Corindi Beach, New South Wales (28 - 30 January 2015)

Corindi Beach small seaside town located on the mid north coast of New South Wales.  It is 33 kms north of Coffs Harbour and 50 kms south of Grafton. Not much there except the caravan park, a shop and a Tavern so it is a place to chill out and walk the beach.  The sound of the ocean was lovely and the weather even better - 18c overnight to 27c during the day...a blessing after all the hot weather we have had lately.

We drove into Woolgoolga  to do some shopping and also into Coffs Harbour.  Established in the 1870s, Coffs Harbour used to be all about Bananas....that is many banana plantations and all things banana....banana spits and chocolate coated bananas come to mind as well as the "Big Banana"  a local tourist attraction.  One of the first of Australia's Big Things, the Big Banana was built in 1965 and is still going strong.  We have stopped there before so did not do so this time.

Happy 50th Birthday "Big Banana" 

There are still banana plantations but now days blueberries are a major crop and many of the hill slopes are covered over to protect the blueberries, most probably from bats.

Under cover Blueberries......there are many hills and valleys covered like this

The population of Coffs was recorded as 45,500 in the 2011 census but would be much more if the greater regionally area was taken into account.    It apparently has the most livable climate in Australia.  Food for thought when we decide to settle down in one place in the future.

Coffs Harbour was originally named Korff's Harbour after John Korff who was forced to take shelter from a storm here in 1847.  Its name was accidentally changed by a surveyor for the crown in 1861.

Coffs Harbour jetty is an historically important timber wharf where timber from the hinterland was transported.   There is the Solitary Islands Marine Park, Muttonbird Island which is accessible by walking along the breakwater as well as a number of National Parks...Bellinger River, Bindarri, Bongil Bongil, Cascade and Dorringo, to name a few that are in the area.

Apparently, a  number of notable residents are or have been.....Jon English (singer, songwriter, actor) Deborah Knight (news journalist for channel 9), David Helfgott (concert pianist), Russell Crowe (actor), Wendy Matthews (singer), Jack Thompson (actor), Dick Smith (entrepreneur), George Negus (author, journalist, current affairs presenter) as well as a number of sports people.

We had a lovely short drive up to Sealy Lookout at Korora in the Bruxner Park Flora Reserve in the Orara East State Forest. Apart from a number of bush walks there is also the Forrest Sky Pier which offers magnificent views of Coffs Harbour.

Lovely, leafy journey to the lookout

Forest Sky Pier

Spectatular views

The  forest around the Bruxner Flora Reserve

Corindi....never fear, we won't forget you,we will be back to visit or maybe to stay, one day.