Tamworth to Coffs Harbour road trip: Distance, time & stops
The best stops on a Tamworth to Coffs Harbour road trip include Armidale, Ebor Falls, Dorrigo and Bellingen. By car, the distance from Tamworth to Coffs Harbour is 299km. That makes for a driving time of around four hours.
The Tamworth to Coffs Harbour drive is one of the most scenic road trips in Australia. It passes through the Great Dividing Range, taking in some of New South Wales’ national parks, rainforests and waterfalls.
Tamworth is the country music capital of Australia. You can look at the Tamworth accommodation options here.
Meanwhile, Coffs Harbour is an action-packed city with plenty of beaches. It also offers kayaking tours with marine scientists and a treetop adventure course.
Use this guide to help you plan out the perfect Tamworth to Coffs Harbour road trip. Click through on the links for more detailed information on the towns and attractions.
Tamworth to Coffs Harbour distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Tamworth to Coffs Harbour is 299km. That makes for a driving time of around four hours.
The best places to stay in Tamworth
There are several Tamworth accommodation options. These, however, are the best picks…
- For excellent value and a pool: Roydons Motor Inn.
- For design flair: CH Boutique Hotel.
- For central location: City Sider Motor Inn.
- For spacious apartments: Cadman Motor Inn and Apartments.
- For heritage and charm: Quality Inn Ashby House.
On the way north out of Tamworth, you’ll go past the Oxley Scenic Lookout and the city’s Botanical Gardens.
Before joining the New England Highway, it’s worth pulling over at the Moonbi Lookout, a massive granite outcrop with great views over the New England countryside.
There are more such outcrops further along, including Captain Thunderbolt’s Rock. This picnic site and photo stop was where a notorious bushranger was shot by police in 1863.
Tamworth to Coffs Harbour road trip: Uralla to Armidale
The town of Uralla is somewhat obsessed with Captain Thunderbolt, who is buried in the Old Uralla Cemetery on John Street. You’ll find out more about the story in the McCrossin’s Mill Museum – a converted flour mill.
Also in Uralla, you can try your luck panning for golf at the Wooldridge Recreation and Fossicking Area. Don’t expect too much of the shiny stuff to be left behind, though.
The next worthwhile stop is the New England town of Armidale. Things to do in Armidale include helicopter flights over the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, visiting the Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Cathedral and browsing the New England Regional Art Museum.
Where to stay in Armidale
For the best Armidale accommodation, book one of these:
- For charm and character: Petersons Armidale Winery & Guesthouse.
- For a great value motel: Alluna Motel.
- For central location: Tattersalls Hotel.
Click through to the next section: The Waterfall Way scenic drive.