Coffs Creek Walk and Cycleway

Coffs Creek Walk and Cycleway follows the creek from the Jetty and Saltwater Park area through to the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, running right through the middle of Coffs Harbour. It is flat, easy going for most of its length, and dogs are welcome on lead along the path, a policy confirmed with City of Coffs Harbour.

The walk

The full route runs about 8.5 km end to end and takes most walkers two to two and a half hours, with shorter 30 to 60 minute loops easy to manage if you only want a stretch of the creek. The surface is mostly sealed path and boardwalk through mangrove and wetland reserve, easy on paws, with some dirt track and short road sections mixed in.

The NSW Government listing grades it easy, and it suits casual walkers and cyclists far more than anyone chasing an off lead run.

Leash status

Dogs stay on lead along the whole cycleway, and there is one clear exception at the far end to plan around: the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden admits assistance dogs only. The path runs up to the garden's carpark and entrance, so finish there and turn back rather than heading in.

If your dog needs off lead time, keep it off the path: the North Wall Beach off leash area at the Coffs Creek mouth and the Thompsons Road Reserve fenced dog park both sit a short distance away.

Water

The creek runs alongside most of the walk and dogs can wade or swim in the calmer stretches. Near the estuary mouth the water moves quickly on an outgoing tide, so hold the lead in that section.

Watch outs

Several sections have no shade at all, so avoid the middle of the day from December to February. Council dog waste bag dispensers sit at points along the route, and shared path cyclists keep up a steady pace, so keep left and keep the lead short through blind corners.

Getting there

Free parking sits near the Orlando Street entrance and near the Showground and Jetty end. Local buses serve the surrounding CBD, leaving a short walk to join the path.

While you're out there

The Creekside Cafe sits close to the water for a coffee stop, and Reflections Coffs Harbour Holiday Park is handy if you are staying over. Combining the Jetty end of the walk with the off leash beach makes a good half day.

More options are on the New South Wales trail guide and the Coffs Harbour destination page.

Max: if your dog swims, keep them away from the creek mouth on an outgoing tide, the current moves faster than it looks.

When to go

Early morning or late afternoon suit this walk best, especially in summer when the exposed sections heat up. Weekday mornings are the quietest if your dog is wary of bikes.