For decades, Coffs Harbour has been a major stopping point – and snarl-up location – for travellers heading up and down the east coast.
But the long-talked about bypass for the town on the NSW Mid North Coast is slowly but steadily becoming a reality … and it will inevitably mean big changes for the home of the Big Banana.
In a major milestone for one of regional Australia’s biggest infrastructure projects, the first phase of the multi-billion-dollar bypass is now complete.
The Coffs Harbour bypass tunnelling team working on either side of the 410-metre-long Gatelys Road Tunnel has broken through both the northbound tube and the southbound tube, completing the first major phase of the three tunnels to be built as part of the bypass.
When the Coffs Harbour Bypass opens in late 2026, it will take 12,000 vehicles out of the town. PIC: Cizza
Workers will now start excavating the tunnel floor, carry out the permanent tunnel lining works, install drainage, build the pavement, and complete the fit-out of the mechanical, electrical, fire, safety and intelligent transport systems.
In a sign of how quickly things are moving for the tunnelling teams, a breakthrough at the 320-metre-long Shephards Lane tunnel is expected in mid-April next year.
Each of the three tunnels will have two tubes, with each tube capable of carrying two lanes of traffic. There will also be room to accommodate cyclists.
The game-changing bypass is expected to open to traffic in late 2026.
The Australian Government is investing $1.76 billion towards the project, with the remaining $440 million investment provided by the New South Wales Government.
NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister, Jenny Aitchison, was delighted with the news.
“It’s great to see a major tunnel project in the regions that has created 600 jobs and will remove 12,000 vehicles from the CBD,” she said. “This will reduce travel times and deliver vital safety improvements.”
Of course, the eventual opening of the bypass will have a seismic effect on the popular tourist destination. Rather than heading through the town as a matter of course, grey nomads will soon have to make a deliberate decision to turn off the highway to visit the beautiful beaches and other attractions of the town … and perhaps stay.
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Coffs Harbour used to be a beautiful, relaxing location to stay in.
We used to stay at the Banana Bowl Caravan Park.
Its now a private beach with no public access except for resort patrons.
I think we’ll be taking the bypass route.
If they charge excessive tolls om carravanners like they have on the westconnex. Nomads will avoid the bypass.
I will still go in if that is what I want. We just spent 10 days up at Glenreagh Rec Reserve and wandered into Coffs as we wanted. We did other local areas.
The bypass will be great to get passing through traffic away from the CBD. Coffs will always be a holiday destination just with less traffic.
Coffs is overgrown and overrated. Too busy. Nothing there interests me but others will enjoy aspects. We drive straight through in July this year. Had no reason to stop. Plenty of infrastructure all around such as shopping centres for all grocery needs. All within about 30 minutes from Coffs Harbour.
Bye bye Coffs.
As we live fairly close to Coffs it will be a god sent to have the bypass completed. Coffs Harbour is a nice place to visit & stay and the good thing of the bypass opening it remove all the heavy vehicles out of the town and make it more accessible for those who want to visit.
I luv. Coffs Harbour will always stay there for a few days no matter bypass or not
Not a stopping point but a traffic hold-up on our journey south for years. Bring on the bypass!
I prefer to tour far away from coastal roads/highways … too many idiots. I prefer the country roads west of the divide and visit the small towns and soak in the hospitality, history, etc. etc.
How is this comment relevant??
I rarely stopped in Coffs Harbour itself – not enough parking for vans and RV’s so I will be using the bypass and using the service Centre at the southern end as I do now.
Personally I get through Coffs as quickly as possible! The traffic is just terrible and there are very few places to park with a van. Hopefully the bypass will slow relevant authorities to make some adjustments once traffic is reduced
We went to Coffs last year during winter on our way to other places. We enjoyed Coffs as we had not been there for over 10 years.
I find that it is up to individuals what they enjoy doing. So we will visit Coffs again, even after the bypass.
We go north to Townsville every year, but never travel by the Princess Hwy or Bruce Hwy so it won’t effect us. Always travel inland up through Bourke etc. Much safer towing our caravan this route.
No. Especially now that the freecamp is closed by the Coubcil.