Port Macquarie Tourism Guide | Tours, Restaurants, Transport

The total area of Port Macquarie is 3,739 square kilometres of very diverse land, ranging from sand dunes, coastal wetlands, flood plains and mountain regions. The area includes the towns of Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Laurieton, North Haven, Dunbogan, Comboyne, Kendall, Kew, Bonny Hills and Lake Cathie and enjoys a population of close to 70 000 people.

Port Macquarie is a very popular retirement location and tourist destination. It's known for its beaches and untouched waterways. Also a big attraction are the koalas, with many tourists referring to Port Macquarie as the Koala Capital of the world. The area is the home of the Koala Preservation Society's Koala Hospital, which cares for koalas injured through bushfire, dog attacks and collisions with vehicles.

What to Do

Visit Timbertown at Wauchope and take a journey back in time. You can ride a classic steam train, experience the many displays, watch the timber craftsmen at work, see the blacksmith toil away and smell the fresh, hot bread cooked just like the bakers of the past did it. Timbertown is an entire village, set amongst 87 acres of natural forest. This snap-shot of Australia's past demonstrates the struggles and achievements of European pioneers who settled in the country. Timbertown is considered by many to be one of Australia's finest Heritage Parks.

See koalas in their habitat or visit the Koala hospital at Macquarie Nature Reserve and Roto House. Macquarie Nature reserve is nestled in the heart of Port Macquarie along with Historic Roto. Amidst this tranquil natural setting is the Koala Hospital and koalas are often visible in the trees. Take the time to enjoy a picnic lunch in the gardens or take you on a tour of the house. The Koala Hospital is open 8.00am to 4.30pm every day and daily koala feeding tours are at 3pm.

Tour the vineyards, the Port Macquarie area enjoys a temperate maritime climate ideal for growing grapes and the production of premium table wines. Experience the rustic settings as you taste a sparkling wine, local cheese or simply take in the beautiful scenery.

Take a trip to the Historical Society Museum and see over 20 000 artefacts from early convict settlement. The museum caters for tour groups, school excursions and researchers looking into the past.

Visit the Mid North Coast Maritime Museum, which encompasses 2 separate cottages and which were originally built as pilot cottages in 1896. The Maritime Museum houses a fantastic collection of memorabilia and artefacts including scale models of a variety of vessels, charts, maps, paintings and an extensive collection of historical maritime photographs.

Visit a National Park, Reserve or State Forest. There's a treasure chest of nature for every visitor to discover at Port Macquarie. Most State forests cater for visitors with tours, BBQ facilities and toilets. The Dooragan National Park has enormous conservation, recreational and cultural significance. It is such a special place. The entire park was declared of special significance to Aboriginal culture, traditions and beliefs or Aboriginal people.

Take an early morning walk in he Dooragong, perhaps along a waterfront pathway where you will be greeted by sparkling ocean or river vistas. Schools of dolphins can be seen playing in the ocean and the spectacle of migrating whales is something to behold. There are 14 uncrowded beaches to choose from in the Port Macquarie area and each offers something for everyone.

Akuna Seaplanes provide scenic adventure flights, cafe and restaurant flights, Seaplane Sarfaris, accommodation transfers, picnic tours, and Seaplane endorsement training. The pilots are fully qualified with experience ranging from bush flying in the Northern Territory, to Boeing 737 aircraft with Australian domestic airlines. You can take a 15 minute tour or an all day adventure.

What's On

In April, Port Macquarie's Heritage Festival is a much-loved community festival celebrating Australian culture, its shared past and heritage conservation. This significant event brings together people of all ages, races, and interests to enjoy and learn more about each other.

During August, the Kendall National Violin Competition invites young violinists from across Australia to compete. The finals take place at the Kendall School of Arts.

Where to Stay

Port Macquarie enjoys excellent facilities and the choice of motels is fantastic. There's luxury to be had in lavish resorts, cosy guest houses for a special country feel, traditional B&Bs or backpacker hostels for travellers on a budget. Perhaps you would rather cater for yourself and lease an apartment? At the holiday parks, everything from luxury cabins to charming family style cottages are available.

Places to Eat

Bliss Restaurant overlooks the stunning Hastings River in Port Macquarie. It's a stylish restaurant that enhances Australian food with Balinese, Thai and Vietnamese influences. The extensive wine list features more than 100 local and international wines. A mains at the Bliss Restaurant will cost between $25 and $38.

Look out the window at Ca Marche restaurant and you'll see fields of vines and roses. Set at Cassegrain Winery, which sits just off the Pacific Highway near Port Macquarie, Ca Marche offers some wonderful touches to its menu. Expect to pay between $26 and $34 for a mains.

The Whalebone Wharf Seafood Restaurant is an award winning seafood restaurant located on the waterfront at Port Macquarie. Specialising in fresh local seafood the restaurant has been in operation for over 32 years and has built a reputation of outstanding customer service. Most main courses are priced between $26 and $42 and specialty items like the char grilled lobster with eye fillet steak will cost $62.