Things to do in Port Macquarie
Four hours’ drive north of Sydney, on the NSW Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie has long been known for its beaches, wooded mountains and resident koala and dolphin populations. To that you can now add that it has become a food lover’s heaven, as adventurous international chefs, passionate growers, devoted winemakers and committed craft brewers bring a sense of fun and exploration to the area’s tables. So clear a place, pull up a seat and enjoy your ultimate degustation menu.
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Where to eat
Seafood lovers will be spoilt in Port Macquarie. The Stunned Mullet, a one-hat restaurant overlooking Town Beach, is famous for its Glacier 51 toothfish and seasonal seafood dishes, and can be surprisingly affordable if you opt for the lunch menu. Just a short walk away, Bills Fishhouse & Bar is another terrific seafood option bringing a modern coastal vibe with local produce like charred octopus and yellowfin tuna tacos.
At Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries, 10 minutes’ north of Port Macquarie, visitors are invited to pick their own produce. The farm also features a café serving light meals and refreshments, making it a perfect spot for a family outing. Back in Port Macquarie, Bar Florian, inspired by the legendary Café Florian in Venice, brings a touch of Italian elegance to the city. Situated at 6–14 Clarence Street, this intimate venue recreates Venetian-inspired fare amid a retro-chic setting, offering a selection of cocktails, wines, and Italian dishes. It’s the perfect spot for an evening drink or a casual bite in a sophisticated atmosphere.
If it’s chilling out you’re after, head to The Rainforest Cafe tucked away in the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. Open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, the café serves breakfast and lunch, with highlights like Gourmet Brekkie Burgers, Coconut Pancakes, and Pan-Fried Salmon. With gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options available, it’s a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a meal surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest.
Coffee is likewise well sorted in Port Macquarie. If you’re even slightly picky about which beans are being used and whether there’s a batch brew on the menu, try Social Grounds, a graffiti-covered hideaway with great coffee and food. For a relaxed beachfront coffee experience, Sandbox Café at Flynns Beach and Salty Crew Kiosk at Town Beach are both excellent choices. Sandbox offers quality coffee alongside a tasty selection of breakfast and lunch options, while Salty Crew pairs great coffee with fresh juices, perfect for sipping as you stroll along the water.
Family friendly activities in Port Macquarie
With so much natural splendour, wonderful beaches and some great attractions, the Port Macquarie region is a great stop for families of all age.
The Sea Acres National Park is an obligatory stop for anyone visiting Port Macquarie. You can admire “a beach wrapped in a rainforest” from the park’s 1.3km elevated boardwalk. Make time, too, for its Aboriginal Discovery activities, including a bush tucker tasting.
Koalas are the unofficial mascot of Port Macquarie. Visit the Koala Hospital in the grounds of the lovingly maintained historic Roto House, built in 1891, or follow the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail. Unique, handpainted, 1m high fibreglass koala sculptures – 60 and counting – dot the landscape “from the mountains to the sea”. Get a free Trail Guide map from the website or Glasshouse Visitor Centre and see where the koalas lead you. The kids will love it, too.
A more traditional way to come face to face with koalas and all matter of animals is the Billabong Zoo, which is a breeding centre for koalas and even supplies other zoos with the animals.
Another creature sharing the spotlight in these parts is the dolphin, often sighted venturing upstream on the Hastings or Camden Haven rivers. Book a seat on the River Princess to try your luck spotting one on the Hastings River, or head to the Jordan's and hire a BBQ boat, or a kayak to go paddling beside the reeds that line Camden Haven River, prime feeding territory for dolphins.
Keen to stretch your legs? Tackle the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, a 9km link between Westport to Tacking Point that takes in many of the coast’s most alluring beaches and headlands. Are NSW's Big Things on your bucket list? Head over to the bowls club to see the Big Lawn Bowl.
The Tacking Point Lighthouse is the exclamation mark on the experience, and a lovely way to take in the Port Macquarie region.
Wineries to visit in Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie region’s resurgent wine industry has sprouted a number of wineries paired with other attractions – a kind of two for one deal. One of the more unusual is the Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard where volunteers help run the restored colonial era museum and produce six wines, including the popular Portabella Port.
At Long Point Vineyard & Art Gallery at Lake Cathie, you can wander glass in hand through an outdoor sculpture park. Depending on your mood, what’s in the glass could be anything from the vineyard’s signature Agent Orange liqueur to an alcoholic ginger beer.
The kids will also be well occupied at the Bago Vineyard and Maze near Wauchope, home to the state’s largest hedge maze. Located at the foot of Broken Bago Mountain, the family-run business adds a bit of musical accompaniment every second Sunday of the month with “Jazz in the Vineyards”. A small fee also covers cellar door tastings and entry to the maze.
Cassegrain Winery is the perfect adult destination where celebrated wines take their place beside the vineyard’s equally celebrated Seasons Café Restaurant. Inspired by the Cassegrain family lineage and embracing a paddock to plate philosophy, Seasons offers French classics and modern interpretations of bistro and café favourites that shine the spotlight on grass fed Hastings Valley beef, award winning Comboyne cheese and Hastings River oysters.
Where to stay in Port Macquarie
Say it quietly, but the manicured NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park might just occupy the best bit of real estate in town. Recently upgraded, the park offers a range of accommodation including powered and unpowered sites for tents and caravans, as well as Bayside, Ocean View, and Riverside cabins. Centrally located at the mouth of the Hastings River and right next to the patrolled Town Beach, it’s ideal for families, couples, and pets. Onsite amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, camp kitchen, barbecue areas, a children’s playground, and a kids’ club during school holidays, making it a convenient and comfortable base for exploring Port Macquarie.
Located directly opposite Town Beach, Ibis Styles Port Macquarie offers unique, unrestricted beachfront views and is a stone's throw away from the buzz of cafes, restaurants, bars and family friendly attractions and wineries. Choose from a range of rooms, terraces and suites, unwind in one of two top floor lounges with 180 degree views, and outdoor swimming pool.
