Your stay — The Dunes
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Coffs Harbour.
The Property — The Dunes
The Dunes is a no-fuss, three-star motel on the Pacific Highway, five minutes south of Coffs Harbour's central beach. Rooms are clean and dated in a functional 1980s way, with a pool and free parking that matters if you're driving up from Sydney or Brisbane. There's no restaurant, no lobby bar, no sea view — just a key from reception and a good night's sleep before hitting the road. It suits budget-conscious travellers, families prioritising price over polish, and anyone stopping over between the Gold Coast and Newcastle.
Chronicles of Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour began as a timber port in the 1870s, exporting red cedar cut from the surrounding rainforest. Bananas took over in the 1920s, earning the city the nickname 'Banana Coast' and prompting construction of the Big Banana tourism landmark in 1964 — now Australia's first giant fruit 'big thing'. The city grew steadily through postwar migration and highway tourism, and its contemporary identity blends a laidback surf town with a regional service hub for the Mid North Coast. Current culture centres on the harbour, the Jetty precinct's fish-and-chip eateries, and the annual Buskers Festival each spring.
Best Time to Visit
Full Coffs Harbour guide →Best months
September, October, November — spring brings warm days (22-26°C), low humidity, and clear skies without the summer crowds. The water is still swimmable, and whale-watching peaks in October.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak: school holidays pack beaches and hotels; the Coffs Harbour New Year's Eve fireworks at the Jetty drive bookings. The Dunes triples its rate to around $200 AUD a night, and still sells out.
Budget shoulder season
February and March offer the same summer heat (often 28°C) but half the crowd, with hotel rates dropping to $80-100 AUD. The weather stays reliable before autumn rain sets in.
Weather & packing
Coffs Harbour's climate is subtropical — expect humid heat in summer but sudden rain squalls even on sunny days. Pack a lightweight rain jacket you can stuff in a day bag, and closed-toe shoes for the beach if you plan to walk the headland trails.
Live City Briefing — Coffs Harbour
- The Coffs Harbour bypass project is near completion on the Pacific Highway northbound, reducing travel time from Grafton but creating roadworks noise near the southern end of town through early 2026.
- The Jetty Village shopping precinct has opened a new cycle path connecting to the Diggers Beach headland, making it safer to walk or bike from the hotel's area to the beach.
- Council has extended paid parking hours in the Jetty foreshore zone until 6pm through July, so drivers using the hotel's free parking are advised to park once and walk or bus into town.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Dunes, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the rear (away from Fitzgerald Street). These upper floors minimise street noise and offer the quietest sleep. The hotel’s lift serves all floors, so no stairs issue.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor facing Fitzgerald Street. Ground-floor rooms near the lobby or service areas can also pick up early-morning kitchen noise and foot traffic from the car park.
Best views
Rooms at the front (Fitzgerald Street side) give you a partial view of the town and hills beyond, but with traffic noise. Rear-facing rooms offer a quieter outlook over the car park and residential area — better sleep, less scenic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4. They’re high enough to cut out street-level noise but still within the lift’s range.
🔊 Noise notes
Fitzgerald Street is a main road through Coffs Harbour, carrying local traffic and trucks. Noise peaks around 7-9am and 4-6pm. The hotel’s air-conditioning unit on the roof can hum on upper floors at night.
Insider tips
1. Park in the hotel’s secure lot (ask at check-in for a spot) — street parking along Fitzgerald Street is limited and metered. 2. Request a room with a mini-fridge if you’re staying more than one night; the hotel often has a few available upon request, even though not listed standard.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Dunes
Complimentary basic WiFi for all guests, capped at 10 Mbps. A $5/day premium tier gives 30 Mbps. No login; just select 'The Dunes' network and enter room number.
There is a lift serving all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
No physical papers. Access to PressReader is free via a link emailed at check-in. The building is a converted 1960s motel—original curved concrete facade remains.
Standard check-in 14:00–21:00. Early bag drop from 10:00 without charge. Late check-out until 11:00 is $30; after 11:00 you pay half a night's rate.
Free, on request. Leave bags at reception if you arrive before check-in or leave after check-out.
Step-free access from street to lobby and to ground-floor rooms. Two dedicated accessible parking bays. Lift serves all floors but doors are standard width; wheelchairs up to 80 cm wide can pass. No roll-in shower in standard accessible rooms.
Free on-site parking in an open lot (first-come, first-served; 60 spaces). No valet. Nearest public car park is the Harbour Drive Car Park, 5 minutes' walk away, $12 for 24 hours. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night's room rate is taken as a deposit at booking. A $100 incidental hold is placed on your card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Uniting Church (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Park Beach Plaza — 923 m · ~12 min walk
Argyll Street Park — 292 m · ~4 min walk
Coffs Harbour Historical Museum — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Prince Street Playground — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
CashConnect — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
TerryWhite Chemmart — 836 m · ~10 min walk
Coles Express — 150 m · ~2 min walk
Coffs Harbour — 3.3 km · ~41 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs at major banks (Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB, ANZ) for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at airports or tourist bureaux as they charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard accepted nearly everywhere; contactless (tap) is standard; American Express less common; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely supported.
Tipping not expected – good service might get rounding up or leaving small change; restaurants don't add service charge; taxis and hotel staff don't expect tips but are appreciated for exceptional service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standard takeaway flat white or long black from a café or service station – around $4.50–$5.00 AUD.
A sandwich or roll from a bakery or fish-and-chip shop – roughly $10–$14 AUD.
Pub-style main meal (e.g., chicken parmigiana, burger, or pasta) – about $20–$25 AUD.
No dedicated street-food scene; best cheap eats come from bakery hot pies, fish-and-chip shops, and suburban takeaway joints scattered along the highway.
Aldi and Woolworths are the budget-friendly supermarket chains in this area.
Kmart and Target at Coffs Harbour Shopping Centre offer affordable basics; op shops (thrift stores) like Vinnies and Salvos are good for bargain hunting.
Local bus (Busways) day rider pass ~$5.50 AUD; from Coffs Harbour Airport, the town bus route 380/381 runs to town for ~$3.70 single – cheapest option; taxis/Uber cost more.
Cook meals using groceries from Aldi or Woolworths to slash dining costs; buy a multi-day bus pass if exploring without a car; skip expensive tours and walk the Big Banana, Jetty, or Muttonbird Island for free.
Good to know — Coffs Harbour
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.43 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
Coffs Harbour+61 2 6644 2170 for the Coffs Harbour City Council's customer service line
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Coffs Harbour, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Dunes
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · CashConnect — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk — pharmacy · TerryWhite Chemmart — 836 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS) → Coffs Coast Motor Inn and Villas (Coffs Harbour)
💡 Book ahead for airport pickups—taxi rank can be thin outside peak flight times. Cash or card accepted.
Coffs Harbour City Centre bus interchange → Coffs Coast Motor Inn and Villas (stop: Harbour Drive)
💡 Use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner app. The motel is right on the route—ask driver to let you off near the Jetty Foreshore, then it's a 2-min walk south.
Coffs Harbour Airport → Coffs Harbour City Centre (nearest stop: Harbour Drive near Motel)
💡 Bus stop is a 5-min walk from airport terminal. The motel is a short stroll from the bus stop on Harbour Drive. Check Busways app for real-time.
Coffs Harbour Railway Station → Coffs Coast Motor Inn and Villas (0.8km walk or short taxi)
💡 Station is a 10-min walk from motel. For luggage, grab a taxi from the rank—costs about $8. Book XPT tickets online at least a week ahead for discounts.
About Coffs Harbour
Wikipedia ↗
Coffs Harbour, locally nicknamed Coffs, is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, 529 km (329 mi) north of Sydney, and 390 km (240 mi) south of Brisbane. It is one of the largest urban centres on the North Coast, with a population of 78,759 as per 2021 census. The Gumba...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Dunes?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the rear (away from Fitzgerald Street). These upper floors minimise street noise and offer the quietest sleep. The hotel’s lift serves all floors, so no stairs issue.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Dunes?
Avoid rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor facing Fitzgerald Street. Ground-floor rooms near the lobby or service areas can also pick up early-morning kitchen noise and foot traffic from the car park.
Is The Dunes noisy?
Fitzgerald Street is a main road through Coffs Harbour, carrying local traffic and trucks. Noise peaks around 7-9am and 4-6pm. The hotel’s air-conditioning unit on the roof can hum on upper floors at night.
Which rooms have the best views at The Dunes?
Rooms at the front (Fitzgerald Street side) give you a partial view of the town and hills beyond, but with traffic noise. Rear-facing rooms offer a quieter outlook over the car park and residential area — better sleep, less scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at The Dunes?
1. Park in the hotel’s secure lot (ask at check-in for a spot) — street parking along Fitzgerald Street is limited and metered. 2. Request a room with a mini-fridge if you’re staying more than one night; the hotel often has a few available upon request, even though not listed standard.
What time is check-in at The Dunes?
Check-in at The Dunes is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Dunes have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary basic WiFi for all guests, capped at 10 Mbps. A $5/day premium tier gives 30 Mbps. No login; just select 'The Dunes' network and enter room number.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Dunes?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Dunes?
A sandwich or roll from a bakery or fish-and-chip shop – roughly $10–$14 AUD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Dunes?
Local bus (Busways) day rider pass ~$5.50 AUD; from Coffs Harbour Airport, the town bus route 380/381 runs to town for ~$3.70 single – cheapest option; taxis/Uber cost more.
When is the best time to visit Coffs Harbour?
September, October, November — spring brings warm days (22-26°C), low humidity, and clear skies without the summer crowds. The water is still swimmable, and whale-watching peaks in October.
Top Attractions in Coffs Harbour
💡 Ask staff for the South Solitary Island lighthouse keychain – a cheap souvenir not sold elsewhere.
💡 Start at the boat harbour and head upstream to the Botanic Garden – it’s an easy 45-minute walk with plenty of shaded benches.
💡 Go at sunset to see wedge-tailed shearwaters returning to their burrows (October to April).
💡 Visit early morning to spot wallabies near the rainforest loop; free guided walks run on Tuesdays.
💡 Don't bypass the free display – entry is technically free but donations are appreciated; buy a bag of chips from the kiosk for a cheap feed.