Before I visited Coffs Harour, I had heard about the nearby Skywalk and the views it offered over at Dorrigo National Park and out towards the coast. I hadn't heard of the Forest Sky Pier though, just north of the city, so it was with surprise (and delight) that I discovered that some pretty impressive 180 degree views can be found here as well.
The spectacular view over Coffs Harbour you will find at Forest Sky Pier
I ended up at the lookout because my companion and I were making good time on our trip to Coffs Harbour and expected to arrive earlier than we had actually intended too (we had planned to get there just in time for the afternoon sessions at
Dolphin Marine Magic). Spotting the attraction on a map of the area, we decided to make a detour.
The pier is located at Sealy Lookout, in Bruxner Park Flora Reserve, Orara East State Forest. If you're travelling along the Pacific Highway, the turnoff to the reserve is only a few kilometres from Coffs Harbour. It can also be entered from Coramba Road on the other side.
To get to the reserve, you drive up a a hill behind Coffs Harbour, passing a few banana plantations along the way. I found the drive to be another bonus, because it was the first time I actually appreciated why the
Big Banana represents the region.
It doesn't take long to reach the lookout, which has an elevation of 310 metres. Forest Sky Pier extends twenty-one metres out from it and stands fifteen metres above the forest floor (which drops away even further below that). On a clear day, up to 100 kilometres of coastline are visible here.
The pier juts out from Sealy Lookout and offers some impressive views
While the view from the lookout isn't the grand, natural scene I got to see when I eventually made it to Dorrigo's Skywalk, you do get to see Ulidarra National Park, between the lookout and Coffs Harbour and I have to admit, I think I preferred the scenery here. I loved looking at the city from above and immediately appreciated the lack of skyscrapers in what always seemed to me to be a pretty popular tourist destination.
In my opinion, the Forest Sky Pier is worth making a detour for when you're visiting Coffs Harbour. It's convenient and beautiful and has all the basic facilities you need; a sealed road, toilets and a small car park.
