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I grew up holidaying in Port Macquarie and have fond childhood recollections of tenting on the Breakwall Caravan Park and having infinite enjoyable on the seashore.
We beloved these journeys to Port Macquarie. It was a terrific getaway from our house close to Sydney and all members of my household loved visiting time and time once more as a result of there are infinite issues to do in Port Macquarie.
It was so thrilling to revisit Port Macquarie with my very own youngsters and present them locations from my very own childhood, in addition to discover extra of the Higher Port Macquarie area.
Since I used to be a baby, there are such a lot of extra points of interest in Port Macquarie, up within the hinterland, and across the Camden Haven area and I quickly discovered our three day go to wasn’t almost lengthy sufficient. Which is usually a good factor as we should now return for extra!
In case you’re undecided what to do in Port Macquerie, then make sure to take a look at the beneath unmissable points of interest.
Plus a number of additional solutions from useful readers of our weblog.
Issues to do in Port Macquarie
One of the simplest ways to understand the great thing about this area is by getting out and having fun with the varied vary of actions, and we did our greatest to cowl the highlights. Under are a few of our favourite actions in Port Macquerie.
1. Catch Dawn at City Seashore
It’s value getting away from bed early for dawn in Port Macquarie. A number of individuals advised the Tacking Level Lighthouse is superior at dawn, and I’m positive it’s.
However I opted for City Seashore and the breakwall as I might stroll there from our house, and it meant getting up only a wee bit later.
The primary dawn shot I took was from the seashore utilizing a lifeguards tower for some foreground curiosity, then from the top of the enduring breakwall as an area fisherman went about catching his lunch.
As I used to be taking pictures away many individuals have been pulling into the automotive park and heading off by foot. My guess is that they have been beginning the favored Coastal Stroll.
2. Go to Billabong Koala Wildlife Park
We arrived on the Billabong Koala Wildlife Park simply in time to see “Shrek” the monster croc get fed. At 4.6 metres lengthy, he’s an intimidating fella when hungry and that is as shut as I ever wish to get to a croc.
After spending months travelling round North Queensland and the Prime Finish of Australia, I’m all for vacationers studying concerning the behaviour of those dinosaurs and the respect we have to present them with the intention to preserve ourselves secure, and them from turning into extinct.
There’s additionally the cuter model of Shrek at Billabong Zoo that Kalyra and Savannah have been completely happy to the touch.
This park is a world-renowned breeding centre for koalas and presents the prospect to rise up shut and private with a few of Australia’s favorite wildlife.
You possibly can by no means pet too many koalas, simply ask my youngsters who simply wish to cuddle them and produce them house. Particularly a child koala who was snuggling with mum up the gum tree.
Feeding the kangaroos and wallabies is at all times a spotlight for the women, their moist mouths nibbling away on the meals within the palm of your hand. And some if them had little joeys of their pouches!!
Love the picture bomb on this one!
Not solely is there Aussie wildlife on show right here, however we loved trying out the Snow Leopards and Crimson Pandas, who by the way in which have been extraordinarily lively enjoying peek-a-boo with me as I attempted to snap a pic. I lastly acquired him within the tree.
While there, seize a chew to eat on the Billabong Cafe which comes with each guardian’s dream – a play space for the children to maintain them entertained while you get pleasure from some down time.
Billabong Koala Park is open every single day besides Christmas Day.
- Adults $26.50
- Children (3-15yrs) $15
- Household $77
To be taught all about what’s on supply go to their web site.
3. Wander alongside the Breakwall
I used to journey my bike and fish off the enduring breakwall as a child, and it’s the very first thing that involves thoughts after I consider Port.
This time, it was good to see my very own youngsters having fun with a stroll from City Inexperienced to City Seashore trying out all of the brightly painted rocks. There’s some cool art work from locals and guests alike and in the event you’re fortunate you would possibly see dolphins enjoying within the Hastings River throughout your stroll.
On the City Seashore finish, there’s a boogie board statue claiming Port as the boogie board capital of Australia, plus a skate park and playground.
4. Watch the Sundown
We took in sundown throughout our stroll alongside the breakwall earlier than heading to dinner on the town. Different nice viewing spots are City Inexperienced close to Woman Nelson Wharf, or how about having fun with sundown with a chilly drink at The Seashore Home pub which has uninterrupted views of the Hastings River.
Sunsets right here can set the sky alight as they dip beneath the mountain on the banks of the river.
5. Go to City Inexperienced & Woman Nelson Wharf
Woman Nelson Wharf is called after one of many three ships that arrived at this level in 1821 to ascertain the penal settlement of Port Macquarie. This wharf is a well-liked fishing spot by day, as is the City Inexperienced space, however we loved the twilight scene simply after sundown because the lights got here on.
There’s a playground at City Inexperienced and loads of grass space to run round or have a picnic at one of many picnic areas.
6. Eat At The Seashore Home
The earlier than talked about Seashore Home is my kinda pub. Prime place on the waterfront, an out of doors beer backyard type space with a stage for stay music, good collection of beer on faucet, child pleasant and a brand new menu consisting of American type grub.
After chatting with supervisor Brent and Canadian chef George, I opted for the Philly Cheese Steak – that basic sandwich from Philadelphia within the US. And what a feast it was. Tasty and BIG, and I washed it down with a Blonde Ale made regionally by the oldsters at Black Duck Brewery.
Caz loved her Blackened Silver Dory Salad and the children have been saved proud of their cheeseburger and nuggets.
No marvel it is a in style spot for the locals to hang around. It will be my native too.
7. Stroll The Howdy Koalas Sculpture Path
That is cool. Dotted across the Port Macquarie panorama are 50 one-metre tall hand-painted koala sculptures fabricated from fibreglass. From the mountains to the ocean, they create the Howdy Koalas Public Sculpture Path.
I snapped this cool wanting dude in City Inexperienced.
8. Stroll The Port Macquarie Coastal Stroll
We didn’t have time to do the 9km Coastal Stroll on this journey, however we’ve carried out a bit of it beforehand and in the event you’re on the town with sufficient time, I extremely suggest it as a factor to do in Port Macquarie.
Begin from City Seashore and head south to Tacking Level Lighthouse. You’ll come throughout household pleasant Flynns Seashore and small inlets bordered by rocky headlands that lead you to the flatter and wider expanse of Shelly Seashore, then by the protected Sea Nature reserve and right down to the wild and tough pounding waves of Lighthouse Seashore.
The stroll is spectacular and peaceable and in comparison with say, the Bondi to Coogee coastal stroll, virtually empty.
9. Play at Livvi’s Place Playgrounds
In search of a playground your youthful youngsters can burn off some power for half an hour? Livvi’s Place is a brand new water playground at Westport Park with a carousel, water play, tree home, nature play and swings, proper on the Hastings River.
10. Verify Out Wauchope Farmers Market
Each fourth Saturday of every month is the native Wauchope Farmers Market. Wherever we stay or locations we go to we at all times attempt to seize our recent produce from the farmers market and help the native growers.
We stopped in right here on our means out to our Farm Keep to refill on provides for dinner and breakfast by grabbing some eggs, fruit and veg, and wherever there’s a punnet of strawberries on give you’ll make sure to discover Savannah!
11. Loosen up at Waterman’s Cafe
While in Wauchope we hit up the favored Waterman’s Cafe which overlooks the park and children playground and has a pleasant seating space exterior within the solar.
The children entertained themselves on the park while I downed a chai latte, top-of-the-line I’ve ever had! Win – win.
12. Stroll The Wauchope Riverwalk
There’s a beautiful boardwalk alongside the riverfront in Wauchope, only a five-minute drive out of city. We took benefit of this peaceable setting to stretch our legs and stroll off our lunch and coffees from Watermans.
13. Go to Outdated Bottlebutt in Burrawan State Forest
We’re at all times up for a nature path and a stroll within the forest so the straightforward 600-metre monitor within the Burrawan State Forest close to Wauchope was on our to do checklist.
There we laid eyes on the biggest Crimson Bloodwood tree within the southern hemisphere, a staggering 52-metres excessive and 16-metres broad at its base. It’s a formidable wanting tree at 200 years previous. Strive wrapping your arms round this previous fella!
The ‘Outdated Bottle butt’ is certainly one of Port Macquarie’s finest saved secrets and techniques and in the event you’re within the space come say hello.
14. Take On The Bago Maze and Vineyard
The Bago Maze in Port Macquarie is superior! The proprietor of Bogo Vineyards, Jim is a genius for combining a maze with a vineyard.
Splitting up into pairs, we had numerous enjoyable getting misplaced among the many lilly-pilly hedge and taking up the problem of discovering our strategy to the 2 towers cleverly positioned within the maze in order that you possibly can see them, however reaching them was one other matter.
We crossed over bridges, found hidden gnomes, and performed musical devices. Crew Caz and Savannah got here out winners, and I have to say Kalyra saved us within the hunt as my navigation expertise had us strolling round in circles haha.
Bago Maze is the biggest hedge maze in New South Wales with 2,000 metres of pathways protecting 10,000 sq. metres.
When you’ve solved it, chill with a cheese plate and a glass of wine below the pergola at Cellar Door, overlooking the jacaranda timber and valley beneath.
15. Keep at Ewetopia Farm Keep
As a lot as we love dwelling on the North coast, escaping to the nation and spending a while on a working farm is one thing all of us get pleasure from as a household.
We met Ian and Jill, the homeowners of Ewetopia Farm in Ellenborough earlier within the day on the Wauchope Farmers market, they’re the area’s latest cheese makers and promote milk, yoghurt, labne and are famend for his or her halloumi.
We checked in simply in time for sundown and sat on our expansive deck perched on the hill overlooking the farm entrance and valley beneath with our new neighbours shut by, sheep and jersey cows.
Simply previous to our go to seven little lambs entered the world which our children simply adored (lambs are born yearly throughout spring) they usually got here up for pats and adopted them across the farm like lengthy misplaced pals – is there something cuter than this?!
We cooked a pleasant meal in our self-contained 3 bed room cottage and loved waking as much as the crisp recent air of nation dwelling, the sounds of cattle and the mist lifting to start out a brand new day.
The saltwater pool with gazebo and BBQ space connected appears inviting for the hotter months, and the summer time is when in addition they milk their flock of dairy sheep that produce feta and halloumi.
The 130-acre farmstay is lower than an hours drive west of Port Macquarie and you are able to do as a lot, or as little, as you please.
And don’t ya simply love the title, Ewetopia?
16. Drive to Camden Haven (through Lorne and Kendall)
Leaving Ellenborough we drove throughout the spectacular hinterland ranges through the cities of Lorne and Kendall earlier than ending up again on the coast in Camden Haven.
Relying on how a lot time you could have, this scenic drive presents the chance to go bushwalking, birding, and mountaineering to waterfalls, with Ellenborough Falls and Rawson Falls being the celebrities of the present when flowing.
We have been pushed for time however loved the drive to the highest of the hinterland ranges of Comboyne earlier than descending to the village of Kendall, and right here we recommend stopping in for morning tea at Miss Nellies Cafe.
17. Drive to the highest of North Brother Mountain
It wasn’t the perfect climate and time of day for pictures once we stopped right here, however the drive as much as Laurieton Lookout on North Brother Mountain supplied gorgeous views over Queens Lake and the seaside cities of Laurieton, North Haven and Dunbogan.
Simply one of the crucial scenic views we’ve seen in NSW. Could be spectacular on a transparent day!
18. Take A Camden Haven River Cruise
For a a lot slower tempo we hopped on the Camden Haven River Cruise for a leisurely Sunday afternoon cruise down the river.
Some native pelicans have been readily available to ship us off on our two-hour cruise with the Three Brother Mountains offering a pleasant backdrop.
The surroundings was a combination of mangroves, sandbanks and oyster leases, and the children have been enthusiastic about enjoying skipper and took management of the wheel while we chatted with Fiona concerning the native area and why she calls it house.
However the spotlight of the journey was witnessing a swooping Sea Eagle zoom down and catch its dinner for the evening, they’re not straightforward to {photograph} however I did handle to supply this shot as proof.
19. Go to Pilots Seashore
Once more we weren’t visiting at the perfect time of 12 months for a day on the seashore, however Pilots Seashore is one to recollect for once we return once more within the hotter months.
It sits on the mouth of the Camden Haven River and is called essentially the most protected and most secure seashore within the area, particularly good for households with the mild waves.
It had simply stopped raining once we arrived and the colors that got here out have been putting.
20. Verify Out The Dunbogan Boatshed
On the cruise, the locals advised we cease in on the Dunbogan Boatshed for a very good cup of espresso. It’s a peaceable setting on the river and right here your youngsters can feed the pleasant fish who hang around down beneath.
Ours women acquired a kick out of it however because it had been raining visibility within the water was fairly low.
21. Take the Children to Laurieton United Companies Membership
We timed our go to proper to benefit from Sunday roast evening on the Laurieton United Companies Membership, and at $8 a plate, who’s not up for that?!
We have been impressed with the scale of this membership and the friendliness of the individuals, and in the event you’re there within the daytime the views of Camden River could be an added bonus.
Oh, they usually’ve considered the youngsters too, with two kiddie play areas within the bistro and primary leisure space. Profitable once more!
22. Drive The Ocean & Pacific Drive
Heading again to Port Macquarie from Camden Haven, take the Ocean Drive and Pacific Drive route alongside the coast and take a look at the area’s finest seashores through Bonnie Hills and Lake Cathie.
For our weekend getaway in Port Mazquarie, we had enjoyable cruising round in a brand new Jeep provided by the fellows at Miedecke Motors.
I’ve by no means pushed a Jeep earlier than and would have beloved to have taken the doorways and roof off. Subsequent time!
23. Discover Sea Acres Rainforest Centre
For extra outside adventures, head to the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, a customer centre nestled within the Sea Acres Nationwide Park.
Right here you’ll start your adventures into the 76-hectare rainforest, and the place you will see that the 1.3-kilometre boardwalk alongside the seaside rainforest.
The customer centre is the place you’ll find details about self-guided bush tucker excursions, guide discovery excursions, or participate in a month-to-month rainforest mediation session.
It additionally has a beautiful present store for choosing up souvenirs and a restaurant.
Extra Issues to Do in Port Macquarie
We at all times love asking our readers and social media followers for their very own suggestions when visiting an space. That is what they really useful:
- Renee Simmons – The Milkbar on William Road. Soooo gooood!
- Kylie Peden – Camel rides on Lighthouse Seashore, koala & wildlife hospital and city sq..
- Karen Walsh – Artist Markets at Cassegrain Vineyard Sunday. Loosen up with a glass of wine and hearken to some groovy tunes after you stroll by the eclectic vary of stalls. A lot of lovely handmade issues.
- Have Wheelchair Will Journey – I’ve holidayed in Port since I used to be a baby too. Love taking the children. My checklist is as follows: Fats Fish Cafe at Rainbow Seashore for nice meals and views. Blue Poles Cafe at Byabarra (solely open Thurs-Solar) fab meals and nation views. Ricardoes tomatoes for strawberry choosing. Flynns Seashore for household swimming. Lake Cathie for teenagers. I’m very keen about that space of Australia as they’ve additionally adopted the seashore wheelchairs on lots of their seashores. Take pleasure in!
- Rennae Wallace – Koala Hospital was a terrific expertise for the children. We ended up adopting one. Take a look by Roto Home, it was an amazingly preserved home from the Victorian period….fascinating!
- Rebecca Crozier – Swim at City seashore and in the event you head proper you will get a shady spot below the casuarina timber and discover the rock swimming pools with the women. Rainforest centre & treetops stroll at Shelley Seashore, Koala hospital, Riccardos strawberry choosing and finest tomatoes going. Glasshouse for stay leisure, sundowners on the seashore home. Stroll/fish on the break stroll.
- Wendy Jenner – Take the docs stroll from City Seashore heading north. Lovely.
- Shane Stelzer – Coastal stroll at dawn round lighthouse to Shelly’s, watch a number of whales and breathe within the air and sweetness.
- Michelle Parcell – Simply moved to Port from Brisbane. Sundown cruise on the Chinese language Junk, and lighthouse at Lighthouse seashore for whale and dolphin recognizing.
- Michelle Brown Morrissey – In case your right here the third Sunday of the month the river stroll markets at Laurieton are nice.
- Diane Williams – Positively Ricardo’s. Have Roma tomatoes on toast within the cafe then decide your individual strawberries then again to Port to purchase some cream then house to eat the fruits of your labour!
The place To Keep in Port Macquarie
In Port Macquarie, we stayed on the centrally positioned Ki-ea Flats, which have been a simple stroll to City Seashore, the Breakwall and the City Centre.
We had a self-contained 2 bed room house and on website was a heated pool and spa, BBQ space, theatre room and complimentary parking. And the rooftop BBQ space has this superior view over Port:
In Camden Haven, we stayed on the Pelican H2O Flats in a 2-bed house proper on the waterfront of Camden Haven river with manicured gardens and an abundance of wildlife.
Good for households or a romantic escape.
Closing Ideas on Issues to Do in Port Macquarie
In case you’re a household you’ll love Port Macquarie. If not, you’ll like it too!
There’s a lot to do for all ages whether or not you’re in search of that memorable household vacation you crave, a romantic {couples} getaway otherwise you’re travelling solo.
After highway tripping across the nation for 18 months, I can confidently say that Port Macquarie is up there with the perfect beach-side cities in Australia. I couldn’t suggest it extremely sufficient for any kind of traveller.
Be warned, although. Folks have been recognized to go to for a weekend, and stayed for some time!
Disclaimer: Our journey to Port Macquarie was hosted by Port Macquarie Tourism, although all ideas, concepts and opinions on this information are our personal. For an entire checklist of every little thing on supply within the Higher Port Macquarie area, take a look at their web site.
Excursions in Port Macquarie
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Supply: Breaking Travel News
