Spent the week-end in Coffs harbour on the Mid-North coast of New South Wales and tried out a couple of lovely short walks.  Highly recommended as a break if you’re on your way further North or as something to do while you’re in the area.

The Nyambaga walking trail is a recently constructed interpretative walk on the headland of Nambucca heads.  It starts from Shelley Beach and goes through the bush to the break-wall by Wellington beach.  The break-wall has concrete blocks that have been painted with names and messages by visitors from all over the world and makes for interesting reading!  If you walk along the break-wall to the entrance to the caravan park and back and the marked trail it will be about 2.5 km. The Captain Cook lookout point is also well worth a visit with fantastic views across the headland and a great place to have a picnic lunch.

In Coffs harbour itself there is a lovely walk out onto the Muttonbird Island nature reserve. Drive down to the harbour, park at the Yacht club and follow the road to the Fisherman’s Co-op and then walk up the steps to the break-wall.  Continue along the marina where both the commercial fishing fleet and pleasure boats are moored.  Muttonbird Island is a nature reserve at the end of the break-wall and has a paved path and interpretive signs.  It is a fairly steep climb but you’re rewarded with spectacular views and teeming bird life. A return walk is about 3km.