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Put Port Macquarie on Your Travel Destination List
- Deb Carr
- Aug 18, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 11
Updated January 2026
If you haven't been to Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of NSW, then put it on your 'must visit list'.
Port Macquarie is one of those rare coastal destinations that manages to feel relaxed and polished at the same time. Set on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, it offers an easy mix of beautiful beaches, coastal walks, great cafés, quality accommodation, and enough variety to suit both weekend escapes and longer stays. Whether you’re travelling from Sydney, planning a North Coast road trip, or looking for a laid-back seaside town with plenty to do, Port Macquarie consistently delivers on lifestyle, scenery, and atmosphere — making it well worth a place on your travel destination list.
Places to Visit in Port Macquarie
Sea Acres Rainforest Walk
Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is best visited in the morning, particularly on warmer days, when the rainforest is cooler, quieter and full of birdsong. Early visits are also ideal if you plan to enjoy the café afterwards, as it’s a popular spot for breakfast and morning coffee. The elevated boardwalk is an easy, mostly flat walk, making it suitable for all ages, and it’s well shaded year-round — a big plus during summer.
Spring and autumn are especially lovely times to visit, with comfortable temperatures and lush greenery after seasonal rain. After heavy rainfall, the rainforest feels at its most alive, though sturdy footwear is a good idea. Once you’ve completed the walk, the Rainforest Café is the perfect place to unwind, offering a relaxed menu for breakfast, lunch and light bites, all set among the trees. Before leaving, allow time to browse the gift shop, which focuses on locally inspired, eco-friendly and nature-themed items — a nice way to take a small piece of the experience home with you.
This works beautifully as a mid-morning stop or a gentle reset between beach visits, especially if you want a quieter, more immersive nature experience while staying in Port Macquarie.
Mrs York's Garden Port Macquarie
Recreated in 2015, Mrs York's Garden is a beautiful headland garden overlooking the river mouth and close to the beach. With natural littoral rainforest and coastal headland species, the garden is a beautiful spot to wander around and discover Australian native plants.
The boardwalk includes a waterfall and offers fabulous views of the NSW coastline. Visitors can enjoy a picnic in the boat-themed shelter overlooking the garden.
The garden and walk is situated on Clarence Street, Port Macquarie.
Port Macquarie Breakwall
The Port Macquarie Breakwall is one of the town’s most iconic and quietly charming spots, best enjoyed as part of a coastal walk or a gentle wander by the water. Stretching along the mouth of the Hastings River, the breakwall is famous for its painted rocks — thousands of colourful stones left behind by visitors over the years, many featuring names, messages, dates and little artworks. Walking along the wall feels personal and nostalgic, as if you’re reading a collective travel diary written by people from all over Australia and beyond. It’s especially lovely in the late afternoon when the light softens, the river meets the ocean in golden tones, and locals and visitors alike slow down to take it all in. Simple, scenic and unmistakably Port Macquarie, the breakwall is one of those places that captures the spirit of the town without trying too hard.
The Glasshouse
Located right in the heart of town, The Glasshouse is Port Macquarie’s cultural hub and a space that’s well worth stepping inside, even if you’re only visiting briefly. This striking, environmentally designed building brings together a regional gallery, theatre, visitor information centre, gift shop and flexible event spaces, making it both a creative and community-focused venue. The multi-level Regional Gallery is a pleasure to wander through, with generous exhibition spaces that showcase a rotating program of high-quality Australian and international works.
During my visit, I spent time exploring exhibitions that ranged from deeply cultural to globally inspired, including John Mawurndjul: I am the old and the new and Elsewhere: Travels through Syria, Iran, Egypt, Morocco and Central Asia. Moving through the gallery levels felt unhurried and immersive — the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time. Whether you’re interested in visual arts, catching a live performance, or simply taking a break from the outdoors, The Glasshouse adds a thoughtful, cultural layer to any Port Macquarie visit.
North Brother Lookout
North Brother Lookout is technically located in Laurieton, around a 20-minute drive south of Port Macquarie, but it’s well worth including on any nearby travel itinerary — the views alone make the short detour unforgettable. The drive itself is part of the experience, winding uphill for around five kilometres through national park and dense rainforest before opening out to sweeping coastal vistas. From the main lookout, you’re rewarded with spectacular views across the Camden Haven Inlet, coastline and hinterland, especially impressive on a clear day.
From here, a gentle 500-metre rainforest walk leads to additional viewing points on the other side of the mountain. This short walk is rich with birdsong and that unmistakable earthy rainforest scent, making it feel calm, immersive and quietly special. It’s the kind of place that encourages you to slow down, take a deep breath and simply enjoy being surrounded by nature — a perfect contrast to the beaches and town centre below.
Billabong Zoo Port Macquarie
Billabong Koala Hospital and Zoo is a great family day out with the zoo set within It is now world-renowned for its koala breeding programme and is also a significant regional zoo with a diverse range of Australian and Exotic animals and birds. The zoo has been voted one of the region’s Top Attractions over a number of years as well receiving other Awards for service and value. Billabong Zoo exhibits over 80 species and cares for over 220 animals.
Dining in Port Macquarie
One of the things I love most about Port Macquarie is how closely the town centre hugs the Hastings River, making it easy to combine good food with lovely views. The foreshore is dotted with benches and jetties where you can sit, slow down and enjoy the scenery — perfect for a casual meal by the water. One standout was grabbing classic fish and chips from Off The Hook and enjoying them straight from the paper while sitting on the jetty, watching the river drift by. Simple, relaxed and exactly how coastal dining should be.
Port Macquarie also caters well for food lovers, with a solid mix of cafés, restaurants and takeaway spots spread throughout the town centre and shopping precinct. Port Central sits right in the middle of town, surrounded by cafés, bakeries, boutique stores and everything you might need while visiting. Traffic can get busy at times, so parking a few blocks back and walking is often the easiest — and most enjoyable — option.
For breakfast, I did my homework and headed straight to which more than lived up to its reputation. The coffee was excellent and I opted for a Danish from a local bakery, though the menu definitely tempted me to linger longer. It’s the kind of place you’d happily return to on your next visit.
On the drive home via Laurieton, I stopped at Beach Break Cafe North Haven, a wonderfully positioned spot overlooking the ocean. Watching the waves crash onto the beach while enjoying a coffee and a homemade sausage roll felt like the perfect way to wrap up the trip.
For something a little more refined, The Stunned Mullet is a standout for lunch or dinner. As an added bonus, it’s located right near the beach — ideal for a stroll after a memorable meal.
Accommodation in Port Macquarie
Accommodation in Port Macquarie is refreshingly diverse, making it easy to find something that suits your travel style, budget and length of stay. From waterfront hotels overlooking the Hastings River to beachside resorts near Town Beach, along with serviced apartments, holiday units and relaxed motels, there’s no shortage of well-located options. Many places are within walking distance of the town centre, coastal walks, cafés and restaurants, which makes getting around easy without relying too heavily on the car.
For longer stays or family trips, apartment-style accommodation is particularly popular, while couples and short-stay visitors often gravitate toward boutique hotels and ocean-facing rooms. If you’re travelling during peak holiday periods, it’s worth booking ahead, as Port Macquarie is a consistently popular destination year-round. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a longer coastal break, choosing the right base here can really elevate your stay.
