Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EXPLORING THE AREA
The Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park,
61 Billabong Dr., Port Macquarie
(
&
02/6585 1060
), is a family-owned nature park where you can get up close
to hand-raised koalas, kangaroos, emus, wombats, many types of birds, and fish.
You can pat the koalas at 10:30am, and 1:30 and 3:30pm. There are also bar-
becue facilities, picnic grounds, and a restaurant. Allow 2 hours to fully experi-
ence this recommended wildlife park. It's open daily from 9am to 5pm;
admission is A$8 (US$5.20) for adults and A$5 (US$3.25) for children.
The 257-passenger vessel
Port Venture
(
&
02/6583 3058
) leaves from the
wharf at the end of Clarence Street Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday at
10am and 2pm, for a 2-hour scenic cruise on the Hastings River. Cruises cost
A$20 (US$13) for adults, A$8 (US$5.20) for children 6 to 14, and A$49
(US$32) for families. Reservations are essential. The boat also travels up the
river on a 5-hour Barbecue Cruise every Wednesday morning leaving at 10am.
It docks at a private bush park along the way and passengers can tuck into a tra-
ditional Aussie barbecue of steaks, fish, and salad. You can then fish, take a bush-
walk, go swimming, or take a 20-minute four-wheel-drive trip. The cruise costs
A$37 (US$24) for adults, A$18 (US$12) for children, and A$94 (US$61) for
families. A 4-hour cruise also leaves on Monday at 10am. It costs A$35 (US$23)
for adults, A$15 (US$9.75) for children, and A$88 (US$57) for families.
WHERE TO STAY
El Paso Motor Inn
Located right on the waterfront, this motel offers stan-
dard motel-type rooms; the more expensive deluxe doubles are a little larger and
have newer furniture and a fresher coat of paint after being refurbished in 1998.
Two rooms come with Jacuzzis, and some come with kitchenettes. The third-
floor three-room suite has good ocean views and a kitchenette.
29 Clarence St., Port Macquarie, NSW 2444.
&
1800/027 965
in Australia, or 02/6583 1944. Fax 02/6584
1021. 55 units. A$87 (US$57) standard double; A$97 (US$63) deluxe double; A$130 (US$85) Jacuzzi room;
A$150 (US$98) suite. Extra person A$10 (US$6.50). A$30 (US$20) per-room surcharge Easter, Christmas, and
some long weekends. DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; good-size heated outdoor pool; sauna; Jacuzzi;
game room; tour desk; babysitting; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
COFFS HARBOUR: BANANA CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA
554km (344 miles) N of Sydney; 427km (265 miles) S of Brisbane
Rainforests, beaches, and sand surround the relaxed capital of Australia's Holi-
day Coast. The state's “banana republic” headquarters—the area produces more
bananas than anywhere else in Australia—is bordered by hillsides furrowed with
rows of banana palms. Farther inland, the rolling hills plateau into Dorrigo
National Park, one of the best examples of accessible rainforests anywhere. Also
inland is the Nymboida River, known for its excellent white-water rafting.
Coffs Harbour is a rather disjointed place, with an old town-center retail area;
the Jetty Strip (with restaurants and fishing boats) near the best swimming spot,
Park Beach; and a new retail area called The Plaza. Wide sweeps of suburbia sep-
arates these three areas; it's a difficult town to negotiate if you don't have a car.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
It takes around 7 hours to drive from Sydney to Coffs Har-
bour without stops; from Brisbane it takes around 5 hours. The Pacific Highway
in this region is notoriously dangerous; there have been many serious accidents
involving drivers enduring long hours behind the wheel. Ongoing road-widening
projects should improve things.
Qantas
(
&
13 13 13
in Australia) flies non-stop
