The Coffs Coast Welcomes You To Gumbaynggirr Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land, the Gumbayggirr Nation, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture.

The Gumbaynggirr people have a profound connection to their country, expressed through language and storylines. Gumbaynggirr language is part of a living culture spanning 80 km of beaches, headlands, rivers, estuaries, creeks, mountains and flood plains.

Language is the fundamental basis of the connection between people and specific places in the landscape. It is the story that holds the meaning of language. It is a story that embodies the connection between people and places. (Singing the Coast, Tony Perkins and Margaret Somerville,2010)

The Gumbaynggirr people were traditionally known as the ‘sharing people’ because their land was so rich that food and other resources were commonly shared with other nations.

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

The Coffs Coast was awarded third place in the Culture & Tradition category for our entry, Two Path Strong, which 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.

As the only Australian story to make the 2023 finals, we are proud to receive this global recognition for our destination and award-winning Indigenous tourism experiences.

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