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

The best stops on a Port Macquarie to Nambucca Heads road trip itinerary include Kempsey and Macksville. By car, the Port Macquarie to Nambucca Heads distance is 120km and driving time around 1h15m.

Planning a Port Macquarie to Nambucca Heads road trip itinerary

A Port Macquarie to Nambucca Heads road trip heads to one of the most popular holiday spots on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.

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.

To pick out your ideal Nambucca Heads accommodation, head here.

However, there are several excellent attractions between Port Macquarie and Nambucca Heads. This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Port Macquarie to Nambucca Heads 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 Nambucca Heads distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Port Macquarie to Nambucca Heads is 120km. This makes for a driving time of around one hour and 15 minutes.

Excellent road trip stops between Port Macquarie and Nambucca Heads 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 Nambucca Heads 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 Nambucca Heads road trip: Kempsey to Nambucca Heads

After leaving Kempsey, 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.