Coffs Harbour International Marina is about half way between Sydney and Brisbane. There are plenty of facilities here, including a chandlery, hair dresser, restaurants, fishing co-op, and laundromat. There’s also a small supermarket an easy walk away, as well as many restaurants and cafes.

The marina itself is located on the northern breakwall, in the shadow of Muttonbird Island. Muttonbird Island, a nature reserve adjacent to the marina, offers expansive views of Coffs Harbour and surrounds and I’ve also spotted whales on their journey south. Every year the shearwaters, also known as mutton birds, make a remarkable 15,000km migration from the northern hemisphere to breeding sites in the Bass Strait and the south-east of the continent. The island is one of the only easily-accessible places in NSW where the shearwaters nest. 

On the southern side of the harbour is another breakwall near Corambirra point. The breakwall was upgraded in 2014, with a $19 million project that involved the casting and placing of around 2500 hanbars each weighing between 16 and 28 tonnes. In June 2019, the weather conditions resulted in large waves breaking over the wall. Check it out on this short YouTube video. 

But as you’ll see, we’re very spoilt with the views here.