10 Wintertime Activities in Coffs for Kids
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June 1st 2013 and the maximum temperature today was 21 degrees. Not bad for the first day of winter! While some winter days can be raining and miserable here, we still get a lot of gorgeous, sunny days which means we can head outside and enjoy our beautiful Coffs Coast – even in Winter!
Here it is! Our list of 10 Wintertime Activites in Coffs for Kids 2013:
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1. Sawtell Chilli Festival
Saturday July 6th is the 15th Anniversary of the Sawtell Chilli Festival. First Avenue in Sawtell is taken over by all-things Chilli. This year features the Chilli Kids Hotspot with loads of activities, information, stalls, freebies, competitions, a jumping castle, face-painting, kids entertainment and HEAPS more.
Click here for more information.
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2. Buster the Shipwreck
A local secret is that we have our very own shipwreck! Visit beautiful Woolgoolga, head to the Beach Reserve and about a 10 minute walk up the beach North you’ll come across “Buster” which was shipwrecked in 1893. Sometimes it is very exposed whereas other times a fair bit of Buster is covered in sand.
Woolgoolga has an awesome fenced in kids’ playground and a fantastic fish and chip shop called White Salt.
Click here for more information.
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3. Bellingen markets
It gets a little brisk in Bellingen in winter so make sure you wear a nice warm jacket when you visit the Bellingen Markets. On the third Saturday of every month (June 15th, July 20th and August 17th), there are tonnes of really unique and different stalls. Keep an eye out for the organic donuts (trust me, you’ve never had anything like them!) and lots of other yummy treats as well.
Click here for more information.
While you are in Bellingen wander around the town, we always have to go to the very funky retro Gelato Bar, Kombu Wholefoods and the Swiss Bakery (Wildberry Dampers are TO DIE for!)
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4. Jetty Area
A real favourite amongst locals. Head down to the Jetty, park anywhere, then walk towards Muttonbird Island. If you are feeling energetic you can walk (be warned: it is quite steep) over to the other side where there is a whale-watching platform. It is whale season between May and September so there’s a good chance you’ll spy one or two!
Click here for more information.
If you’re hungry, head back to the Jetty Co-op, voted Number #1 in the 2013 Coffs for Kids Excellence Awards for “Best Fish and Chips”. And even though it’s winter, it’s never too cold for ice-cream from the Jetty Ice-Creamery.
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5. School Holidays
Winter School Holidays are from the 28th June until 15th July. There are always lots of free and lost cost activities for kids and families to do around Coffs during the holidays. Our School Holidays page will be updated in the upcoming weeks as the holidays approach.
If you are thinking of heading away, click on the visitNSW.com website for some great destination ideas and information.
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6. Sealy Lookout
The turn-off to Bruxner Park is about a 2 minute drive past the Big Banana heading North. The road winds up through banana plantations with some amazing views. Head up to Sealy Lookout and the Forest Sky Pier where you can see a fantastic view of Coffs Harbour and surrounding beaches. There are lots of picnic areas and walking trails around Bruxner, a perfect sunny winter’s day activity!
Click here for more information.
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7. Big Banana Ice Rink
In the past 2 weeks it has been announced that the Big Banana Ice Rink will be closing very soon due to high electricity costs to run it. Winter is the perfect time to visit before it closes. Rug up with your warmest jacket, scarf and gloves and head to the rink.
On Friday 21st June from 7pm-9pm there is a Superhero Ice-Skating Party – fun for the whole family!
Click here for more information.
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8. Butterfly House
From ice to the tropics, if you need a bit of warmth head out to the Butterfly House. The average daytime temperature inside is 29 degrees! If you have never been I definitely recommend going. Everyone will love it, the kids and adults alike find it fascinating and a very beautiful experience to be able to walk with butterflies fluttering all around you.
Click here for more information.
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9. Head to the Beach
While it might be a tad cold to go for a swim you can still head down to your favourite Coffs Harbour beach for a walk, an explore, to fly a kite or a scavenger hunt. Last winter we went to Charlesworth Bay and had a few lovely afternoons exploring the beach.
Click here for my post on the nature scavenger hunt – the boys loved it!
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10. Coffs Coast Festival of Cycling
From 27th July until 11th August is the Coffs Coast Festival of Cycling. Over a 2 weeks period, there will be rides the whole family can participate in, including family and recreational rides, a National Park ride, bmx, downhill, and mountain biking and the road rides.
Click here for more information.
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For more kids winter activities,
head over to the Coffs Harbour page on VisitNSW.com
Tabatinga is another great place to go in winter on Wet rainy days and when its a bit to cold to go to the park. My children love going there and honestly prefer to go there instead of the park. Its free for my baby shes under 1 and by 3yr old just loves it, and my hubby and i can chat and have a coffee while they play it really is a great spot for parents to not worry about making sure ther children are having fun
This website is really great info, i live here but sometimes you get stuck in a rut when it comes to new ideas…. We will be going to the bello Markets on the 15th thanks for reminding me that these great markets are here.