Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a regional city along the Pacific Highway between Newcastle and the Gold Coast. It has become a major service centre for those living between South West Rocks in the south and Grafton to the north.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Sawtell, {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} south along Hogbin Drive from the city has become a satellite suburb of Coffs Harbour; it is increasingly referred to as being part of the city instead of its own entity as a town.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The surrounding region is dominated by coastal resorts and apartments with hinterland hills and mountains covered by forests, banana and blueberry plantations, and other farms including macadamia nuts, cucumbers, and tomatoes.{{Cite web |last=Bungard |first=Matt |date=2019-10-12 |title='We could be known as the Big Blueberry': Bananas only a fraction of Coffs' crops |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/we-could-be-known-as-the-big-blueberry-bananas-only-a-fraction-of-coffs-crops-20190815-p52hh7.html |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Harvest Guide (2023) - Fruit Picking Seasons Australia |url=https://www.backpackerjobboard.com.au/harvest/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Harvest Guide |language=en-AU}} It is the only place in New South Wales where the Great Dividing Range meets the Pacific Ocean.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The greater Coffs Harbour city is broken up into several suburb and precinct areas, including:

• Red Hill
• South Coffs
• West Coffs
• Coffs Harbour Jetty
• Park Beach
• Sandy Beach
• Diggers Beach
• Korora, West Korora
• Sapphire Beach
• Moonee Beach
• Emerald Beach
• North Boambee Valley
• Boambee, Boambee East
• Toormina
• Sawtell
• Bonville

The city is surrounded by many towns and villages in the Coffs Coast region, including:

• Coramba
• Nana Glen
• Corindi Beach and Red Rock
• Karangi
• Ulong
• Upper Orara
• Woolgoolga

File:Looking west from Moonee Street after a shower of rain - Coffs Harbour, NSW, 1922.jpg

The traditional inhabitants of the Coffs Harbour region are the Gumbaynggirr people, who have occupied the land for thousands of years, forming one of the largest coastal Aboriginal nations in New South Wales. Their nation stretches from the Nambucca River in the south to around the Clarence River in the north and to the Great Dividing Range in the west.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arrawarraculture.com.au/fact_sheets/pdfs/01_Gumbaynggir_Nation.pdf|title=FACT SHEET 1 Gumbaynggirr Nation|website=Arrawarra Sharing Culture|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617113644/https://www.arrawarraculture.com.au/fact_sheets/pdfs/01_Gumbaynggir_Nation.pdf|archive-date=17 June 2019|url-status=live|access-date=17 June 2019}}

By the early 1900s, the Coffs Harbour area had become an important timber production centre. Before the opening of the North Coast railway line, the only way to transport large items of heavy but low value, such as timber, was by coastal shipping. This meant sawmillers on the North Coast were dependent on jetties either in rivers or off beaches for exporting their timber. Timber tramways were constructed to connect the timber-getting areas, the sawmills and jetties built into the ocean at Coffs Harbour.The Timber Tramways of Coffs Harbour Longworth, Jim Australian Railway History, June 2006 pp 214–223

The Gumbaynggirr language name, for the harbour for which the town is named, is Gitten Mirreh which translates as 'big moon'.

Coffs Harbour, the town, owes its name to John Korff, a ship builder and ship owner, who named the area Korff's Harbour after he was forced to take shelter from a storm there in 1847.{{cite book|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|chapter=Korff, John (1799–1870)|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|chapter-url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/korff-john-3968|access-date=1 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724035527/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/korff-john-3968|archive-date=24 July 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web |title=Coffs Harbour (Suburb) |url=https://proposals.gnb.nsw.gov.au/public/geonames/b53c5f18-3c32-4c07-a309-36b44b78c50f |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=NSW Geographical Names Board}}

The name was accidentally changed by the surveyor for the Crown when he reserved land in the area during 1861.{{Cite web |last=Brambley |first=Steve |date=2023-05-13 |title=Revisiting Coffs Harbour's History |url=https://pacificmarina.com.au/coffs-harbours-history/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Pacific Marina Apartments |language=en-AU}}

Coffs Harbour has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• 1 Breakwater Road: Ferguson's Cottage{{cite NSW SHR|5056233|Ferguson's Cottage|hr=01802|access-date=18 May 2018}}
• Coffs Harbour timber jetty, Jordan Esplanade

{{Historical populations

|type= Australia

|1954|6215

|1961|7208

|1966|7683

|1971|10088

|1976|12197

|1981|16020

|1986|18074

|1991|20326

|1996|22177

|2001|25828

|2006|26353

|2011|45580

|2016|48225

|2021|51026

|source=Australian Bureau of Statistics data.{{cite web |title=Statistics by Catalogue Number |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ViewContent?readform&view=ProductsbyCatalogue&Action=Expand&Num=2.2 |access-date=19 January 2024}}{{cite web |title=Search Census data |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/search-by-area |access-date=19 January 2024}} Note: after 2006, the Coffs Harbour population expanded to included several neighbouring communities.

}}

According to the 2021 Census{{cite web |title=2021 Australian Census, Coffs Harbour |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL10959 |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=www.censusdata.ABS.gov.au |df=dmy-all}} the population of suburban Coffs Harbour is 78,759. This is an increase from 72,944 in 2016. 52.6% of the population is female in contrast to the national average of 50.7%. The average age is 43, which is higher than the national average of 38. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 5.6% of the population.

75.5% of residents reported being born in Australia; higher than the national average of 66.7%. Other than Australia the most common countries of birth are England (3.2%), New Zealand (1.3%), Myanmar (1.1%), India (0.9%) and Germany (0.5%). 62.2% of residents also reported both their parents being born in Australia, considerably higher than the national average of 47.3%. 82.1% of people spoke only English at home.

The top religious affiliations in Coffs Harbour are Catholic 20.0%, Anglican 17.9% and Presbyterian and Reformed 3.9%. 29.3% declared no religion and 11.1% did not submit a response.

Coffs Harbour has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa according to the Köppen climate classification system) with hot, wet summers and short mild winters, with marked seasonality of rainfall. The city is relatively sunny, receiving 122.1 clear days annually, higher than Brisbane and Cairns but not as sunny as Townsville. Summers are moderately hot, wet and humid. Winters are mild, albeit featuring cool nights, with light to moderate rainfall. There is a history of floods in the city, with major flooding occurring in the years 1917, 1938, 1950, 1963, 1974, 1977, 1989, 1991, 2009 and 2021.[https://www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/Environment/Flooding/Flooding-in-Coffs-Harbour#:~:text=History%20of%20Flooding%20in%20Coffs%20Harbour&text=Significant%20flood%20events%20have%20occurred,%2C%201989%2C%201991%20and%202009. Flooding in Coffs Harbour] City of Coffs Harbour. Retrieved 23 June 2023.

{{Clear}}

{{Weather box

|location = Coffs Harbour MO (1991–2015, extremes to 1943)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 43.3

|Feb record high C = 40.5

|Mar record high C = 35.9

|Apr record high C = 34.2

|May record high C = 29.8

|Jun record high C = 28.5

|Jul record high C = 30.3

|Aug record high C = 34.0

|Sep record high C = 35.2

|Oct record high C = 39.6

|Nov record high C = 43.3

|Dec record high C = 42.5

|Jan high C = 27.4

|Feb high C = 27.1

|Mar high C = 26.1

|Apr high C = 24.1

|May high C = 21.6

|Jun high C = 19.7

|Jul high C = 19.1

|Aug high C = 20.4

|Sep high C = 22.8

|Oct high C = 24.0

|Nov high C = 25.1

|Dec high C = 26.4

|Jan mean C = 23.6

|Feb mean C = 21.8

|Mar mean C = 22.1

|Apr mean C = 19.6

|May mean C = 16.7

|Jun mean C = 14.5

|Jul mean C = 13.6

|Aug mean C = 14.5

|Sep mean C = 17.1

|Oct mean C = 19.0

|Nov mean C = 20.9

|Dec mean C = 22.3

|Jan low C = 19.8

|Feb low C = 19.6

|Mar low C = 18.1

|Apr low C = 15.2

|May low C = 11.9

|Jun low C = 9.4

|Jul low C = 8.2

|Aug low C = 8.7

|Sep low C = 11.4

|Oct low C = 14.1

|Nov low C = 16.7

|Dec low C = 18.3

|Jan record low C = 11.0

|Feb record low C = 11.6

|Mar record low C = 9.9

|Apr record low C = 4.3

|May record low C = 0.4

|Jun record low C = -0.6

|Jul record low C = -3.2

|Aug record low C = -2.7

|Sep record low C = 1.9

|Oct record low C = 3.7

|Nov record low C = 6.5

|Dec record low C = 7.4

|rain colour=green

|Jan rain mm = 176.4

|Feb rain mm = 231.1

|Mar rain mm = 223.4

|Apr rain mm = 148.4

|May rain mm = 155.9

|Jun rain mm = 116.9

|Jul rain mm = 73.7

|Aug rain mm = 67.5

|Sep rain mm = 48.5

|Oct rain mm = 101.1

|Nov rain mm = 179.5

|Dec rain mm = 142.8

|year rain mm = 1668.2

|unit rain days = 1.0 mm

|Jan rain days = 10.9

|Feb rain days = 11.8

|Mar rain days = 13.6

|Apr rain days = 10.2

|May rain days = 9.6

|Jun rain days = 7.4

|Jul rain days = 6.0

|Aug rain days = 4.9

|Sep rain days = 5.3

|Oct rain days = 7.4

|Nov rain days = 10.6

|Dec rain days = 10.3

|year rain days = 108.0

|Jan afthumidity = 67

|Feb afthumidity = 69

|Mar afthumidity = 68

|Apr afthumidity = 63

|May afthumidity = 61

|Jun afthumidity = 58

|Jul afthumidity = 54

|Aug afthumidity = 52

|Sep afthumidity = 57

|Oct afthumidity = 61

|Nov afthumidity = 65

|Dec afthumidity = 66

|Jan sun = 235.6

|Feb sun = 204.4

|Mar sun = 220.1

|Apr sun = 216.0

|May sun = 207.7

|Jun sun = 198.0

|Jul sun = 223.2

|Aug sun = 257.3

|Sep sun = 255.0

|Oct sun = 251.1

|Nov sun = 237.0

|Dec sun = 244.9

|year sun = 2750.3

|Jan dew point C = 18.6

|Feb dew point C = 19.0

|Mar dew point C = 17.6

|Apr dew point C = 14.8

|May dew point C = 12.1

|Jun dew point C = 9.6

|Jul dew point C = 8.0

|Aug dew point C = 7.8

|Sep dew point C = 10.2

|Oct dew point C = 12.8

|Nov dew point C = 15.1

|Dec dew point C = 17.2

|source 1= Bureau of Meteorology{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_059040_All|site_name=Coffs Harbour Meteorological Office|access-date=5 March 2023}}

}}

File:The Bunker Cartoon Gallery Coffs Harbour.JPG

Coffs Harbour was the hub for a thriving banana industry. One of the biggest attractions is the Big Banana, one of the first of Australia's Big Things (it celebrated its 50th birthday in 2015), with the World's Largest Banana celebrating the region's best-known export.{{cite web |last1=Styles |first1=Talia |title=5 Reasons to Visit Australia's Best Town of 2020: Coff's Harbour |url=https://www.hunterandbligh.com.au/travel/5-reasons-to-visit-australias-best-town-of-2020-coffs-harbour/ |website=Hunter and Bligh |access-date=24 March 2020}} There is also a popular underwater diving spot on a small natural reef.

The Coffs Harbour Jetty is an historically important timber wharf where coastal shipping once moved the timber from the hinterland. It was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register on 25 June 2021, recognising its significance "as the longest coastal timber jetty built by the Harbours and Rivers Section of the NSW Public Works department in the 19th century." The jetty area is the subject of planning from 2018 by Council and consultants to develop a cultural precinct and rejuvenated residential area.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Nearby, the Solitary Islands Marine Park preserves a diverse underwater ecosystem that mirrors the terrestrial biodiversity, covering the southern limit of northern tropical species and the northern limits of the southern temperate species. Muttonbird Island is accessible by walking along the breakwater from the harbour, with the nature reserve protecting a significant wedge-tailed shearwater breeding site. The Muttonbird Island footpath leads to a viewing platform where whales are often spotted between June and November.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

There are many national parks, reserves and marine parks surrounding the city, including:

• Bellinger River National Park (west of Bellingen in the Bellinger headwaters)
• Bindarri National Park (20 km west of the city, near Ulong and Dairyville)
• Bongil Bongil National Park (south of Sawtell)
• Cascade National Park (north of Dorrigo)
• Coffs Coast Regional Park (beachside reserves and parks along the Coffs Coast)
• Dorrigo National Park (just south of the Dorrigo township)
• Hayden Dent Nature Reserve (northwest of Coffs Harbour)
• Junuy Juluum National Park (north of Dorrigo)
• Moonee Beach Nature Reserve (Moonee Beach-Emerald Beach)
• Nymboi-Binderay National Park (north of Dorrigo, east of Glenreigh, on the Nymboida River)
• Solitary Islands Marine Park (in the Tasman Sea from Coffs Harbour to Wooli)
• [http://www.southsolitaryisland.com.au South Solitary Island] (18 km NE from Coffs Harbour in the Marine Park)
• Ulidarra National Park (Bruxner Park and Mount Coramba area)
• Yuraygir National Park (stretching from Yamba to Red Rock and west along the Coast Range)

The town's water supply comes from the nearby Orara River at Cochranes Pool and is supplemented by the Nymboida River. The city hosts the Coffs Harbour Regional Botanic Garden.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Coffs Harbour is home to the Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC) which is a partnership between the Southern Cross University, TAFE and the Coffs Harbour Senior College.

Other universities include the University of New South Wales Rural Clinical School located on the Coffs Harbour Health Campus. Australian Catholic University, Rural Education (REZ).

Local state and private high schools include Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Orara, Toormina, John Paul College, Coffs Harbour Christian Community, Bishop Druitt College and the Coffs Harbour Senior College.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Primary schools include; Boambee, Bonville, Coffs Harbour Public, Coramba, Corindi, Crossmaglen, Karangi, Kororo, Lowanna, Mullaway, Nana Glen, Narranga, Upper Orara, Sandy Beach, Sawtell, Toormina, Tyalla, Ulong, William Bayldon and Woolgoolga Public School. Private primary schools in the area include; Mary Help of Christians, St Augustine's and St Francis Xavier's.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Defunct primary schools

• Brooklana Public – 1920–1949
• Bucca Central Public – 1910–1963
• Bucca Lower Public (Formerly Bucca Creek until May 1919) – 1896–1978
• Corindi Creek Public – 1920–1962
• Timmsvale Public – 1928–1970
• Yalbillinga Special School (Amalgamated with Coffs Harbour PS) – 1965–1993

Other schools

• Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School
• Casuarina School for Steiner Education
• Bishop Druitt College
• Coffs Harbour Bible Church School
• Coffs Harbour Christian Community School

Special schools are public schools designed for children or youth with chronic disabilities or who for other reasons cannot be accommodated in the comprehensive school system. Coffs Harbour Learning Centre is available for these students.

The Pacific Highway cuts through the centre of the city of Coffs Harbour. As a part of the Pacific Highway Upgrade (organised from the NSW government), has started working on building a {{convert|14|km|mi|adj=on}} deviation containing three interchanges and three tunnels through the ridge line. The new highway starts at Englands Road, runs west to Coramba Road, and joins near Campbell Close and Solitary Islands Way, Korora.

Key features at the Englands Road are include:

• The separation of the old Pacific Highway
• A new service road running from Lindsey's Truck Depot to the south roundabout of Englands Road Interchange
• A new interchange at Englands Road which separates the old Pacific Highway
• A new set of lights which replace the existing roundabout on the old Pacific Highway
• New access to the local Waste Service centre for all workers and residents, and new access to Ozgroup, Isles Drive and Englands Road.

The North Boambee Road/Roberts Hill areas include:

• Bridges going over Newports Creek and North Boambee Road
• A new tunnel going through Roberts Hill (Mccans Road)

The Coramba Road areas include:

• Bridges going over Coffs Creek and other catchments
• A new interchange at Coramba Road in which will look similar to the Sapphire Beach interchange at Solitary Islands Way
• New service road access from Coramba Road Interchange via western roundabout

File:Coffs Bypass.jpg

The Shepards Lane area includes:

• A new bridge for access via Shepards Lane
• An overpass bridge going over the North Coast Railway
• A new tunnel just north of Shepards Lane and the North Coast Railway
• An overpass bridge going over Mackays Road

The Gatleys Road areas include:

• A new tunnel going through the Gatleys Road Hill
• A new overpass bridges going over Jordans Creek and West Korora Road
• A new interchange at Korora Hill which meets, but doesn't join the old Pacific Highway

The Korora Hill areas include:

• New access to Bruxner Park Road and James Small Drive
• A new set of lights which connect Charlesworth Bay Road and the nearby Caravan Park
• On/off ramps continue via the old Pacific Highway
• A new service road that goes through the Kororo Public School areas

File:Luke bowen pedestrian bridge lift jpg.jpg

The Kororo Public School areas include:

• A new bus interchange for Kororo School students/residents
• New footbridge access which will stand as a memorial for the beloved Luke Bowen who tragically died in a motorbike accident.
• A new service road which may or may not be known as the new Kororo School Road

The Korora/Sapphire Beach area include:

• A new roundabout intersection at James Small Drive, which as of 2025 is an intersection going across the old Pacific Highway
• 3 new overpass bridges going over Pine Bush Creek (which 2 of them meet the old Pacific Highway)
• New bridge upgrade for local residents and road traffic on Old Coast Road opposite Kororo Basin Road
• A new service road connecting Old Coast Road, Campbell Close and Seaview Close
• An overpass bridge which connects Solitary Islands Way, Old Coast Road, Campbell Close and Seaview Close

Upgrades to Campbell Close including:

• The connection of the existing Pacific Highway, which north of the new bypass, was previously upgraded by the NSW Government in 2010 and finished in 2017
• A new noise wall on the western side of the highway
• The connection of a new noise wall to the existing noise wall that was completed in late 2013 - early 2014 by the NSW Government during the Pacific Highway Upgrade in 2010 – 2020
• The connections of the existing Solitary Islands Way and the new service road
• A new grey support wall that will support the new Campbell Close entrance

The Coffs Harbour Bypass achievements to motorists will accomplish:

Saving up to 12 minutes of driving time, bypassing up to 12 sets of traffic lights, (14 including the 2 new marked sets), making trips from and to Coffs Harbour easy for local residents, saving time driving through Coffs for local residents and improving safety for all motorists. However, trucks with hazardous chemicals (HAZCHEM) must use the existing highway for safety reasons and concerns.

APRIL 30 - MAY 15 UPDATE

Traffic changes have been placed along Englands Road and Korora Hill involving local and Pacific Highway changes, stage 1 had been completed at both interchanges, including new lanes of traffic for the Pacific Highway, and local traffic changes on new service roads, some are permanently while others are temporary. Stage 2 and 3 at Englands Road and stage 2 at Korora Hill are yet to be completed. As of May 23rd, 2025 that date is yet unknown when they will be open. Stage 2 at Englands Road will include opening the 2 dumbbell roundabouts for both Englands Road and Isles Drive. Stage 3 at Englands Road will include moving the southbound Pacific Highway traffic onto the existing northbound lanes. Stage 2 at Korora Hill will involve moving Bruxner Park Road traffic completely moving them onto 2 roundabouts, for James Small Drive, the existing road will then be closed leaving the new one being open for both lanes of traffic. The Pacific Highway will then be moved onto new lanes yet again going over 1 bridge at Pine Bush Creek and continuing up the future service road for Old Coast Road and Campbell Close traffic. The southbound exit for Solitary Islands Way will be a "cul-de-sac" meaning the road will lead to nowhere. Remember to DRIVE WITH CAUTION when travelling through roadworks.

The new noise walls on the Coffs Harbour Bypass will represent Gumbaynggirr based "Dream Time Stories" as the theme for the whole bypass, from South to North.

The first design is known as the "Childs Journey" dreamtime story, which will resemble the colour Yellow, and is based on a mother and child on a journey across a day and into the Dreamtime, discovering special places, creatures, and new things (according to Google AI Overview), it will be featured only around the Englands Road area.

The next cultural Theme is called the "Golden Waanji" The colour for this story is Blue, slightly darker than Cyan. The dreamtime story represents a Dingo forming the creation of the sea and the creation of the Seven Sisters constellation, and how the two jiinda (sisters) became part of the Pleiades constellation, (according to Google AI Overview), it is featrured around Coramba Road interchange and Shepards Lane area.

The next cultural theme will be known as the "Yuludarla Creation" which will resemble the colour of a slightly darker Orange. The story is about the "Man Shining Like the Sun" who created the land and people by dividing it with rivers, forming different clans, and giving them their languages, (according to Google AI Overview). It will be seen around the Gatleys Road Tunnel area only.

The last and very North dreamtime story recreation will be the Gumgali Stories, otherwise will be known as the Goanna Stories. The colour of these noise walls wil be Green. These stories will tell the story about the Gumgali, a black goanna, and the formation of the Korora ridge. The stories are shared through sculptures, murals, and soundscapes, it is also shared along the Gumgali Track in the Orara East State Forest.[https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Assess-and-Regulate/State-Significant-Projects/Coffs-Harbour-Bypass Coffs Harbour Bypass] Government of New South Wales

The project was approved in November 2020, and the contract by the NSW Government was given to Ferrovial Construction and Gamuda Construction in June 2022. The project is due to be open to traffic in late 2026 and completed in late 2027 at a cost of $2.2 billion dollars AUD ($1,387,386,000 USD)

Construction Updates, Resource Libraries and more of the Latest News are kept at the [https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/projects/coffs-harbour-bypass NSW Government Boating and Transport Website], [https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/projects/coffs-harbour-bypass/resources/final-place-design-and-landscape-plan the Final Place Design and Landscape Plan]] is shown for local transportation such as buses and impacts as a result of constructing the entire Coffs Harbour Bypass.{{Cite web|date=2 November 2020|title=Coffs Harbour Bypass|url=https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/10461|url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-28|website=www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520184131/https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/10461 |archive-date=20 May 2019 }}{{Cite web|date=7 June 2023|title=Full steam ahead on Coffs Harbour bypass|url=https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/full-steam-ahead-coffs-harbour-bypass|access-date=2024-06-19}}

• News Of The Area – Printed and on-line publications.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• Coffs Coast Advocate – The Advocate newspaper was until 2019 published on Wednesdays and Saturdays and delivered free to all homes. The newspaper is now online only.[http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/ Coffs Coast news, weather, sport and local classifieds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828021426/http://coffscoastadvocate.com.au/ |date=28 August 2008 }}. Coffs Coast Advocate. Retrieved on 13 February 2017. An online index of articles between 1993 and 2004 and selected articles dating back to 1900 is maintained by the Coffs Harbour City Library, though only articles relating to Coffs Harbour and its people are indexed.{{cite web |url=http://libraries.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/Local-Heritage/newspaperindex/Pages/default.aspx |title=Coffs Harbour City Library - Newspaper Index |access-date=16 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416174628/http://libraries.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/Local-Heritage/newspaperindex/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=16 April 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

Historical:

• Coffs Coast Independent – Weekly full-colour newspaper delivered free each Thursday to all homes in the Coffs Harbour district, closed 2012.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

• ABC TV, ABC Kids, ABC Family, ABC Entertains, ABC News (public broadcaster)
• SBS, SBS Viceland, SBS Food, NITV, SBS World Movies, SBS WorldWatch (multicultural public and commercial broadcaster)
• Nine (NBN), 9Gem, 9Go!, 9Life and Extra (owned by Nine Entertainment and Nine Network owned and operated)
• Seven (formerly Prime7), 7two, 7mate, 7Bravo, 7flix, and Racing.com (owned by Seven West Media and Seven Network owned and operated)
• 10, 10 Bold Drama, 10 Peach Comedy, Gold (owned by Network 10)
• Sky News Regional (owned by Australian News Channel and News Corp Australia)

Of the three main commercial networks:

• Nine airs NBN News, a regional hour-long program including opt-outs for the Mid North Coast, every night at 6pm. It is broadcast from studios in Newcastle with reporters based at a local newsroom in the city.
• The Seven Network (formerly Prime7) airs a half-hour local Seven News (formerly Prime7 News) bulletin for the North Coast at 6pm each weeknight. It is broadcast from studios in Canberra with reporters based at a local newsroom in the city.
• WIN Television airs short local news updates throughout the day, broadcast from its Wollongong studios.

• 2HC 639 AM and 100.5 FM – talkback, news – including local, national & international; sport; and music. Part of the Broadcast Operations Group's Super Radio Network relaying a majority of programs from 2SM in Sydney and 2HD in Newcastle. The station was purchased by Bill Caralis in 2005.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• Triple M 106.3 FM – Part of Southern Cross Austereo, Triple M has limited local content – with shows such as Moffee For Breakfast, as well as networked programming – like The Ray Hadley Morning Show, and The Marty Sheargold Show. The station was formerly known as 2CS FM until 15 December 2016.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• Hit 105.5 (105.5 FM) – Part of Southern Cross Austereo, Hit 105.5 has a local Coffs Harbour Breakfast Show called the A.B & Ben Show. It began in 1997 as a third commercial licence for the Coffs Coast. The station was formerly known as Star FM until 15 December 2016.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

• Triple J 91.5 FM
• Radio National 99.5 FM
• ABC Classic 97.9 FM
• ABC Coffs Coast 92.3 FM
• ABC NewsRadio 90.7 FM

• CHY FM 104.1 [https://www.chyfm.org.au/ CHY FM website]
• Racing Radio 107.1 FM
• 2AIR FM 107.9 [https://www.2airfm.com.au/ 2AIR website]

• RawFM 88.0 FM

The Coffs Harbour bus network extends from Grafton and Red Rock in the north to Macksville and Grassy Head in the south. Regular route services are operated by Busways and Forest Coach Lines. Forest Coach Lines also operate the Woopi Connect On Demand bus service in the Northern Beaches area.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Coffs Harbour is serviced by NSW TrainLink. Three northbound and three southbound XPT trains stop at Coffs Harbour station each day.{{Cite web |last=Transport for NSW |first=Customer Experience Division |title=Coffs Harbour |url=https://transportnsw.info/plan/places-to-visit/coffs-harbour |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=transportnsw.info |language=en}}

Local taxis are run by Holiday Coast Transportation and operate as 13cabs.{{Cite web |title=13cabs Coffs Harbour {{!}} Call a taxi on 13 2227 |url=https://www.coffstaxis.com.au/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=13cabs Coffs Harbour}}

Coffs Harbour Airport is regularly serviced by Link Airways,{{Cite web |url=http://www.flycorporate.com.au/ |title=Fly Corporate |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311201714/https://flycorporate.com.au/ |archive-date=11 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Qantas and Regional Express. The passenger terminal is accessible via Hogbin Drive.

The Coffs Harbour Aero Club on Aviation Drive supports private pilots. Flying lessons and discovery flights, as well as air-work and charter flights are available from the club, which is also working closely with local high schools to provide flying training for students.

The most popular sport in Coffs Harbour is rugby league. The city has four clubs in the Country Rugby League of NSW's Group 2 rugby league competition; Coffs Harbour Comets, Sawtell Panthers, Woolgoolga Seahorses, and Orara Valley Axemen. All clubs offer entries in age groups ranging from under-7s to first grade. The Sawtell Panthers are the current champions in first grade and under-18s, and Woolgoolga Seahorses were runners up to the Port Macquarie Sharks in reserve grade.

Rugby League Clubs in Coffs Harbour

• Coffs Harbour Comets
• Orara Valley Axemen
• Sawtell Panthers
• Woolgoolga Seahorses

There is a local Australian rules football competition with three clubs in the city; Coffs Harbour, Northern Beaches–Woologoolga and Sawtell Saints.

There is also a men's and women's soccer league, two rugby union clubs (Coffs Harlequins and Southern Cross University), junior and senior basketball competitions and the representative Coffs Suns, field hockey and netball competitions.

In 2001, Coffs Harbour hosted the Oceania region's qualification matches for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. One these matches played at Coffs Harbour was the Australia 31–0 American Samoa game, which set a new world record for international association football's biggest-ever win.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3003051/World-Cup-Australia-score-31-in-World-Cup.html World Cup: Australia score 31 in World Cup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629213626/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3003051/World-Cup-Australia-score-31-in-World-Cup.html |date=29 June 2018 }}. Telegraph (11 April 2001). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.

Pacific Bay Resort hosted 'Camp Wallaby' throughout the 2000s, in which the Wallabies called Coffs Harbour home.

The 2007 and 2013 City vs Country Rugby League representative fixtures were held in Coffs Harbour.

The city is home to the Coffs Harbour International Stadium, which has hosted FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and a Women's 2008 Beijing Olympics Qualification fixtures for the Matildas in soccer as well as some National Rugby League (NRL) pre-season fixtures and domestic one day cricket matches. Coffs Harbour is also known for a great place to skydive due to the hinterland views where The Great Dividing Range meets the sea.

The region has hosted international rallying through the 1970s through to the early 1980s. After that time, the events became part of the Australian Rally Championship and NSW Rally Championships. It was the host city for Rally Australia, a round of the World Rally Championship in 2011. The rally used roads from the neighbouring Bellingen, and Nambucca shires in addition to Coffs Harbour. The rally returned permanently to Coffs Harbour in 2013. In 2016, the rally was run in November with a Super special Stage at the Coffs Jetty. It was last held in 2018.[https://autoaction.com.au/2020/06/21/rally-australia-set-to-return-in-2021 Rally Australia set to return in 2021] Auto Action 21 June 2020

Coffs Harbour is home to three locally grown sporting events attracting thousands of competitors each year: the Coffs Harbour Triathlon (bcu Coffs Tri), the Coffs Harbour running festival and the Coffs Ocean Swims, all raising money to local children's charities.

• Attila Abonyi – former Australian international Association football player who was capped 61 times for the Socceroos[http://www.behindthegame.com.au/blogs/podcast/95761985-the-hungarian-socceroo The Hungarian Socceroo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214204434/http://www.behindthegame.com.au/blogs/podcast/95761985-the-hungarian-socceroo |date=14 December 2016 }}. behindthegame.com.au
• Kevin Bartlett – racing driver
• Liz Cambage – basketball player
• Russell Crowe – actor
• Jon English – singer-songwriter-actor
• Michael Ennis – rugby league footballer and sportscaster
• Kevin Gordon – rugby league footballer
• Clint Greenshields – rugby league footballer
• David Helfgott – concert pianist
• Deborah Knight – radio host and news journalist for the Nine Network
• Wendy Matthews – singer
• Mark McGowan – 30th Premier of Western Australia{{Cite web | url=https://www.triplem.com.au/story/former-coffs-harbour-high-student-becomes-new-wa-premier-20011 | title=Former Coffs Harbour High Student Becomes New WA Premier }}
• Luke Metcalf – rugby league footballer
• Emma Moffatt – triathlete, Beijing Olympics bronze medalist
• Tom Mooney – rugby league footballer
• David Mullane – rugby league footballer
• George Negus – author, journalist, and current affairs presenter
• Ben Newton – Paralympics gold medalist, wheelchair rugby player
• Melinda Pavey – NSW state politician
• Nathan Quinn – rally driver
• Dick Smith – entrepreneur{{cite news | title = Local Builders Win Top Awards | work = Coffs Coast Advocate | publisher = North Coast News | date = 6 July 2011 | url = http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/local-builders-win-top-awards/897351/ | access-date = 18 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131002032704/http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/local-builders-win-top-awards/897351/ | archive-date = 2 October 2013 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }}
• Jack Thompson – AFI award-winning actor
• Clare Wheeler – soccer player for Australia{{Cite news |last=Pender |first=Kieran |date=2023-06-17 |title='It's everything': Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler dreaming of World Cup debut |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/17/matildas-midfielder-clare-wheeler-dreaming-of-world-cup-debut |access-date=2023-06-21 |issn=0261-3077}}

• National Touch League (March)
• "International Charity Football Match", proceeds go to Wesley Mission for local homeless youth
• Ella7s (Australia's largest Indigenous Rugby Carnival) (March)
• Coffs Coast International Buskers Festival (October)
• Harmony Festival (March)
• Rally Australia (November)
• STILL: National Still Life Award (November)

{{reflist}}

• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=221764 Aboriginal history of the Coffs Harbour region] / compiled by Coffs Harbour City Library by Liz Thomas (2013)
• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=5930 Coffs Harbour: Vol I: pre-1880 to 1945] / Neil Yeates (1990)
• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=61481 Coffs Harbour: Vol II: 1946 – 1964] / Neil Yeates (1990)
• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=41800 Coffs Harbour 100 years down the track] / by Jean Donn-Patterson (not dated)
• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=47805 The Coffs Harbour story] (1976)
• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=45373 The history of Coffs Harbour] / Produced by Friends of Tourism & Coffs Harbour Historical Society (not dated)
• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=27015 The Natural history of the Coffs Harbour District] / Dept of Continuing Education, North Coast Regional Office, U.N.E. (1980)
• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=25859 Remembering Coff's Harbour: a century of photographs] / [edited by Arlene Hope and David Townsend] (2001)
• [https://coffsharbour.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=6857 Ships and timber: a short history of Coffs Harbour port and associated railways] / John Kramer (1984)

{{Commons category|Coffs Harbour}}

• {{Wikivoyage-inline|Coffs Harbour}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828043831/http://www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/ Coffs Harbour City Council]
• [http://coffscoastheritage.info/ Our Stories: Coffs Coast Heritage]

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