yacht club jetty coffs harbour

• Accommodation
• Travel Inspiration

• destinations
• north coast
• coffs harbour area
• coffs harbour
• food and drink

Coffs Harbour Yacht Club

Known to the locals as the Coffs Yachtie, you'll find one of the best waterfront locations in Coffs Harbour with an extensive history in the local community, where you can enjoy drinks with friends outdoors on the deck, downstairs in the Jetty Beach Bar or a meal in the Breakwall Cafe and Restaurant.

The Jetty Beach Bar has regular live entertainment and a cocktail bar open every weekend. Both the Harbour Bar and Yacht Club Beach Bar sell imported beer, craft beer, domestic beer and an extensive wine list that caters to every need.

The Coffs Harbour Yacht Club boasts unparalleled views to host your next function or event that your guests will not be able to stop talking about. Quality customer service is paramount.

Accessibility

Actively welcomes people with access needs.

Adhere to The Food Authority requirements for allergy management in food preparation

Ask all visitors if there are any specific needs to be met

Caters for people who use a wheelchair.

Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.

Caters for people with high support needs who travel with a support person

Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)

Employ people with disability

Have a step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)

Have a wheelchair accessible toilet / shower and change room

Have accessibility information and photos, including of a bathroom, room and/or floor plan on your website (can be emailed on request)

Have doorways which are easy to open and have lever handles (doorways 850mm or wider when open and not heavy)

Have equipment to respond to anaphylactic shock such as epi–pens and defibrillator

Have grab rails in the bathroom

Have step free access to restaurant, lounge and bar

Have step free access to the conference or function room

Have step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)

Have wheelchair accessible transport options available in the general vicinity (provide information on name of the operator, phone and website link to individual providers for private vehicles, community transport train, mini vans, hire cars, buses, taxis, ferry, tram, light rail etc in your access statement)

Modify your cooking and cleaning practices to cater for people with food allergies or chemical intolerances (could include menus with meals free from: nuts, dairy, seafood, eggs, gluten etc)

Offer a range of contact methods for receiving complaints

Offer multiple options for booking - web, email, phone

Provide assistance with booking arrangements (includes providing clear itineraries with written instructions on what to do at various destinations)

Provide beach matting and beach wheelchairs for people to access the water

Provide linen that is chemical and fragrance free (if requested)

Provide seating in common areas including reception area

Train your staff in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges

Train your staff in disability awareness

Train your staff to respond to allergic reactions

Use floors/coverings which are slip resistant, firm and smooth

Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)

More Like This

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay connected to Visit NSW for all the latest news, stories, upcoming events and travel inspiration.

Discover Somewhere New

All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox.

Destination NSW acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations and recognises Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and occupants of New South Wales land and water.

• NSW Government
• Destination New South Wales (Corporate site)

VisitNSW.com is the official tourism site for Destination NSW. © Copyright 2024 Destination NSW. All rights reserved

Our stories

Coffs Coast Heritage

The story of the Coffs Harbour Jetty

The Jetty is an icon for Coffs Harbour because it was part of the beginning of the city’s economic growth. Before the jetty was built, logs were hauled to a site at the showground by bullock teams.  From there they were rolled into Coffs Creek and floated to its mouth on the outgoing tide by using bullock teams, ropes and pulleys. The logs were manoeuvred through the water to waiting ships beyond the line of surf.  Using ships’ winches, the logs were hoisted aboard. The process of loading was difficult and hazardous and, as the industry grew, it was necessary to construct a suitable jetty.

The builder A builder and contractor, Mr Thomas L Lawson, was the successful tenderer.  Construction of the new jetty began in 1890.  The original length was 1641 feet (500.17m).    During construction a violent storm washed away 300 ft (91.5m) of the partially built structure.  The total expenditure of the completed jetty in August 1892 was £12,482 1s 8d ($24,964.10). The Public Works Department (PWD) accepted control of the jetty and was responsible for all future maintenance and improvements. The jetty was described in a newspaper article as ‘an outlet for our produce and an inlet for our necessities’.

Opening of the Jetty Adjacent to the shore end of the jetty were calf and sheep pens, a goods shed and a wharfinger’s cottage. On completion of the goods shed the opening ceremony was arranged by Messrs Lee, Marles and Gill for Friday 5 August 1892.  A beautiful arch was erected over the western end of the jetty and the goods shed was adorned with ferns, greenery and flags and delicious food was presented there.  A banner suspended from the arch bore the words “Success to Coffs Harbor” while from a cord profusely decorated with flowers and ribbons hung the bottle of “fizz” with which the oldest resident of Coffs Harbour, Mr Peter Moller, was to perform the opening ceremony. The arrival of Mr O. O. Dangar, Member of the Legislative Assembly, at 11.30am was received with cheers.  A large crowd gathered to witness the ceremony which, after a few words from Mr Moller, was duly performed amid cheers. Mr James Gill, Wharfinger, then read an address to Mr Dangar on behalf of the residents. Mr Dangar responded to the speech congratulating the people on the completion of the work. After the speeches, the Coramba Brass Band played suitable music and then a special luncheon was held.  At dusk, some people departed but others enjoyed a ball in the goods shed.

Development of the jetty In 1909 a new 80ft x 30 ft (24.38m x 9.14m) cargo shed was provided, as well as a large waiting shed at the outer end of the jetty and additional trollies.  In 1909-10 the outer end of the jetty was widened and a duplicate tram line laid. In 1911 the Public Works Department imported a new 1910 steam locomotive (Orenstein & Koppel No. 4365) and the jetty was strengthened to accommodate it.  This replaced the draught horses previously used to pull the trollies. In 1912 gas lighting was added to the jetty.  In 1914 widening of the jetty to 41 feet (12.49m) and construction of 320 feet (97.53m) extension was completed. During 1915 the rails were converted to 4 ft 8 ½ in to be compatible with the new railway line being laid from Raleigh to Coffs Harbour.

In April 1946 further extensions were completed.  The jetty was widened at its base to accommodate a loop line to the new Northern Timber Depot and the track layout on the jetty was altered considerably.

Jetty Cranes A single railway line of 3ft 6in gauge was laid along the centre.  A five-ton (4.53 tonnes) capacity steam derrick crane, built by Rogers of Newcastle, was erected near the end of the jetty for loading vessels.  The first crane driver was Dan Shea.  Pop Sampson and Cecil Owen Walsh were engine drivers. A number of small wooden trollies were provided for the conveyance of cargo along the jetty. In 1906-07 the crane was replaced by a 7 1/2-ton (6.80 tonne) capacity steam derrick one from the Clarence Harbour Works, built by Ransomes and Rapier.  By 1909, increased traffic at the port facilities necessitated the jetty to be upgraded. In 1914 a second steam crane (10-ton capacity) was erected at the outer end of the jetty.

Two new steam cranes were purchased for use on the jetty in 1928-29.  The first was a five and a half ton (4.98 tonne) capacity crane at the base of the jetty and the second, a seven and a half ton (6.80 tonne) capacity travelling crane.

In 1947 a timber floodlighting tower was erected to facilitate night work. Two diesel electric travelling cranes, Nos 209 and 210, provided prominent landmarks in the port area.  The cranes were constructed by Messrs. Stothert and Pitt of Bath, England in 1944 for use in the Normandy invasion of France.   No. 210, which was bought from Evans, Deakin and Co Ltd of Brisbane, was erected on the jetty in December 1947 with special rails being laid for it.

In 1949 electric travelling gear was installed on the crane.  By July of that year the North Berth steam crane had been removed, leaving No. 210 as the sole operational crane.  This was later joined by No. 209, the inner crane, identical to the other one, which was supplied by the State Dockyard.  This crane became operational in August 1955.  The main function of the cranes was to load timber onto ships but, they were also used for jetty maintenance, especially pile driving.  With the cessation of regular shipping from Coffs Harbour in the mid-1970s they fell into disuse.  After 1973 owners of fishing vessels relied on the cranes to lift their boats on and off the jetty for maintenance and servicing.

Shipping The first cargo loaded at the jetty was a consignment of sugar from Alexander Herman’s mill at Korora.  Although the jetty was not completely finished, Mr Lawson allowed Mr Herman to use the builders’ trucks to carry the sugar to a chute at the end of the structure, where it was loaded into the tiny ship Byron commanded by Captain Hunter. Over a ten-year period from 1906, more than 400 ships a year called at the jetty.    During the following years, better rail transport and improved road conditions plus the build-up of sand in the harbour resulted in fewer ships calling at the jetty.

The most popular passenger vessel to leave Coffs Harbour for Sydney was the SS Fitzroy , commanded by Captain James Colvin.  It left the jetty at 3pm every Sunday arriving in Sydney the next day.  Passengers were embarked in a large basket which was lifted from ship to jetty and back again by one of the jetty cranes.

Inside the basket were two rows of seats facing each other which held a total of eight people. By the 1970s the jetty had begun to slip into a state of disrepair.  The last regular trading vessel to call at Coffs Harbour, the Abel Tasman , paid its final visit in 1973.  The Lorrana loaded the final commercial shipment on 22 July 1979, when it sailed for Lord Howe Island with a cargo of provisions.

End of Commercial Activity In 1982 most of the railway track was removed to enable replacement of defective timber decking.  Several sheds were demolished and two piles replaced. Due to their unsafe condition, the cranes were demolished by April 1984.  Their removal ended nearly a hundred years of commercial activity on the jetty.

More details are available in the Jetty’s entry in the NSW State Heritage Register.

Sources Ships and Timber – a short history of Coffs Harbour port and associated railways , Dr John Kramer, 1984, 994.43 KRA Coffs Harbour 100 years down the track , Jean Donn-Patterson, 994.43 DON OPENING OF COFFS HARBOR JETTY. (1892, August 10).  Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 – 1907; 1909 – 1910; 1912 – 1913; 1915 – 1916; 1918 – 1954) , p. 4. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234191457 Reminiscences of Jetty Town , 2015, 994.43 REM

The Advocate – 17 August 1956 First cargo 10 December 1981 Cranes on jetty 2 May 1992 Save the jetty fund 22 July 1992 Working model of Timmsvale Sawmill 31 July 1992 The Centenary 1 August 1992 Gala Ball for centenary 4 August 1992 Outlet for produce inlet for necessity 14 May 2001 PWD have control of jetty.  Replacement of crane Jetty Times,  9 March 1996 Jetty restoration The Coffs Harbour Advocate,  14 October 1997 Re-opening ceremony

Acknowledgement Compiled by Museum volunteer, Marie Davey

Author: coffscoastheritage

Local Studies and Digitisation Librarian at Coffs Harbour City Council https://www.coffscoastheritage.info http://libraries.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/Local-Heritage/Pages/Local-Studies-Collection.aspx http://www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/museum http://www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/gallery View all posts by coffscoastheritage

12 thoughts on “The story of the Coffs Harbour Jetty”

Top quality content! Read this while walking the jetty!

Thanks Brett, I hope you continue to enjoy our stories.

Thanks for the article, even though I grew up in Coffs in the 70’s & 80’s, I learned some new things. I found this because I wanted to understand more about the significance of the commercial fishing industry in Coffs at the time and the use of the Jetty to support same. I think perhaps the commercial fishing industry was significant around this time. I have fond memories of holding my father’s hand whilst balancing along the rail tracks as a young child in the mid 70’s. We went now and then in the morning for a stroll along the jetty to join the hive of activity that was to view the trawlers haul, as did many people. I recall the Jetty was lined with fishing trawlers (mostly along the northern side) and although it was awfully smelly it was so very interesting to see what they had brought back from out at sea. I now wonder if they were just servicing the local area or if the catch was also transported by train to other regions.. if so the jetty was definitely an asset to fisherman as well. Also I think the original jetty was higher before the rebuild.. it seemed like it after a revisit and recalling jumping off as a teen after school!!

Thanks for your recollections of the jetty as a child and teenager growing up in Coffs Harbour. We hope to have a post soon detailing more about the history of the fishing industry which will help answer some of your questions as to what was happening at the jetty.

Not mentioned is the small boats, under the Jetty, that the fisherman used, to go out to their fishing boats. The locals fished from the Lower Jetty, down the stairs, as well as from the Upper Jetty. As a child, walking on the Jetty, the cranes looked huge; when the Abel Tasman was in, being loaded, their was a lot of activity on the Jetty and we were told not to get “in the road” as children. There seemed to be a lot of Railway Line that we had to be “careful not to fall over”. I remember seeing fishing boats on the beach, near the Yacht club, after rough seas, from a cyclone, that damaged roof at the Jetty. There was a lot of logs piled up behind the Jetty, Yacht club side of the beach, for many years. The big shed, used by the Railways is now gone as well as the water tank. The explosives are no longer kept, by council, in the Bunker in front of the Fisherman’s Club.

Hi Alice, Thanks for your interesting comments and reflections of the jetty and the area around it. Do you have any time-frames for when you remember these details from?

Lovely to read the potted history of the Jetty but surprised there’s no mention of the Britannia and the Queen’s visit to the Jetty in 1970? It was a surreal and remarkable event and the Jetty was front and centre with the enormous ship parked adjacent and the limousines and public lined up on the jetty waiting in the sun for hours for the royal arrival and glimpse of a Queen.

Hello Tamra, thanks for your comment. We have featured the visit of the Royal tour of Australia (and Coffs Harbour) in a different way – see the related content in our online service Coffs Collections at https://coffs.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/69257 .

Came across you page when looking into some I my families history, I’m the great Gandson of Daniel Shea, the crane driver mentioned as Dan Shea in your article, will share with other family members

Thank you for letting us know Barry. If you have stories related to that time, please let us know. You will find more photographs in our newer service Coffs Collections @ coffs.recollect.net.au too. regards, Debbie

Can you tell me what is the current length of the Jetty, I have been told it was originally 500Mtrs but was shortened at some stage.

Hi Patrick, the jetty measures approximately 360m long with a width of 6.5m at the shore and 15m at the sea end. This detail is from the State Heritage Inventory at https://www.hms.heritage.nsw.gov.au/App/Item/ViewItem?itemId=5056289 .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Browse by location

Our Top Picks

Yachtie Restaurant @ Coffs Harbour Yacht Club

Coffs Harbour, North Coast, New South Wales

Situated in the most iconic and pristine area of the Coffs Coast, Yachties Restaurant at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club offers both breathtaking water views and friendly service. Delicious meals are served up for breakfast, lunch and dinner, showcasing the area's fantastic selection of seafood as well as Mediterranean-inspired dishes

Gift Card Eligibility

Best Restaurants Gift Card

Not accepted

• Waterfront Dining

Cuisines Bistro, Modern Australian

Price Mains under $20, Mains $20 - $30

Type Restaurant

Similar Restaurants Nearby

Latitude 30

Jetty Beach House

Supply Speciality Coffee and Bar

Element Bar

Shearwater Restaurant

sSs BBQ Barn-Coffs Harbour

Horizons @ Opal Cove Resort

Casay on the Beach @ Aanuka Beach Resort

Request to book table.

Your booking enquiry will be sent to Yachtie Restaurant @ Coffs Harbour Yacht Club .

This is not a confirmed booking. If you do not hear back within 24 hours we suggest that you phone the restaurant as opening times and days may change.

Function enquiry

Your function venue enquiry will be sent to Yachtie Restaurant @ Coffs Harbour Yacht Club .

News Of The Area

Modern media delivering relevant community news, yacht club’s redevelopment future has council’s approval.

• Coffs Coast
• Highlight Section

AN AGREEMENT between the NSW Government, City of Coffs Harbour and Coffs Harbour Yacht Club (CHYC) was passed at Council’s meeting on Thursday 8 December which ultimately aims to help the Club achieve its vision of becoming a water sports centre of excellence and a tourism and community hub at the heart of the Jetty Precinct.

The agreement – a Memorandum of Understanding or MOU – outlines a two-year Expression of Interest (EOI) process to be undertaken by the Yacht Club to explore the potential scale of redevelopment and to secure funding partners.

“This Memorandum means the Club’s endeavours to retain and improve our facility is now formalised,” CHYC Commodore John Wait told News Of The Area.

It is not anticipated that the City will contribute directly to the redevelopment of the Yacht Club facilities, but City staff will continue to provide time and expertise to the Club through its role as the Crown Land Manager.

Once the scope of the development has been established, and funding partners engaged, the Club could then be provided with a lease that reflects the level of investment secured for the site.

The lease renewal process has been affected by new Crown Land Management legislation introduced by the NSW Government in 2018.

The State Government is the owner of all Crown Land in NSW.

Initially, the legislation didn’t allow the City, as Crown Land Manager, to approve new and long-term renewals of leases without new approved Plans of Management, but this issue was subsequently rectified through an amendment to the regulation.

“The Club has always sought a secure long-term lease so that any investment would be secure and stable.

“Under this agreement, the security of a long-term lease will be realised after the level of improvement has been defined and funding becoming available.

“Government funding and private investment funding will be explored so that we can deliver the Club’s Vision Statement.”

The first stage is already underway, in that the CHYC has identified the possibilities relative to the site.

“We are now seeking funding sources and or partnerships to bring the potential to fruition.

“We were virtually bound by bureaucracy and protocol to engage with this Memorandum,” said John.

“It has not changed or altered the Club’s commitment or future aspirations in any way.”

Feelings amongst Coffs Harbour Yacht Club management is that the MOU means they will be supported in a more formal manner from this point on.

By Andrea FERRARI

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Australia /
• Coffs Harbour, New South Wales /
• Yknot @ The Yachtie /
• Yknot @ The Yachtie menu

Yknot @ The Yachtie Menu

Menu added by users october 21, 2020.

Menu added by users July 12, 2018

Menu added by users April 12, 2018

Menus of restaurants nearby

View menus for coffs harbour restaurants.

Jetty Beach

Jetty Beach is a protected beach which is popular with both locals and tourists alike, especially families. There are new accessible facilities of a beach mat and beach wheelchairs. The beach is also now patrolled in New South Wales Summer holidays.

Behind Jetty Beach you will find the Jetty Foreshores Park. The park has showers, toilets, barbecues, popular picnic shelter areas, pathways for roller blades and bicycles and children’s playgrounds. The Foreshores area consists of the Jetty restaurant strip, Marina, Yacht Club and the railway station is also within close walking distance.

To further enhance your visitor experience you can go snorkelling, fishing, visit the Harbourside Markets on Sundays, eat fresh seafood from the local Fishermen’s Co-op, go whale and dolphin watching, walk out along the Jetty , take a stroll along the Northern break-wall to Mutton Bird Island, walk out along the newly renovated Southern breakwall and take in the views of the Harbour.

• Public Telephone
• Family Friendly
• Food and Refreshments
• Picnic Area
• Public Toilet

For information on how to book a beach wheelchair visit here

Look at What's Nearby

Going Bananas Café

Stef Beachstone

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our  Cookie Policy .