When we choose a holiday destination we look for an area which not only has accessible accommodation but plenty of activities which will appeal to the whole family. Coffs Harbour delivered a variety of wheelchair accessible activities which kept our family entertained when we visited last year. Take a look at some of the accessible activities available in Coffs Harbour and its surrounding towns.
BIG BANANA
A trip to Coffs isn’t complete without a visit to The Big Banana. There are several options to keep people entertained including lazer tag, ice-skating, toboganning, a water park and an educational experience about all things bananas.
The kids were thrilled to find wheelchairs can go on the ice rink meaning they could skate together.
Although it was a challenge to get BJ up to the Toboggan ride he absolutely loved it going back for a second ride.
The kids also gave the pancakes in the café a big thumbs up so read all about our visit to the Big Banana here.
SEALY LOOKOUT – FOREST SKY PIER
For a beautiful view overlooking Coffs Harbour and surrounds, take the drive up to the Forest Sky Pier at Bruxner Park. We recommend timing your visit before or after a trip to the Big Banana as they are both just north of the city centre. The drive winds through many banana plantations giving any kids in the family a good insight into how the bananas grow.
The 21 metre long suspended walkway is completely accessible. The car park is opposite, and there are barbeques, picnic shelters and a disabled toilet close by.
It’s definitely worth putting on any Coffs Harbour itinerary.
THE CLOG BARN
The Clog Barn is the creation of Dutch born Tom Hartsuyker who wanted to bring a little piece of Holland to Coffs Harbour. Here you can watch Clog making demonstrations, eat in the café or tour the model village.
Entry is free to The Clog Barn. The model Dutch village is beautifully made (all of it by hand, and not by kit) including two miniature trains, windmills and sawmills. There are hedges surrounding the pathways, but unless it is a child in a pram, they are low enough to easily see over.
It’s doesn’t take long to walk through the model village but this is a lovely place to stop and it’s accessible.
Check the Clog Barn website for demonstration times and information.
COFFS HARBOUR BUTTERFLY HOUSE
The Butterfly House offers visitors the opportunity to stroll amongst hundreds of live Australian butterflies in an indoor subtropical rainforest setting.
There’s educational displays, a café and maze to explore. BJ gives the scones in the café his seal of approval and he’s an expert taste tester having volunteered his services on many occasion.
Kids will love spotting the beautiful butterflies and if they’re lucky like BJ, they may have one or two land on them.
You can read more about our visit to the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House here.
DORRIGO NATIONAL PARK
Our visit to Dorrigo National Park was a highlight of our stay in Coffs Harbour. Using the TrailRider allowed our whole family the opportunity to explore the rainforest floor.
And for those not wanting to use a TrailRider, there are fabulous views from above the rainforest canopy too.
You can read more about Dorrigo National Park and how to borrow the TrailRider here.
WATERFALL WAY
Stretching from Coffs Harbour to Armidale, this spectacular 185km drive winds through five gorgeous national parks with breathtaking waterfall views. As we were based in Coffs Harbour we did a portion of this drive and continued beyond Dorrigo National Park to Ebor Falls.
We were impressed with the accessible viewing platforms at the waterfalls.
This is a stunning drive but if you are travelling with anyone who suffers from car sickness be warned this is a windy drive.
You can read more about the Waterfall Way Drive here.
COFFS HARBOUR NORTHERN BREAKWALL
We took the walk from the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club to Muttonbird Island. The island itself isn’t wheelchair accessible but we enjoyed the walk along the Northern Breakwall.
DOLPHIN MARINE MAGIC
A day at Dolphin Marine Magic gave BJ an up close encounter with some beautiful marine animals and the rare opportunity to be part of the show. To say BJ was elated would be an understatement. It was another highlight of our time in Coffs Harbour and accessible to all.
I’ve shared lots of photos and information about our visit to Dolphin Marine Magic here.
URUNGA BOARDWALK
Urunga is only a 20 minute drive south of Coffs Harbour and we think it’s a hidden gem which visitors to the region may miss. We were fortunate to be staying in the sleepy town and loved every minute. Urunga Boardwalk is a meeting place for locals and visitors in the know. It’s a terrific reason to visit Urunga if you are staying in the Coffs Harbour area.
Each day we did the walk along the boardwalk and had a front row view of nature going about its daily routine. From iridescent blue crabs marching across the sand to beautiful water birds and the odd wallaby grazing.
You can read our full review on Urunga Boardwalk here.
URUNGA WETLANDS BOARDWALK
The residents of Urunga Heads are lucky to have two boardwalks within a short drive of each other. The Urunga Wetlands Walk was newly opened when we visited but I’m sure it’s become a firm favourite for the birdlife and scenery.
You can read our full review of Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk here.
COFFS HARBOUR TRIKE TOURS
Donning a helmet for a trike ride isn’t something I often do but holidays provide unique opportunities which I revel in trying. We find these experiences connect our family and it’s wonderful to relax and enjoy each other’s company without the daily admin of life. It’s what we look forward to when planning a trip and something we reminisce about when it’s over. Usually I’d send BJ with Hubby on a trike ride but this time I channeled my inner biker chick and hit the open road.
BJ absolutely loved this experience and for those who don’t mind longer on a bike, there are tours to Bellingen and Dorrigo.
You can read about our Trike Tour here.
WHERE WE STAYED
The easy access cabin at Reflections Holiday Parks Urunga Heads (formerly North Coast Holiday Parks Urunga Heads) ticked all the boxes for our family’s relaxing accessible getaway. Aside from the fully accessible cabin making our stay easy, this holiday park is in a fabulous waterfront location. If you’re looking for the bright lights and nightlife of the big city, then Urunga Heads isn’t for you, but the quietness of the town is exactly what we loved.
The Urunga Heads boardwalk is within an easy walk or wheel from this cabin.
You can read our review and see inside the cabin here.
Coffs Harbour has a great range of indoor and outdoor wheelchair accessible activities for the whole family. If you know of other activities we should add please pop them in comments below.
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