Coffs Harbour Airport Parking

Searching for parking at Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS)?

Take a load off, grab a cuppa and relax. Because this great guide’s got all the interesting info you need to know about CFS parking and lots more to chew on besides – like where to find the best tucker, shopping, souvenirs and dunnies.

And if you’re rolling in from out of town, you might want to spend an extra day or so exploring the local area before you fly. There’s lots to choose from, but the first thing that’s magic about Coffs Harbour is its location – bang in the middle of the lush Gondwana Rainforest. So if you’re into nature, you can take a guided walk, hike to a remote waterfall, or just wander through the rainforest tree-bathing.

Alternatively, hop in your car and cruise the famous Waterfall Way. This scenic road winds through the Northern Tablelands mountains and rainforests, via stunning waterfalls including Dorrigo Falls, Wollomombi Falls, and Ellenborough Falls.

And another beautiful site is Muttonbird Island, a nature reserve located just off the Coffs Harbour coast that’s home to a huge colony of wedge-tailed shearwaters (AKA muttonbirds). These avian adventurers spend all say out at sea and the sight of them filling the sky when they return in the evening is simply magical. If you’re interested, book a guided tour of the island and you’ll find out all about the brilliant birds and the animals they call neighbours.

If that’s not enough nature, you can also explore the Solitary Islands Marine Park. This group of Coffs Harbour coastal islands are famous for powder sand beaches, and crystalline waters teeming with marine life. Swim, dive, snorkel, fish or simply lie back and do sweet nothing at all – the choice is yours.

Fancy something a little different though? Slip on over to the Big Banana Fun Park, a perpetually popular Coffs Harbour theme park. And what’s so appealing about this place? Tons of rides and attractions for all ages, like a water park, laser tag arena and mini golf course.

Fresh air and adrenaline-fuelled attractions certainly build up your appetite, so it’s lucky Coffs Harbour has a decent cuisine scene. Try Fiasco Ristorante + Bar for contemporary Italian cuisine in a casual setting, Surf Club Restaurant & Bar for sea views and modern Australian cuisine, or The Coast Hotel for classic pub grub and a buzzing, friendly crowd.

And if you fancy a few drinks (and have a designated driver), Coffs Harbour hotspots include Element Bar, The Plantation Hotel and The Coast Hotel. Meanwhile, great places to stay include Pacific Bay Resort and The Opal Cove Resort.

Find the best deals at Coffs Harbour Airport

Really want to save those dollars on CFS airport parking?

You’re best sticking with this guide (in our opinion), but in the spirit of transparency we’ve also provided a few more time-served tips.

For example, check with your hotel or accommodation provider, because many hotels and accommodation providers give guests discounted parking. You can also look online for parking deals, especially on comparison sites and apps (more tips on this later). And if you park outside the city center and take public transport to CFS, that’s cheap too.

Now here are a couple of real pro tips – parking at Coffs Harbour shopping centres is free for a limited time and parking at parks, beaches, churches and community centres is gratis. Make of that what you will.

Compare parking at Coffs Harbour Airport

With 358 car park spaces, Coffs Harbour Airport’s parking provision is proportionately perfect.

And this air hub has been a mini masterpiece since it was established in 1928 by the Dorrigo Council. Originally a grass landing strip, CFS was upgraded to a paved runway in 1937 and requisitioned by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during WWII.

It returned to civilian use after the war and benefitted from Federal government investment during the 1980s, which materialized as a new runway, taxiways, control tower and terminal.

CFS has grown and developed since, undergoing a large expansion in 2017 that included a new baggage claim area and arrivals hall, as well as several other facilities.

Nowadays, Coffs Harbour Airport is now one of the busiest regional airports in New South Wales, typically processing with over 270,000 passengers annually. Served by carriers like Qantas, Jetstar, and Regional Express, CFS is a major economic contributor to the region and supports lots of local jobs and businesses.

The airport plays an important role in the Coffs Harbour region, providing essential air services for both business and leisure travelers. It also supports a number of local businesses, including hotels, motels, car rental companies, and tour operators.

What parking is there at Coffs Harbour Airport?

So how about those parking comparison sites and apps? Looking4Parking and APH are two worth checking out for Coffs Harbour Airport parking deals. For instance, Looking4Parking offers deals on pre-booked parking, park and fly packages, while APH has similar deals and its own rewards scheme.

If you want to keep your parking official however, here are the CFS onsite options.

General carpark

This open-air carpark located opposite the terminal building has 238 spaces and offers you short- and long-term parking.

Security carpark

A covered carpark next to the terminal, the security carpark has 120 spaces for long and short-term customers.

Rates for both carparks vary according to the type, length and duration and you can pay at the machines onsite.

Offsite parking is available near CFS but bear in mind that it might not be as secure and almost certainly won’t be as convenient.

Getting to Coffs Harbour Airport

When you’re driving to CFS, you want to know it’s simple to get to.

And the good news is, it is.

If you’re driving from Port Macquarie, take the Pacific Hwy/A1 for 159 km and you’ll be there in around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

To get there from Grafton, take the Pacific Hwy/A1 for 87.5 km and you’ll be at the airport in roughly one hour.

Chugging in from Armidale? Take the B78 for 190 km and the drive will take approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Plan ahead and check your GPS for traffic conditions – these times are dependent on congestion and roadworks.

Facilities at Coffs Harbour Airport

Facilities at Coffs Harbour Airport are bonzer, which is brilliant news if you’re stuck there a little longer than planned.

For starters, the terminal building boasts a plethora of attractions, like check-in counters, security screening, baggage claim, a cafe, a bar, a gift shop, and currency exchange bureau.

As you should expect, the airport is fully accessible to disabled passengers, with lots of useful features like lifts, ramps and accessible toilets.

You can also stow your luggage in the dedicated lockers (for a fee), there are plenty of (free) luggage trolleys and two ATMs in the terminal building, one in the departure lounge and one in arrivals.

Other great features include free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal building, a business centre with access to computers, printers, and other business services, and a small but well-appointed children’s play area in the terminal.

Although Coffs Harbour doesn’t have a Heathrow-style selection of eating and shopping options, there’s everything you need, nonetheless.

For instance, zip into Biggles Flight Lounge when you want a good old-fashioned cafe offering a range of food and drinks, including sandwiches, pies, pastries, coffee, and tea, and The Hangar espresso bar and cafe serves a range of coffee, tea, and food options, including tasty pastries sandwiches, salads, and pastries.

You can also pick up all your books, snacks, newspapers and magazines at Newspower, and the airport gift shop is the place to pick up souvenir hats, toys, confectionary and local craft keepsakes. You won’t be stuck for somewhere to eat or shop but please note that not all these options are open 24/7 so please check beforehand if you can visit your favourite.

Last but not least, there’s some lovely public art at Coffs Harbour Airport.

Two notable pieces include The Journey, a mural honouring indigenous Australians by Vicki Lee, and the stunning bronze Spirit of the Sea sculpture but Yvonne Koolmatrie.

So there you have it. A comprehensive guide to Coffs Harbour Airport parking and some interesting tips on CFS amenities and attractions in the surrounding areas.