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I grew up holidaying in Port Macquarie and have fond childhood reminiscences of tenting on the Breakwall Caravan Park and having countless enjoyable on the seashore.
We liked these journeys to Port Macquarie – it was an awesome getaway from our residence close to Sydney and all members of my household loved visiting time and time once more as a result of there are countless 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 Larger Port Macquarie area and uncover some hidden gems.
Since I used to be a toddler, so many extra points of interest had opened up in Port Macquarie, up within the hinterland, and across the Camden Haven area.
If you happen to’re unsure what to do in Port Macquerie, then be sure you take a look at the beneath unmissable points of interest.
1. Catch dawn at City Seashore
It’s value getting away from bed early for dawn in Port Macquarie.
A number of individuals prompt 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 may stroll there from our residence, 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 tip of the long-lasting breakwall as an area fisherman went about catching his lunch.
As I used to be capturing 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 need to get to a croc.
After spending months travelling round North Queensland and the High Finish of Australia, I’m all for vacationers studying concerning the behaviour of those dinosaurs and the respect we have to present them to be able to hold ourselves protected, and them from turning into extinct.
There’s additionally the cuter model of Shrek at Billabong Zoo that Kalyra and Savannah have been blissful to the touch.
This park is a world-renowned breeding centre for koalas and gives the possibility 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 need to cuddle them and convey them residence. Particularly a child koala who was snuggling with mum up the gum tree.
Feeding the kangaroos and wallabies is all the time 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 photograph bomb on this one!
Not solely is there Aussie wildlife on show right here, however we loved testing the Snow Leopards and Pink Pandas, who by the best way have been extraordinarily lively enjoying peek-a-boo with me as I attempted to snap a pic. I lastly bought him within the tree.
While there, seize a chew to eat on the Billabong Cafe, which comes with each dad or mum’s dream – a play space for the youngsters to maintain them entertained while you take pleasure in some down time.
Billabong Koala Park is open every single day besides Christmas Day.
To study all about what’s on provide go to their web site.
3. Wander alongside the Breakwall
I used to experience my bike and fish off the long-lasting breakwall as a child, and it’s the very first thing that involves thoughts once 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 testing all of the brightly painted rocks.
There’s some cool art work from locals and guests alike and for those who’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 known as after one of many three ships that arrived at this level in 1821 to determine 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 fashion space with a stage for dwell music, good choice of beer on faucet, child pleasant and a brand new menu consisting of American fashion 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 domestically by the oldsters at Black Duck Brewery.
Caz loved her Blackened Silver Dory Salad, which for seafood lovers we might extremely advocate. The youngsters have been stored proud of their cheeseburger and nuggets.
No marvel this can be a widespread spot for the locals to hang around. It will be my native too.
7. Stroll the Hey Koalas Sculpture Path
That is cool. Dotted across the Port Macquarie panorama are 50 one-metre tall hand-painted koala sculptures manufactured from fibreglass.
From the mountains to the ocean, they create the Hey Koalas Public Sculpture Path.
I snapped this cool trying 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 finished a bit of it beforehand and for those who’re on the town with sufficient time, I extremely advocate 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 sands of Shelly Seashore, then by way of 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. Take the youngsters to play at Livvi’s Place Playgrounds
On the lookout for a playground your youthful youngsters can burn off some vitality for half an hour?
Livvi’s Place is a water playground at Westport Park with a carousel, water play, tree home, nature play and swings, proper on the Hastings River.
10. Try the Wauchope Farmers Market
Each fourth Saturday of every month is the native Wauchope Farmers Market.
Wherever we dwell or locations we go to we all the time 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 fill up 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 be sure you discover Savannah!
11. Chill out at Waterman’s Cafe
While in Wauchope we hit up the favored Waterman’s Cafe, which overlooks the park and youngsters playground and has a pleasant seating space outdoors within the solar.
The youngsters entertained themselves on the park while I downed a chai latte, the most effective I’ve ever had! Win – win.
12. Stroll the Wauchope Riverwalk
There’s a stunning 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 all the time 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 most important Pink Bloodwood tree within the southern hemisphere, a staggering 52-metres excessive and 16-metres vast at its base.
It’s a powerful trying tree at 200 years previous. Attempt wrapping your arms round this previous fella!
The ‘Outdated Bottle butt’ is considered one of Port Macquarie’s finest stored secrets and techniques and for those who’re within the space come say hello.
14. Tackle the Bago Maze and Vineyard
The Bago Maze in Port Macquarie is superior! The proprietor of Bogo Vineyards, the most effective wineries in Port Macquarie, 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 over the problem of discovering our approach to the 2 towers cleverly positioned within the maze in order that you may see them, however reaching them was one other matter.
We crossed over bridges, found hidden gnomes, and performed musical devices.
Group Caz and Savannah got here out winners, and I need to say Kalyra stored us within the hunt as my navigation expertise had us strolling round in circles haha.
Bago Maze is the most important hedge maze in New South Wales with 2,000 metres of pathways masking 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 bushes and valley beneath.
15. Keep at Ewetopia Farm Keep
As a lot as we love residing on the North coast, escaping to the nation and spending a while on a working farm is one thing all of us take pleasure in 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 high 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 youngsters simply adored (lambs are born yearly throughout spring) they usually got here up for pats and adopted them across the farm like lengthy misplaced buddies – 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 residing, the sounds of livestock 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 season is when additionally 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 identify, Ewetopia?
16. Drive to Camden Haven (by way of Lorne and Kendall)
Leaving Ellenborough we drove throughout the spectacular hinterland ranges by way of the cities of Lorne and Kendall earlier than ending up again on the coast in Camden Haven.
Relying on how a lot time you have got, this scenic drive gives the chance to go bushwalking, birding, and mountain climbing to waterfalls, with Ellenborough Falls and Rawson Falls being the celebs 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 propose 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 offered gorgeous views over Queens Lake and the seaside cities of Laurieton, North Haven and Dunbogan.
Simply some of the scenic views we’ve seen in NSW. Could be spectacular on a transparent day!
18. Hunt for waterfalls in Boorganna Nature Reserve
Simply outdoors Comboyne Village, is Boorganna Nature Reserve. Right here you may go for a stroll by way of the rainforest and are available out at a scenic waterfall, Rawson Falls.
It’s a brief 5km hike that ought to take round 1.5-2.5 hours, nevertheless it thought-about reasonably difficult.
Pack loads of water and word there could also be leeche on the path.
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 named essentially the most protected and most secure seashore within the area, particularly good for households with the light waves.
It had simply stopped raining once we arrived and the colors that got here out have been putting.
20. Test Out The Dunbogan Boatshed
On the cruise, the locals prompt we cease in on the Dunbogan Boatshed for a great cup of espresso.
It’s a peaceable setting on the river and right here your youngsters can feed the pleasant bream fish who hang around down beneath.
Ours ladies bought a kick out of it however because it had been raining visibility within the water was fairly low.
21. Take the youngsters to Laurieton United Providers Membership
We timed our go to proper to make the most of Sunday roast night time on the Laurieton United Providers Membership, who’s not up for that?!
We have been impressed with the dimensions of this membership and the friendliness of the individuals, and for those who’re there within the daytime the views of Camden River can be an added bonus.
Oh, they usually’ve considered the youngsters too, with two kiddie play areas within the bistro and predominant 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 by way of 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 liked 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 the 1.3-kilometre Sea Acres Rainforest 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 stunning present store for selecting up souvenirs and a restaurant.
24. Lighthouse Seashore
So lots of our readers reached out to us and mentioned we needed to go to Lighthouse Seashore.
It’s a well-known whale watching (from June to November) and dolphin recognizing hub, plus you may take camel rides alongside the sands.
There are additionally waves right here, which you’ll surf if in case you have your personal board.
25. Decide your personal fruit at Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries
We’re large followers of U-Decide farms, we’ve got a number of of them round our residence in Raleigh. They’re a enjoyable exercise for teenagers and an effective way to show them about the place their meals comes from.
Ricardoes is a ten minute drive north of Port Macquarie and makes use of computerised expertise to regulate its two acre greenhouses crammed with tomatoes and strawberries.
They management the whole lot from the irrigation system to nutrient utility, so will discover loads of deliciously succulent fruit to choose!
The place to remain in Port Macquarie
In Port Macquarie, we stayed on the centrally situated Ki-ea Residences, which have been a simple stroll to City Seashore, the Breakwall and the City Centre.
We had a self-contained 2 bed room residence 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 Residences in a 2-bed residence proper on the waterfront of Camden Haven river with manicured gardens and an abundance of wildlife.
Excellent for households or a romantic escape.
Remaining ideas
If you happen to’re a household you’ll love Port Macquarie. If not, you’ll find it irresistible too!
There’s a lot to do for all ages whether or not you’re on the lookout for that memorable household vacation you crave, a romantic {couples} getaway otherwise you’re travelling solo.
After street 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 advocate it extremely sufficient for any sort of traveller.
Be warned, although. Individuals have been identified to go to for a weekend, and stayed for some time!
Excursions in Port Macquarie
Extra North Coast NSW Journey Suggestions
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