Port Macquarie to Lismore road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The best stops on a Port Macquarie to Lismore road trip itinerary include Coffs Harbour and Evans Head. By car, the Port Macquarie to Lismore distance is 359km and driving time around 3h47m.
Planning a Port Macquarie to Lismore road trip itinerary
A Port Macquarie to Lismore road trip heads from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales to one of the major towns in the Northern Rivers region.
Port Macquarie offers lots of koalas, the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, riding camels on Lighthouse Beach and scenic helicopter flights. For the best Port Macquarie accommodation deals, step this way.
For the best Lismore accommodation deals, look here.
However, there are several excellent attractions between Port Macquarie and Lismore. This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Port Macquarie to Lismore road trip itinerary.
Click through on the links for more detailed links about individual towns and attractions – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off.
Port Macquarie to Lismore distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Port Macquarie to Lismore is 359km. This makes for a driving time of around three hours and 47 minutes.
Excellent road trip stops between Port Macquarie and Lismore include Coffs Harbour and Evans Head.
Things to do in Port Macquarie include the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, riding camels on Lighthouse Beach and taking 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.
Coastal route from Port Macquarie
Beyond Port Macquarie, the slower coastal route brings Limeburners Creek National Park, Goolawah National Park and surfing mecca Crescent Head,
Plough on for Hat Head National Park and amiable holiday spot South West Rocks. Top attractions here include Horseshoe Bay Beach and the heritage-oozing Trial Bay Gaol in Arakoon National Park.
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.
Port Macquarie to Lismore drive: Port Macquarie to Kempsey
Stay with the Pacific Highway instead, and Billabong Zoo and Cassegrain Wines are the main attractions before reaching Kempsey.
Kempsey pays tribute to the nation’s most adored country musician at the Slim Dusty Centre.
Kempsey accommodation picks include the riverside Park Drive Motel and the pool-equipped Motel Kempsey.
Port Macquarie to Lismore road trip: Kempsey to Nambucca Heads
It’s another 106km from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour. You might want to make a short detour to the Yarriabini Lookout for wonderful Macleay River Valley views.
The next town up is Macksville, which offers birdwatching at the Valley of the Mist wetland and local history at the Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage.
The Mandarin Motel is your best bet for overnight accommodation in Macksville, but you may as well keep going to coastal Nambucca Heads.
Things to do in Nambucca Heads include land-based whale-watching from the Captain Cook Lookout and gentle kayaking through Gaagal Wanggaan National Park.
Find the best Nambucca Heads accommodation
If spending a night or two in Nambucca Heads, here are the best options:
- For an excellent kid-friendly holiday park: Ingenia Holidays White Albatross.
- For a high standard motel with a pool: The Beach Rooms.
- For charm and character: Riverview Boutique Motel.
Click through for the next section: The Coffs Coast.