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Description of Route 1: Coffs Creek Circuit
Start/Finish: Coffs Harbour Jetty
Distance: 10/12km return (30 mins - 1 hour)
Difficulty: easy
Brief outline:
Cycle or walk along Coffs Creek and get a taste of the bush without leaving the centre of the city. The southern side of the creek is a designated shared pedestrian/cycle path, while the northern side is officially a walking track. Cyclists can use the road to complete the full circuit. The level trail around the banks of Coffs Creek is suitable for families and beginners. The route links the beaches, marina, shops, cafés and restaurants of the Coffs Harbour Jetty area with the many shops, cafés and restaurants in the Coffs Harbour CBD.
Cautions:
- Give way to pedestrians on the shared cyclist/pedestrian track along the creek.
- Dismount in The Promenade complex and look out for pedestrians.
- Beware of traffic when crossing streets.
Highlights along this route:
- Coffs Harbour Jetty
- Beaches, river, picnic areas, forest, wetland
- Coffs Harbour Showground
- Coffs Harbour Swimming Pool
- Coffs Harbour City Gallery
- Coffs Harbour CBD: shops, cafés, restaurants
- Coffs Harbour Regional Botanic Garden
- The Promenade: boutique shops and restaurants
- Pet Porpoise Pool
- Jetty Village Shopping Centre
- Jetty restaurant strip
Route description:
From the information shelter/carpark near the base of the Coffs Harbour Jetty at Jordan Esplanade, a footpath winds north through the picnic area to Marina Drive. Across Marina Drive, a shared pedestrian/cycle path runs north through the dunes behind the beach, emerging at the mouth of Coffs Creek which is crossed by a railway and road bridge. The creek and its sandy banks are popular with swimmers, so bring your bathers and take a dip, but beware of the current.
From here, we give you two options for the next section: (A) the Habitat Walk, a walking track along the creek, and (B) a route for cyclists following the road until it joins back up with the shared section of the track along Coffs Creek.
(A) Habitat Walk
To continue the Coffs Creek Walk, cross Orlando Street and head north across the bridge. Turn left into Voss Street. Keep left following the creek, cutting through the track that runs past the substation, and then left into Brodie Drive.
2.5km from start
When you see the sign ‘Habitat Walk’ just south of Henderson Close, turn left into the path running parallel to Coffs Creek. Keep following the Habitat Walk track signs. Enjoy the floral mosaic of the wallum banksias, ferns and the stunning wildflowers of the tall heaths in this section of the Habitat Walk.
6km from start
Continue via the track that runs adjacent to Melittas Avenue and veers off-road towards the swamp forests. These forests provide nesting and roosting habitats for shorebirds and shelter for marsupials and water dragons. Keep an ear out for the songs of beautiful forest birds, while staying on the lookout for lizards, snakes, frogs, butterflies and other fascinating insects. Walk through the wetlands until you reach the Coffs Harbour Showground. Walk along the edge of the Showground and cross the bridge over Coffs Creek to Rotary Park and the Olympic Swimming Pool. From here, the track becomes a shared pedestrian/cycle path again.
(B) Route via road
This is the alternative route for cyclists from the railway bridge over Orlando Street at the mouth of Coffs Creek. Stay on the east side of Orlando Street while crossing the road bridge over the creek. Follow the path along Orlando Street that runs parallel to the railway.
As a side-trip, you may wish to turn right at the roundabout onto the off-road cycleway along Hogbin Drive North. Turning right into any of the side roads will bring you to Ocean Parade and Park Beach, where you may visit the Park Beach Bowling Club, Hoey Moey Backpackers, Café Aqua or use the picnic facilities at Park Beach Reserve. Make your way back to Orlando Street and continue riding north-west. This extra option adds about 2km to your trip.
3.5km from start
At the end of Orlando Street, turn left onto the off-road cycleway that runs along the highway. You may wish to ride an extra little loop by turning into Melittas Avenue which takes you back to the creek, coming back to the highway via Marcia Street. Continue riding south past the Showground and across a bridge over the creek. At the traffic lights, turn left into Coff Street, and keep left past the roundabout until you get to the Olympic Swimming pool. Here, the route joins back up with the walking track.
(A) 7.5km / (B) 5.5km from start
If you want to do some shopping or have coffee or lunch, there are lots of options close by. Just one block south of the Swimming Pool is the Palms Shopping Centre, while another block further are the shops and restaurants along Harbour Drive and in the City Square. About 200m past the Swimming Pool on Coff Street, you’ll see the City Gallery across the street (free entry, open Wed to Sat, 10am-4pm), next to the City Library.
From Coff Street, follow the concrete shared path back east. After passing the Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery, cut through the car park of the Botanic Garden. You could stop here to enjoy a pleasant walk through the scenic gardens, mangroves and rainforests of the Botanic Garden (free entry, open daily 9am-5pm). The Coffs Creek Walkway/Cycleway continues on the east side of the car park.
(A) 9km / (B) 7km from start
You’ve reached The Promenade, where you’ll find a number of specialty shops and two restaurants with outdoor seating overlooking Coffs Creek. Please note that you are asked to dismount your bike in The Promenade complex and to look out for other vehicles and pedestrians. Take the stairs down to the lower level from where you can feed the fish or hire a canoe or dinghy for a trip on the creek.
Ride through the Promenade car park and turn left into Mildura Street. When you’re on top of the hill in Mildura Street, you may want to stop to admire the magnificent views east over the Coffs Harbour Jetty area. Beware of traffic coming from cross streets when you’re descending Mildura Street. Turn left into Edgar Street, follow it down to Coffs Creek and turn right where you’ll see the Pet Porpoise Pool.
Walkers shouldn’t miss the boardwalk section along the widest section of Coffs Creek. From Mildura Street, turn left into Hood Street and follow the signs to the boardwalk, which will take you to the Pet Porpoise Pool on Orlando Street.
The Pet Porpoise Pool is definitely worth a visit. Its daily interactive marine animal shows are on at 10am and 2pm. The route then crosses Orlando Street again and goes back to the Jetty via the same track along the Jetty Foreshores. After 12km if you followed the walking track, or 10km if you followed the road, you’re back at the Jetty carpark. Time for a well-deserved cool drink or hearty meal at one of the cafés and restaurants along the nearby Jetty Strip on Harbour Drive!
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