Find your haven in Coffs Harbour - the Mid North Coast region of NSW, which is nature’s theatre set, as the stunning mountain peaks of The Great Dividing Range drop down to the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. It’s hard not to be inspired when taking in this lush, green hinterland, laced by the sea. This is the place where you can find the perfect retirement destination.
Coffs Harbour is a large coastal town that brings all the facilities and sophistication of modern city living with the sheer joy and freedom of a forever holiday lifestyle.
There’s Never A Dull Moment
Forget Coffs’ famous Big Banana as an icon, a more fitting landmark is the postcard-pretty Jetty Beach. Think of the jetty’s long stretch of boardwalk as a way to connect to a new life as you slip into the water to swim in the heavenly unpolluted sea or go boating, fishing, jet-skiing, diving or snorkelling.
And if you’re looking for more gentle pursuits, perhaps you can just stroll down to the jetty at sunrise or sunset and try to spot dolphins or the thousands of humpback whales who pass through in winter and several other not so retiring creatures in the sea. (No, I’m not referring to frolicking over 55s).
Nature is all around you in Coffs Harbour with 84,000 hectares, which has been World Heritage-listed. You can find waterfalls, sub-tropical rainforests and explore 13 national parks where you can forget all about the stresses of big city living.
Some Like It Hot But Others Prefer Sub-Tropical Coffs
According to the CSIRO, Coffs Harbour has one of Australia’s most liveable climates. It offers year-round sub-tropical temperatures of between 13 degrees in the cooler months to an average of around 25 degrees in summer. April to November are the best months of the year for easy living and the annual rainfall, which keeps everything looking so lush and green is around 1688mm.
Arriving Is Easy, Leaving Is Hard…
Well, why would you want to turn your back on paradise? Situated 540km from Sydney and 390km, south of Brisbane, fly into Coffs Harbour Airport direct from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane on a variety of carriers including Qantas and Virgin. There’s buses, shuttle services, car hire, taxis and even buggies to deliver you to your destination. There are also daily XPT train services going in both directions to connect you to Sydney or Brisbane, while several major coach lines stop at Coffs Harbour as they drive along Australia’s East Coast. Once in Coffs Harbour, the main public transportation is by bus or you could always call 13Cab or an Uber.
Finding Your Place In The Sun
There are over 50s communities all over Coffs Harbour with many lush areas to choose from, which are surrounded by beaches or velvety mountains. It depends on whether you’re looking for a sporty lifestyle with fishing, water sports, golfing, fishing or whether your retirement idyll involves exploring nature and the rainforests.
Among the most popular areas for retirees are Toormina, Arrawarra, Lorikeet, Boambee, Woolgoolga and Mullaway. Perhaps you would prefer to stay closer to town where you can indulge in the many cultural activities on the calendar, browse markets and antique markets or the many different exotic dining options.
Living Your Best Life For Less
Wake up to the energising ocean breeze on your doorstep, before starting your day with a bushwalk. If tennis is your game, grab a racquet and hit our tennis court. You could secure a brand new home at Lorikeet Over 50’s Lifestyle Community, selling from only $350,000 - you’d be lucky to have a studio for that price in parts of Sydney without all of the luxury style amenities on tap.
There’s something for every budget in Coffs Harbour.
According to the cost of living site, Numbeo, a three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant in Coffs Harbour will cost $50, compared to $100 in Sydney. And should you decide to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, it could cost you around $1,160 per month.
See all the retirement living properties currently available in Coffs Harbour and surrounds here
Dine In Style On The Multi-Cultural Coffs Coast
Ever fancied choosing from an Ethiopian or African menu by the sea? Or tasting the best of the local seafood at the hands of a master chef? Coffs Harbour boasts many different cuisines including Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese or yes, Ethiopian at the well regarded Mana Chita. Wander around the food stalls at the many local markets to discover new taste sensations. Or tuck into a Chicken Parma at a friendly pub bistro. Coffs Harbour has something to satisfy every kind of diner.
Shopping At Coffs Harbour IS An Accredited Leisure Activity.
Whether you enjoy strolling around boutiques by the beach and discovering local designers or making a day of it in one of the many air-conditioned malls around the region, shopping in Coffs is a pleasurable experience. Don’t miss out on visiting Coffs Central Mall, which boasts many different stores as well as outdoor cafes, so you can relax while considering your purchases.
If you love Farmer’s Markets, there’s no shortage of interesting produce at the Coffs Coast Growers Markets each Thursday from 8 am to 2 pm at the City Square. Or buy fresh fish from the local Fisherman’s Co-Op and create your own seafood feast.
Take Really Good Care Of Yourself
Coffs Harbour has many GP super clinics, small practices, day surgeries and private hospitals, ensuring that your continued health is always a high priority. There’s also public hospitals including the Coffs Harbour $80 million Heath Campus - a 292 bed teaching hospital on the Pacific Highway, which provides a broad range of specialist services including a 24-hour Emergency Department, coronary care, oncology, acute renal dialysis and more. It’s comforting to know that should you ever need premium healthcare, it’s right at your doorstep.
Living it Up
From swimming with dolphins at the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park - to taking in the landscape from the Skywalk lookout - a 70-metre boardwalk that soars over the edge of an escarpment some 21 metres above the rainforest, Coffs has something to entertain every type of retiree.
This includes cultural events, festivals, art galleries, theatre, indigenous tours, walking groups. Take an indigenous bush tucker and cultural tour, go biking, play golf, go whale watching, fishing, boating, cruising, surfing or release your inner child at The Big Banana Fun Park (because at some stage all roads lead to the Big Banana…)
At Coffs Harbour, you can create your own retirement haven just the way you like it.
Pros
- Excellent weather
- Spectacular Scenery
- Healthy lifestyle
- Easily accessible destination
- Friendly people
- Many different retirement communities to settle in
- You could find work as an extra in one of local resident, Russell Crowe’s movies (see below)
Cons
- An abundance of wildlife including snakes
- Tourists can be plentiful especially in school holidays
- It could be overrun with pushy Hollywood stars as Russell Crowe is building a film studio here.
See all the retirement living properties currently available in Coffs Harbour and surrounds here
