Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie has a limited bus service, but it has limited frequency that can make getting around by public transport difficult. While buses may run to most places, they often run at odd times, and terminate early in the day. The most useful bus route is the Shelly Beach - Town Centre route, which seems to run quite regularly, and is the best way of those without a car getting to the beaches and lighthouse. Other than this, don't bother with the public transport, it isn't worth the aggravation.

Fortunately, Port Macquarie has a great many places to walk to from the Town Centre. From here you can quite easily walk to many beaches and some attractions. Because it has such a compact CBD, you won't have to walk far to get to restaurants, shops and pubs if you stay in town, or nearby.

Port Macquarie has many quiet streets and a few cycleways suitable for getting around by bike. Check the contours before setting off, as there is often a short way or a flat way.

Port Macquarie has an interesting history. Being the first English convict settlement outside of Sydney and the Hunter it has a few historical sites and museums.

• 🌍 Mid North Coast Maritime Museum, 6 William St (boatshed corner of Hayward St & Ocean Drive, old Pilot's Building on just below Flagstaff Hill.), ☏ +61 2 6583 1866. Daily 10AM–4PM. 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. (updated Jun 2023)
• 🌍 Port Macquarie Historic Graveyard, Gordon St (almost behind the bus station (and across the road)). 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. 
• 🌍 Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, 159 Pacific Dr (at Shelly Beach), ☏ +61 2 6582 3355. Daily 9AM–4:30PM. 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. (updated Jun 2023)
• Town Green. 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. Whales migrate past Port Macquarie during early winter and summer, and there a 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. 
• 🌍 Roto House, Macquarie Nature Reserve, Lord Street, ☏ +61 2 6584 2180, info@environment.nsw.gov.au. Open daily 10AM – 4:30PM, but closed on Christmas Day, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day morning. 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. Free entry and guided tours. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie-Hastings region (The Trail traverses the region with many sculptures in town. Commence the Trail in Clarence Street at the Glasshouse Arts and Visitors Centre), ☏ +61 416 641 482 (mobile), info@hellokoalas.com. 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. Generally free. (updated Feb 2018)
• 🌍 Timbertown Pioneer Village, On Oxley Highway, Wauchope, ☏ +61 2 6586 1940. Daily 9:30AM-4PM, closed Tu W outside NSW school holidays. Very good old timber town of the 1880s set on 87 acres (35 hectares). Adult $29, child $20, (3 to 15 under 3 free), senior $27, family $92 (2 adults & 2 children 3 to 15). (updated Dec 2022)

Most of the amusement parks in Port Macquarie have closed down, and show no signs of re-opening. Port Macquarie is still blessed with numerous great beaches:

• Flynns Beach. 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. 
• 🌍 Shelly Beach. 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. 
• 🌍 Town Beach. 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. 

• Kooloonbung Nature Park. 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. 

• 🌍 Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries, 221 Blackmans Point Rd, Blackmans Point (Go north along the Pacific Highway and turn right at Blackmans Point Rd), ☏ +61 2 65850663, info@ricardoes.com. 7AM-5PM. 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. Entry is free. (updated Jun 2015)

Port Macquarie is a great place for beachside relaxation, or a family holiday, but a haven for nightlife, it is not. Compared to most other towns of similar size along the east coast of Australia, the pubs and clubs in Port Macquarie are quite substandard. Below are some of the better ones.

Craft beer has made it to Port Macquarie, with two breweries now calling the town home. Wineries are not as common, but Cassegrain Wines is the largest local. They make an interesting style Rose, and you can ask for it at the local restaurants and pubs.

• Beach House Bar & Grill. 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. 
• Tacking Point Tavern. 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. 
• Finnians Irish Pub: Behind the bus terminal downtown, this place is the place to get pints of Guinness or Kilkenny, as well as other Australian brews. Home to an older crowd than the rest of the pubs downtown, it provides live covers bands on weekends. Has a great bistro as well. (See Eating)
• Hotel Macquarie: The most popular pub with teenagers and young adults in Port Macquarie, and for no good reason. Every Friday and Saturday this place fills with just legal teenagers and young adults, and becomes very smoky and hot. It has 2 bars, one showing live sports, with a pool table and juke box. The other bar is a disco bar, playing terribly dated top 40 pop music. Fights commonly happen here on weekends, and although it's very unlikely you'll get caught up in one, be careful whose beer you spill. Located just up from the river away from The Beach House.
• Altitude Nightclub: Located upstairs in the Galleria Arcade, and with a panoramic view of the street directly below it, this place used to be called Roxy's Nightspot in a former life. During that time it was a damp, smoky club, playing techno music from 5 years ago, through speakers that distorted due to the bass. It has since been renamed Altitude, and the door charge is $5 after 22:30. The place has been revamped with quality sound and entertainment with the best local and some big name national DJs, and it is very popular with the Hotel Macquarie crowd. Altitude offers live music every Thursday night with free pizza and a pool comp.
• Down Under Nightclub: Located towards Coles if walking past Altitude in the basement of the Galleria Building, this nightclub is a very run down venue with the patrons being somewhat the same. On a Wednesday night it is the most popular for majority young people aged 18-25 with the odd here and there older patron, you can expect very expensive drinks, karaoke singers and very dated top 40s music, staff are very unfriendly and rude and expect a fight every hour. On the plus side there is no entry fee on Wednesday nights, regular police visits, and only a stone's throw from Coles.

Port Macquarie as a major tourist centre has lots of accommodation choice. Peak season is the summer Christmas and New Year period, when all accommodation can book out, and minimum stay periods are commonly enforced. There is some true resort style accommodation, together with a range of motels, hotels, guest houses, traditional B&Bs, backpacker hostels and apartments.

• 🌍 Rydges Port Macquarie, 1 Hay Street, ☏ 1300 857 922 (local rate call). Right on the river and town green. At the centre of everything in Port. 
• Aston Hill Motor Lodge in Port Macquarie, 15 Mort St, ☏ +61 2 6583-3266, toll-free: 1800 235 232. 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. 

Late on Friday and Saturday nights, avoid the main street as there are often brawls. Mostly this occurs as people are making their way from the Macquarie Hotel to Roxy's. You'll often see large groups of 18-25 year-olds being hostile towards random passers-by. Other places to avoid late at night are the Town Green and the area surrounding the McDonald's car park (near Settlement City.)

• Hinterland 20 minutes west of Port Macquarie, Wauchope is the official start of Port Macquarie's hinterland. Home to a good number of farms, and small hamlets, the hinterland is well worth taking a drive through (tours are available, see the local tourist information centre) Cassegrain Vineyard is the largest winery in the area, and is located just off the Pacific Highway between both aforementioned exits (Look for signs). Other wineries include Bago Mountain Wines (near Wauchope) and Long Point Vineyard (located south of Port Macquarie, ask for directions before leaving, as it's tricky to find). Also, head for Blue Poles cafe and art gallery in the idyllic little village of Byabarra, some 20 km southwest of Wauchope, along the Oxley Highway.