Snugly cradled in Australia’s mid-north coast is Port Macquarie, home to quite a handful of Australia’s most treasured athletes. Port, as it’s fondly known as, is popular stopover for Sydney holiday makers heading up to the Gold Coast, or Brisbane travellers heading south towards Sydney. Do we hear road trip?!
This port town on Aboriginal Birpai land offers visitors a taste of Mother Nature’s hinterland, scenic coastlines and beaches, Australian wildlife and also, man-made adventure parks. Port Macquarie is a quaint town with a rich history and vibrant cultural pockets of experiences. Here are our pick of the top 8 destinations and activities in this idyllic coastal town.
1: Town Beach
Town Beach as the name proposes is located at the tip where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean. Council has decked this open grassy area to feature picnic amenities if you’d like to bring your own for a cook-up otherwise a stroll away and a kiosk serves up food and drinks. Play at the wheelchair accessible playground (if you’re between 2-16 years of age) otherwise work up a sweat at the outdoor gym with equipment, or at the skate park. The Town Beach break wall does just that when the swells rise high, and it does so, wearing uniquely colourful “jackets”. Visitors are welcome to add their own graffiti art to the rocks, leaving behind their creative streak.
2. Tacking Point Light House
Here is where you’d play Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” and throw your arms into the warm Pacific Ocean air with Tacking Point Lighthouse behind you. This point is a prime whale-watching spot during migration months between May to October, or you could book with a local operator to go whale or dolphin watching. Over 15,000 of these majestic mammals migrate up North annually, so the changes of whale sighting is rather high. This is also the last final point for the famed 9-kilometre Port Macquarie Coastal Walk which begins at Town Green.
3. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
As you drive near the Port Macquarie’s Koala Hospital, council installed signages to slow down with a Koala on the signboard is such a novel sight, you’d likely make a U-turn just to view the signboard again! It must be the first in the world! A world-first koala hospital that focuses on koala care and conservation, it is located within the historic Roto House grounds, a former home of John Flynn, an avid sportsman with rowing, football and running cited as his activities. He was a well-respected surveyor who laid down the plans for the towns of Wauchope and Comboyne (towns within the Port Macquarie-Hastings neighbourhood where the First Nations Birpai people have lived for 40,000 years).
“He was born at Redfern in 1854, when’ it was but a small, green suburb of Sydney. The family travelled from Redfern to Coonamble by bullock waggon, in 1858, to join the father at Coonamble,”
reported The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer on Nov 10, 1933
Located beside the Roto House, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital welcomes visitors and invites them to learn about koalas, their history, the rehabilitation work, the volunteers and what the hospital does for koala conservation. Visitors can support the hospital by purchasing koala-themed souvenirs and contribute to its non-profit work in caring for injured koalas. The hospital runs a volunteer program and attracts over 200 people on the program. Get your cameras ready, snap and spread the good word about their work.
4. Port Macquarie Coastal Walk
Port Macquarie – Hastings Council Town Green in the heart of the town’s CBD, you will stroll along Town Beach, then to the Rocky Beach lookout, then Nobby’s Beach, Harry’s lookout with views of Shelly Beach, and concluding at Sea Acres National Park. Along the way, you’ll encounter historical sites and breathtaking seaside scenery. During May to November, you might even spot migrating whales – be sure to note your sightings and share it in one of the many Port Macquarie community Facebook Groups. The final stop at Tacking Point lighthouse at the 9th kilometre marks the end of the walk and beyond there, the Sea Acres National Park.
5. Sea Acres National Park
Sea Acres National Park offers a unique combination of beach and rainforest, where the sound of crashing waves are in harmonious symphony with birdsong. This park preserves one of the largest remaining coastal rainforests on the Australian east coast, with the rainforest extending all the way to the beach. The best way to explore this lush environment is by taking a leisurely stroll along the elevated boardwalk, either at your own pace or with a knowledgeable rainforest guide. Additionally, there are opportunities for First Nations Discovery activities, allowing you to delve into the Aboriginal history of the area and sample some bush tucker. If you wish to extend your stay in this peaceful rainforest setting, you can relax with a hot beverage or a refreshing drink at the Rainforest Café.
6. Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberry Farm
Ricardoes is truly a must-visit spot for all travellers, and highly recommended for those who enjoy the concept of eating farm-to-table and of course those with children in tow. Explore flourishing tomato plants and sweet strawberries, all protected from the elements. An air-conditioned café offers budget-friendly farm-fresh breakfasts, brunches, lunches, snacks, tea, coffee, cakes, and delicious Devonshire Teas with warm farmhouse scones, cream, and homemade strawberry jam. Yum! Visitors can enjoy complimentary tastings of award-winning sweet and savoury jams. There’s even a retail shop that stocks daily-harvests and essential supplies. Expect to spend at least half a day here.
7. Flynns Beach
Protected from the westerly and southerly winds, Flynns Beach is also home to Port Macquarie’s Surfing School founded by father and son team, the “Huddos”. You’ll find surfers here most of the year. A popular holiday stretch, you’ll find many accommodation options available within a short walk of Flynn’s Beach. Swim, sunbathe, surf, picnic or head on that coastal walk. Flynns is definitely a place you’ll be happy to call home when visiting.
8. Move8 Walk-a-Hunt
The inaugural Port Macquarie Sports Fitness Festival introduces the Move8 Walk-a-Hunt in Port Macquarie on Nov 4, digitising the walk into a virtual reality platform so more people can appreciate the mid-north coast town of New South Wales’ outdoor beauty.
Participants depart from Panthers Port Macquarie and walk along the main streets in town where participants will unravel clues along the way. A “Walk-a-Hunt” is a recreational event or activity that combines elements of walking or hiking with the concept of a scavenger hunt. Participants typically explore a designated area on foot, following clues or instructions to locate specific items, complete challenges, or solve puzzles along the way. Weekenders from Northern NSW to the bordertowns of Queensland are invited to join in the walk. Participation is free for individuals, but corporate companies are invited to take up the Corporate Pledge and send in a team to participate as we will be fundraising for charity purpose partners, All Together Now (racial equity programs), Kyokushin Karate Port Macquarie Dojo (sports inclusion classes) and the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Participants can complete 3KM, 7KM or 13KM in-person or use a video link to join in virtually to unravel and discover the route in their own time at their own pace.
Text by Mohammad Hafizuddin Bin Mohammad Rosdi, edited by Jasmine Low. All images are supplied by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
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