🟡 Milo, milk and the Mid North Coast
Including: Can the heart of Coffs Harbour survive the bypass?
Ellie Chamberlain
January 09, 2026
⏱️ The 86th edition of our newsletter is a six-minute read.
📧 If you ever want to get in touch with feedback, a story tip or just to say hi, simply reply to this email.
👋 Hi folks, it’s Ellie.
Hasn’t the water been gorgeous lately!? If you haven’t had a chance to enjoy it I hope you find yourself seaside over the weekend.
Overlooking Back Beach, South West Rocks, on Wednesday.
👀 In today’s newsletter we’re looking the City of Coffs Harbour’s vision for the soon-to-be-bypassed highway, the history of Milo and its invention on the Mid North Coast, and a good lunch option in Woopi – especially on a hot summer day.
Let’s dive in…
🛣️ Can the heart of Coffs Harbour survive the bypass?
Stretch of the Pacific Highway through Coffs Harbour is soon to be bypassed. Image supplied City of Coffs Harbour.
The $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass is set to be complete by the end of the year.
So what happens to the 10.2km bypassed section of the highway that cuts through the heart of the city centre, currently heaving with traffic, tourists headed north and trucks delivering goods?
And how will the powers that be ensure that less traffic doesn’t lead to tumbleweeds blowing through the city's retail and business heart?
In an attempt to “stitch the city back together” and avoid a drop in visitor numbers, the City of Coffs Harbour has visions of turning the old highway into a “High Street”.
❓What happened: At the November 2025 meeting, councillors voted to endorse the first stage of a long-term plan that - if implemented - would see the reimagining of the 10km stretch between the interchanges at Englands Road and Korora Hill.
It would involve increased tree cover as part of a continuous green corridor, foot and bike paths, pedestrian crossings, seating, bus stops and improved road surfaces and lighting.
“There’s an opportunity here to stitch our city back together, as the old highway passes through the CBD and dissects east from west,” Mayor Nikki Williams said in a statement.
“We’re setting the bar high – to make this corridor attractive and enjoyable for all users, pedestrians, drivers, riders, shoppers, locals and tourists.”
The 10km stretch of the Pacific Highway that will be bypassed includes a mix of commercial, light industrial, residential and green space.
✍️ Design to come: For the project to proceed council will need to secure funding for initial streetscape and concept designs.
“Worldwide, famous roads include the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Broadway in New York and Abbey Road in London – all people-friendly corridors,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said in a statement. “Our challenge, and opportunity, is to imagine a scaled version of a truly great High Street for a major regional centre.”
💰Who is paying for it? The Highway Bypass Integration Committee and City Centre Masterplan Committee have already agreed to allocate $50,000 each toward the design phase. At the council meeting, councillors voted that staff advocate to Transport for NSW for funding of $100,000.
🥛The story behind Milo’s invention on the Mid North Coast during the Great Depression
Milo – the iconic Australian choc-malt drink – was invented on the Mid North Coast and continues to be made at the Smithtown factory in Kempsey Shire.
How it started: During the 1929-39 Great Depression, Nestlé wanted to develop a “tonic drink” marketed to children, with the goal of providing nourishment that was often lacking at the dinner table. The drink needed to be made from locally available ingredients, taste good and not cost too much.
The task fell to Smithtown resident and trainee chemical engineer, Thomas Mayne, who spent four years developing Milo.
What happened: Mayne wanted to create a mix of vitamins and minerals that would dissolve when stirred, rather than fall to the bottom of the glass, Milo said. But when he walked into his kitchen one day to discover two of his children scooping the crunchy bits of what is now known as Milo off the top of their drinks, he realised that was its selling point.
Mayne unveiled Milo at the 1934 Royal Easter Show and production began in Smithtown that same year.
The drink was named after Milo of Croton, a 6th Century BC Greek wrestler said to possess great strength.
Milo is made with malted barley, milk powder, cocoa and added nutrients like calcium, iron, and B vitamins.
Milo coming off the production line. Imaged supplied Nestlé
Local factory: Milo is made at the Nestlé factory in Smithtown, a 24/7 operation that employs about 250 people. A Nestlé spokesperson says about 30 current staff have worked at the Smithtown factory for more than 20 years.
“Together, they produce around 11,000 tonnes of Milo every year,” the spokesperson said.
The Smithtown factory covers more than 10,000 square metres and produces a variety of Milo and other Nestlé products, including Nesquik.
Aerial site photo of the Nestle factory in Smithtown, where Milo is made. Image supplied Nestlé
Going global: Australia began exporting Milo in the 1950s. It is sold in 40 countries, including in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, and made in 12 factories around the world including in Malaysia.
Nestlé says more than half (55 percent) of Milo’s ingredients are sourced in Australia, and the cocoa is certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
📹 A locally-recommended lunch
It was a stifling hot day when I visited Woolgoolga (Woopi) late last year.
After a quick dip at the beach, I approached a local surf coach and asked: “Where should I grab lunch?” He recommended a handful of places within walking distance, including Tango. The ice-creamery and juice bar also sells sushi rolls and poke bowls – good summer options.
I chose a chicken satay roll (a first) and a tuna bowl from the cabinet, grab-and-go style.
Here’s my review of the food:
Thanks for reading; I’ll be back next week with more stories and newsletters.
Have a lovely weekend,
👋 Ellie
PS - something from The National Account this week…
