Port Macquarie is a town at the Hastings River in New South Wales, Australia. The beautiful Port Macquarie is on the NSW mid-North Coast, four hours’ distance from the northern hemisphere of Sydney and six hours’ distance from the southern hemisphere of Brisbane.
It lies on the Pacific Ocean coast and there are many best things to do in Port Macquarie, Australia. It is a locally named port and is the biggest town in the province and the town has a population of around 80,000 and is the 9th most populated city in New South Wales.
Port Macquarie is known for its pristine beaches, ocean views, wonderful swimming, and surfing spots, and incredible wildlife encounters like whale watching, camel safari, fish watching, etc.
So, it is a popular tourist destination around the globe. Visiting Port Macquarie is a beautiful experience as the town is also home to a range of festivals and events throughout the year, including the annual Port Macquarie Ironman and the Festival of the Sun music festival, and many more festivals.
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1. Some Exciting things to do in Port Macquarie
You can visit the top attractions in Port Macquarie, Australia, and share your experience with your friends too and the best part is that there are numerous things to do in Port Macquarie which includes:
1.1. Relaxing on Port Macquarie’s Beaches
The Port Macquarie at Hastings River is known for its beautiful coasts and beaches. There are 17 beaches in the region. And, here are some of the most famous beachfront in Port Macquarie:
1.1.1. Town Beach
This beach is located in the heart of Port Macquarie in Australia and is patrolled almost all the time for the whole year. A walk along this beach gives you mesmerizing views of the surroundings and nature lovers would love it.
1.1.2. Lighthouse Beach
Lighthouse Beach is a sweeping beach that is perfect for surfing and swimming with beautiful scenery.
This beach is approximately 7000 meters south of Port Macquarie, Australia. You surely should explore the beach whenever you travel to New South Wales.
Photo by Ethan Smeets on Unsplash / Copyright 2021
1.1.3. Flynn Beach
Flynns Beach is a beautiful beach and is patrolled and watched by lifeguards at the coast. The beach is approximately three kilometers south of Port Macquarie and is almost 500 meters long.
1.1.4. Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach is a quiet beach that is perfect for people who want to spend some time in tranquility. It is located in the Sea Acres National Park and has beautiful scenery and white sand all around.
1.1.5. Nobby Beach
Nobbys Beach is another beautiful beach located in Port Macquarie. It’s a 5 to 10-minute stroll roughly at the coast.
This beach is not looked over by lifeguards, so visitors need to take extra cautiousness wandering here.
Image by Philip Barrington from Pixabay / Copyright 2015
1.1.6. Miners Beach
Miners Beach is also located in Port Macquarie and there are several nearby walking trails and points that offer mesmerizing views of the surrounding landscape.
The Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, which includes Miners Beach, is a popular hiking route that is over nine kilometers and takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the area of Port Macquarie and staying here is one of the best things to do in Port Macquarie.
1.2. Visiting the Koala Hospital and Billabong Zoo
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and Billabong Zoo are both major attractions of Port Macquarie.
The Koala Hospital is a not-for-profit association that is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and departure of mutilated or sick koalas. They mostly get injured because of dog attacks. Most attacks on koalas occur when they enter a backyard and cannot climb because of high fences.
Visitors to the hospital can take a guided tour of some of the koalas that are in care and the hospital also has a gift shop to help support the hospital’s work for the Koalas.
Image by PixelAnarchy from Pixabay / Copyright 2011
Billabong Zoo is a zoo that features a variety of Australian and exotic animals. Visitors can catch a glimpse of animals such as kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, reptiles, and birds here.
It is an award-winning Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail which has koala statues, featuring hand-painted creations.
Both attractions are very well-known among sightseers and residents also and are one of the best things to do in Port Macquarie.
1.3. Coastal Walks, Hikes, and National Parks in the Area
You can explore these amazing hikes and coastal walks in Port Macquarie.
1.3.1. Port Macquarie Coastal Walk
The Coastal Walk in Port Macquarie is a 9-kilometer walking trail that runs along the coast from Westport Park to Tacking Point Lighthouse and the stroll takes about 3-4 hours to finish.
1.3.2. North Brother Mountain in Dooragan National Park
A widespread attraction found in Dooragan National Park is the North Brother Mountain and this mountain track is a 3-kilometer walk that takes you to the peak of the mountain.
1.3.3. Sea Acres Rainforest Centre
Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is the perfect place to begin your hike via the Sea Acres Wildlife Park, near Port Macquarie.
The 1.3-kilometer Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk is an easy walk having colorful rocks along the way and is one of the most beautiful things to do in Port Macquarie.
It is known for its incredible wildlife encounters like rainforest birds.
1.4. Visiting Port Macquarie Lighthouse and Museum
Tacking Point Lighthouse is one of the most beautiful destinations here and the thirteenth-oldest in Australia. Port Macquarie’s Tacking Point Lighthouse is a hidden gem and is located at the southern end of Port Macquarie’s main beach, Town Beach.
Town Beach Lookout towers provide views over Town Beach. Visiting the is one of the best things to do for tourists and locals alike and you can also take a guide on your own while outing.
The views from the lighthouse are spectacular, with panoramic vistas of the coastline and the hinterland.
It’s a great spot to watch the sunrise or sunset or to spot migrating humpback whales during their migration season. There are some lodging options here too.
Photo by Stephen Tafra on Unsplash / Copyright 2020
One of them is a beautifully restored heritage lighthouse keepers cottage having a rooftop hot tub. Enjoy sipping your alcoholic ginger beer and morning tea here. There is also a small car park at the top of the hill with picnic tables and picnic facilities.
Port Macquarie Museum is located in the core of Port Macquarie’s town center and visiting the Port Macquarie Museum is a great way to learn about the rich history and culture of the region and one of the finest things to do in Port Macquarie.
1.5. Sea and River Adventures
Here are a few popular options for enjoying sea and river adventures.
1.5.1. River Cruises at Camden Haven River
The Camden Haven River is a beautiful river that flows into the Pacific Ocean just south of Port Macquarie.
It is a consequential element of an extensive waterways scheme flowing through Watson Taylors Lakes. The river is so popular for a range of water activities.
1.5.2. The Hastings River
The beautiful Hastings River is a waterway that flows through Port Macquarie and into the Pacific Ocean. The river is home to a sort of aquatic life, including dolphins, whales, and ospreys. You can often spot these animals from the riverbank.
The adventures here include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, whale watching, and surfing. Port Jet Cruise Adventures is a popular company that offers a variety of activities under and at the surface of the water in Port Macquarie.
Photo by Elena Emmy on Unsplash / Copyright 2019
1.6. Tasting Local Wineries and Beers
If you’re interested in tasting local wines and beers, you have several company options to choose from:
These companies provide several wines like chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, shiraz, and Verdelho, and visiting these wineries is one of the best things to do in Port Macquarie.
1.6.1. Bago Vineyards
Bago Vineyards has a variety of wines, including chardonnay, shiraz, and Verdelho. They also have a beautiful garden and maze that you can explore.
1.6.2. Cassegrain Wines
Cassegrain Wines also have a cellar entrance where you can taste their wines and an eatery that serves gourmet meals.
Image by conger design from Pixabay / Copyright 2014
1.6.3. Black Duck Brewery
Black Duck Brewery craft brewery is located in nearby Port Macquarie and has a variety of beers, including pale ales, IPAs, and stouts along with a tasting room where you can sample their beers and enjoy live music on weekends.
Tasting local wines and beers can be a fun way to explore the town’s food and drink culture of the place.
1.7. Discover World’s Largest Hedge Mazes
The Bago Mazes in Wauchope, NSW are about an hour’s drive south of Port Macquarie. Bago Maze has 2000m of paths.
This place near Port Macquarie is indeed worth visiting.
2. Final Note: Why you Should Visit Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie has the most stunning beaches in Australia, including Town Beach, Flynns Beach, and Lighthouse Beach. Port Macquarie is surrounded by nature including parks, nature reserves, and sanctuaries.
You can explore the region’s flora and wildlife on hiking trails, walks, or guided tours. You can enjoy your favorite things like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, and skydiving.
Port Macquarie has plenty of adventure activities to offer. The town’s restaurants showcase the region’s fresh produce and culinary delights.
A visit here is a must with your family, friends as well as children too during their school holidays.
Its laid-back atmosphere and scenery make it a leading destination for anyone seeking to encounter the magnificence of coastal Australia.
Last Updated on by Ankita M Bose
