Greater Port Macquarie

Discover wonderful attractions in Greater Port Macquarie. There are 17 beautiful beaches, dolphins in sparkling estuaries, walking trails in splendid national parks, the famous Koala Hospital, the lovely Hastings River wine region and Timbertown, an incredible heritage theme park for the whole family.

You’ll find plenty more amazing things to do and see, from whale watching to the inflatable Stoney Aqua Park and the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. At the acclaimed Billabong Zoo is the giant saltwater crocodile Shrek, and in the hinterland are two of Australia’s biggest trees - Bird Tree and Benaroon.

Enjoy the natural beauty with fun activities. Fishing and boating are popular on pristine waterways such as Lake Cathie, Queens Lake and Watson Taylors Lake. You can hire stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and small boats. Want to learn to surf? Surf schools will have you riding waves in no time.

The walking trails are marvellous. The Port Macquarie coastal walk winds by beaches through the Sea Acres National Park. The challenging Laurieton track snakes up North Brother Mountain to a great lookout. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Willi Willi National Park is a perfect day trip.

In the vibrant seaside town of Port Macquarie are buzzy bars and cafes, and award-winning restaurants such as the Stunned Mullet. Explore the fascinating indigenous and convict heritage on walking tours, and visit the Glasshouse for the regional art gallery and scintillating performances.

Complementing the entertainment are many tasty experiences, from locally harvested oysters to wine tasting at cellar doors such as Cassegrain Wines, which revitalised viticulture in the area in the 1980s. There are vineyard concerts, delicious produce markets and traditional agricultural shows.

Check out the exciting events calendar for Glasshouse shows as well as festivals, sporting contests and markets across the region. From Laurieton and North Haven in the south to Wauchope and Kendall in the hinterland, you’ll discover memorable experiences and fun annual events, including:

• Oysters in the Vines in January
• Ironman Australia in May
• Slice of Haven Festival in May
• Hello Koalas Festival in June
• Timbertown Steam Fair in July
• Kendall National Violin Competition in September
• Festival of the Sun in December

On the mid NSW North Coast, Port Macquarie is four hours’ drive north of Sydney and six hours south of Brisbane. Trains stop daily at Kendall and Wauchope, or fly into Port Macquarie Airport. Accommodation options suit various budgets, from camping and caravanning to seaside resorts.