Coffs Harbour to the Waterfall Way: Beach Days and Cool High Country
Most visitors to the Waterfall Way start in the same place: Coffs Harbour. It's where the flights land and where the Pacific Motorway brings drivers up from Sydney and down from Brisbane. Most people stay on the beach. Spend a day or two in Coffs, then turn inland, and you get the coast and the high country in one trip.
At a glance
Getting there: about 6 hours' drive from Sydney or 4.5 hours from Brisbane, or fly into Coffs Harbour Airport, about 10 minutes from town
To the Waterfall Way: Bellingen is about 30 minutes away, Dorrigo about an hour
The full drive: the Waterfall Way runs 185 km from Coffs Harbour to Armidale, about 2.5 hours without stops
Best for: summer holidays that mix beach days with cool rainforest and waterfalls
A day in Coffs Harbour
Muttonbird Island: walk out along the breakwall from the marina to this nature reserve, one of the few easy places in NSW to see nesting wedge-tailed shearwaters.
The jetty and marina: the historic jetty precinct has cafes and Sunday harbourside markets.
Beaches: Jetty Beach and Diggers Beach are good for families, and Sawtell, just south, has a tidal rock pool. Swim between the flags at patrolled beaches.
Forest Sky Pier: in Ulidarra National Park, a 15-metre platform over the forest with coastal views, and the 500-metre Sealy Lookout loop.
The Big Banana: a classic Aussie big thing, now part of a fun park with rides and mini golf. Fun for kids, a quick photo for everyone else.
Solitary Islands Marine Park: dive and snorkel trips leave from the marina.
Then turn inland
Thirty minutes from the beach, Bellingen sits on the Bellinger River with cafes, markets and riverside swimming. From there the Waterfall Way climbs steeply through rainforest to Dorrigo, about 750 metres above sea level, where the Skywalk hangs over World Heritage rainforest and Dangar Falls is a short drive from the main street.
Keep going and the road crosses the tablelands past Ebor Falls, Point Lookout and Cathedral Rock and Wollomombi Falls to Armidale, where January days average around 27°C, cooler and far less humid than the coast.
A 3-day plan from Coffs Harbour
Day 1: Coffs Harbour. Muttonbird Island at sunrise, the jetty, a beach afternoon.
Day 2: Bellingen and Dorrigo. A river swim, the Skywalk and Dangar Falls. Stay in Bellingen or Dorrigo.
Day 3: Over the tablelands to Armidale via Ebor Falls and Wollomombi Falls.
See the full route in our Waterfall Way Road Trip Guide & Map.
Summer tips
Book early: Coffs Harbour fills up from Christmas to late January.
Escape the humidity: spend the hottest days in the Dorrigo rainforest or up on the tablelands.
Check conditions: summer storms and fire danger can close national parks. Check NSW National Parks alerts and fire danger ratings before you head inland.
Fuel and phone: fill up before leaving the coast. Reception drops out in parts of the high country.
Where to stay
Browse places to stay on Booking.com in Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and Bellingen.
Need a car? Compare car hire across Australia on DiscoverCars, including pick-ups at Coffs Harbour Airport.
This post includes affiliate links. If you book through them, Best Bits Travel may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQs
How far is the Waterfall Way from Coffs Harbour?
It starts on the edge of Coffs Harbour. Bellingen is about 30 minutes away, Dorrigo about an hour, and Armidale about 185 km, or 2.5 hours without stops.
Can you fly to Coffs Harbour?
Yes. Coffs Harbour Airport is about 10 minutes from town. Hire a car there to explore the Waterfall Way.
Is Coffs Harbour busy in summer?
Yes, especially from Christmas to late January. Book accommodation early, or base yourself in Bellingen or Dorrigo for a quieter stay.
What is there to do in Coffs Harbour?
Walk out to Muttonbird Island, visit the jetty and Sunday markets, swim at patrolled beaches, see the Big Banana, take in the Forest Sky Pier, or head out to the Solitary Islands Marine Park.
