Port Macquarie is located midway between Sydney and Brisbane on the North Coast of New South Wales. The region boasts 17 beaches, a lush hinterland, and a diverse variety of attractions for all ages. The vibrant central business district of Port Macquarie is surrounded by water, with the Hastings River on one side and stunning beaches on the other, making it one of Australia’s best towns to explore on foot.

A walk through the city centre will uncover a range of edgy boutiques, cool cafes, and restaurants, as well as breweries and bars. Port Macquarie is also home to the Koala Hospital, the world's first hospital dedicated solely to the care and preservation of koalas. The town is watched over by the recently restored Tacking Point lighthouse — the third oldest in the country, built in 1879 to warn ships of the rocks near the shore. From Tacking Point, the high elevation lets you enjoy superb views of Port Macquarie and surrounding areas.

Port Macquarie is a four-hour drive from Sydney or a seven-hour drive from Brisbane. By air, the flight to Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ) is approximately one hour from Sydney or Brisbane. From the airport it’s a short trip into the town centre with taxi and bus options. There are also many car rentals available at the airport and in town. If you would rather arrive by train, the service between Sydney and Brisbane stops daily at Wauchope, with a 20-minute coach connection to Port Macquarie from Wauchope Station. Once in town, Port Macquarie is enjoyable to explore on foot, but there are public buses which operate seven days a week and a local taxi service with ranks throughout the region.

If there was a best time to visit Port Macquarie it would probably be in the spring when the days are warm and the nights mild. The Port Macquarie Art Society Market Bazaar is held every Sunday in spring and summer where you will find locally-produced fruit and vegetables, cakes and eggs, second-hand books, and an array of locally-made arts and crafts. If your trip is all about time at the beach, then the summer months are ideal. The warmest month in Port Macquarie is January with long sunny days and an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. Remember to pack your sunscreen and hat. Whenever you decide to visit you will find an excellent range of places to stay, including pet-friendly accommodations in Port Macquarie.

The Coastal Walk

Take the nine-kilometre Coastal Walk from Port Macquarie’s town centre to Lighthouse Beach — rated as one of the country’s top four spectacular coastal walks. This easy-grade walk follows one of the most dramatic coastlines in Australia and will take you past beaches, headlands, historic sites including the Tacking Point Lighthouse, and rainforests — all with stunning views and scenery along the way.

Tacking Point Lighthouse

Venture up to the rocky point above Lighthouse Beach to the striking Tacking Point Lighthouse. Built in 1879, it is still in use today, so you can't enter the lighthouse itself, but you can visit the lighthouse keepers' cottage and read stories about the keepers' lonely life. From here you will enjoy panoramic views of the wild and rocky coastline and you could even spot whales during the migration season.

Timbertown

Take the 20-minute drive from town to Wauchope and step back in time to Timbertown. Set amongst 87 acres of natural forest, Timbertown is an entire village, re-created to demonstrate the life and struggles of Australia's pioneers in the timber industry. You can ride the steam train on a trip out through the forest, experience the carriage ride around the village, and watch blacksmiths at work.