Travelling with kids is always easier when you have a few good day-trip ideas up your sleeve. The beauty of the Coffs Coast is that it offers plenty of family-friendly options that balance fun, flexibility and practicality. From iconic attractions and wildlife encounters to beaches, parks and easy places to eat, there are lots of ways to build a memorable day out without needing to overcomplicate things.
For families, the appeal of the Coffs Coast lies in its variety. You can spend the morning at a major attraction, slow things down with a picnic or beach stop in the afternoon, and still have time for an easy dinner before heading back to your accommodation. Whether you are travelling with toddlers, school-aged kids or a mix of ages, the region makes it easy to combine paid attractions with free outdoor experiences in a way that feels manageable, enjoyable and good value.
These five family-friendly day trip itineraries are designed to help visitors explore the Coffs Coast with a little less guesswork. They combine some of the region’s best-loved family attractions with natural stops, local food options and practical ideas for keeping the day balanced. From Coffs Harbour and the Jetty to Bonville, Sawtell and beyond, each itinerary is designed to help families make the most of their time on the Coffs Coast.
Big Banana Day Trip: The Ultimate Family Fun Day
For families who want an easy all-in-one day out, the Big Banana Fun Park is a great choice. Instead of driving between multiple stops, this itinerary keeps things simple by spending most of the day in one place. It is a practical option for families with mixed ages, with plenty to do, room to take breaks and enough variety to keep the day feeling fun without becoming complicated.
Morning
Start the day at the Big Banana Fun Park and settle in for a full attractions day. With the Ultimate Pass, families can enjoy the park’s classic attractions at their own pace, which is especially helpful when travelling with different ages and energy levels
Afternoon
Keep the day centred around the park and continue making the most of everything included in your pass. If you are visiting from September to April, this is the perfect time to cool off in the Water Park, which adds even more family fun to the day. Between attractions, take breaks when you need them, grab a treat and enjoy the fact that you do not need to leave the park to keep everyone entertained.
Evening
After a big day out, keep dinner simple and family-friendly with a stop at The Hoey Moey. It is an easy way to wind down after a full day, and the pinball machines give kids one last bit of fun before heading back to your accommodation. This itinerary is ideal for families wanting a day trip built around one major experience, with plenty to do and very little stress.
Make sure you get your Instagram photo in front of the Big Banana
The Big Banana Water Park is open September to April
Race your family and friends on the Big Banana Giant Slide
Mini Golf is perfect for the whole family
The Hoey Moey is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner
Hoey Moey Beer Garden
Jetty Family Day: Wildlife Care, Foreshore Fun and Easy Coastal Walks
For families who want a day that mixes learning, fresh air and easy coastal stops, the Jetty and Marina precinct is one of the best places on the Coffs Coast to base yourselves. What makes this itinerary work so well is the balance. You can start with a meaningful wildlife experience, then slow things down with playground time, beach time and a few easy walks, all without needing to cover much ground. It is a practical option for mixed ages, with enough variety to keep the day interesting while still feeling manageable.
Morning
Start at The Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, where families can spend the morning learning more about the sanctuary’s rescue and rehabilitation work, especially its care for rescued turtles. The sanctuary’s rescue and rehabilitation work gives families a chance to learn more about how injured turtles and other marine animals are cared for before they can return to the wild, adding a thoughtful and educational layer to the visit.
Afternoon
After your visit to the sanctuary, keep the rest of the day relaxed around the Jetty Foreshore. Grab lunch from Attitude Burgers, then let younger kids burn off some energy in the playground before heading to Jetty Beach for a paddle or some sand time.
From there, take a walk out along the Historic Coffs Harbour Jetty, and if everyone still has energy, add the walk up Muttonbird Island (Giidany Miirlarl). It is short, scenic and from May to November you may be lucky enough to spot whales passing by on their migration.
Evening
Wrap up the day with dinner at the Jetty Pavilion, which keeps things easy for families after a full day out. If you are visiting on a Thursday night, it is worth checking in for the kids eat free offer from 5pm to 8pm, which makes this an even better-value way to finish the day.
The Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is dedicated to conservation education and the long-term care of native marine wildlife.
Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary educates visitors on the importance of protecting Australia’s unique ecosystems through interactive programs and immersive experiences
The Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary Animal has provided a safe haven for animals like dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and turtles since 1970
Jetty Beach is a protected beach which is popular with both locals and tourists, behind the beach you will find the Jetty Foreshores Park
Stroll along the Coffs Harbour International Marina and watch the fishing boast come in with their fresh catch
Attitude Burgers is a laid‑back, flavour‑packed burger joint, serving up chargrilled gourmet burgers with plenty of personality and local charm
Southern Beaches Family Day Trip: Butterflies, Rock Pools and Sunset Views
For families wanting a relaxed day out around the Southern Beaches, this is a great option. With time between a fun family attraction, an easy lunch stop and the coastal beauty of the Sawtell end of the Coffs Coast, it offers a good mix of play, fresh air and simple outdoor fun. It is well suited to mixed ages, with enough variety to keep the day interesting while still feeling relaxed and enjoyable.
Morning
Head south to the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, where families can enjoy a fun and easy morning with a mix of experiences in one stop. You can wander through the butterfly house and see live butterflies, get lost in the maze and explore the playful dinosaur forest. For kids who love dinosaurs, it is worth timing your visit around the daily shows, with the big dino show at 11am and 1:30pm and the baby dino show at 12 noon.
It is a colorful and easy way to begin the day, especially for younger kids who will enjoy the mix of movement, imagination and hands-on fun. With a few different areas to explore, it feels varied enough to keep little ones entertained without needing to turn it into a full-day stop.
Afternoon
For lunch, head to the Toormina Hotel, where the kids playground makes it easy for everyone to refuel and reset before the next stop. Then make your way to the coast and spend the afternoon around Bonville Headland. If conditions are right and the tide is low, the rock pools are a fun place for kids to search for sea life, turning a simple beach stop into a little adventure
After that, Sailors Bay offers a sheltered spot for a swim and some quieter time by the water. The bay is sheltered and usually relatively calm, making it a good option for families, though it is important to note that it is not patrolled.
Evening
To finish the day, grab some takeaway in Sawtell and head to the top of Bonville Headland to watch the sunset. It is a simple, low-cost way to end the outing and gives the day a relaxed coastal finish that feels a little special without needing much extra effort.
From the headland, you can take in sweeping views along the coast, and if you are visiting during whale season, you may even be lucky enough to spot whales passing by offshore. It is a lovely final stop that rounds out this kid-friendly day trip near Coffs Harbour with a chance to slow down and enjoy the view together.
Time your visit to Coffs Harbour Butterfly House around the daily brontosaur shows
Wander through the butterfly house and see live butterflies
At the Toormina Hotel there’s something on the menu for everyone – from pub classics through to gourmet pizzas and healthier options
The Toormina Hotel has been voted the best family friendly pub in NSW
To finish the day, grab some takeaway in Sawtell and head to the top of Bonville Headland or sit under the shadow of the 100 year old fig trees
Coffs Harbour CBD Day Trip: Art, Playgrounds and Easy Eats
For families wanting a day that feels flexible and easy to shape as you go, this is a great option. With a mix of indoor and outdoor stops in the heart of Coffs Harbour, it works especially well for mixed ages and lower-cost planning. This itinerary works well because it combines creativity, culture and play in a way that still feels easy and family-friendly, with plenty of room to wander at your own pace.
Morning
Begin at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM), where families can spend time exploring the current exhibition and enjoying a more creative start to the day. Be sure to visit the permanent exhibition Yaamanga (around here), which offers a meaningful introduction to place, story and local identity. It is a particularly handy option when you want something indoors, but still interesting and substantial.
If you are travelling in a season when special exhibitions or events are on, it is worth checking What’s On at YAM before you go
Afternoon
In the afternoon, set off on the City Centre Art Trail, which begins at Yarrila Arts and Museum and offers a fun and easy way to explore more of the Coffs City Centre on foot while discovering colourful public art along the way. The trail takes you past King Tide Brewing, making it a natural spot to stop for lunch before continuing on. After that, head to Brelsford Park, where kids can burn off some energy in the playground and enjoy a bit of open space before the day starts to wind down.
Evening
As the day winds down, you can keep things simple with an easy dinner in town before taking a relaxed stroll through the city centre. By this point, the day has had a nice balance of art, culture and play, so the evening can be a chance to slow the pace and enjoy Coffs Harbour at a more relaxed rhythm.
It is also a good opportunity to pause and take in more of the public art, streetscape and city atmosphere that you may have missed earlier in the day. This kind of flexible finish works especially well for families, giving everyone a chance to recharge without needing one more big activity before the day is done.
Immerse yourself in local history and creativity at Yarrila Arts And Museum (YAM)
‘Yaamanga (Around Here)’ features hundreds of historical artefacts, photographs, artworks, and digital multimedia from Yarrila Arts and Museum’s collections
The Gumbaynggirr Art Trail showcases six artworks representing each clan group of Gumbaynggirr Country
The Street Art Trail is a self-guided street art tour exploring the Coffs City Centre
Welcome to Coffs Harbour mural is located in Studio Lane next to King Tide Brewing
King Tide Brewing has and European-inspired menu, expansive beer garden and a full range of frothy creations.
Brelsford Park has a great playground a a close by skate park
Northern Beaches Family Day Trip: Lookouts, Adventure and Estuary Time
For families wanting a day out that mixes adventure with easy coastal downtime, the Northern Beaches make a great choice. This itinerary brings together one of the region’s best-known lookout experiences, a fun high-energy activity and a laid-back afternoon by the water. It is well suited to mixed ages, with enough variety to keep the day feeling exciting while still leaving room to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
Morning
Start the day at Sealy Lookout, where the forest setting and sweeping coastal views make it a striking first stop. If your family is up for a little more action, pair it with Treetops Adventure, which adds a fun challenge and gives older kids plenty to get excited about. Together, these two stops make for a strong start to the day, combining fresh air, movement and a sense of adventure before heading back toward the coast.
Afternoon
From there, make your way to Moonee Beach Hotel for lunch, where there is plenty to keep the kids entertained while everyone refuels. With mini golf, a games room, playground and basketball court, it is an easy family stop that offers more than just a meal. After lunch, head down to Moonee Beach Estuary, where the protected water makes it a great place to spend time in the shallows, paddle about and relax under the trees. There is also a playground nearby, which makes it even easier to settle in for the afternoon.
Evening
End the day at Aanuka Beach House, where dinner comes with views over Diggers Beach and a setting that feels distinctly Coffs Coast. The open lawn and lawn games are a bonus for kids who still have some energy to burn, making it a lovely way to finish on a high without needing to rush anyone through the evening.
After a day of lookouts and time by the water, it is the kind of place that lets everyone settle in, enjoy the coastal atmosphere and end the day feeling relaxed.
Forest Sky Pier At Sealy Lookout has sweeping coastal views
Treetop Aventures is a challenge high in the trees
Moonee Beach Hotel dining is casual but delicious
The Moonee Beach Hotel has plenty to keep the kids entertained while everyone refuels
Moonee Beach Estuary is great place to spend time in the shallows, paddle about and relax under the trees.
Aanuka Beach House alfresco dining located along the pristine shores of Diggers Beach
These family-friendly day trips show just how easy it is to explore the Coffs Coast with kids without overcomplicating the day. From major attractions and wildlife encounters to beaches, playgrounds and easy local food stops, there are plenty of ways to build a day that feels fun, flexible and manageable for the whole family.
If you want to see all of these family-friendly day trips on the Coffs Coast in one place, head to the interactive day trip map to view them all on one easy planner. It is a helpful way to compare locations, get a feel for distances and choose the outing that best suits your family’s ages, interests and energy levels.
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