New South Wales - Australia 2004 - page 204

crushing the ore, and pan for gold yourself. The mine is open Wednesday
through Sunday (daily during school and public holidays) from 10:30am to
4pm. Admission is A$9 (US$5.85) for adults, A$4.50 (US$2.90) for children,
and A$26 (US$17) for families.
You might also like to visit Kiwi Down Under Farm ( & 02/6653 4449 ), a
fascinating organic farm growing kiwi fruit and macadamia nuts, among other
things. No nasty sprays are used here. Free 30- to 45-minute guided tours of the
property leave at 2, 3, and 4pm on weekends and school holidays. The tea shop
on the premises serves amazing scones and jam for A$4.50 (US$2.90) and excel-
lent vegetarian lunches for A$8.50 (US$5.50). The farm is 14km (8 1 ⁄ 2 miles)
south of Coffs Harbour; turn off at Gleniffer Road, just south of Bonville, and
follow the signs for 4km (2 1 ⁄ 2 miles).
SHOPPING FOR ARTS & CRAFTS
There are several recognized “crafts drives” in the area, where tourists can go in
search of quality souvenirs. Pick up a free copy of Discover the Coffs Harbour
Region from the tourist information center for more details on the dozens of
crafts shops in the area. One of the best is the Australian Wild Flower Gallery
( & 02/6651 5763 ), just off West High Street and Bennetts Road. Wolfgang
Shultze carves intricate designs out of pewter, silver, and gold to make detailed
animal- and plant-inspired jewelry, charms, and spoons. Pieces cost between
A$5 and A$36 (US$3.25-US$23). The gallery is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
On the way to or from the Dorrigo rainforest, stop off at the township of
Bellingen, 20 minutes south of Coffs Harbour on Waterfall Way. It's a pleasant
place with several crafts shops. Among the best is The Old Church ( & 02/6655
0438 ), 8 Church St. (just off the main road), crammed full of wooden crafts
items, cards, furniture, wacky mobiles, incense, hats, and knickknacks, and sur-
rounded by gardens and fruit trees. It's open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
EXPLORING THE RAINFORESTS & OTHER
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Coffs Harbour's main tourist attraction is its position as a good base for explor-
ing the surrounding countryside. You must see the World Heritage-listed Dor-
rigo National Park , 68km (42 miles) west of Coffs Harbour, via Bellingen.
Perched on the Great Dividing Range that separates the lush eastern seaboard
from the arid interior, the rainforest here is one of the best I've seen in Australia.
(It's a pity that so much fell to the axes of early settlers.) Entry to the rainforest
is free.
The Dorrigo Rainforest Centre ( & 02/6657 2309 ) is the gateway to the
park and has extensive information on the rainforest. Just outside is the 21m
(69-ft.) high Skywalk, which offers a bird's-eye view of the forest canopy. There
are several walks leaving either the Rainforest Centre, the Glade Picnic Area
(about 1km/ 1 ⁄ 2 mile away), and the Never-Never Picnic Area (a 10km/6 1 ⁄ 4 -mile
drive along Dome Road). Most tracks are suitable for wheelchairs. Bring a rain-
coat or an umbrella; it is a rainforest after all! The Dorrigo Tourist Informa-
tion office ( & 02/6657 2486 ) is in the center of Dorrigo township.
One of the best tour operators in the area is the award-winning Mountain
Trails 4WD Tours ( & 02/6658 3333; fax [phone]). Full-day tours that
include visits to two rainforest areas and a good lunch cost A$80 (US$52) for
adults and A$60 (US$39) for children under 16. Half-day tours of one rainfor-
est cost A$56 (US$36) for adults and A$40 (US$26) for children.