The Coffs Coast is renowned as a holiday destination where visitors can experience all the good things in life in one place. From pristine beaches with rolling surf to lush rainforests and mountain highs, slow-paced hinterland villages and fabulous local food to action-packed adventures… all in NSW’s first ECO Certified Destination.

In this wonderful place, you’ll find some genuinely gorgeous holiday homes for your to stay in style, all managed by a local company. Some homes are large enough for a multi-generation family gathering, some feature private pools, many have spectacular views, and several are positioned right on the pristine coastline.

We sat down with Monique Fitzgerald from Coffs Coast Accommodation to chat about the types of holiday homes her company offers:

Hi Monique… firstly, tell us about Coffs Coast Accommodation

Coffs Coast Accommodation is a boutique agency managing nearly 70 holiday homes on the Coffs Coast. We welcome more than 10,000 guests every year! Our team is passionate about creating memorable experiences for all our guests.

What types of accommodation do you offer?

We offer a large range of quality holiday homes including luxury, pet-friendly, family-friendly, affordable, workcation, and accessible holiday homes.

Apart from the wonderful range of homes on offer, what other services do your guests have access to?

Coffs Coast Accommodation guests can enjoy a dedicated concierge service that makes staying in a holiday home more like a hotel experience. This ensures guests experience the best of the Coffs Coast and make the most of their holiday. Guests can call the Concierge Desk to book services such as in-home massages, in-home yoga, catering, scenic flights and even arrange for their holiday home to be stocked with groceries and drinks on check-in day.

Can the concierge service organise Christmas lunch or dinner for those guests staying over the festive season?

Absolutely! For the festive holiday season, guests can take the hard work out of meal preparation by using the concierge service to arrange catering. Delicious meals can be delivered straight to your door. Guests can also arrange Christmas tree hire and installation from $150 to make their holiday extra special.

How are your guests assured the properties are of the best quality

Coffs Coast Accommodation holiday homes are now proudly listed on Homes & Villas by Marriott International, enabling Marriott Bonvoy™ travel program members to earn and redeem points for holiday home bookings. 

Launched in May 2019, Homes & Villas by Marriott International is an expertly curated premium and luxury home rental offering with over 68,000 professionally-managed private homes in more than 700 of the most sought-after destinations around the world to date.

The collection is backed by leading global hospitality company, Marriott International, which also encompasses thousands of hotels across 30 brands.

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Thanks Monique!

If you’re thinking about holidaying on the Coffs Coast, here are some of their spectacular holiday homes to tempt you:

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Vista Isola At Coffs Harbour Jetty

Vista Isola is a luxury townhouse located at Coffs Harbour Jetty with beautiful ocean views and within walking distance to bars, restaurants, cafes and multiple beaches!

Swim in the blue, protected waters of Jetty Beach or surf the breaks at North Wall & Gallows Beaches. The bustling Jetty dining precinct and surrounds has every taste covered, from casual dining and drinks at Element Bar to fine dining with views overlooking the marina at Latitude 30.

The weekly Sunday Harbourside Markets are a regular fixture for families and foodies alike!

Fairways Beach House At sawtell

Sleeping up to 8 people, Fairways Beach House, as the name suggests, has a view of Sawtell Golf Course, the 8th hole to be exact, and is just a few minutes walk to Sawtell First Avenue and the beach beyond. Your family pet is welcome too, with a fully fence yard to keep them safe

Sawtell’s First Avenue is characterised by the huge Moreton Bay fig trees in the colourful garden dividing the street. They protect and shelter not just the benches underneath but the entire main street.
First Ave offers endless dining choices with anything from spicy Thai, Indian, Japanese and traditional Chinese to fresh local seafood and modern Australian cuisine.

Take your time exploring the many specialty shops and boutiques, as well as the Aboriginal Art Gallery, along this charming street.

Paramount on Jarrett

Paramount on Jarrett is located in the popular Jetty precinct and built on a hillside with spectacular views and ocean breezes. It is located just 3kms from Coffs Harbour airport, for easy travel from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. It is just 4kms to Park Beach Plaza with over 120 specialty shops, including Target, Woolworths and Aldi, and is an easy drive into town for shopping, cafes and restaurants. It is an easy drive or 15 minutes walk to Coffs Harbour Marina and the beautiful Muttonbird Island. The Big Banana and other tourist attractions are also an easy drive away – you will be spoilt for choice!

Located on the ground floor of an architecturally designed home, Paramount on Jetty is a 3-bedroom apartment that sleeps up to 6 people and is easily accessible for those with mobility concerns

Lunar Shores At korora

With commanding views over the turquoise ocean of the Coffs Coast, enjoy reconnecting with family and friends at Lunar Shores in Korora.

Lunar Shores sleeps up to 10 people and is a perfect getaway for the family, with plenty of games and toys provided to keep kids entertained while you relax, including a games console, Pack n Play Cot and High Chair.

Perched elegantly overlooking Korora Bay, Lunar Shores is within short walking distance to the beach for fishing, relaxation and enjoyment. It is in easy proximity to all the best tourist attractions that the Coffs Coast has to offer. Expect spectacular views from every room of the house and plenty of outdoor living areas for you to enjoy.

Lumière At korora

Lumière is perfect for those who appreciate the finer things in life and sleeps up to 8 people. Designed over three levels, the floor plan provides private spaces for friends and family and captures the ocean views and sea breezes. With spectacular views of the ocean and Solitary Islands, including the South Solitary Island Light House, private pool, spacious and stylish living areas, you and your family pet will love being on holiday here.

Lumière is located just a few minutes walk to the beach and within 5 minutes drive to shops and cafes

So, what are you waiting for? Book your luxury holiday getaway on the Coffs Coast today!

To view the range of holiday homes and book your holiday, visit Coffs Coast Accommodation or call 02 5606 3767.

To use your Marriott Bonvoy™ points to book holiday homes, visit Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy™

To enquire about concierge services, visit Coffs Coast Concierge or call 0449 17 18 17

The quaint town of Sawtell, famous for its magnificent fig trees and great beaches, is bordered to the north by Boambee Creek and to the south by Bonville Creek. This whole area is known for its biodiversity and in particular, its abundant bird life, making it a perfect place for some birdwatching.

Boambee Reserve is a popular sheltered area with safe swimming and a picnic area next to the estuary. Take a short walk along the creek, where you are likely to see many common birds such as the Crested Pigeon, Pied Butcherbird, Masked Lapwing and Laughing Kookaburra. On the opposite, forest-lined bank, sharp-eyed observers may spot a timid Eastern Reef Egret, which usually prefers to keep a safe distance from people.

Boambee Headland is another fantastic place to see birdlife and perhaps whales during their migration season.  The lookout affords expansive vistas towards Coffs Harbour and Mutton Bird Island, as well as the beach and Bonville Headland to the south. Enjoy some lunch as you watch majestic White-bellied Sea-Eagles and Brahminy Kites soar overhead while cheeky Silver Gulls compete for your food.  At the eastern end of the car park, there is a well-mown, but relatively steep track that heads down to the beach.

Bonville Headland and close by Bongil Bongil National Park, which has ample parking and a picnic area, share equally breathtaking aspects with its northern cousin. Looking west, there are amazing hinterland and estuary views, while the blazing sunsets are not to be missed. There is a rock pool for the kids, rolling sand dunes, and Sailor’s Bay, a sheltered area of beach between a small island and the headland.

The island, which is often accessible at low tide, is a great spot for a swim and hanging out with the family. From the rocky bay, which is home to a variety of marine birds, you might see Little Black Cormorants duck diving or drying their wings while Australasian Gannets search for lunch.  Other birds you are likely to spot include Crested Terns and perhaps an Eastern Osprey or Black Shouldered Kite.

Explore the estuaries and look out for the many different waterbirds that inhabit the area. Sooty Oystercatchers and Eastern Curlews are often seen by the water’s edge. In recent years, a small breeding colony of the endangered Little Tern has established on the sand spit to the south of Bonville Creek, and these are often accompanied by numerous Pacific Golden Plovers.

The scrubby vegetation on the headlands (particularly Boambee) and the sand dunes behind the beach also shelter some interesting winged creatures. Exploring these areas, you could discover a multitude of species, ranging from robust Brush Turkeys to dainty Red-backed Fairy-wrens. Other likely sightings include White-cheeked Honeyeaters, Lewin’s Honeyeaters, and possibly even a few Glossy Black-Cockatoos feeding on the Casuarina seeds.

Why do Powerful Owls choose to raise their young in the botanic garden at the centre of Coffs Harbour city?

The short answer is about how everything in nature is connected.  The long answer starts with understanding the home range of the endangered Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) can cover thousands of hectares extending into the hills, gullies and mountain areas behind Coffs Harbour. However, the 20-hectare Coffs Harbour Botanic Gardens offers some essential home comforts which entice the owls back each year.

Written by G Tupper.

Sharing Gumbaynggirr culture and knowledge of Country across the Coffs Coast has secured our region a place on the Global Green Destinations Top 100 List for 2022.

STOP PRESS: The Coffs Coast has been awarded third place in the Culture & Tradition category at the global Green Destinations Story Awards. As the only Australian story to make the finals this year, we are proud to receive this global recognition for our destination and award-winning Indigenous tourism experiences.
Read The City Of Coffs Harbour press release.

Every year international sustainable tourism organisation Green Destinations selects 100 outstanding Good Practice story submissions worldwide to inspire tomorrow’s travellers and today’s tourism professionals – and the Coffs Coast is one of only two Australian destinations to score a place on the prestigious list in 2022.

The region’s story entry, Two Path Strong, celebrates Aboriginal tourism on the Coffs Coast and the rich Gumbaynggirr culture that has supported the establishment of the first bilingual Indigenous language school in NSW, Australia.

Two Path Strong: strong in culture and strong in education

This is a story about how Aboriginal tourism on the Coffs Coast helped build the first bilingual Indigenous language school in New South Wales, Australia.

In times of environmental uncertainty and a desire to protect the planet’s natural assets for future generations, Aboriginal culture and language has the ability to connect First Nations people and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the importance of caring for country.

The Gumbaynggirr Nation covers a large area of the Mid-North Coast, and the Gumbaynggirr People have occupied this land for thousands of years, forming one of the largest coastal Aboriginal Nations in New South Wales. They are historically renowned as the ‘sharing people’ – the land was so fertile and rich that they commonly shared food and other resources with people from neighbouring Indigenous Nations. Gumbaynggirr is not only the Nation but also the language group.

At the time of European arrival, approximately 250 Aboriginal Nations were present in Australia, encompassing around 500 separate language-speaking groups. Today it is thought that only 90 languages remain, with 70 of these close to extinction. Although officially listed as critically endangered, Gumbaynggirr is one of the surviving languages, spoken fluently by less than 30 people.

Learning an Indigenous language such as Gumbaynggirr can be integral in affirming and maintaining a young person’s well-being, self-esteem and a strong sense of identity. This is because Indigenous languages contain complex understandings of a person’s culture and their connection with their land. They don’t just carry information. Languages also link to a deeper connection to land, environmental sustainability, Dreaming stories, medicinal and historical experiences.

Good Practice in Culture & Tradition

In 2010, local Gumbaynggirr man Clark Webb established Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) with a simple but BIG dream to ensure that Aboriginal communities, and in particular young people, are two path strong – strong in culture and strong in education. To achieve their goal of revitalising and re-imagining the education of Aboriginal children in the Coffs Coast region, BMNAC developed a collection of award-winning Aboriginal tourism businesses connecting visitors to language and culture and a popular cafe featuring native foods. All profits from these tourism businesses are directly reinvested into the corporation, creating a long-term sustainable financial income stream for the development of BMNAC education programs.

Today, visitors to the Coffs Coast can connect with Gumbaynggirr stories and language, see their art and taste some of their traditional delicacies with memorable award-winning BMNAC experiences. These include:

Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours – Stand-up paddleboard tours where all guides are Gumbaynggirr or Aboriginal people with strong ties to Gumbaynggirr Country. On the 2.5-hour paddling tours held on three idyllic Coffs Coast waterways, guides share ancient stories about the landscape and introduce visitors to its bush tucker (Indigenous foods) and language along the way.

Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience – Gumbaynggirr culture through stories, song and dance. The Experience is an award-winning cultural experience where visitors watch the Wajaarr Ngaarlu dancers perform and participate in a smoking ceremony. The Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience includes an interpretative walk along ancient Aboriginal Country featuring Dreaming stories along the way.

Nyanggan Gapi Cafe – 100 per cent of the café’s proceeds go to BMNAC programs, including school learning centres. Visitors can try Indigenous flavours in a wattleseed brownie or lemon myrtle and mixed berry muffin, along with coffee made from locally roasted coffee beans.

In 2019 and 2021, BMNAC was awarded Gold in the category of ‘Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism’ at the NSW Tourism Awards, the pinnacle of excellence in NSW tourism. Tourism Australia also recently recognised BMNAC’s Aboriginal tourism products as extraordinary cultural experiences.

From little things, BIG things grow

In 2022, BMNAC launched the first NSW school to teach children in both English and their local Indigenous language, The Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School. The school welcomed 15 inaugural students from kindergarten through to year 2 in 2022, with plans to grow, year level by year level, as the cohort progresses through to high school.

Clark Webb, now CEO of the Corporation, said plans for the school began before he was born, and he felt a sense of relief knowing that traditional teaching would be returning to the area. “Our community has been educating our children for many thousands of years, and we just had a little break for a couple of hundred”.

Staying true to BMNAC’s vision of ‘two path strong’, the school focuses on Gumbaynggirr language, knowledge of Country and Gumbaynggirr philosophies, with a priority on academic achievement.

BMNAC has also been successful in securing a grant from the NSW State Government to expand its Aboriginal tourism offerings, which will continue to financially support the future development of the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School. These include a new Indigenous ECO Resort offering high-quality ‘glamping’ style pod tents camping within the Orara East State Forest, connecting with tours and activities in and around the Coffs Coast focusing on Aboriginal culture.

ECO Tourism Certification and Beyond

After 15 months of assessment by Ecotourism Australia, in 2021, the Coffs Coast was certified as NSW’s first ECO Destination. This certification establishes the region as a world leader in environmental tourism and proves the destination’s strong, well-managed commitment to living culture and traditions.

Aboriginal tourism operators face a unique set of cultural considerations in finding harmony between tourism, culture and the environment to achieve the appropriate balance between cultural integrity and responsiveness to market demands. Through the completion of the ECO Destination Certification, the City of Coffs Harbour has committed to supporting the local Aboriginal tourism sector to meet these opportunities and challenges.

BMNAC’s Aboriginal tourism experiences have been instrumental in developing a deeper understanding of Gumbaynggirr culture within the local community. This deeper understanding has allowed the corporation better to communicate its message and goals to the wider community and have a positive influence on the cultural identity of the Coffs Coast.

With the support of its Aboriginal tourism experiences, BMNAC has consistently delivered high-standard Gumbaynggirr language programs for 13 years and now employs more than ten full-time staff teaching Gumbaynggirr language across preschools, primary schools, various community groups and the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School. These classes reach more than 100 young people and approximately 30 adults each week with language education.

For non-Indigenous students, learning a local Aboriginal language provides an insight into a better understanding of the world’s oldest living cultures. For the wider Coffs Coast community, BMNAC’s revitalisation and teaching of Gumbaynggirr Language encourages us all to reflect on the importance of connection to Country, and the relationship between First Nations people and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Language in itself is a vessel for transmitting knowledge, ideas and shared meanings and is recognised as an important step towards a reconciled Australia.

The Coffs Coast certainly packs a punch when it comes to food and drink

The local food scene has gathered momentum in recent years, with new breweries, wineries, restaurants and cafes showcasing the best in local produce. There are so many culinary adventures just waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s locally brewed craft beers, high-quality spirits or fine wines that you fancy, take a tour down the Coffs Coast brewery trail and taste all that this region has to offer.

The Barrel Run

Visit all these places and more with custom brewery tours from The Barrel Run Custom Tours! Operated by Jaie, whose passion for good quality spirits, wine, liqueurs and unique craft beer led him to launch a brewery tour company to support local businesses on the Coffs Coast. Sit back, relax and let The Barrel Run take you on an exploration of Coffs’ best artisan spirits, speciality wines and craft beers.

King Tide Brewing

This brand-new brewpub in the heart of Coffs Harbour is already making waves in the local craft beer scene. With locally inspired brews and a cutting-edge brewhouse, they are pumping out a full range of frothy creations. This is a place to relax with friends and enjoy a fresh quality beer while dining on delicious food from their European-inspired menu.

Woopi Brewing Co

Woopi Brewing Co is a local’s favourite: a proud community craft brewery. They aim to celebrate and connect locals and visitors in a family-friendly environment that reflects the region’s relaxed and vibrant beach culture. And what better way to experience the lifestyle of Woolgoolga than over a delicious cold beer with great food, good friends and live music.

Jetty Beach House

Jetty Beach House is relaxed and welcoming, serving up great vibes, fab food and excellent drinks. With glorious views over the historic jetty, Muttonbird Island and Coffs coastline, it’s the perfect place to catch up with friends. The team hosts tastings for Gallows Brewing Co, the brainchild of three Coffs locals hellbent on producing great beer. Their latest brews include a clean, crisp IPA (on tap at Jetty Beach House), a choc coffee stout, a mango pineapple sour and a tropical pale ale. The real question is – which one will you try first?

Critters Distillery

Critters Distillery is truly one of a kind. This bespoke distillery produces high-quality vodka and gin from scratch using native Australian botanicals. Their spirits are made from one hundred per cent Australian wheat and cane sugar, leading to an exceptionally smooth and clean character. They are also passionate about sustainability, using recycled packaging and repurposing any waste materials. Take a tour of the facility, meet their head distiller and taste a range of delicious cocktail samples paired with an Australian antipasto plate.

Latitude 30

Perched right on Coffs Harbour’s breathtaking coastline with stunning views of the marina, Latitude 30 is the place to go for the freshest seafood in town. Their famous seafood platters feature eastern crayfish delivered daily, as well as crabs, prawns, oysters and more fresh off the boat. Designed for sharing, this tapas-style dining creates a perfectly relaxed atmosphere. All their dishes feature locally sourced seasonal produce, with an extensive drinks list to complement. Executive Chef Marcus Blackwell grew up on the Isles of Scilly, and managed restaurants in the UK before opening Latitude 30 in 2011 – and it has remained a local favourite ever since. His philosophy is to keep it simple and let the produce speak for itself.

Fishermen’s Co-op

No trip to Coffs Harbour is complete without a visit to the Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-op! Situated on the marina, this is where you can find the town’s freshest seafood, delivered straight from the boats every day. The Co-op is owned by a group of 40 local fishermen committed to supplying the region with freshly caught seafood. It is best known for its award-winning snapper and prawns and supplies local restaurants (including Latitude 30) as well as restaurants around the country. If fresh, delicious seafood sounds right up your alley, then the Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-op is a tasting opportunity you won’t want to miss. Plus, they serve up some of the best fish and chips in town!

Bite Food and Art Tours

Explore the stunning Coffs Coast region on a walking tour showcasing the city’s great local eats. Bite Food & Art Tours is a great way to connect with others and experience the local community through its fantastic foodie destinations. A friendly local tour guide will share insights and stories about what makes the Coffs Coast region unique. The three-hour Urban Bites Tour will take you on a walking tour around Coffs CBD, where you can sample a diverse range of tastings and enjoy a sit-down lunch. You can also visit the Coffs Coast Growers Markets to meet local growers and producers. For something a bit different, take the Art, Bites and Sips Walking Tour, which allows you to also explore the local creative art scene with a local artist and see the best of Coffs’ street art, galleries and crafts.

Click here for local food favourites.

This original article was written by Emily Riches, published in True Blue for Rex, and on trulyaus.com

BASED IN KORORA, JUST A FEW KILOMETRES NORTH OF COFFS HARBOUR, CAROBANA IS COFFS COAST’S REAL-LIFE WILLY WONKA FACTORY… AND YOU’VE GOT THE GOLDEN TICKET.

Renowned as Coffs Coast’s leading confectionery supplier, Carobana has developed a wide range of popular carob confectionaries, such as carob-coated banana, rocky road, coconut rough, rum and raisin fudge, ginger, nut brittles and their famous honeycomb. But there is so much more than irresistible sweets that make Carobana so unique.

The Early days

Like Father, Like Daughter

sO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?

Whether you’re visiting for the delicious confectionary, to watch the skilled confectioners at work, or for the enticing aromas, you will leave Carobana feeling like you have satisfied your childhood dreams of being Charlie in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. And the best part? No need for the golden ticket; entry is free for all!

Legendary Orara Valley local and accomplished artist, Ian Watson has been creating art with wood, metal and stone for more than 40 years.

Starting out

His passion for woodworking came from the most unlikely of places – through a job labouring at a Dairy Farm in Upper Orara. He was asked one day to get rid of a bunch of old pioneer stumps, and quickly found it difficult.

“I couldn’t do it! I couldn’t pile them up and burn them, so I started making furniture in my spare time,” Ian said.

That was the birth of an incredible journey that pioneered the woodworking community in the Valley and beyond. He spent his days journeying across the Mid North Coast with his flat-bed truck collecting rosewood in the Dorrigo and Tyringham areas that the ‘cockies’ were only too glad to be rid of.

“More often than not, I’d have a full load before I even got to my destination because there were always beautiful pieces on the side of the road.”

His love for making furniture soon moved a love for making art, and he committed to making it his full time career. Loading up his single wagon with his artwork, he travelled QLD, NSW and ACT developing a network of galleries that would show and sell his work.

“The year 2000 for me proved more than just a century change – it was a life change. My mother died, my marriage ended. I hung up my toolbelt and undertook a Diploma in Aboriginal studies.”

This break saw Ian venture into six years of work as a drug and alcohol worker with the Ted Noffs Foundation. By 2010, the tools were calling his name again and Ian came back to “my art and my sanity”.

ian’s Career

During Ian’s career, he has won many awards and had many pieces commissioned for local art trails and businesses. One of his more familiar works is the ‘Central Seating’ sculptural piece acquired by the Coffs City Council, previously located in the Council chambers. He is also a founding member of the Orara Valley Artists group and was a pioneer of the Mid North Coast woodworking movement.

Ian lost everything in the 2019 bushfires – his home, and all his belongings including 300 tonne of Rosewood he had stored to create art into retirement. There were, however, some unusual treasures left in the wake of the fires that Ian hopes to use in future exhibitions.

Creating Two Tails for the new ‘Insta Stops’ in the Orara Valley has been part of his own art therapy in dealing with the loss.

“Light creates shadow, the shadow follows form, and I seek the balance between,” Ian says.

“The making of Nana Two Tails is something I am very proud of and I hope the community is too.”

the Orara valley Tourist Trail map aims to help visitors discover and explore the hinterland gems including ‘Insta spots’ aimed to encourage visitors to slow down, stop, and snap a selfie with especially-created art installations SUCH AS NANA TWO TAILS.

The newly-installed timber sculpture ‘Two Tails’ by local artist Ian Watson (pictured with Alison owner of Idle In Cafe) is located at the Idle In Cafe and depicts the rare and mysterious two-tailed lizard of Nana Glen.

Artist Ian Watson says art really is therapy, and creating Two Tails for the Orara Valley Tourist Trail has been part of his own recovery from losing everything in the 2019 bushfires.

The seven month-long project was as rewarding as it was challenging, with Ian overcoming many obstacles to come to the polished, ‘Insta-ready’ sculpture you see sitting pride of place today.

As a direct victim of the bushfires, an accomplished artist and long-time local – Ian was the perfect choice to create the piece for the ‘Insta Stops’ trail designed to help promote the Orara Valley and aide in the local economic recovery.

 “The landscaping and surrounds are in harmony with the sculpture, I want to share the story, especially about Nana Glen. It represents the celebration of where we came from and what we are now. Nana has a special place in my heart.”

However – it wasn’t an easy ‘yes’ for Ian. With his entire 300-tonne stock of Rosewood obliterated by the fire, no workshop or covered workspace and no tools, it seemed an impossibility.

“My first thought was ‘, How will I do this? I’ve lost all my timber stock, I have no workshop or workspace, and no tools.”

As fate would have it, Ian’s son was working at Sealands in Grafton when a client heard the story of what was happening. He had pulled some pieces of Cedar out of the river and offered them to Ian for the sculpture.

“So we went and got it, and in that load was the skink! When I saw it, I knew I could make it work and do this. There was movement already in the piece – it had this form that was…alive.”

Working with the natural movement of the piece proved a challenge. Ian worked outside in the elements (still no workshop) with limited tools and used nothing but his balance skills (no machinery or lift assistance) to help move the piece of wood as he worked on it.

“For 5 months, the bloody thing wasn’t working – I thought, it’s too fat, it’s not right, the shape is wrong – I was living with it every day. But sculpting really teaches you patience.”

It wasn’t until an unwitting accident that a mental block was removed, and Two Tails really took shape.

“I had these wings coming out of the tails, and I was rolling the piece one day, and one of them snapped off. I didn’t know what else to do but chop the other one off, too – and once I did, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders, and she just really started moving ahead.”

Finding the perfect rock for Two Tails to sit on was another project in itself. Ian visited Wants Sand in Glenreagh once and found what he thought might be the one, to no avail. His second trip was successful, finding the perfect rock as soon as he walked into the yard.

“I had a friend help me get her onto the rock – and that was that!  It was beautiful to see it all come together so perfectly.”

Nana Glen is famous for the ‘Two Tailed Lizard’, but Ian has a message for everyone as they come to enjoy the beauty of the Valley and Two Tails. “People need to think before using the word lizard – it’s actually a skink!” he laughed.

This unique piece complements the other colourful mosaic artworks at The Golden Dog, which both feature the heritage and environments of those areas. “People need to think before using the word lizard – it’s actually a skink!” he laughed.

“I know everyone says Two-Tailed Lizard and Two-Tailed Skink doesn’t quite have the same ring to it – but it’s a skink. Hopefully, it becomes a talking point so the young ones can go and do some research on the difference between a lizard and a skink.”

Café owner Alison Johnson is delighted with the sculpture, which encourages people to stop, take pictures and enjoy a coffee or lunch and support the Nana Glen town. Visitors will learn more about the sculpture via a QR code or read more about the artist here.

Funding for the ‘Insta Stops’ initiative was made possible by the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants, part of the Australian Government’s $76m tourism recovery package to protect jobs, small businesses and local economies.

Visit www.oraravalleytouristtrail.com.au, and plan a day trip to discover the Orara Valley.

Co-Owner at Jetty Dive Centre, PADI Master Instructor, Tech Instructor, EFR Instructor, DAN Instructor, RTO Instructor, Certified Service Technician, Master IV Skipper

Meet the man, the myth, the legend roaming the wild seas off the Coffs Coast shores. A committed member of the Coffs Coast community, Mike has enjoyed introducing the “other 70% of the planet” to thousands of lucky divers as the owner of Jetty Dive. Mike is passionate about the endangered Grey Nurse Shark, his Tech diving, and now trying his hand at Videography.

We caught up with Mike and put him on the spot with 30 questions to get a great idea of who Mike Davey really is!

What made you want to become a diver?

I have always loved swimming underwater, and a SCUBA course was offered at high school in school time, so I jumped at it.

How long have you been diving?

Started in 1975, and a divemaster/Instructor since 1991

When did you know that you wanted to become an instructor/owner?

A change in career happened in 1992, and then a change in location to Coffs Harbour happened in 1996 when it became our life.

If you weren’t a Dive Instructor/Owner, what would you be?

Lost probably!

What was your training & equipment like when you started diving?

I learnt to dive on a single hose reg with only a backpack. BCDs were just coming in, and the Instructors were the only ones with them. Occy regs did not exist, and neither did gauges, just a J valve tank to give you a reserve supply of air when it got hard to breathe! The training was tougher than today, but needed to be to match the equipment or lack of equipment.

Walk me through a typical diving day.

5.30 am wakeup and breakfast. Weather check by 6.00 am. Open shop to set up gear at 6.30 am. Load boat by 8.00 am. Drive the boats to the Islands and decide where to dive on two dives and return by 1.00 pm. Boat and gear clean-up by 2.30 pm. Bookwork, teaching, servicing equipment till 5.00 pm. Plan for tomorrow and close up by 6.00 pm.

What does diving mean to you personally?

That has changed over the years. Initially, we went diving to catch Crayfish (in S.A.), and then I found I enjoyed teaching people and really enjoyed showing them the wonders of the Solitary Islands at Coffs Harbour. It also gave me a passion for seeking out Dive destinations around the world with our

Where was the first place that you went diving

Port Norlunga Jetty in S.A. on the coldest recorded day in years in 1975.

Why do you enjoy diving?

It’s Challenging! It really depends on the dive as to why. The fun part of some dives is to take on challenges of depth and amazing wrecks, whilst others challenge us to get that iconic shot of the marine life.

Dream diving job, what is it?

My dream job would be in 30c water in the tropics, diving in the morning and napping in the afternoon whilst reading a good book!

What’s the ONE photo/shot that you’re most proud of?

A Grey Nurse Shark with a flotilla of trevally with it.

Night/wrecks/caves/deep dives, what are your favourites?

Wreck diving on the best wrecks in the world (Truk Lagoon) Night, caves and deep dives are not that cool to me.

What are your diving fears that you have to overcome?

Failing to provide a good dive for our customers. Personal fears went years ago!

What do you want non-divers to know about diving?

It’s not hard to do, and may/will surprise you how good it is.

What is the scariest experience you have had while on a dive?

Struggling to get back to our unmanned boat in a current when we were young and stupid!

What is the funniest experience you have had while on a dive?

Watching a Blue Grouper eat a bead in a student’s dreadlock hair! Could not stop laughing and filling up my mask with water.

Who is your go-to dive buddy?

My Wife, Debbie. Best buddy I have.

What’s your favourite local dive site?

Manta Arch at South Solitary

What is your favourite marine animal to see while on a dive?

Manta Ray… no Whale-sharks… Schooling Hammerheads. The list could just go on, but I still love a close-up Grey Nurse Shark!

What is your favourite after-dive snack/meal?

Deb’s Potato Cake, once a daily morning tea, but now a delicacy!

If you could dive with anyone, who would it be and why?

My wife so I can share the moment with her.

What proudest is your diving-related moment?

Teaching our kids to dive and watch them love it.

What is your favourite piece of dive gear?

My latest dive computer or my SLR camera, both are not worth diving without them.

What is your favourite dive-related book?

Any of Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt novels.

What dive activities do you enjoy?

All of them… silly question!

What advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your diving career?

Start being a Dive Professional at a younger age!

What are your top 3 pieces of equipment recommendations for beginners?

A mask, decent fins and a Dive Computer

Best advice for beginners?

Don’t stop at just your dive course, the fun is yet to begin!

What skill are you trying to perfect currently?

Photography. Always leaning and hopefully getting better!

Do you have a role model in the sport?

Not really. Maybe Val Taylor and James Cameron

Jetty Dive Centre is proudly a family-owned and operated business

The shop’s history dates back more than 30 years in Coffs Harbour! Jetty Dive is the most spacious regional dive store in New South Wales, with no corporate or franchise diving – just personal attention and service from a team whose passion is scuba diving,

Mike and Deb Davey (owners since 1996) have grown the business from a small single charter boat operator to a major regional dive centre incorporating a well-stocked retail and online store, education centre and a 12-metre dive charter boat with some of the best diving on the New South Wales coast all the while maintaining a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

Jetty Dive Centre loves scuba diving at the Solitary Islands on their daily dive charters for snorkelers or scuba divers, and their large and comfortable dive boats offer the best diving available. Passionate dive crew have the knowledge and experience to show you the best of the Solitary Islands.

Read more about Jetty Dive and how you can explore the Solitary Island Marine Park on your next visit to the Coffs Coast.