Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a coastal regional city situated on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Defined by an urban population of 78,759 recorded in the 2021 census, the locality spans a diverse demographic profile shaped by multicultural influences.

Gitten Mirreh, meaning big moon in the Gumbaynggirr language.

Cultural mosaic.

Global origins.

Traditions meeting the coast.

Coffs Harbour is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, positioned 529 km north of Sydney and 390 km south of Brisbane. The urban centre recorded a population of 78,759 in the 2021 census and functions as a significant tourist destination within the Coffs Coast region.

Cultural exchange in Coffs Harbour is deeply rooted in the heritage of the Gumbaynggirr people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and have inhabited the region for thousands of years. Their country spans from the Nambucca River in the south to the Clarence River in the north, extending westward to the Great Dividing Range. In the Gumbaynggirr language, the harbour is called Gitten Mirreh, which translates to big moon.

Over generations, the cultural landscape has expanded through immigration and global exchange. Demographic findings from the 2021 census show that while 75.5 percent of residents were born in Australia, international communities contribute to the local population, including residents born in England, New Zealand, and Myanmar.

Coffs Harbour is a coastal regional city situated on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Positioned along the Pacific Highway between Newcastle and the Gold Coast, the urban centre supports a population of 78,759 residents.

The Gumbaynggirr people are the Traditional Custodians of Coffs Harbour and the surrounding area, having occupied the land for many thousands of years. Their language name for the local harbour translates as big moon. Cultural diversity within the modern population is reflected in census data showing residents born in countries such as England, New Zealand, Myanmar, India, and Germany, alongside the enduring heritage of the Gumbaynggirr coastal nation.

Historical shifts trace an economic evolution from early timber production and agriculture toward a greater emphasis on tourism within the broader Coffs Coast region. Geographic intersections define the city's unique setting, marking the only place in New South Wales where the Great Dividing Range meets the Pacific Ocean. Surrounding hinterland hills sustain banana and blueberry plantations, while coastal precincts integrate residential suburbs and satellite areas like Sawtell.

Infrastructure connecting the city to wider cultural and economic hubs includes regional transport links via the Coffs Harbour Airport, the Pacific Highway, and NSW TrainLink services. Educational and medical institutions, including local campuses of Southern Cross University and the University of New South Wales, further anchor the regional service centre.