Feel NEW Long breaks in NSW

Coffs Harbour has a special place in the hearts of Indian-Australians. The work of the Sikh community here, over generations, is a significant reminder of our settlement in this country. The heritage-listed Gurudwara at Woolgoolga is a special stopover as we drive through, for its gentle spirituality and the humility of the shared meal afterwards.

Both create a wonderful sense of belonging, in our home away from home.

And yet, there are many ways that Coffs Harbour can forge a sense of connection with our new home.

Snowy Mountains Adventure

A wonderful ski season is currently on at the Snowy Mountains. If you’ve missed the slopes in two years of COVID closures, or are new to skiing and snowboarding, now is the time to go.

Carving up the slopes or soaking in thermal pools, here’s the ultimate way to spend a long winter break with your family.

Perisher is the largest resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Its four linked resorts include Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Blue Cow. Each of these has a different personality, offering terrain for all levels.

Check out the new Skitube, an innovative Swissdesigned mountain train.

Thredbo is an award-winning alpine gem, home to Crackenback Super trail, the longest ski run in Australia. Its Friday Flat is a brilliant area for beginners. Try Merritts Gondola, Australia’s first alpine gondola, or Karels T-bar to the highest lifted point in Australia at 2,037m (‘Ring the bell’ to celebrate!) Off the slopes, enjoy the après ski bars, restaurants and entertainment, and Olympic-sized heated pool and water slide at the Thredbo Leisure Centre.

The highest resort in Australia (1,760m), Charlotte Pass is a secluded alpine village completely snowbound in winter. It offers an intimate experience, perfect for beginners or for families who might want to avoid busier, bigger resorts. It is also popular with cross country skiers due its great trail access.

After closing in 2020 due to severe bushfire damage, Selwyn Snow Resort, popular with families and beginners, is set for a grand reopening. Extensively rebuilt, it includes the new and expanded Selwyn Centre, housing guest facilities and services, and the relocated and expanded Toboggan Park.

Experience the Aussie love of the outdoors. Carving through the waves, galloping across creeks, or cycling epic downhills, Coffs is a wonderful destination for family holidays. See the animal world up close. Cruise to see whales, and swim with the humpbacks – this is the only place in the world where you can do so. Explore underwater worlds, feed the penguins, walk among fluttering butterflies, and check out the birdlife by the harbour.

Understanding First Nations cultures also binds us to our adopted country. Coffs is a land of fertile soil, temperate climate, pristine rivers and abundant marine life. Through the centuries the traditional owners, the Gumbaynggirr, shared their rich resources generously, and became known as the ‘sharing people’. Is it any wonder then that the Punjabis, themselves warm and generous, were drawn to this region, fertile like their own native land?

The banana and blueberry plantations - newer crops after sugarcane on which this city was built - are well worth a visit. The Big Banana, one of Australia’s first Big things, is a tribute to the industry.