Tag Archives: Coffs Harbour

Sun. Surf. Sand. Beautiful Beach in Coffs Harbour

01 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by in Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour

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Just a couple of kilometres north from Coffs central is the iconic Big Banana, a banana-themed water park. It is at this water park where you turn right and head down to the coast and you will end up at Diggers Beach.

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The ever popular Diggers Beach is perfectly located and is a favourite among the locals for surfing, fishing and swimming and hosts several big surfing events throughout the year.

Diggers beach is a sandy horse shoe shaped beach with headlands at each end and good surfing, especially at the southern end where the headland track leads to the main beach at Coffs Harbour. At the southern end there is a track taking you over the headland and down to the main beach. At the northern end it leads onto a grassy area behind which sits the Aanuka resort in a tropical setting. There is a large car park at the southern end with covered picnic shed.

It is great for surfers, they love it, however it can be dangerous if you don’t swim well. Diggers is a patrolled by lifeguards beach usually during summer and holiday times. Be sure to only ever swim between the flags. Actually swimming between the flags is very important on all Aussie beaches. If you get in to trouble, you have more chance to be noticed quickly by the lifeguards if you are in fact in between the flags.

Diggers beach is part of the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk and is probably about half way between Sawtell and Red Rock.

At very low tides it is possible to walk through to Little Diggers Beach but be aware that it has a reputation as a nudist beach. They definitely have no inhibitions so go there with an open mind.

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On the rear of the beach on the southern end there is a shelter and fresh water showers for after you have been in the sea. Also next to the car park is a small grassed area with picnic tables and B.B.Q’s. and a very nice clean toilet block

Diggers is a must see on a Coffs visit. The water, the beach … it’s just beautiful. It is not overdeveloped and there are no big buildings.

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Spectacular Coastal Walk – Australia

15 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by in Coffs Harbour, Solitary Islands Coastal Walk

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About half way between Brisbane and Sydney, positioned on the East Coast of Australia in NSW is the area known as the Mid North Coast. The part of this area that I visit regularly is the Coffs coast, Coffs Harbour.

Over the years, I have walked parts of the Solitary Islands coastal walk many times including Sawtell, Jetty, Park Beach, Macauleys Headland, Diggers, Charlesworth Bay, Korora, Sapphire and Moonee.

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The Solitary Islands coastal walk is a 60km stretch between Sawtell in the south to Red Rock in the northern beaches, linking a string of long golden beaches, rocky headlands and lush rainforest along the Coffs Coast. It is certainly one of the most beautiful walks on the east coast of Australia.

Solitary Islands and Muttonbird Island are picturesque and make for perfect bird watching, so bring your binoculars. Little terns and white bellied eagles are often seen along the shores. Dolphins surf the waves of these beaches all year round and the headlands are ideal for whale watching throughout the winter months.

The tracks are well set out with the walks to various grassy headlands. While some of the tracks are steep in places, they are well maintained and always provide interesting sea and mountain views.

 

There are kangaroos among the rocks on the beach as well as on the grass on the headland. Along the way there are surfing beaches where you can take amazing pictures of surfers. It is a magical experience.

 

Charlesworth Bay
Beaches along the way
Diggers Beach
Diggers Beach

This Coastal Walk is superb and can be done in stages. It is amazingly diverse – with long gorgeous beaches, steep stairs in suburbs, headlands, wildlife & estuaries along the way. Resting after walking at a pristine beach makes it even better

 

There is plenty of coast line to see with not a lot of bush restricting views. You are also able to get easy access to all the beaches and can then take a swim or just saunter along the sand.

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These are some of the prettiest beach coves along the northern NSW coastline, with plenty of lovely coffee spots or picnic locations en route. You can visit lookouts and headlands and join the walk in many different places.

 

The total distance of the walk is 60 km but you can choose to do as much or as little as you like.

Overall it is a fabulous experience, mostly clearly signposted and comfortable walking. I would definitely recommend it.

Picturesque Sawtell – Coastal Australia

02 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by in Mid North Coast NSW, Sawtell

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Situated on the mid north coast of NSW,  approximately half way between Brisbane and Sydney is the very beautiful  city of Coffs Harbour.  Coffs Harbour is where my family lives so I am lucky to visit this beautiful part of the NSW coast regularly and often. It is less than a 5 hour drive for me from my home in Brisbane.

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Safe Swimming Area for families

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Main street of Sawtell

About a 20 minute drive south of Coffs Harbour is the lovely seaside town of Sawtell.

With its idyllic beaches, chic cafes and a stunning coastal national park  Sawtell is a delightful destination for a seaside escape.  Its unspoiled beaches, rain-forest, wildlife, wetlands and estuaries, make it an ideal location for outdoor adventures.

Sawtell Beach
Sawtell Beach

We have stopped often for lunch at the Sawtell Surf club which is right on the beach. It not only offers great food but a gorgeous outlook.

20170926_123117Just about a few minutes drive or a 10 minute walk from the centre of  town is the Boambee Headland with its breathtaking views towards the north and down to the south.

Boambee Headland
Boambee Headland
Boambee Headland
Boambee Headland

If travelling south towards Sawtell this is an easy lookout to access. Be sure to drive to the second, higher car park where it isn’t even necessary to get out of you vehicle to enjoy expansive views to the north and also south toward Sawtell.  If you have time there are gentle paved paths down to the ocean. Also, timber stairs which offer easy access to the swimming beach.

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Looking north

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Looking north

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Looking north

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Looking north

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Looking north

Buy a picnic, take it up to the headland and just sit and relax looking out to sea. There are regular sightings of hump backed whales and dolphins.

Looking south
Looking south
Rock pool

Standing on the headland and looking towards the south the views are spectacular.

The village’s main street is adorned with enormous fig trees, which provide shade for boutiques and outdoor dining at cafes and restaurants. Stop in to one of the many restaurants and cafes for a coffee or great lunch or just stop at one of the many table and benches in the centre of the town for a picnic lunch.  The street, trees and cafes in the evening are decorated with lights giving it a fairy tale look.

Main street Sawtell
Main street Sawtell
Main street Sawtell
Main street Sawtell
Main street Sawtell
Main street Sawtell

Christmas in Australia

22 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Christmas in Australia

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Australia is the Land Down Under, where the seasons are opposite to the northern hemisphere.  It is mostly always hot here in Australia on Christmas day, so the heat of early summer has an impact on the way we celebrate Christmas

With the absence of cold weather and snow, many Australians spend Christmas out of doors, going to the beach for the day, or heading to camping grounds for a longer break over the Christmas holiday period.

My family’s traditional Christmas day always starts with exchanging gifts after breakfast and then we head to the beach for a short visit. In days past, we spent many hours in the surf at the beach before returning home for our late Christmas lunch.

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We often have friends join us for Christmas lunch which is always a very casual, easy going and relaxing affair and also includes a rest in the late afternoon for most of us.

Due to the heat, many of us no longer serve a traditional hot roast dinner.  In our house, cold turkey and cold chicken and ham, seafood and salads are served instead. This is followed by the traditional Christmas plum pudding with brandy custard, ice cream or cream and also fresh seasonal fruits.  Pavlova, a meringue base topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, has also become a popular Christmas dessert. We all have a laugh with the pulling of bon bons which hold silly little paper hats and useless trinkets.

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Bon Bons

Whatever your plans are for the festive season, enjoy. Thank you for reading my stories and thank you for following me.

Happy Christmas, Lyn

mc