Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip: Distance, driving time and best stops
Things to do between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour
There are a few underrated spots along the coast from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour. Limeburners Creek National Park, Goolawah National Park and Hat Head National Park line up next to each other. But South West Rocks and Arakoon on Trial Bay have the bigger holiday town feel. Scotts Head and Nambucca Heads come next, before the Pacific Highway meets the coast around Valla Beach.
If you’ve just stuck to the Pacific Highway by this stage, you’ll have ticked off Kempsey, Maria National Park and Macksville.
Sydney to Coffs Harbour by car: Coffs Coast beaches
Before reaching Coffs Harbour, you’ll skirt Urunga and Raleigh, then pass through the Bongil Bongil National Park. Sawtell Beach and Boambee Beach are to your east as you enter Coffs Harbour.
If you’re expecting other Coffs Harbour attractions, such as the Big Banana, Treetops in Korora, Sapphire Beach and Emerald Beach, keep driving. They’re all to the north of Coffs Harbour city centre. For beach time, the Coffs Harbour weather is at its best in September and October.
6 fab Coffs Harbour experiences to book in advance
- Glide through nature – on a Boambee Creek kayaking tour guided by a marine scientist.
- Jump out of a plane – with tandem skydives that land on the beach.
- Go kayaking and wildlife-spotting – on a coastal adventure.
- Head into the hinterland – on a rainforest and waterfalls day tour.
- Test your nerve and agility – at the Treetops Coffs Harbour adventure course.
- See migrating humpbacks up close – on a whale-watching cruise.
Good Coffs Harbour accommodation choices include the quirky Big Windmill Motel, the bushland-surrounded Sanctuary Resort, the handily central Best Western Zebra Motel and the four star Beachpark Apartments.
Coffs Harbour activities worth considering include skydives, rainforest tours and whale-watching cruises.
If you don’t want to drive, you can take the Sydney to Coffs Harbour train.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
More New South Wales travel
Go walking in the Mimosa Rocks National Park near Bega.
Where do the Married At First Sight Australia couples stay?
See kangaroos at the Pambula caravan park in Pambula.
Swim at Bar Beach in Merimbula.
Climb the Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park.