Port Macquarie is a small coastal town located about 240 miles (390 kilometers) north of Sydney. Although small, it is the perfect stop when traveling between Sydney and Byron Bay. Its beautiful scenery and numerous activities make most people wish they had scheduled a longer stay.
Head to the Beach!
Port Macquarie is often overlooked as a tourist destination, however, its beaches could definitely compete with the best. Along its coast are nine jaw-dropping beaches, most of which can be found nearly empty at any time of the day. The two most popular spots are Town Beach (right in town) and Lighthouse Beach (10km outside of town). Conveniently, the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk trail connects these two beaches, winding you through all 7 others on the way!
NOTE: Miners Beach is locally known to be a nude beach. This is no longer legally the case, but you may still spot some old timers keeping the tradition alive.
Some other relaxing options a bit outside of Port Macquarie include Lake Cathie, Grants Beach, and Rainbow Beach. You can additionally take a ferry (free for pedestrians, 6AUD for a car) up to the north shore to enjoy North Shore Beach.
Spot some Australian Flora and Fauna!
There are plenty of ways to experience the incredible natural life Australia has to offer in Port Macquarie. In my opinion, Australia has some of the best zoos in the world and the Billabong Zoo is one of these. Here you get to feed kangaroos and wallabies, chat with talking birds, and see one gigantic croc. I even got lucky enough to pet a puppy dingo!
NOTE: Queensland is the only state where it is legal for tourists to hold a koala. If that is on your Australian bucket list, you will be disappointed in New South Wales!
There are koalas at the zoo, but if you want to learn more about their endangerment and conservation, head to the Koala Hospital. The koalas are most active around 8am and 3pm, so definitely try to go around then to actually see them eating and moving around, not just sleeping!
If you’re looking for something a bit more spooky, walk through Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve at sunset to see hundreds of flying foxes take off.
For the plant and rainforest lovers, stop at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre for a small 1.3km walk on an elevated board walk through the Australian trees.
There are almost always dolphins to spot in the Port Macquarie Harbour. Walk along the Breakwall to enjoy rows of painted rocks as you spy for them!
Get out of the Town!
Although the town of Port Macquarie has lots of activities to keep you busy, exploring its hinterland is always a good idea. You will definitely want a car for these treks but if you’re able to get one, you will not be disappointed!
A visit to Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries is the perfect daytime activity. Receive a bucket and scissors from the main building and let loose in the strawberry greenhouses! A full bucket is about 20AUD, but price is determined by weight so you decide how much you pay by how many strawberries you pick. Harvesting is so much fun and you’ll go home with tons of delicious strawberries to enjoy!
Another great option if you’re looking to get away from the coast is the Bago Vineyard & Maze. Wine tastings are 20-30AUD and free if you purchase a bottle of wine afterward. The maze entry is 10AUD so after getting a bit of wine in you, definitely take some time to run around and get lost!
It’s always healthy to chase some waterfalls and the Port Macquarie hinterland has some amazing options. Rawson Falls is a stunning waterfall with a short and fun trek down to it about an hour drive from Port Macquarie. Ellenborough Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere and is a 1.5 hour drive from Port. From the parking lot there are easy treks to a lookout and down to the base of the falls.
Some honorable mentions that I did not do but would be fun activities if you’re looking to splurge:
- Cloudbase Paragliding – paraglide off of Harry’s Lookout with a relaxed beach landing.
- Watersports – Port Macquarie Harbour is always bustling with boats, windsurfers, and jetskis. If you are less adventurous there are also sunset and dolphin viewing cruises available. Take a walk along the boardwalk in town to see all the options on the docks.
- Whale Watching – The whale watching experience in Port Macquarie is the cheapest on the East Coast. Whale watching season is between May and November.
How to Get to Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is a 4 hour drive north of Sydney and a 6 hour bus ride. If you are doing a road trip, then this tiny town is an easy stop but if you are traveling by bus, it is a bit more difficult. Taking the Greyhound or Premier Bus means you will get dropped off and eventually picked up at 3am. This means that you will need to contact your hostel ahead of time to organize a late check-in and walk 10-15 minutes in the dead of night.
Best Cafes and Restaurants in Port Maquarie
Although small, Port Macquarie is bursting with yummy spots to eat. Places can be a bit pricey, especially if you go for cocktails, but the food quality is very worth it! Here are some of my favorite spots to eat in this coastal town:
- Cafe 66
- The Beach House
- Lilys Cafe
- Finnian’s Irish Tavern
- Little Turkey
- Hidden Gem
- Little Shack
How Many Days in Port Macquarie?
If you decide to stop here, I recommend staying for 2-3 days. There aren’t many things to do if you don’t have a car. However, its coast has some of the most stunning (and stunningly empty) beaches you will ever get to see, along with a variety of one of a kind restaurants and activities. You can definitely fill three days with lots of fun in Port Macquarie.
Overall, Port Macquarie is a beautiful stop along the East Coast that I highly recommend. It is often overlooked by tourists, leaving its gorgeous beaches empty and many activities available.
Sylvia's Gap Year 