New South Wales - Australia 2004 - page 205

For a bit more personal action, try horseback riding through the rainforest
23km (14 miles) southwest of Coffs Harbour with Valery Trails ( & 02/6653
4301 ). Two-hour rides leave at 10am and 2pm daily and cost A$35 (US$23) per
person, bookings essential.
More hectic still are white-water rafting trips through the wilderness on
the furious Nymboida River with Wow Rafting, 1448 Coramba Rd., Coramba
via Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 ( & 1800/640 330 in Australia, or 02/6654
4066; www.wowrafting.com.au). Full-day trips, including morning tea, a high-
energy snack, and a barbecue meal, cost A$153 (US$99). These adventurous
trips operate year-around, depending on water levels. A 2-day trip costs A$325
(US$211), including all meals and overnight camping. If the water level in the
Nymboida is low then you raft on the Goolang Creek, a shorter but still excit-
ing run. Most of the rapids are Class III; some of them can be pretty hairy. The
rafting guides are real characters; although they're safety-conscious, you're sure
to be dunked a few times.
Rapid Rafting ( & 1800/629 797 in Australia, or 02/6652 1741) also runs
rafting trips on the Goolang River, costing $77 (US$50) for a half-day trip, and
A$120 (US$78) for a full day.
Looking for yet another adrenaline rush? Then head to the Raleigh Interna-
tional Raceway ( & 02/6655 4017 ), where you can zip around the track behind
the wheel of your very own go-kart. It's 23km (14 miles) south of Coffs Harbour
and 3km (2 miles) along Valery Road off the Pacific Highway north of Nam-
bucca Heads. Six high-speed laps cost A$16 (US$10), 11 cost A$23 (US$15),
and 16 cost A$32 (US$21). It's open daily from 9am to 5pm (6pm in summer).
The Pacific Explorer catamaran ( & 0418/663 815 mobile phone or 02/
6652 7225 after working hours) operates whale-watching trips between June
and October; the 2 1 ⁄ 2 -hour cruises cost A$44 (US$29). Between November and
May, they run half-day dolphin-watching cruises for the same price.
WHERE TO STAY
Coffs Harbour is a popular beachside holiday spot with plenty of motels along
the Pacific Highway offering standard roadside rooms from A$35 to A$49
(US$23-US$32) per night. Vacancy signs are common outside Australian
school holiday periods and the Christmas and Easter periods (when Coffs really
fills up). A few to try are the Caribbean Motel, 353 High St., Coffs Harbour,
NSW 2450 ( & 02/6652 1500; fax [phone]), with doubles ranging from
A$55 to A$120 (US$36-US$78) depending on the season and the view; and
the Coffs Harbour Motor Inn, 22 Elizabeth St., Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450
( & 02/6652 6388; fax [phone]), with doubles ranging from A$72 to
A$108 (US$47-US$70) depending on the season.
Pelican Beach Resort Australis This Bali-style resort complex is
situated 7km (4 1 ⁄ 2 miles) north of Coffs Harbour beside a long stretch of creamy
sand. (The beach is dangerous for swimming.) Terraced over six levels, the
resort's rooms all have balconies and many have ocean views. Standard rooms are
light and modern, with either twin or queen beds. Family rooms have a kitch-
enette, dining area, and one queen and two single beds divided by a half wall.
Suites have a separate bedroom, kitchenette, lounge area, and Jacuzzi. Two
rooms are equipped for travelers with disabilities. Outside in the landscaped gar-
dens is a minigolf course and a volleyball court.
Pacific Hwy., Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450. & 1300/650 464 in Australia, or 02/6653 7000. Fax [phone].
112 units. www.australishotels.com. A$120-A$215 (US$78-US$140) standard room for 1 or 2 depending on

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