Moonee Beach sits just north of Coffs Harbour and , home of the iconic Big Banana — that bright yellow landmark every Aussie knows.

We chose Moonee Beach as our base so Mahia could go tree climbing nearby and, of course, so we could all enjoy the Big Banana and its activities. It’s not just a kids’ attraction; adults get just as much fun out of it.

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The beach itself sits across a deep causeway, and on this trip we didn’t venture over to it. Instead, we stayed in the estuary, where the water was crystal clear and icy cold — perfect on a hot day. There’s something magic about that mix of sunshine and cold water; it slows everything down in the best way.

Our caravan park was right on the water’s edge, complete with a tennis and a kids play area. In the afternoon we were invited for drinks and nibbles in the games room overlooking the estuary. It turned into a lovely, relaxed gathering — everyone was super friendly, and the view made it even better.

Just a short walk away sits a small plaza with everything you need for supplies. We ducked into the local pub for dinner, which served good grub and had a big play area. Mahia made full use of it while we listened to a local band — funnily enough, they were from Rous, where we live. I knew them, but seeing them there was a complete surprise.

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We stayed for two days, spending our time reading, swimming, and simply unwinding. Moonee Beach turned out to be the perfect mix of convenience, scenery, and friendly faces — a quiet little gem just minutes from the buzz of Coffs Harbour.