The old timber jetty in the harbour at Coffs is the place to go for a passeggiata or a promenade(walk) as we call it in Australia.

Or you can just sit and fish, photograph sunrise or watch swimmers, seabirds, fishing boats, outrigger canoe paddlers and cruising yachts come and go.

This is where much of the local seafood for the mid north coast is brought in by the commercial fishing boats.  And, where the whale watch cruise boats set out between June and November

The marina breakwall now joins the mainland to the once isolated Muttonbird Island. This allows pedestrian access to viewing platforms at the top and eastern end of the island. From the top the panorama is 360 degrees – ocean, islands, marina and mountains. At the eastern end, the scene is of rocky coast, harbour entrance and the Pacific horizon. This is a perfect location for whale spotting.

There is a great collection of restaurants and cafes both on the Jetty and at the entrance to the Jetty which is called the Jetty strip.

Today we chose to eat at Lattitude 30 which is a Mediterranean style restaurant with amazing views out to sea or looking back towards the mountains

Each Sunday the Jetty and harbour area come alive with the Harbourside markets selling local fresh produce, hand made crafts, jewellery, clothes, plants and much more. You can enjoy a snack or meal from one of the many vendors and sit back under the trees by the beach and listen to live music. After the markets you can go for a swim at the Jetty beach, or sit in the park and barbeque your lunch at one of the many free barbeques.

No matter what time of year you visit, the Jetty Coffs Harbour Marina is always alive with activity .

If you want to stay there is a good choice of accommodation, including serviced apartments , resorts, hotels, motels, b&b’s, backpackers, pubs and more.