focus_contributor.
TALKING DESTINATION
with FIONA BARDEN
FROM COFFS CITY COUNCIL
S
FIND YOUR NEW OR REDISCOVER YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO The days are long, the sun is shining, and for many of us it’s holiday time!
ummer is here and we can’t help but share our excitement about a stay-cation. So join in the fun and discover one of the many new experiences available right here on the Coffs Coast. TASTE If a bite and a bevvy is your thing, Coffs is home to a few amazing new (or newish) establishments. Try a local at King Tide Brewery or Woopi Brewing Co – where they make the beer right in front of you. Explore a cocktail or two at Critters Distillery – their menu is constantly evolving. The Athletic Club at Sawtell will dazzle you with the myriad of spirits and tastes shaken and maybe stirred. Or maybe one of the tried and tested wineries, taverns or hotels is more your style, with many now serving both craft and traditional brews and the odd extravagant cocktail or two. Local produce is a highlight on the menus of many of the Coffs Coast restaurants. Newcomer Mermaid Beach House offers seasonal dishes featuring food grown on the premise or sourced locally. Across the region you’ll find locally caught seafood, a expanse of international cuisines, modern café cuisine and coastal food hampers to enjoy in your own space – we’d be surprised if you can’t find a new taste to tickle your tastebuds. PLAY Maybe it’s art and culture that gets you in the holiday mood. Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery hosts the White Bluff Project until January
15. This innovative and inspiring exhibition combines artist stories with an intriguing journey that captures the art, science and changing environment of our unique coastal destination. Or maybe you’d prefer the excitement of some national sporting events. January sees the return of the Big Bash League, not once but twice! The Sydney Sixers bring the fun and excitement to the C.ex Coffs International Stadium when they take on two interstate rivals. Get your bucket hat on, wave your magenta pom poms, and get ready to cheer on our adopted ‘home’ team. STAY Holidaying at home is not just about going out and heading back to your own bed. Why not pack up your bags and head to one of our amazing accommodation houses and stay a night or two. Coffs Coast Holiday Parks have recently installed new cabins, glamping tents, an outdoor cinema experience, putt putt golf and an upgraded BMX track – the whole family can relax! There are also options for luxurious escapes in a glorious holiday home. So spoil yourself and indulge in one of these beachside beauties. EXPLORE With the Coffs Coast recently certified as NSW’s only ECO Destination, we encourage you to get outdoors and explore some of our amazing spaces. This accreditation shows our commitment to nature-based experiences and ecotourism principles, and guides real actions to enhance and protect the natural environment
and honour our cultural heritage. Link up to a Coffs by Nature tour and discover some unique parts of our environment. Experienced guides will share their knowledge and help you connect with this place we are lucky enough to call home. The Coffs Coast EcoQuest Summer Holiday Challenge is a new way to discover our native flora and fauna and will entertain the family for hours. Download the app from coffsecoquest.com and explore outdoor areas – snap a picture of a bird, bug, plant or animal (remember look and snap, but don’t touch) and upload the pics to earn challenge points. If you can identify what you’ve photographed or find something rare and unique, extra challenge points come your way! The EcoQuest challenge runs across four weeks from December 27, with a winner announced weekly. We live in one of the most beautiful parts of our country, and there is always something new to explore and find. Find all you need to know at coffscoast.com. While you explore we encourage you to connect deeply, tread lightly and discover Coffs Coast… our place of plenty. #ECOcoffscoast #CoffsCoast #PlaceOfPlenty #OurPlaceIsGreat
COFFS COAST
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