From a famous Banana to a beautiful Butterfly House, the Coffs Coast boasts many unique things to do. But for those who also appreciate arts and culture, the Coffs Harbour city centre is a colourful canvas of expression – an iconic and unexplored attraction of its own.
Over time, street art in Coffs CBD has flourished, helping to transform its laneways into vibrant outdoor art galleries that people love to visit. From indigenous dreamtime tales to mindful masterpieces, every artwork tells a unique story; artistic expressions reflect the diversity of peoples and cultures that thrive on the Coffs Coast.
All Walls Festival and November Reign: the festivals that fuelled Coffs Coast’s vibrant street art scene
The abundance of street art in Coffs Harbour’s CBD is a testament to the creative vision and collaborative spirit of local and international artists, and most importantly, the community’s unwavering support. Street art festivals November Reign and All Walls have played a pivotal role in connecting creatives and highlighting Coffs Coast’s street art scene, showing that this is not just about the art, but about the people who make it possible.
While All Walls focuses on contemporary murals, the November Reign Festival focuses on graffiti. Both festivals contribute to the region’s diverse spectrum of street art, attracting and inspiring local and international contributors.
All Walls Festival co-director and contributing muralist Jarad Danby shared insights about the collaborative spirit and community support that make these events successful. “We’re keen on livening up Coffs Harbour and bringing a dynamic element to the art scene here. By providing a free urban art gallery for residents and visitors to enjoy, as well as opportunities for artists & supporting local businesses, we’re helping to landmark Coffs Harbour as a cultural hub on the East Coast.” Danby believes “some of the best street artists in the world are from Australia, and we think the residents of Coffs should have the pleasure of seeing their inspiring work daily!” Danby added that if everything goes according to plan, the festival directors will return to the second instalment of the All Walls in 2024.
But even before All Walls, the Coffs Coast had a lively and emerging graffiti culture. Beloved Coffs Coast street artist, Ash Johnston of Open Studio Coffs Harbour established the November Reign Festival in 2015, which was established to showcase and strengthen the culture of style writing in the area.
Thanks to an outpouring of community support, connections within the Australian graffiti network, and a dedicated crew of local volunteers, November Reign has grown into a vibrant gathering of various graffiti style-writers, offering a unique chance to witness artists bring their visions to life in real-time. Since bursting onto the scene, the November Reign festival has become a melting pot of creativity where graffiti enthusiasts can mingle with talents from across the nation and beyond.
Unveiling Coffs Harbour’s Artistic Soul: Introducing the Coffs City Centre Art Trail
While the concept of a local art trail or arts festival is nothing new, the Coffs Harbour City Centre Art Trail is truly one of a kind. A curated selection of 15 artworks reveals a new perspective of the Coffs Coast, reflecting our region’s distinctive challenges and unique qualities.
As you follow the self-guided trail through the heart of Coffs Harbour’s City Centre, you’ll discover the most iconic street art locations with artwork that will blow your mind. Come face to face with marine life from the nearby Solitary Islands Marine Park, greet some very cheeky koalas representing a vital message, meet the lady with pink hair, grab a selfie with the ‘Welcome to Coffs Harbour‘ retro mural – a quirky and playful design honouring a bygone era, and admire some clever style writing on one of the many graffiti-covered walls.
This interactive trail experience also integrates cultural activities, fantastic shopping opportunities, and unique places to eat and drink. We recommend allowing at least 2-3 hours to complete the trail. Or better yet, with so much to do, you could easily make a day out of it.
Whether you’re seeking a deeper connection with the vibrant spirit of the Coffs Coast or simply looking for the perfect backdrop for your next insta-worthy photoshoot, the Coffs City Centre Art Trail promises an unforgettable adventure. It’s a cultural journey that unveils the artistic soul of Coffs Harbour, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage and its vibrant contemporary art scene.
Exploring the trail: key street art precincts in the Coffs Harbour CBD, plus things to see and do along the way
From hidden laneways to a vibrant city square, each stop offers a unique glimpse into the city’s artful heart. Here’s what to expect as you immerse yourself in street art at the following trail locations:
Yarilla Place, Vernon Street and Harbour Drive Coffs Harbour
This part of the Coffs CBD is where people come to work and play. With so much on offer, you could easily spend an entire day in this precinct!
Yarilla Place – When at Yarrila Place, visit the Yarrila Arts and Museum – the perfect destination to soak up local arts and culture. The building’s 2D Coffee House boasts a floor-to-ceiling hand-painted aesthetic in a monochrome 2D style by local artist Mila Nascimentto.
Vernon Street and Harbour Drive – While near Coffs Central, pop into @kaleidoscopecoffs to shop for products by local makers, artists and designers. Coffs Central also has its self-guided art trail. After a shopping trip, pop into Palate and Ply Espresso Bar for a coffee break, delicious food, and even more art. Nearby, the Koby Mitchell Memorial Skatepark is the ultimate skate haven with sick bowls, mini half pipes, and a quarter pipe honouring Koby. Pop into Chalkies Skate Shop to shop for products by local makers, artists and designers.
Park Avenue Lane, City Square and Studio Lane Coffs Harbour
Embark on a journey through the vibrant maze of CBD laneways and streets, where you’ll uncover the kaleidoscope of street art murals, graffiti, and retailers that define the colourful spirit of Coffs.
Park Avenue Lane – Park Avenue Lane is also the hub of creative small businesses. If you’re feeling peckish, many places are nearby to grab a bite. Head to Undrground for raw vegan treats, coffee, blooms and gifts. Afterwards, sample the sweetest treats behind the pink doors of Sugar Plum Cakery. For caffeine lovers, the crew at My Mates Place serve endless cups of specialty coffee and good vibes, and for locally roasted beans, check out Stoka Coffee Roasters. The clay-making courses and workshops at Haus of Clay are loads of fun. A stone’s throw away from Park Avenue Lane, French-inspired bistro and cafe Miquette serves mouthwatering baguettes and coffee. Nearby, set your soul on fire at Hope Road Espresso Bar – come for Brazilian coffee, stay for the Reggae.
City Square – City Square in the Coffs City Centre is home to fabulous dining, shopping and culture. Explore popular retail outlets and cafes, catch live entertainment, and sample fresh local produce at the Thursday Grower’s market. Taking a slight detour, local favourite Tallow and Tide is a conscious boutique offering a sustainable shopping vision, seamlessly blending accessibility with style. Studio Lane – Where Park Avenue meets Studio Lane, the rainbow of delicious salads, groceries and healthy food found at The Happy Frog will inspire and delight. Pop next door to meet artist Mila Nascimentto, who operates her studio, Aquarius Arcade. Visiting the Studio Lane precinct is also a chance to soak up indigenous culture. Facilitated by Open Studio, Gumbaynggirr artists Yowa and Brentyn Lugnan created a mural for Headspace Coffs Harbour to inspire local Aboriginal youth to pursue dreams and embrace identity. Nearby, Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance has an incredible gallery space that promotes Aboriginal Arts & Crafts from the Mid-North Coast. Treat yourself to a refreshing brew at King Tide Brewing. Owner Josh King champions the art trail as an integral part of the city’s cultural landscape, and his brewpub even features a few iconic murals of its own.
Lyster Street, West High Street, and Cox Lane Coffs Harbour
This grungy precinct of the Coffs City Centre is where contemporary murals and impressive graffiti walls meet eclectic op-shops and cafes.
Lyster Street and West High Street – Starting at Lyster street, head down towards Lifeline Shop West High Street for second-hand shopping and nearby graffiti, then continue west and turn right onto Murdock Street before reaching Heartbeat Market. From there, turn right onto Scarba Street and head east, passing the Helicopter Op Shop, Vinnies and Coffs Coast Legacy Op-Shop. Drawing inspiration from the gourmet sandwich trend permeating cities worldwide, a short detour to Bernies Deli promises high-quality fast food and specialty coffee without compromise.
Cox Lane -This unassuming laneway is packed with street art and is home to Dark Arts Cafe and Bar. Open from 6.30 am seven days a week, this local favourite serves excellent coffee, comfort food, and the occasional cocktail.
Ready to explore the Coffs City Centre Art Trail? There’s an app for that!
The ‘Coffs Coast Explorer’ is an app that brings to life the best of the Coffs Coast, including Coffs Harbour’s first art trail. Within the app, the trail uses augmented reality technology to bring content to life, allowing you to learn more about the creators and the story behind the artwork on the trail. Take advantage of this unforgettable experience while exploring the city’s heart. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store to enhance your self-guided City Centre Art Trail experience.
