The annual Sawtell Chilli Festival is one of the hottest events on the Coffs Coast calendar. Now in its 11th year, the popular Chilli Festival held on Saturday 4 July, is sure to warm up your winter!
The festival brings people of all ages and from far and wide to Sawtell. All are keen to sample the wide range of chilli-related foods and products, take part in fun activities and competitions and be entertained by live music, dancing, cooking demonstrations and other performances.
Sawtell’s iconic main street will be lined on both sides with stalls where you’re sure to find something of your liking – hot and spicy, nice and mild or maybe even something completely different if you’re not that keen on chillies.
Australia’s leading chilli products manufacturers will be coming to town for the festivities, joining regional restaurateurs and manufacturers in putting the international diversity of chilli cuisine on show.
The festival is also just an incredibly fun day out for the whole family. There will be street theatre, rides for the kids, face painting, music and dancing and, of course, the famous Annual Chilli Eating Competition.
Can’t get enough of the hot stuff? Come along and sign up to have a go in the Chilli Eating Competition. It's starting at 1.30pm. To everyone else, this will be the most entertaining event you’ve seen in a while, so make sure you’re there to support the competitors.
At 12noon, the chilli-themed Fashion Parade will make its way through the street, while cooking demonstrations are happening at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 3.15pm.
The festival takes place between 10am and 4pm in First Avenue, which is known for its beautiful old fig trees and its variety of al fresco cafés and restaurants. Sawtell is just a ten-minute drive or 45-minute bike ride from Coffs Harbour.
For further information about the event, visit the festival website. For more information about other Coffs Coast events, attractions and accommodation, please contact the friendly staff at the Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 070 or email them at tourism@coffscoast.com.au
South Solitary Island Lighthouse tours by helicopter - 4-12 July 2009
In July, there’s a rare opportunity for you to fly by helicopter to South Solitary Island and enjoy a guided tour of the island, the lighthouse and other deserted buildings before flying back.
National Parks & Wildlife Services and Precision Helicopters are offering a limited number of these special tours on 4-6 July and 10-12 July.
Be transported to the island by helicopter while taking in the breathtaking views over Coffs Harbour, the marina, the coastline and the Pacific Ocean. You may even see migrating whales coming up for a breath and a splash.
After landing on South Solitary Island, which lies 18km northeast of Coffs Harbour, National Parks and Wildlife Services rangers will take you on a fully guided interpretive tour of the island, lighthouse, lighthouse keeper’s living quarters and school-house, before your return flight to Coffs.
Built in 1880, the remote South Solitary Lighthouse first began operation with its keepers using kerosene to fuel the light. The lighthouse was demanned permanently when it was converted to electricity in 1975.
Although lighthouse keepers and their families were used to living in remote locations, even they regarded South Solitary Island as the most isolated place in New South Wales.
In the early days, supplies arrived by steamer from Sydney every fortnight and eventually weekly supplies were launched from Coffs Harbour, weather permitting. Due to the steep slope of the island, everything including supplies and people had to be taken off the launch in a basket lowered by a crane from the landing stage.
In 1974, just before the lighthouse keepers were permanently withdrawn, the flagpole was removed and a square concrete pad was laid as a helicopter landing place. Today, the island is only accessible via helicopter for the purposes of maintenance.
There are two tour options available;
1 hour tour includes return helicopter flights, 1 hour interpretive guided tour by NPWS Rangers. Cost is $250.00
2 hour Premium Tour - includes return helicopter flights, 1 hour interpretive guided tour by NPWS Rangers, gourmet lunch with wine/soft drinks. Cost is $490.00
Bookings are essential as spaces are strictly limited. Group bookings available.
To book or for enquiries, contact Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 070 or visit the Precision Helicopters website
Get your suits and frocks ready for Coffs Harbour’s most anticipated social event of the year – the Coffs Cup Carnival, held from 26 July to 6 August.
Attracting around 10,000 people to the track each year from all across the country, the Gold Cup event itself on 6 August is the culmination of three days of quality racing.
The Carnival kicks off on Sunday 26 July with the NBN Community Cups Race Day. This is a fun family day with a 7-Race TAB program and children’s entertainment such as jumping castle, face-painting and a light-hearted Kids’ Fashions on the Field.
On Wednesday 5 August, the Carnival continues with the Sportsmans Race Day, which includes the popular Sportsmans Breakfast with a host of sporting identities and a 7-race TAB program.
Of course, the day that the Coffs Coast will be buzzing about by this time is Thursday 6 August. The $70,000 Coffs Harbour VB Gold Cup is the main race in an 8-race program offering a total $165,000 in prize money.
Gold Cup Day is such a big event in Coffs Harbour that it is even declared a half-day local public holiday. Many people simply take the whole day off to get their outfits ready and enjoy a leisurely al fresco brekkie with friends in the City Centre or on the Jetty Strip before making their way to the Coffs Harbour Racing Club.
In addition to all the important betting facilities such as bookmakers, tote and big screen vision to catch all the action, you can expect plenty of food and beverage outlets and a flood of social activities, with the highlight being the Park Beach Plaza Fashions on the Field. With thousands of dollars in prizes to be won, it’s no wonder more than 200 contenders are expected to compete again this year.
Public transport will be in place to get you to and from the Race Course on the corner of Hogbin Drive and Howard Street, between the Coffs Harbour CBD and the Airport.
Admission tickets can be purchased at the Coffs Harbour Racing Club from early July, Park Beach Plaza from 31 July or at the gates on the day. On Coffs Cup Day, entry to the grounds is for those aged 18 years and over only.
For more information on tickets and hospitality options available, call the Coffs Harbour Racing Club on (02) 6652 1488 or visit www.coffsracingclub.com.au
Coffs Harbour’s historic Jetty Memorial Theatre is presenting another impressive line-up of productions in 2009.
With about 20 different productions and more than 100 performances to choose from between March and December, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The Jetty Memorial Theatre is located on Harbour Drive, close to many dining and accommodation options in Coffs Harbour’s popular Jetty area.
What better way to spend a great night out than having dinner at one of the 15 or so restaurants on the Jetty Strip before crossing the road to the theatre to catch a show, have a drink back on the Strip afterwards and retire to your beautiful accommodation just a short stroll away?
The 2009 theatre season includes some exciting touring shows by nationally renowned theatre production companies (often in town for an average 4 performances) as well as longer runs of homegrown theatre talents performing well-known plays and musicals.
Besides serious theatre, there are also plenty of laughs to be had with several comedy shows and some works specifically catering for teenagers, young children and the whole family.
You can get a printed copy of the 2009 Season Program from the Jetty Theatre, the Visitor Information Centre and local cafés, galleries and libraries.
For anyone purchasing tickets to 4 or more shows this season, a subscription is the way to go, with 15% discount offered on ticket prices.
Here is a quick overview of upcoming productions at the Jetty Theatre in 2009:
Aurora Guitar Ensemble, 4 July
Thursday's Child, Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People, 8-10 July
Hamlet, CHATS Productions, 24 July - 2 August
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, Canute Productions, 27-28 August
Embers, Hothouse Theatre & Sydney Theatre Company, 2-4 October
The Needle and the Damage Done, Fiona Scott-Norman, 10 October
Dealer's Choice, Critical Stages, 15-17 October
Gone to Bali, CHATS Productions, 23-31 October
Steel Magnolias, Blackbird Productions, 5-7 November
Oliver!, Coffs Harbour Musical Comedy Company, 14 November - 5 December
For more information and to book tickets, visit the Jetty Theatre website or call the Theatre on (02) 6652 8088 between 10am and 4pm Monday-Friday.
