PETTING ZOOS BOAMBEE

Coffs Harbour\'s and indeed Australia\'s most famous icon would have to be THE BIG BANANA. Thrill seekers are catered for at The Big Banana - a half kilometre downhill TOBOGGAN RIDE - guaranteed adrenalin rush and fun for all the family. Ice Skating is also available at the BIG BANANA ICE RINK and The world of Bananas interactive educational experience and plantation tour is fun and interesting for all ages. And now with the newest addition "The Hippo", the world\'s largest inflatable waterslide. The Big Banana is sure to put a smile on everybody\'s face.

Open your eyes to a world of magic and learn many interesting facts about Dolphins, Seals, Turtles & Blue Penguins at Dolphin Marine Magic, Coffs Harbour. 

Our educational “marine discovery” presentations run every day of the year, 10am & 1pm. And continue to delight visitors of all ages with interesting and entertaining information, as well as exciting routines that showcase the natural abilities of both Seals and Dolphins  

Rehabilitation is at the heart of everything we do at Dolphin Marine Magic. Over the years we have successfully rehabilitated and released hundreds of animals, including dolphins, seals, turtles and sea birds, back out into the wild for a second chance at life.

Every visitor gets an opportunity to receive a FREE kiss from our friendly Dolphins and cheeky Seals, before each marine magic presentation, make sure you arrive early; these fishy kisses should not be missed!

Open every day of the year. 

Café & Functions

The Creekside Café is open every day from 7:30am to 3pm for food and only coffee and cake to 3:30pm. The Creekside Cafe boasts superb water views, coffee, delicious meals and an inviting casual atmosphere. Nestled on the path of the Coffs Creek walk, the Creekside Cafe makes an ideal meeting place for breakfast, morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea. Looking for something special or a very interesting place to hold a party, corporate function, birthday party or wedding? We can help put some wildlife into your next function.

Dolphin Marine Magic is wet weather friendly, with plenty of shelter throughout the Park, a marquee in the garden, an awning over the grandstand and courtesy umbrellas available for use whilst in the grounds.

• Undercover area for strollers
• Wheelchair ramps to show area
• Large parking area, dedicated bus area
• EFTPOS Facilities
• Baby changing area
• Disabled toilet
• Undercover awning over grandstand
• Marquee in the garden park

How to get to Dolphin Marine Magic

Dolphin Marine Magic is located on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW, in the city of Coffs Harbour and sits approximately midway between Sydney and Brisbane off the Pacific Highway. Coffs Harbour has the largest and busiest regional airport in New South Wales, with regular flights operated by Qantas, Brindabella and Virgin Blue from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Located on the beautiful Boambee Creek at Sawtell, this picturesque reserve is the ideal destination for families, groups and anyone seeking a tranquil setting to relax. Enjoy the safe swimming, sandy beach, children's playground, shady trees and grassed areas with free barbecues. Estuary for paddling, paddle boards and fishing and a Solitary Island walking trail. There is a cafe on site and the shelters for hire (day reserve only) make it ideal for birthday parties, family get-togethers and club and community celebrations. Dogs welcome on leash, subject to Reserve Managers discretion.

Boambee Beach extends from Corambirra Point (near the Deep Sea Fishing Club) to Boambee Creek (north of Sawtell). The beach is not patrolled though popular with fishermen, horse trainers, joggers, jet-ski riders, four wheel drive enthusiasts, and dogs are allowed on the beach off the leash. Boambee Creek Reserve, at the southern end of Boambee beach, (access via Sawtell Road), is a popular area for locals with younger children. The reserve offers shallow water for smaller children and playground facilities. It is perfect for picnics as there are barbeques, shelters and takeaway food. The reserve also has beach showers and toilet facilities. The reserve charges a nominal fee for car parking in the reserve. Boambee Headland is also the perfect location for whale watching during winter and spring.

Don't flutter by... flutter in to the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House - home to over 400 live Australian butterflies every day of the year. Visit the butterflies in their fully enclosed environment, walk amongst them, experience their life cycle, spend time with one of the informative guides. A butterfly may even mistake you for a flower and land on you. You may also want to be entertained in the outdoor walled maze, consisting of a hunt for butterfly information and a patterned coloured maze with varying degrees of difficulty. Visitors can enjoy many homemade delights from the cafe or purchase a memento of the visit in the gift shop.

Bonville Golf Resort is acknowledged as one of the worlds most beautiful golf courses and consistently voted as the most beautiful in Australia. Situated halfway between Sydney and Brisbane on the beautiful Coffs Coast, Bonville Golf Resort is the ideal location for your next golfing experience, short stay accommodation or a long relaxing holiday. The Par 72 championship course rises and dips through the serene and beautiful layout with each fairway isolated and private from the next. Bonville's great appeal lies in the fact that it will stimulate and challenge golfers of every standard. Once you have experienced the beauty and allure of Bonville, you will want to return again and again. The resort features 30 accommodation rooms all overlooking the first fairway. Enjoy the multi award winning Flooded Gums Restaurant which is a winner of one 'Chefs Hat' in the 2013 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards.

The Solitary Islands Marine Park is the third largest marine protected area in New South Wales. It covers a total area of 71,000 hectares and extends along 75 kilometres of coast from Coffs Harbour north to the Sanden River mouth. The park is home to a huge diversity of marine life, with a tropical, temperate and sub-tropical species of fish, coral and algae being the main attraction for divers. Signage indicates where specific activities such as diving, fishing and collecting may be undertaken. The marine park includes the tidal waters of estuaries, beaches and headlands within its boundaries and is protected by a special zoning scheme designed to protect fish habitat. Marine park comprises sanctuary zones; refuge zones and general use areas covering 75 kilometres.

The North Coast Regional Botanic Garden is renowned for its natural bushland as well as exotic species.

Wheelchair accessible paths and board walks lead to garden sections featuring rare and endangered species, naturally occurring mangroves, rainforest, native flora and exotic plantings. Plants considered threatened in their natural habitat are featured.

The Glasshouses contain rare displays of bromeliads, orchids, cacti and tropical species. Open weekdays only.

Covering 20 hectares, the garden lies in a bend of Coffs Creek at the end of Hardacre Street off Harbour Drive, just one kilometre from the city centre, a sub-tropical haven and an extension of Coffs Creek Walk.

The Garden Cafe opens on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 10am to 2.30pm for light lunches and snacks. The menu varies seasonally.

Looking for things to do, family or holiday fun? Go camel riding with Coffs Coast Camels. Located half-way between Sydney and Brisbane, Coffs Harbour is the perfect holiday destination. Beach camel rides are a popular, tourist attraction and activity tour, to include in your travel itinerary of different, exciting, and fun things to do while travelling the East Coast of New South Wales. Imagine riding a camel along a pristine, golden stretch of beach. Experience total relaxation sitting high a-top one of the gentle and majestic "Ships of the Desert" as they take you for a splash in the Pacific Ocean. Finding yourself in total awe of the majesty of the surrounding scenery, you will instantly leave all your worries behind. Also an educational experience, you will learn some amazing camel facts from the friendly handlers who walk in front of and behind your "Camel Caravan".

The Cove Miniature Golf Course is an Australiana themed 18 hole miniature golf course. The course is natural grass and each hole is themed individually based on various Australian themes such as Ned Kelly, Holden, Cricket, AFL, Beaches, Desert, Gold and Barbecue. The course is designed for play by adults and children.

The Wedding Bells State Forest boasts one hundred years of forestry management with its mix of native forest and eucalypt plantations. Wedding Bells State Forest features a beautiful waterfall and eight hectares of subtropical rainforest is home to more than 80 species of birds. The drive gives a diverse look at the forests of the Coffs Harbour area passing through many different types of forest. The drive goes to Mount Coramba where extensive views of the coastline and surrounding country are experienced.

Diggers Beach is well renowned for its waves by the local surfers. It is patrolled for the summer school holidays and is a popular location for both locals and visitors alike. If you've always wanted to learn to surf, the whole family can learn to stand up on a bound, guided by expert surf school instructors. Diggers Beach Reserve offers a playground, electric barbeques, picnic shelters, two viewing platforms and beach showers.

Pine Creek State Forest is located outside Coffs Harbour and is a great example of today's ecologically sustainable forest management practices. Pine Creek State Forest is a forest with long management history with beachside flora reserve, a rest area on the highway, a forest drive, a lookout and numerous two wheel drive roads.

Unspoilt beaches, littoral rainforest and fascinating estuaries offer an ideal setting for family activities. Canoeing is the best way to explore Bonville and Pine Creeks, from the Sawtell boat ramp. Alternatively, you can enjoy an easy walk from Tuckers Rocks. Nearby Sawtell offers accommodation and camping in a bush setting, at Sawtell Reserve. Bongil Bongil National Park is located ten kilometres south of Coffs Harbour, from Sawtell or via Tuckers Rock Road (unsealed) from Repton, Overhead Bridge Road (unsealed), or Lyons Road off the Pacific Highway.

“Dive in” and explore the marine life of the Coffs Coast
The Solitary Islands Aquarium, Located at Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre, serves as an important community asset helping to bring an awareness and appreciation for our marine environment through education and science. Our facility is focused on regional species, resource management and conservation. The aquarium provides an intimate experience for guests to learn about and to interact with marine life of the Coffs Coast.

Your Window to the Solitary Islands
A window into the unique marine environment of the Coffs Coast awaits you at the Solitary Islands Aquarium. Discover what makes the Coffs Coast so special through our series of aquariums, guided tours and visual displays.

Dive in without getting wet and see animals that call the Coffs Coast home, including colourful clownfish darting amongst the waving tentacles of sea anemone, crayfish and sea urchins slowly cruising over rocks and ledges, the beautiful, but poisonous lionfish gracefully looking for its next meal, and brilliantly coloured angelfish, tangs and butterfly fish gliding over iridescent corals.

Located at the National Marine Science Centre next to the Novotel Resort complex and open every Saturday and Sunday and every day during the NSW school holidays from 10am to 4pm, a visit to the Aquarium will be a memorable and enriching experience for all ages.

All areas of the aquarium are fully wheelchair accessible.

Experience our:

• Aquariums with exciting local species
• Touch tank – get up close and personal with a sea star, sea urchins and sea cucumbers
• Theatrette showcasing locally produced marine videos
• Games and activities for children
• Microscopes, hands on displays and information on the biology and geology of the Coffs Coast
• Guided tours with a qualified marine guide
• Theme-based exhibits and talks
   

Opening Hours

Saturday: 10am-4pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm

& NSW School Holidays:
April 3 to 19, 2015
June 27 to July 12, 2015
September 19 to October 5, 2015
December 19, 2015 to January 25, 2016
(Closed December 25, December 26, January 1)

Wood we create gallery contains work from resident artist, David Barden, and other local and Australian artists, capturing the story of the timber in the designs. They create one off original wood turned items for the discerning collector, a giving piece of nature for the environmentally conscious or a functional item for any home maker. Like the wood from which they evolve, each piece is original and unique. Crafted on site using the craftsmanship and artistic abilities of the creator, each item highlights the natural beauty and versatility of wood - enhancing the many colours, textures and uses of timber. Visitors have the opportunity to watch these creations being made or purchase a piece to take home with them.

The Plantation Hotel, affectionately referred to as the Planto by locals, is conveniently located in the heart of Coffs Harbour central business district, opposite the Ex Services Club. The Planto offers locals and visitors a friendly and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy. Whether it's a couple of beers and the footy with mates, a girls night out with great wine and something to nibble on, a family meal with the whole clan, or a function for 12 or 1200, the Planto is the place to be! Cheap meals, Coopers on tap, awesome bands and new decor. What more could you ask?

Club Coffs on West High is a family orientated destination. With an authentic Chinese Restaurant, great for families and group bookings. A Cafe offering sensational dinner meals at very reasonable prices. The Club also boasts the best lawn bowling greens in the State, plus two tennis courts and two futsal (soccer) courts. The first Sunday of the month is Family Fun Day, with free jumping castle, sumo suits, sausage sizzle and a free toy raffle for the Children. The Club hosts the Mid North Coast's only dedicated Texas Hold 'em Poker table, with poker on six days per week. Bingo is on Wednesday and Friday and not to be forgotten the traditional Friday and Sunday meat raffles. Club Coffs on West High, 'It's Your Club, It's Your Lifestyle'.

Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve provides a up-close glimpse of the life cycle of one of Australia's most interesting migratory birds. Wedge-tailed shearwaters, commonly known as muttonbirds, are one of the eight shearwater species found in New South Wales and this is the most significant muttonbird site in the state. The island, known as Gidayn Mirrlarl, is also significant to the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal People, who provide Discovery tours of the island. The entrance to the popular Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve underwent a major facelift in early 2012 with the addition of a new interpretive timber structure and education space. The structure incorporates an amphitheatre which is enveloped by a curved timber entry ramp giving access up onto the island, and a three metre high timber screen which provides a canvas for the largest Aboriginal public artwork in the region.

Park Beach Plaza is the largest shopping centre between Newcastle and the Gold Coast located on the Coffs Coast and has been servicing the region since 1979. Park Beach Plaza look forward to welcoming you soon and to make your visit that much easier please contact the friendly Customer Service team for further assistance.

Coffs Harbour Golf Club is a superb 27-hole championship golf course that will appeal to all golfers. One of the most beautiful golf courses on the Mid North Coast, the course is in immaculate condition. Located in the heart of town, it is regarded as one of the best all-weather courses in the district. The clubhouse is fully air-conditioned with a restaurant and full bar facilities.