The Coffs Harbour region in New South Wales is home to two notable museums: Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) and Coffs Harbour Regional Museum. Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) is located on Gumbaynggirr Country along the mid-north coast of New South Wales, at the heart of Yarrila Place in the Coffs Harbour central business district. The name Yarrila means "illuminate / brighten / light up / illustrate" in the Gumbaynggirr language, reflecting YAM's vision of illuminating knowledge, arts, heritage, and community creativity. The museum features five exhibition spaces, with the centerpiece being 'Yaamanga Around Here', a permanent exhibition that explores the history and identity of the Coffs Coast through artworks and stories. The other four exhibition spaces host dynamic rotating exhibitions, many of which showcase YAM's own collections. The exhibition program spans a range of inspiring local, regional, touring, and in-house curated exhibitions, encompassing art, social history, and natural history.
Coffs Harbour Regional Museum aims to reflect the social and cultural history of the region, with a focus on the relationships between the region's residents. Admission is free, and the museum offers various facilities for visitors, including those with access needs. The museum's collection covers a wide range of social and industry objects, with a particular emphasis on the timber industry, which played a vital role in the development of the Coffs Harbour region. The standout object in the museum's collection is the optic from the lighthouse. While the museum was flooded in 2009 and is currently unable to return to its building, it continues to function from an industrial storage facility, focusing on digitizing, reaccessioning, scanning photographs and documents, and keeping the museum operational in all capacities. The museum also holds small exhibitions in a local shopping center, allowing some of its collection to remain on display for the public.