LEARN ABOUT LOCAL INDIGENOUS CULTURE

Spotting whales from a boat is a thrilling experience in itself, but swimming with them? Out of this world. This unforgettable tour operates from Coffs Harbour in August and September and, when whales are spotted, which is highly likely, participants are invited to swim with these graceful giants at a distance – if whales seem curious and conditions are right, that is. An experience very few can say they’ve had in their lifetime.

Connect to land and sea and listen to traditional stories from local Indigenous guides, all while gliding along a picturesque estuary onboard a stand-up paddleboard. Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours offers this totally unique 2.5-hour SUP tour that teaches about the local Gumbaynggirr culture and includes a taste of native bush tucker in the beautiful Solitary Islands Marine Park . While over in the Orana State Forest, the Giingan Cultural Experience takes place at Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) and immerses you in local Indigenous culture through song, stories, language and a demonstration of native plant use with panoramic views of the Coffs Coast from the mountains to the sea. Both these experiences contribute directly to the local Indigenous community.

Just an hour’s drive from Coffs Harbour, the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest is part of the world’s largest area of subtropical rainforest. Visitors to Dorrigo National Park can join a number of walking tracks from the Rainforest Centre. One of the best is the 6.6-kilometre Wonga Walk, which takes you through lush rainforest, among 600-year-old trees, to cascading waterfalls, and – with more than 128 species of birds – twitchers will love it. Also don’t miss the 70-metre skywalk, which is suspended 21 metres above the rainforest.

One for the adrenaline junkies! Not only does Coffs Skydivers fly over 300 kilometres of breathtaking coastline with the Great Dividing Range in the background, its skydives are also the highest freefall possible in NSW and end with a beach landing in the pristine Solitary Islands Marine Park. The scenic flight climbs up to 4.57 kilometres above the beautiful coastline before divers take the 70-second plunge back down to Earth, landing at beautiful Park Beach in Coffs Harbour. Talk about a trifecta.