Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour, in Australia, is a coastal city located on the north coast of New South Wales about 540 km (340 mi) north of Sydney, and 390 km (240 mi) south of Brisbane. Its population was 45,580 in 2011 with the greater region having a population of 70,990 in 2012.[3]
Coffs Harbour won an international "Bloom award" for population 20,001 - 75,000 in 2002.[4] In addition an "Enhancement of the Landscape" in 2004 from the same organisation.[5] Coffs Harbour's economy was once based mainly on bananas, now being superseded by blueberries as well as tourism and fishing. The wider region is known as the Bananacoast. [6]
The city has a campus of Southern Cross University, a public[7] and a private hospital, several radio stations, and three major shopping centres. Coffs Harbour is near numerous national parks, including a marine national park. There are regular passenger flights each day to Sydney and Melbourne departing from Coffs Harbour Airport.[8] Coffs Harbour is also accessible by road, by NSW TrainLink trains, and by regular bus services.[9]

Attractions[edit]

Inside The Bunker Cartoon Gallery Coffs Harbour
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 40th birthday in 2005), with the World's Largest Banana celebrating the region's best known export. There is also a popular underwater diving spot on a small natural reef.[vague]
The Coffs Harbour Jetty is an historically important timber wharf where coastal shipping once moved the timber from the hinterland. The jetty area is the subject of current planning[when?] by Council and consultants to develop a cultural precinct and rejuvenated residential area.
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.
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)
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.