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Port Macquarie is a coastal beachside city on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast, approximately 400 km north of Sydney and 550 km south of Brisbane. The Port Macquarie–Hastings area (which includes many towns such as Wauchope west of the Pacific Mwy) had a population of 86,762 in 2021.
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It is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and has a small collection of artifacts, documents, and displays showcasing Port Macquarie's maritime history. The steps up to the top of Flagstaff Hill are located in the park directly across the road, and this hill is a former naval lookout station. It affords eminent ocean views.
This grave site was the primary burial ground for early settlers. It is shaded by Lilli Pilli trees and is a pleasant place to wander around for an hour or so. It backs onto Koolonbung Nature Reserve, a native mangrove swamp area, with several kilometres of elevated boardwalks (so you don't have to walk in the mud!) and notice boards informing you about the ecosystem, this is a great, central spot for birdwatching or exploring nature in a close up environment. Remember to stay on the boardwalks at all times. Note: While Port Macquarie is a safe city, some robberies have happened in Koolonbung Creek Reserve, and while it is unlikely to occur, do not enter alone or at night.
This national park is home to a native flying fox colony, scrub turkeys, wallabies, kangaroos, etc. The rainforest is crisscrossed with several kilometres of elevated boardwalks, and forest floor trails, and rangers often give guided tours. During school holidays, night tours are a must, for those interested in wildlife as it's your best time to see Australia's nocturnal animals in the wild. There is a charge to access the boardwalk. Cafe and other tracks are accessible without charge.
Central Port Macquarie's showpiece. A large park located right on the river in the CBD. It is surrounded by cafe's and hotels, and is a pleasant spot to have a cup of coffee, or picnic. A public wharf is located there, and the Alma Dopel - a former merchant sailing ship - is moored there most of the year. Tours are available. Markets are also held in summertime on the Town Green.
Whales migrate past Port Macquarie during early winter and summer, and there are lots of headlands which overlook the sea to spot them from. The Lighthouse, which is located at the end of Lighthouse Road in the south, is an excellent place to spot them (and generally a great place to see views down the southern coast to Laurieton). Also, located just west of the Town Green (see above) are the commercial charter boat docks. Whalewatching (or any other water activity) can be booked here.
The heritage listed historic site built in 1891 by the Flynn family and constructed with local red mahogany exemplifies Victorian architecture. Situated in a serene setting, it has been well preserved and maintained and offers a glimpse into life in Australia over 120 years ago. A cafe has opened in part of the historic house. Wheelchair access is available.
Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is a unique attraction in Greater Port Macquarie, with over 60 one-metre-high koala sculptures, beautifully designed and hand-painted by selected artists, dotted across the landscape. Port Macquarie has the largest koala population on the east coast of Australia. The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail reflects the community's commitment to caring for their koalas while providing an engaging way for visitors to explore villages and towns across the region and enhance their stay. Many of the Hello Koalas designs reflect the history and natural beauty of the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, while other designs advocate for the importance of koala conservation.
Very good old timber town of the 1880s set on .
Located in the resort precinct of Flynns Beach, this is a great tourist beach. With good waves for surfing, commonly patrolled areas (all summer long), lots of shady spots under the Norfolk Pines and a cafe, Flynns is an excellent family beach. Parking can be a major hassle during summer, so either arrive early (very early) or be prepared for a walk.
Located right next to Sea Acres (see above) this beach has good waves on the northern end, and a semi-protected rock pool for snorkeling and children to the south. Barbecue areas are available, but no food stores are on the beach. Parking here is very hard at the best of times, so arrive very early, or park at the top of Shelly Beach Road (near the service station) and walk down. It's an easy 800 m or so walk.
The most central beach in Port Macquarie. The southern end is the family end, and patrolled by life savers. It also has a great beach front cafe. The northern end is the surf end, and is not recommended for poor swimmers or families as it commonly has strong currents, and submerged rocks. Parking is not as bad as the other beaches, but if you're staying in town, simply follow the footpath from Town Green along the breakwater. A small skate-park is located nearby.
This is an interesting walk around a body of water rich in aquatic life. The walk takes you through mangroves, paperbark and eucalypt forest as well as sedge land and wet land. There is a wide variety of bird life and while you are looking up keep your eyes open for a koala. There are a lot of flying foxes roosting in the trees during the day so while looking up be careful you don't get something dropping in your eye. You'll know when you are in the flying fox area as you hear them squealing and squabbling all day long. Keep your eyes peeled for a water dragon, they are common near the water.
Located just up the hill from the CBD, in the Port Pacific Resort Building (the big white building) Hamburger Heaven makes reasonably priced breakfasts, but the real reason to go there is for the hamburgers. Made with premium grade, home made patties, they are the best in town.
Ignoring the terrible pun name for a second, this place is good value, and makes delicious Thai food. Located at the traffic lights in the CBD, it doesn't have any outdoor seating, and is a good place to go if the weather is bad, or in the evening.
This bistro doesn't really serve anything all that Irish except for the fantastic Irish Guinness Pie. It does however serve good pasta, steaks and seafood, and often runs beer and meal deals during the middle of the week.
Good range of meals with some pleasant views.
This place serves standard bistro fare, or pasta, burgers, steak, and seafood. The food is quite good, and it's a popular place with local families. $10 all you can eat pasta nights happen quite often during the week. Serves 2-for-1 meals 7 days a week, lunch and dinner.
Italian food lovers - Owner Phil has carried on his Italian heritage and has been sharing it with the locals for many many years now. The famous Tuesday nights 2-for-1 pasta deal, has the 2-storey establishment nearly fully booked every time (not available in Peak Holiday time) This well known establishment to the locals is open for breakfast and lunch 7 days and dinner 6 days a week (closed Monday night). Try the famous Marinara with your choice of pasta full of tender calamari, baby octopus, prawns and mussels on a tomato based sauce with slight hint of chilly. Pesto bread to die for. For those that love sweets, you cannot go past the Tiramisu cake (family recipe) coffee, marsala, and mascarpone. Licensed premises.
A little out of town on Hastings River Drive, this cafe has great coffee and fresh muffins with casual eating right on the water
Once this place stops serving food (see Eating), it becomes the most up to date and fashionable bar in Port Macquarie. It has a great location facing the town square and the river. Playing a good mix of up to the minute electronic music, serving great German beers and with its night views of the Hastings River, you can't go past this place in the CBD. Frequently visited by young professional workers, and a more mature clientèle than the other bars nearby, it is the place to see and be seen. Drinks can be very expensive.
It's on the southern outskirts of Port Macquarie, just off Pacific Drive. This tavern is a good family pub, with a children's play area, and a decent bistro. (See above). Standard tap beer is available, as well as spirits and wine. Live covers bands play often on weekends, and this is the best place in town for a spot of mid-week pub trivia. A free courtesy bus picks up and drops off in town, which is the best way to get there. It is too far to walk from the CBD.
Right on the river and town green. At the centre of everything in Port.
4-star rated accommodation with 16 spacious motel rooms and an adjoining apartment building including 3 dual key family suites & jet swimming pool. Centrally located and 100 m off Hastings River Drive in a quiet residential setting.
A hydroponic farm growing strawberries and tomatoes. You can pick your own strawberries while the tomatoes can be bought inside the main shop. The shop also sells products made from these fruits including preserves, relish and sauces.
By bus
Premier Motor Service, Greyhound and Flixbus each run a daily bus services to and from Port Macquarie as part of their daily service between Sydney and Brisbane.
By train
Port Macquarie does not have a railway station, but connections are available via Wachope station that is 20 min drive west of Port Macquarie.
By car
Port Macquarie is on the Oxley Highway to the east of the Pacific Highway, which is the major north-south highway in NSW connecting Sydney and Brisbane.
Port Macquarie has a limited bus service, but it has limited frequency that can make getting around by public transport difficult.
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