Visitor Information
Visitor Information
Getting Here
Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the beautiful mid North Coast of New South Wales, in the City of Coffs Harbour. We are located adjacent to the picturesque Coffs Creek, and close to Coffs Harbour’s Jetty precinct
Coffs Harbour is only an hour’s flight from Sydney with regular flights to and from our major regional airport, which is just 10 minutes away.
Peckish Penguin Café
Open 730am – 200pm daily.
The Peckish Penguin is ideally located alongside the pretty Coffs Creek, perfect for watching birds while sipping on a cup of coffee.
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks & great coffee
- Group bookings
- Bus group catering
- Corporate breakfasts & lunches
- Kids Birthday Parties & special event packages
- Christmas parties & end of year gatherings
- Weddings & Reunions & Celebrations
Contact Us: 02 6638 9489.
When you dine with the Peckish Penguin, you're supporting the rescue, care and conservation efforts of the Sanctuary.
Gift shop
Open 9am – 3pm daily.
Take home more than just memories from your visit to Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. We always prefer to source sustainable, eco-friendly gifts using recycled materials as our first priority.
Professional Photo Memories
A professional photographer will be capturing moments at all paid encounters. You will have an opportunity to purchase at the end of your visit. There is no obligation to purchase photos, but the profits help care for our animals and contribute to our research and conservation programs.
If you didn’t buy your photos on the day and you’ve changed your mind, you can view and purchase your photos online.
Facilities
Our Sanctuary is all-weather and all access friendly.
Visitor centre onsite including details about what the Coffs Coast has to offer.
Gift shop.
Peckish Penguin café.
Wet-weather friendly.
EFTPOS & ATM facilities.
Baby changing facilities.
All access amenities, including all-gender facilities.
Download the Explorer App to experience the Coffs Coast
Animal Experiences
Connect naturally with unique land-based and private in-water experiences .
Ultimate Dolphin Encounter
Experience an extraordinary adventure at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can interact with a beautiful Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin. This unique experience goes beyond just meeting the dolphin – you’ll get to assist with their daily care and swim in the lagoon.
Dolphin Discovery
Step into the tranquil waters of the Lagoon at Coffs coast Wildlife Sanctuary, where you’ll embark on an enriching journey of connection and discovery with one of the three Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins in our care.
Meet the Dolphin
Seal Discovery
Meet the Seal
Meet the Penguin
Indulge in a unique beach-side interaction with mischievous Little Blue Penguins. Assist our Animal Care Staff in feeding our charming colony of Little Blue Penguins while delving into their breeding habits, nesting behaviours, and distinct personalities up close.
Daily Talks Schedule
| Time | Talk | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:15am | Healthy Habits | A demonstration highlighting the cooperative care techniques used at CCWS to ensure the animals maintain optimal health. | Check map for location |
| 9:45am | Exciting Enrichment | This presentation showcases our enrichment programs and how we ensure all species experience positive welfare and stimulation every day. | Check map for location |
| 10:15am | Training Talk | Discover how our team trains animals using positive reinforcement and why this is essential for their welfare and well-being. | Check map for location |
| 10:45am | Conservation Conversation | Learn about the enigmatic and endemic Australian Sea Lion—facts, conservation challenges, and the efforts being made to protect them. | Check map for location |
| 11:15am | Solitary Reefs Talk | Observe fish, rays, and sharks up close—species native to the Solitary Islands Marine Park—and learn about sustainable fishing practices and ocean conservation. | Solitary Reefs |
| 11:45am | Rescue Retreat | Take an informal tour through our Turtle Triage area and learn about CCWS’s rescue and rehabilitation efforts for marine life. | Turtle Triage |
| 12:15pm | Wonderful Welfare | Explore how we assess, monitor, and maintain the welfare of all animals in our care. | Check map for location |
| 12:45pm | Dolphin Dreamtime | Hear a Dreamtime Story from a local Gumbaynggirr Elder about the cultural and spiritual connection between Indigenous people and dolphins. | Discovery Habitat |
| 1:15pm | Penguin Paradise | Meet Australia’s only native penguin species and learn about the threats they face and how you can help protect them. | Penguin Beach |
You may take your own photos during the day.
We hope you enjoy our snapshot of a day in the life at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Sanctuary and WOW you with some amazing marine animal fun and educational information about our conservation projects and actions you can take to help preserve marine life for future generations.
Book your tickets 24/7 online today. Call 02 6659 1900 between 9 am and 3 pm every day. Or buy tickets at the door.
Pre-booking is recommended to secure your preferred date.
