Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour road trip: How long is the drive?
The Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour drive along the Pacific Highway is 153km in distance, with a driving time of around 1h39m. However, you can turn it into a road trip, stopping at the Hat Head National Park, Bongil Bongil National Park, South West Rocks and Nambucca Heads.
Once you get north of Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour are the two largest cities on the New South Wales North Coast. Both cities make great stops on the drive north from Sydney to Byron Bay or Brisbane, with several attractions to hold the attention.
Book in advance for the best Coffs Harbour accommodation deals.
And find your ideal tours and experiences.
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour driving time
The drive from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour is 153km long. That means the Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour driving time is around one hour and 39 minutes.
6 fab Coffs Harbour experiences to book in advance
- Glide through nature – on a Boambee Creek kayaking tour guided by a marine scientist.
- Jump out of a plane – with tandem skydives that land on the beach.
- Go kayaking and wildlife-spotting – on a coastal adventure.
- Head into the hinterland – on a rainforest and waterfalls day tour.
- Test your nerve and agility – at the Treetops Coffs Harbour adventure course.
- See migrating humpbacks up close – on a whale-watching cruise.
This drive is almost entirely along the Pacific Highway, and it passes through Cooperabung, Kempsey and Macksville. After that, the Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour drive along the Pacific Highway skirts closer to the coast. It skims the edge of Nambucca Heads, Valla Beach, Urunga and Raleigh before cutting through the Bongil Bongil National Park. Bonville and Boambee, suburbs of Coffs Harbour, are the final waypoints before reaching the city centre.
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour road trip stops
Of course, you might decide you want to turn the Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour drive into more of a road trip. It’s perfectly feasible to do it over the course of a day, making stops along the way.
Easy detours can be made towards the Limeburners Creek National Park and Maria National Park. That said, the coastal Hat Head National Park probably has the most appeal. There are some epic coastal sweeps within the national park, and long beaches without a soul on them. Just to the south, the Crescent Head caravan park offers cheap accommodation in surf haven Crescent Head.
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour drive: Hat Head National Park and South West Rocks
At the northern end of the Hat Head National Park, you’ll find the Smoky Bay Lighthouse and Trial Bay Gaol in Arakoon National Park.
Arakoon is next to South West Rocks, arguably the most appealing surf town on the drive from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour.
South West Rocks accommodation picks
The best South West Rocks accommodation options are:
- For families: NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Park.
- For an indulgent villa: Salt.
- For charm and character: Heritage Guesthouse.
- For great value: Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks.
- For good location, a pool and free parking: Rockpool Motor Inn.
But Scotts Head and Nambucca Heads have big fan clubs, too.
More New South Wales travel
Go fishing, birdwatching or swimming at Yarramundi Reserve on the Grose River
Go walking in the Macquarie Pass National Park on the drive from Bowral to Wollongong.
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What are the best things to do in Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains?
Stay at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal in Terrigal on the Central Coast.