Coffs Harbour



We left Armidale and the weather had turned cold and raining for our drive down to Coffs Harbour. At one point of the drive up around Dorrgio the car said the outside temperature was 9 degrees but as it was raining provided us with some wonderful waterfalls to pass by. By the time we reached Coffs Harbour the sun was shining and the temperature was 27 degrees.

One of the many waterfalls along Waterfall Way



looking out from our site at Sapphire Beach caravan park



On arrival at Coffs Harbour, some 3 hours after we left Armidale, we checked in to our caravan park the Sapphire Beach Caravan Park also known as Split Solitary Caravan Park about a 10 minute drive north of Coffs. We decided to stay at this park for 2 reasons the main one being Rob's niece's live a 5 minute walk away and two the park didn't charge for children under 5. We had booked here for 11 nights and paid $356 for a powered site ($32.35 per night) with 2 nights being at peak rate due to NSW School Holidays (which was only $40 a night anyway) and also received 10% off with our RACV membership. Only a small park right on the beach which is pet friendly and set amongst a rainforest gardens with their own billabong, pool, playground with mini golf and camp kitchen. Amenities where coded for entry and clean. Another park we would stay at again of we were ever to travel up this way again. Our site was number 68. 

Looking from the beach towards Spilt Solitary Island



J at in the pool at Sapphire Beach Caravan Park




Sealy Lookout



Thursday afternoon was spent setting up and exploring the park and the beach before catching up with the neices after they finished school. Friday, it rained all day so we went to Park Beach Plaza did some grocery shoping and a general drive around looking of Coffs in the rain. Saturday morning was once again raining but between rain showers we headed up to Bruxner Park and up to the Sealy lookout and the skywalk giving amazing views of Coffs harbour.





looking back up the Bellinger river showing the Mylestrom
tidal river area and Rob



Sunday both Rob and A weren't feeling the best so we just stayed around the park. I took J out shell forsicking on the beach while the 2 sick boys rested. A decided he didn't need an afternoon sleep so we thought we would go for a drive south in hope he would fall asleep in the car (which he did for only 30 minutes). One the way i googled what we could see in the area and we decided to go and see the Mylestom tidal river pool which is part of the Bellinger river. What a little gem for little kids, a netted pool with a boardwalk around the outside, the boys had a ball trying to catch tiny fish with their hands as the tide come in. (there is a surf beach on the other side of town for the older children) After a few hours playing here we drove back to the caravan park via Urunga then back up the Pacfic Highway.



Mylestom tidal river pool looking down from the road



J swimming in the Mylestrom tidal river pool

Monday we headed up to Bellingen and the Bellingen Valley. After morning tea in Bellingen we head 12km out to Gleniffer to the Promised Land and the Never Never creek. WOW what a magical spot. The Never Never creek is crystal clear and in parts very shallow. We spent a good hour here doing nothing but listening to nature and throwing rocks back into the river, so peaceful and relaxing wish we had taken our lunch and had a picnic. The water was a bit chilly but I'm told its a popular spot to go swimming in summer. We then drove the promised land loop which crosses the Never never creek many times and back to Coffs via the Tuckers Nob State Forest Road to Valery and Bonville (is unsealed in sections). and back on to the Pacific hwy. 

The Never Never Creek



The Boys sitting riverside at The Never Never Creek

On the way home we called into The Big Banana to get that happy snap of all things big.



A, Shandelle and J at the Big Banana

 Tuesday we had a quiet day we spent the morning at the beach and and the afternoon was spent doing domestic duties but we did head up to Emerald beach to see Look a Me Now headland which gave us  fantastic views over the coast, the ocean and out to the Solitary Islands.

Look at me know headland looking back at Moonee Beach with some Kangaroo's in the left hand corner

Wednesday i had a hairdressers appointment and a osteopath appointments so the boys spent another day just around the caravan park, the beach and great playground not far from the caravan park. Thursday we went out for breakfast and then to Marine Dolphin Magic (formally known as the pet porpoise pool). We decided to do Dolphin magic rather than Seaworld on the Gold Coast as we felt the boys were a bit to young to do the theme parks. It cost us $83.50 ( $33 per adult and $17.50 for children 3-15 with under 3s free) but was well worth it with the boys getting up and close with both a seal and a dolphin for free kisses with professional photos before the marine discovery show. J also got the opportunity to feed a seal,  and fairy penguins.



Part of the show




J feeding a seal at Dolphin Marine magic





J feeding the pengiuns at Dolphin Marine Magic

 Friday was niece's day, we spent the day with the girls before they headed to their dads for school holidays. First we went to Carobana, a working factory and shop which makes and sells carob products and honeycomb. We were disappointed to find that the plant had broken down and was not working when we arrived but it was still great to have a look through and learn about carob and honeycomb making. (was free entry) They had free samples to try which tempted us to buy some carob buttons for A to try (due to his intolerance's he has never had chocolate or carob) and some carob coated honeycomb pieces for us. We then headed for the marina and walked out to and over Mutton bird island then back along the marina checking out of the fish in the shallow water before having lunch.

View from Mutton bird Island looking back at the marina the jetty and Coffs harbour

The boys went back to the caravan park for afternoon sleeps and rest while i took the girls shopping for their birthday presents.

Saturday we headed up to "CurryFest" at Woolgoolga. The boys had a great time watching the street parade, the singing and dancing and Rob and I enjoyed sampling the currys. Sunday was spent at the beach as this was our last caravan park on the beach for about a month as we head into central Queensland. Sunday afternoon was spent packing up as we left on the Monday

Next destination..... Murwillumbah