Coffs Harbour is calling on its community to help secure the title of New South Wales Top Tourism Town for 2026, with public voting now open until 3 May. The city is competing against seven other regional centres in the category for towns with more than 5,000 residents, with the final winner to be announced on 27 May at the LGNSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference in Maitland.
To boost support for the campaign, Mayor Nikki Williams and Channel Nine presenter Jane de Graaff are hosting a unique community event at Jetty Beach on Saturday 11 April at 9:30 am. Locals are invited to wear yellow and take part in an attempt to set a world record for the largest human banana formation on the sand. The event celebrates the region’s long history as the Banana Coast, dating back to 1887 when Hermann Rieck first introduced banana cultivation to the area. By 1947, the local industry had expanded to include roughly 500 growers across more than 3,600 acres, a heritage still recognised today by the iconic Big Banana, which has been a staple of the landscape since 1964.
While honouring its agricultural roots, Coffs Harbour is promoting its modern identity as the state’s first ECO Certified Destination. The city is focusing its tourism appeal on sustainable travel and adventure activities, including rainforest exploration, kayaking, scuba diving, skydiving, and Indigenous cultural immersion. Mayor Williams, a fourth-generation local, has championed this shift toward a diversified visitor economy as a key pillar for the city’s future growth.
Jane de Graaff, who has visited the area every summer for the past 15 years, described the region as her happiest place. The campaign is particularly focused on the NRMA People’s Choice Award, which is decided by the number of public votes received. Residents are encouraged to cast their votes online and share the campaign link with friends and family across Australia to help Coffs Harbour secure the win.
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