Happy kids mean happy parents… and that’s the aim of Coffs Coast. Whatever the size or age of your family, Coffs Coast can offer the perfect accommodation for a memorable holiday.
For total relaxation, what about a family-friendly resort where the pools and clubs keep the kids happy while you play tennis or golf or try out the beauty spa? Coffs Coast has a huge choice.
Alternatively, there are holiday parks that are small enough to be friendly, but large enough to offer all the facilities you need. Try Park Beach, Darlington Beach or Sawtell Holiday Parks. All are beachfront and offer a range of cabins, villas or campsites.
An ocean-view apartment is always popular with families and, again, there’s a range to suit every size family and every pocket.
But once you’ve found your home away from home, you’ve still got to keep the kids amused. Coffs Coast is essentially one long beach and swimming, surfing, paddling and sandcastles are some of the easiest ways to keep the kids amused. The most popular beaches are also lifeguard-patrolled in the school holidays.
For more adventure, you could go trail riding into the lush, green forests or become a rev-head at one of the kart-racing tracks in Raleigh or Coffs Harbour.
For a really amazing experience, grab your snorkels and take a trip out to the Solitary Islands Marine Park with local experts Solitary Islands Dive Adventures or Jetty Dive. They’ll introduce you to a whole new world of underwater magic.
Back on shore, hire bikes for a family trip on the quiet byways, bushwalk in pristine rainforest and learn about native wildlife and plants at the World Heritage Dorrigo National Park, or have loads of fun at the Big Banana.
An eternal family favourite is the Pet Porpoise Pool Oceanarium in Coffs Harbour – home to a variety of rescued dolphins, seals, sea lions and penguins – which puts on two fun and informative shows a day. Being kissed by a seal is one of the show’s highlights, but you can also shake flippers with a dolphin, feed fairy penguins and play ball with a sea lion.
If you’re still drawn to the water but want a quieter and more relaxed day, paddle a couple of double kayaks through the Bongil Bongil National Park or explore one of the beautiful creeks or rivers that thread through the landscape.
And if the family’s now got their sea legs, it’s a good time to join a whale-watching cruise to see the majestic Humpbacks on their annual migrations between June and November.
A market is a great way to spend some hours and there are regular ones in Bellingen, Glenreagh in the Orara Valley and Coffs Harbour. You can browse the crafts and produce while the kids get their faces painted, listen to the music or try out some of the yummy food.
And don’t worry about the cry that haunts every family holiday – “are we there yet?” Nowhere is far from anywhere else on Coffs Coast.
For more information, contact a friendly local at the Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 070, or email us.