Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour is the heart of the Coffs Coast, home to pristine beaches, excellent shopping and award-winning cafes and restaurants. Located on Gumbaynggirr Country, this subtropical city is nestled between forested hills and the sparkling blue waters of uncrowded beaches, about four hours’ drive from Newcastle.
Students who study in Coffs Harbour are often looking for a coastal adventure, along with modern convenience and a vibrant small-town atmosphere. It’s also a charming base from which to explore the Coffs Coast and further north.
It feels like I'm on holidays! Life in Coffs Habour is very relaxing and laid back. Plus, each day of rural placement brings a new learning experience. I had a great mentor who organised some fantastic teaching sessions as part of my placement.”
Angela, Pharmacy
Explore the local area
Located where the Great Dividing Range meets the Australian east coast, Coffs Harbour is a tourism hotspot with lots of activities on offer. Visit the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House to get up close to nature or get your blood pumping at the Coffs Coast Adventure Centre, where you can go “zorbing” in a three-metre high ball or try out the flying fox. There are hiking trails to discover, biking and walking trails, and spectacular rainforest waterfalls only a daytrip away.
Local learning facilities
Our Coffs Harbour office is located in the Specialist Medical Centre, right next to the city’s main hospital and adjacent to the state-of-the-art Coffs Harbour Health Campus. The campus operates in a shared learning facility where you can undertake placements and study alongside students from other universities. Our students are also encouraged to make use of the Coffs Harbour City Library.
Coffs Harbour Health Campus
Coffs Harbour Health Campus is the major referral hospital for the Coffs Network of the Mid North Coast Local Health District. With 292 beds, it provides the majority of specialist medical and surgical services for Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca. Services include general medicine, surgery, day surgery, planned and emergency theatre service, coronary care (including coronary angiography unit), intensive care, obstetrics, paediatrics, 24-hour Emergency Department, oncology, palliative care, rehabilitation, stroke, acute renal dialysis, high dependency and mental health and an extensive range of outpatient clinics.
Student accommodation
Students can apply for subsidised accommodation in our six three-bedroom townhouses, located conveniently near Park Beach and local shops in Coffs Harbour. There is a bus stop near the townhouses where you can catch public transport to the hospital.
If student accommodation in unavailable or full, we may be able to subsidise your alternative accommodation costs, making it an affordable way to experience life away from home. Detailed information about accommodation can be found in the Student Orientation Manual.
Community engagement activities
As a student with us, you’ll have opportunities to be involved in community engagement activities in and around the local region. Past students in Coffs Harbour have participated in multicultural support groups, health careers expos and the Goori After School Learning Centre.
Photo gallery
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.