A cannabis plantation has been found in bushland just minutes from the Coffs Harbour central business district (CBD).

Police yesterday raided a property on Dowsett Drive, which runs behind the Coffs Harbour Airport.

They found 165 plants which have an estimated street value of over $300,000.

A 58-year-old man has been charged with cultivating an indictable quantity of a prohibited plan.

He has been granted bail ahead of a court appearance in March.

Inspector Mick Brunyee from the Coffs-Clarence Local Area Command (LAC) said it is a remarkable find so close to the city.

"They range in height from about 35cm to over two metres tall," he said.

"It is a particularly large find given it was in Coffs Harbour itself, in the town centre.

"That size plantation in the town area is quite large."

Inspector Brunyee said the plants were hidden from view, but police got a tip-off from the public and acted upon it.

"It was hidden in some bushland, so it was hidden to a degree, but a plantation of that size in town is out of the ordinary," he said.

"It is a particularly large find given it was in Coffs Harbour itself, in the main town centre."