South Wales
Name Origin: Named after John Korff, a naval architect and ship builder that took shelter in the harbour during a storm.
Pronunciation: Cofs Har-ber
Postcode: 2450
Local Government: Coffs Harbour City Council
Location: 562km north of Sydney
Main Roads: Pacific Highway
Main Watercourses: Coral Sea (South Pacific Ocean)
Radio Stations (Music): 2CS-FM (106.3), CHY (104.1), FM 104.7 (104.7), Star FM (105.5), Triple J (91.5)

Photos from Coffs Harbour (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

The Pacific Highway, heading south approaching Coffs Harbour (2005).

The Big Banana, along the PacificHighway to the north of the city, Coffs Harbour (2002).

Looking south over Park Beach & Muttonbird Island from Arthur Street, Coffs Harbour (2005).

And again, this time taken in July 2000.

The Pacific Highway, heading north from Argyle Street as it approaches the Park Beach railway overpass, Coffs Harbour (2005).

Grafton Street (Pacific Highway), heading north-east from Beryl Street, Coffs Harbour (2005).

Grafton Street, looking north-east towards the Park Avenue intersection, Coffs Harbour (2005).

Gordon Street, looking north-east from Bonville St, Coffs Harbour (2005).

Park Avenue, looking south-east from Grafton Street, Coffs Harbour (2005).

High Street, looking south-east between Grafton and Gordon Streets, Coffs Harbour (2005).

High Street again, this time looking south-east from Hogbin Drive, Coffs Harbour (2005).

High Street, looking east as it approaches the foreshore shopping precinct, Coffs Harbour (2005).

Looking north over Coffs Harbour and Jetty Beach (2005).

Looking east along foreshore parkland and Muttonbird Island, Coffs Harbour (2005).

Grafton Street (Pacific Hwy), looking north-east from Combine Street, Coffs Harbour (2005).

The Pacific Highway, heading north-east as it enters Coffs Harbour (2005).

	The Pacific Highway, heading south approaching Coffs Harbour (2005).
	The Big Banana, along the PacificHighway to the north of the city, Coffs Harbour (2002).
	Looking south over Park Beach & Muttonbird Island from Arthur Street, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	And again, this time taken in July 2000.
	The Pacific Highway, heading north from Argyle Street as it approaches the Park Beach railway overpass, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	Grafton Street (Pacific Highway), heading north-east from Beryl Street, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	Grafton Street, looking north-east towards the Park Avenue intersection, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	Gordon Street, looking north-east from Bonville St, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	Park Avenue, looking south-east from Grafton Street, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	High Street, looking south-east between Grafton and Gordon Streets, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	High Street again, this time looking south-east from Hogbin Drive, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	High Street, looking east as it approaches the foreshore shopping precinct, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	Looking north over Coffs Harbour and Jetty Beach (2005).
	Looking east along foreshore parkland and Muttonbird Island, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	Grafton Street (Pacific Hwy), looking north-east from Combine Street, Coffs Harbour (2005).
	The Pacific Highway, heading north-east as it enters Coffs Harbour (2005).