Forster to Coffs Harbour road trip: Distance, time & best stops
Forster to Coffs Harbour drive: Manning River to Port Macquarie
The Highway crosses the Manning River just east of Taree, then runs near the Cattai Wetlands in Coopernook. However, if you’ve got time, detour towards Crowdy Bay National Park on the coast. Here, the Diamond Head campground is a notoriously good place for kangaroo sightings.
Stick to the highway and the 300-year-old Bird Tree in Middle Brother National Park is one of the largest blackbutt trees on earth.
Later on, you can take a short detour to Lake Cathie Beach, stopping for wine-tasting at the Long Point Vineyard on the way.
The turn-off for Port Macquarie is along the Oxley Highway, next to Billabong Zoo.
Things to do in Port Macquarie include the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, camel rides on Lighthouse Beach and scenic helicopter flights.
Port Macquarie accommodation picks
The best Port Macquarie accommodation options are…
- For a great value motel: East Port Motor Inn.
- For families: NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park.
- For quality apartments with a heated pool: Northpoint Apartments.
- For beachside location: Flynns Beach Resort.
- For overall quality: The Mid Pacific.
Next section: Port Macquarie to Kempsey.