Ace Rental Cars Blog

Coffs Harbour on the northern coast of New South Wales is filled with a range of nature adventures, beaches, eateries and local culture to take advantage of. Pick up your Ace rental car from Coffs Harbour Airport and get on your way to exploring this stunning city.

Indulge in Local Grub

• Harbourside Markets
• Urban Espresso Lounge
• Old John’s

If you find yourself in Coffs Harbour on a Sunday, the first thing to do in the morning is head down to the Harbourside Markets. Right on the foreshore of the bay, the Markets host a collection of local vendors, selling everything from vintage and collectables to food and plants. Start by grabbing some brunch from the Mediterranean Hut and then browse the stalls. You can also combine your trip to the market with a stroll along the Coffs Harbour Marina Walkway. If your stay in Coffs doesn’t cross over with the Markets, you can also find a selection of cafes and brunch places along the harbour to begin the morning of your first day. Urban Espresso Lounge is a perfect pick for an easy brunch and great coffee, serving up zucchini and corn fritters alongside expertly-made espresso. Another local favourite to try is Old John’s, a breakfast cafe that turns into a wine bar once the sun begins to set.

An Afternoon of Fun

• Big Banana Fun Park
• Silvio’s Italiano

Once you’re fuelled up from brunch in town, it’s time to head up to the attraction that Coffs has become most well known for. The Big Banana and its adjacent adventure park provides the perfect playground to spend an afternoon for visitors of Coffs. With a variety of activities that are suited to everyone, there are a selection of passes to choose from so that you can pick your own adventure. From laser tag to mini golf, a giant slide to an ice-skating rink, the Big Banana Fun Park is an easy and accessible way to have an enjoyable day. For dinner, head back down Pacific Highway to Silvio’s Italiano, a locally-loved restaurant serving delicious wood-fired pizza and gourmet pasta dishes. The beautifully balmy nights in Coffs make a beachside stroll after dinner the perfect way to finish off the day, so head down Park Beach Road and soak up the sun setting over the blue of the horizon.

Surround Yourself in Nature

• Dorrigo National Park
• Lookout over the Ocean
• Picnic Lunch

For your second day in Coffs, embrace the amazing bushland and forest that surrounds the area and go exploring in Dorrigo National Park. An hour’s drive inland from the city, you can leave your Ace rental car in the carpark at Dorrigo Park’s entrance and traverse the vibrant rainforest on foot. Part of Gondwana Rainforests of the Australia World Heritage Area, Dorrigo is filled with vast amounts of native bushland and animals. Take a walk through the forest and discover some of the park’s secret waterfalls, or climb to the elevated lookout point to catch a glimpse of sea over the horizon in the distance. For lunch, there are a variety of scenic picnic spots, as well as barbeque areas, so bring along food and refreshments and enjoy some time amongst the quiet of nature.

Lay Back on the Beach

• Jetty Beach
• Moonee Beach
• Rosie’s Fish’n’Chips

After you get back from the bush, it’s time to explore some of the beaches on offer in the Coffs Harbour region. Just down on the shores of the bay, Jetty Beach is a popular favourite among locals and visitors alike with its convenient locale. Easy to get to and surrounded by the Jetty Foreshores Park, there’s plenty to do in the area in addition to relaxing in the sun on the sand. Explore the playground, bike paths and picnic shelters, or wander down to the Jetty to see if you can spot some dolphins or whales that are known to roam in the ocean around these parts. For another beach option in Coffs, check out Moonee Beach for calm tides. A lot quieter than Jetty Beach, Moonee is a great beach to head to if you’re after a secluded spot on the sand and shallow waters to dip your toes in. For when you get hungry, head over to Rosie’s for their famous fish’n’chips and enjoy your feed alongside one of the best views in town as the sun starts to set over the ocean in front of you.

Coffs Harbour is the perfect place to explore over two days, so book your Ace rental car and start discovering the offerings of this coastal slice of paradise today.