Coffs Harbour

A true gem of the northern New South Wales coast, Coffs Harbour is one of the bigger towns in the region. Built on the back of banana plantations, Coffs now buzzes with markets, cafes, and yachts bobbing in the marina.

After breakfast on board, arrive into Coffs Harbour Station and travel by coach to the Great Dividing Range. At 3,500kms, this is the third-longest mountain range in the world. Poised on the edge of the rainforest, Sealy Lookout is home to Forest Sky Pier, a viewing platform soaring dramatically out from the hillside.

Back down in the town, go on a guided tour through the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, which sits on 20 hectares. Meander through exotic plants from sub-tropical regions of the world as you learn about the history of the garden or set off at your own pace and enjoy the 5 kilometres of paths and boardwalks on a self-guided tour.

Lunch is served back on the Great Southern as you cross the border into Queensland.

Tour duration (including travel time) is approximately 3 hours.

Recommended Fitness Level: Low

PLEASE NOTE: Guests are required to bring comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen and water.

About 30kms south of Coffs Harbour is the little seaside town at Urunga, where a coastal boardwalk offers a fascinating insight into the local Indigenous culture and environment.

After breakfast, the Great Southern pulls into the tiny station of Urunga. From here, it’s a short coach ride to Urunga Boardwalk, where a local Indigenous guide will meet you. Stroll the boardwalk where the Kalang and Bellinger rivers meet the sea. Look for stingrays and herons wading in the mangroves as your guide interprets this unique ecosystem, highlighting local wildlife and bush tucker.

After the boardwalk, immersive yourself in the rich cultural history of the Gumbaynggirr people, experience a demonstration of traditional tools and weaponry, and see and taste bush tucker, all local to the area. A short coach ride to Coffs Harbour will see you rejoin the Great Southern, where lunch is served as you roll north towards Brisbane.

Tour duration is approximately 3.5 hours.

Recommended Fitness level: Moderate – walking tour, approximately 2 kilometres of walking required.

PLEASE NOTE: It is recommended guests bring a hat and sunscreen.

Tailor made for Great Southern guests, take in all that Coffs Harbour has to offer – from the mountains to the sea – in one easy flight.

Taking to the air, we’ll head north over the city providing spectacular views of the harbour and International Marina. Flying up the coast to Moonee Beach, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of nearby Split Solitary Island and the surrounding pristine waters and beautiful beaches.

We then climb in altitude, giving a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Great Dividing Range, coastline and hinterland. At 1,936 feet, we’ll cruise over Mt Coramba, granting views into the Orara Valley and Friday Creek before making our way back to Coffs Harbour via the impressive Karangi Dam.

Tour duration (including travel time) is approximately 3 hours.

Recommended Fitness Level: Low – guests will enjoy unaccompanied freetime.

PLEASE NOTE: Guests are required to bring comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen and water. If intending on swimming, guests must bring their own swimwear. Towels will be provided. Weight restrictions of 130kg per person apply.