9 Best Dog Friendly Coffs Harbour Things To Do

Last updated on 10 June, 2023

Is Coffs Harbour worth visiting with a dog? Well, yes, it is with its abundance of dog friendly Coffs Harbour things to do.

Where the mountains of the Great Diving Range meet the ocean, Coffs Harbour is a place of tremendous natural beauty. It is also a bustling regional city with attractions you and your dog can do together.

We have a list of the best dog friendly Coffs Harbour things to do for you and your dog.

Related read: Dog Friendly NSW Attractions and Tours

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Best Dog Friendly Coffs Harbour Things To Do

What to do in Coffs Harbour with a dog? Dog friendly beaches, walks, lookouts and famous landmarks are on our list.

Whale Watching

Whale sightings in Coffs Harbour are frequent from April to November as Humpback Whales migrate along the Australian east coast. Most fortunately, Coffs has several great onshore advantage points for watching whales with your dog.

Our favourite spots for whale watching with our dog Chika in and around Coffs were the dog friendly:

Look At Me Now Headland,
Woolgoolga Headland,
Arrawarra Headland,
Southern Breakwall, and
Bonville Headland in Sawtell.

Our tip is to take binoculars and a picnic with you as it makes the whale watching experience even better.

Big Banana

No one can claim to have been to Coffs Harbour unless they visit and get the iconic photo in front of the Coffs Harbour attraction, the Big Banana.

Is the Big Banana dog friendly? Yes, some areas allow dogs. The highly recognisable Big Banana is dog friendly. The Big Banana Cafe provides outdoor dining where dogs are welcome.

The Big Banana Funpark is a hub of activities. There is a water park, a giant slide, a toboggan, mini golf, a cheese factory and a lolly shop where twice daily lolly-making demonstrations. Unfortunately, these are not dog friendly. We left Chika tethered outside the cheese factory and lolly shop while we visited both.

Coffs Harbour Marina

Coffs Harbour Marina is an international marina and the precinct surrounding it boasts park lands, cafes, restaurants, speciality stores and more. Hundreds of sail and other boats moored at marina, it is a sight to see and we found it to be an interesting place to meander. Also if you have a dog like us, dogs are permitted on a lead. We enjoyed walking around the area.

Coffs Harbour Jetty is an old timber jetty completed in 1892 and it is a feature of the local landscape. In the water around and under the jetty we saw a lone dolphin swimming, a lovely way to end that particular day.

Coffs Harbour dog friendly — Southern Breakwall Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour Historical Jetty

Coffs Harbour Jetty is a lovely old timber jetty completed in 1892. Dogs on lead are permitted to walk on the jetty. Be mindful that the beach is not dog friendly. Listed below are the beaches you can take your dog in Coffs Harbour.

During our walk on the jetty late afternoon, we were fortunate to see a lone dolphin in the surrounding water. There was something incredible about watching the dolphin swim around. It is now a fond memory.

Southern Breakwall

Coffs Harbour Southern Breakwall, constructed using 12 tonne concrete blocks, helps to protect the harbour from big seas. There is a dog friendly (on lead) pathway along the breakwall for walkers and bike riders.

Be careful of potential high seas when walking along the Southern Breakwall. Waves have been known to come over the top and could potentially sweep someone away. We also discovered nowhere to shelter from the rain when it poured on us.

The absolute highlight was watching a whale breaching from the far end of the breakwall. It was a thrilling display to watch and more than made up for getting wet in the rain.

Coffs Harbour pet friendly — Forest Sky Pier

Forest Sky Pier

Forest Sky Pier is located at Sealy Lookout within the Bruxner Park Flora Reserve in the Oranan East State Forest, 20 minutes from the centre of Coffs Harbour. Dog friendly, Forest Sky Pier is a viewing platform 310m above sea level with spectacular far reaching views of the region and out to the ocean.

On a clear day, it is possible to see the ocean and spot some of Coffs Harbour’s attractions. We were able to see the Big Banana and the Marina.

There surrounding area has several dog friendly walking tracks that start at or near the pier. There are also picnic tables and toilets.

The drive to the lookout was along a mountain road through banana plantations and avocado farms. We recommend taking some coins and buying some bananas and or avocados from one of the roadside stalls.

Coffs Creek Walk and Bike Path

Coffs Creek Walk and Cycleway are nearly 8 kilometres in length. Dog friendly on a lead, the pathway goes past many of Coffs popular attractions.

The creek is also dog friendly, with many dogs enjoying a frolic in the water and zoomings on the sandy banks.

Dog Friendly Beaches

Coffs Harbour has many beaches to be enjoyed. Dogs are prohibited on some of the Coffs Harbour beaches however many allow dogs either on a lead and others are off leash. Coffs Harbour City Council has a comprehensive list of which beaches are dog friendly and those that are not. Boambee Beach and North Wall Beach Coffs Harbour were are pick for Chika as they were both close to centre of Coffs Harbour and allow dogs to be off leash.

Bonville Headland, Sawtell

Sawtell is a stunning seaside town 10 minutes south of Coffs Harbour. Of the things to do in Sawtell, Coffs Harbour, Bonville Headland, also known as Sawtell Headland, located at the southern end of Sawtell Beach, was our favourite. It is a brilliant spot for whale watching and dog friendly.

We made ourselves comfortable on the grassy hillside on the headland. For hours we watched numerous whales, with our binoculars, swim by. Many put on displays, breaching and tail slapping. One of the best days on our travels!

Chika was kept entertained by taking her for short walks on the headland, letting her sniff around and giving her lots of pats. She was also content to sleep in the sun. You should take a jacket. It can be windy and cold.

Memorial Rock Pool Sawtell — Memorial Rock Pool, Sawtell NSW

The Memorial Rock Pool, a war memorial, is located at the south end of the headland. It is a lovely example of an ocean pool with great views of the sea. The pool is not dog friendly.