Coffs Coast

ECO Certified Destination (Ecotourism) since 2021.

Many towns and villages along the Coffs Coast are located on the shores of the Solitary Island Marine Park, which provides attractive island vistas, recreational water-based activities and a diversity of marine life that is an attraction for divers and keen eco tourists. The 60-kilometre Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, which extends from the coastal village of Red Rock in the north to the Bonville Headland in the south, provides a significant nature-based tourism experience, easily accessible to Coffs Coast visitors.

The Coffs Coast is geographically unique as it is the only place in NSW where the Great Dividing Range meets the Pacific Ocean. The centrepiece of the main Forestry site is the Forest Sky Pier, a 22 metre viewing platform at Sealy Lookout, which offers expansive views of the region and its surrounding mountains and coastlines. It is also home to significant Gumbayggnirr Indigenous cultural sites, exquisite flora and fauna, and activities engaging users with the space.

About the community

The traditional home of the Gumbaynggirr people, Coffs Harbour was opened up by European settlers in the second half of the nineteenth century. The humble agricultural centre has since evolved into a vibrant, coastal city with an expanding economy based on tourism, retail, creative industries, manufacturing and construction, government services, education and the health industry. Since 2008, the LGA has been an identified Refugee Welcome Zone.

Gumbaynggirr people have occupied this land for thousands of years, forming one of the largest coastal Aboriginal Nations in New South Wales. Their Nation stretches from the Nambucca River in the south to around the Clarence River in the north and to the Great Dividing Range in the west.

Sustainability Commitment

As the Coffs Coast is NSW’s first ECO Destination certified by Ecotourism Australia, it’d be remiss of us to leave this one out! ECO Destinations are places where tourism activities have been built for locals by locals. They take extreme care to tread lightly on the natural environment and respect the Indigenous culture of the area (on the Coffs Coast, that’s the Gumbaynggirr People). When you travel to these places, you’re not just a visitor; you’re part of a movement that celebrates conscious travel, sustainable business, and environmental protection.

As well as being an Ecotourism Australia ECO Tourism destination, the Coffs Coast boasts nine Ecotourism Australia-certified champions, with more working towards their own certification.

As for our community? They’re keen to help the environment too! They run regular beach clean-ups, make great use of public water stations instead of single-use plastic bottles, and have loads of passionate environmental protection volunteer groups.

Sun protection and beach safety

Some sunscreens can pollute the ocean and rivers, so consider natural sunscreen and apply it half an hour before swimming. Avoid unpatrolled beaches and never swim alone.