Day 8 Coffs Harbour and Nambucca NSW

Mutton Bird Island is the jewel in the crown of Coffs Harbour. Surrounded by ocean sparkling in shades of blue, the island affords views of the Coffs Coast and hinterland from a unique, off-shore perspective.

The outdoor learning centre will enrich the experience by providing fascinating cultural information. The eastern lookout offers spectacular views of the Solitary Islands, and between May and November this is the perfect spot for whale watching.

The Detailed Experience The walk begins at the Coffs Harbour Marina. As you stroll along the break wall, with the ocean sparkling with turquoise and deep sapphire hues, you may glimpse a dolphin, sea turtle, school of fish, or stingray.

At the end of the break wall, at the foot of Muttonbird Island, is the award winning Muttonbird Island outdoor learning space. Learn about fascinating traditional Aboriginal Dreamtime stories like the giant moon-man guardian who protected the island.

The trail up Muttonbird Island is sealed but steep. For those needing to catch their breath there is a bench halfway up that provides a superb view of the marina. As you walk along the track to the lookout at the top, on either side of the path you’ll notice open burrows. This is an important roosting and breeding site for the Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Signage along the way explains the lifecycle of these migratory birds. It is important to stay on the track as the burrows are extremely fragile and the plant cover provides little protection from cave-ins which can be disastrous for the birds.

The eastern lookout is perched above wave-worn rock platforms at the far end of the walkway. The lookout affords year round unimpeded views of Solitary Islands Marine Park. Between May and November you might see humpback whales on their annual migration. On a clear day you can see South West Rocks in the south and north to Woolgoolga.

SAWTELL Idyllic beaches, chic cafes and a splendid national park make Sawtell a marvellous seaside escape on the beautiful Coffs Coast of NSW. Enjoy kayaking, fishing, surfing and bushwalking. In the Bongil Bongil National Park is a large koala colony, and whale watching is popular from rugged headlands.

Enormous fig trees on the charming main street provide shade for the enticing boutiques and the tempting cafes and restaurants with alfresco tables. Delicious fresh produce is a feature of one of the hottest events, the Sawtell Chilli Festival, a fun July day for the family with rides for the kids.

Adjacent the township is Sawtell Beach, which curves 2.1km from Bonville Headland in the south to Boambee Head in the north. At the southern end is the small Sawtell Island, a rocky reef that shelters Sailors Bay. Patrolled in summer, the beach is great for swimming, fishing and surfing.

An ocean pool is on Bonville Headland’s southern side where the Bonville Creek flows into the sea. The pretty creak meanders through the Bongil Bongil National Park, a great destination for fishing, kayaking, bushwalking and birdwatching. The enchanting Bongil picnic area has free gas barbecues.

The Urunga Boardwalk has to be one of the best boardwalks on the east coast, with spectacular views from the entire length of the boardwalk. Starting from the charming town of Urunga, the boardwalk passes along the banks of the Kalang River, to the junction with the Bellinger River and out to the ocean, with stunning views inland past Urunga town and up the river valleys to the Great Dividing Range, north across the rivers to Mylestom Spit and south along the beach to Picket Hill and beyond to Nambucca Heads. Distance 1km, 30 mins walk.

NAMBUCCA HEADS An enchanting seaside destination, Nambucca Heads is at the mouth of the meandering Nambucca River on the mid North Coast of NSW. Natural beauty abounds, from the uncrowded beaches to the sparkling estuary where dolphins play and the littoral rainforest in the splendid coastal national park.

The name Nambucca is derived from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘entrance to waters’, and you can discover the tranquil waterway with Nambucca River Cruises. You might encounter bottlenose dolphins frolicking and hunting in the estuary as white-bellied sea eagles and ospreys soar above.