The Best Things to Do in Sunny Port Macquarie, NSW

A breathtaking coastal town on the Hastings River, Port Macquarie is a haven full of crescent-shaped beaches, rich marine life, swathes of wilderness on its fringes and even a koala hospital. Besides traipsing the outdoors, visitors to the town can also soak in the diverse culture, whether it is exploring the city’s local museum or admiring art at The Glasshouse Theatre. 

On your visit to Port Macquarie, here are some key experiences and activities you can partake in:

Go strawberry picking at a local farm

Enjoy some of the sumptuous natural bounty that Port Macquarie has to offer at Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries, where you can book a reservation to learn about organically grown produce and even handpick your own. Ricardoes grows hydroponic strawberries and tomatoes that flourish within a well-regulated greenhouse. On your visit here, grab a bucket and learn to identify and pick the sweetest and juiciest fruit, which you can then weigh and purchase to take home with you. 

Stop by the koala hospital 

Spend a fantastic day with your family at this heartwarming koala rehabilitation facility located within the Roto House Historic Site. You can take a guided tour of the facility for free, and learn how these injured gentle animals (usually rescued from bushfires or floods) are cared for by the wonderful hospital volunteers. 

Sample its dining scene

Port Macquarie has seen a flourishing dining scene in recent years. A wonderful diversity is reflected in its culinary offerings that range from farm-to-table restaurants and homegrown eateries, to local seafood establishments and wine bars, brewhouses and seaside shacks. An epicurean journey in town consists of a hearty breakfast at Drury Lane Eatery, a seafood-encrusted lunch at Bill’s Fishhouse, and a contemporary Australian meal for dinner at the Botanic Wine Garden. Stop by Moor Beer Co. for unfined beer and Bar Florian for dreamy flutes of reds for a sample of the region's local brew- and winehouses.

Visit the Billabong Zoo

Make an educational yet fun trip to the Billabong Zoo to interact with Australia’s diverse and wonderful wildlife. The Billabong Zoo is a decades-old facility that harbors numerous native Australian animals, from gentle koalas and wombats, to wallabies, kangaroos and spider monkeys. 

Visit this postcard-perfect lighthouse

This utterly picturesque lighthouse, painted in soothing Mediterranean colors, stands atop a windblown promontory and affords magnificent views of Australia’s Mid-North coast. The surrounds of the lighthouse make for a rousing coastal walk along Port Macquarie’s rustic scenery. After a visit to the lighthouse, you can pop by the adjacent lighthouse beach for a camel safari ride and cool off with an ice-cream. 

Explore its beaches

One would be remiss to ignore Port Macquarie’s stunning beaches. Visit Town Beach to mingle with friendly locals and take in some local rock art while admiring the spectacular vistas. Shelly Beach's tranquil cove is great for sunbathing on a slow, sunny day. This beach is surrounded by forested hills and has breathtaking views as well. Other popular spots are Nobby's Beach and Flynns Beach.

Author Name Advaita Raut