Port Macquarie to Macksville road trip: Distance, time & best stops

The best stops on a Port Macquarie to Macksville road trip itinerary include Billabong Zoo and Kempsey. By car, the Port Macquarie to Macksville distance is 106km and driving time around 1h6m.

Planning a Port Macquarie to Macksville road trip itinerary

A Port Macquarie to Macksville road trip heads from one of biggest cities on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales to the Nambucca River.

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 Macksville accommodation, look at the choices here.

This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Port Macquarie to Macksville 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 Macksville distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Port Macquarie to Macksville is 106km. This makes for a driving time of around one hour and six minutes.

Excellent road trip stops between Port Macquarie and Macksville include Macksville and Kempsey.

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.

Port Macquarie to Macksville drive: Port Macquarie to Kempsey

Taking the Pacific Highway, 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 Macksville road trip: Kempsey to Macksville

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 Macksville.