The Clog Barn, Coffs Harbour

Dutch nostalgia, tiny towns and big yellow clogs that spray water, this is nostalgia-filled happiness for me.

We ducked into The Clog Barn and it’s still cute as a button. Dutch flags, window boxes full of flowers, little peaked roofs from an unmistakable 80s build vibe, and yes, the branding is so on point the pool’s water jets are literal giant yellow clogs spraying water. Subtle? Not at all. Was it so bloody delightful? Completely!

A little slice of Holland on the highway

Coffs Harbour has a real Dutch thread thanks to Tom Hartsuyker, who immigrated from the Netherlands in 1951 and refused to let his heritage fade. In the 80s he turned a tired caravan park into The Clog Barn, then spent decades handcrafting the Dutch Model Village you wander through today. Working windmills, a garden railway looping between tiny town squares, and buildings modelled on real Dutch architecture make it feel like you’ve shrunk and landed in Holland for half an hour. Entry is free, which is exactly the price you want when you’re herding kids, grandparents and caffeine needs.

Dutch Model Village

Tom’s craftsmanship is everywhere. The village is intricate without being precious, and it’s very much a living project. You stroll the paths, watch the train clatter past and spot details you missed five steps earlier. The authenticity matters here: these aren’t generic “Euro” buildings, they’re faithful recreations based on Tom’s research and photography. It’s part art, part cultural love letter, and all heart.

Big Oma’s Coffee House

Inside the park sits Big Oma’s Coffee House, open daily from 8 am with the kitchen closing at 3 pm. Expect pancakes, crepes, homemade cakes and proper “Dutchstralian” comfort food built on local produce. There are gluten-free options, classic Dutch biscuits, pastries and liquorice to eat in or take home. It’s pet friendly, so your four-legged food critics can lounge under the table while you pretend you’re not ordering a second pancake. Accessibility is sorted with step-free access to the café, gift shop, the miniature village and an accessible public toilet.

Personal nostalgia hit

I came here as a kid in the 80s and was obsessed with the clog-making demos and the miniature village. There used to be a statue of a girl out front in clogs. I lifted her hair once, found a monster spider and learned I have a lifelong aversion to eight-legged surprises. Still do. Trauma aside, it was magic then and it holds up now. The gardens are lush, bush turkeys patrol like they’re on payroll, and you forget you’re on the current highway because you’re basically in a Dutch daydream amongst trees and creek-side quiet.

Why bring the kids (and your inner child)

• Free entry to the model village keeps the budget calm

• Moving parts keep small humans engaged without screens

• Breakfast-to-late-lunch menu makes scheduling painless

• Photo ops everywhere from the clogs by the pool to the village bridges

  Got a crew of ten or more?

  Book a private Paint Juicy session

  Hens nights, birthdays, team building, baby showers and more. We come to you or we set it up at one of our partner venues.

  Plan Your Private Session

Quick planning bits

• Open from 8 am; kitchen wraps at 3 pm

• Pet friendly outdoors, easy access for prams and wheelchairs

• Grab treats from the shop and stroll the village after you eat

• Parking is simple, and you’re minutes from beaches and the Jetty precinct

What we think

The Clog Barn is pure, old-school charm executed with care. It’s culture you can actually touch, eat and photograph, not a dusty plaque behind glass. Bring the kids, bring Nan, bring your appetite, and bring your camera. Then come see us after, we’re running paint and sip sessions around Coffs, and yes, we fully endorse pancakes before painting. Fancy a nice walk with the crew? See Foreshores Pathway from Park Beach Reserve into the Coffs Jetty!

Where is The Clog Barn Coffs Harbour?