Port Macquarie to South West Rocks: Drive distance & stops

The drive from Port Macquarie to South West Rocks covers an 87km distance in a driving time of around an hour. Good road trip stops along the way include Billabong Zoo and the Slim Dusty Centre.

The drive from Port Macquarie to South West Rocks takes you from one of the biggest cities on the New South Wales coast to one of the state’s most underrated holiday towns.

It’s a short drive, but you can fit in a few appealing attractions along the way.

Port Macquarie to South West Rocks distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Port Macquarie to South West Rocks is 87km. That makes for a driving time of around an hour.

Good road trip stops on the route from Port Macquarie to South West Rocks include Billabong Zoo and the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey.

This one hour driving time assumes you’ll be taking the quickest route along the Pacific Highway. There is a more scenic route along the coast that takes in Limeburners Creek National Park, Goolawah National Park and legendary surf spot Crescent Head.

Quickest route from Port Macquarie to South West Rocks

Go the quick way, though, and you take the Oxley Highway out of Port Macquarie, before turning north along the Pacific Highway. If you have kids in tow, Billabong Zoo will keep them happy with a wildlife fix.

Further along near the Hastings River, Cassegrain Wines has a restaurant and cellar door.

Otherwise, keep going towards the Slim Dusty Centre in South Kempsey – a short detour along the Macleay Valley Way. This museum celebrates Australia’s most beloved country music singer, who recorded more than 100 albums.

Port Macquarie to South West Rocks drive: Into South West Rocks

If you don’t join the Macleay Valley Way there, do so at Frederickton, then branch off down Plummers Lane until you cross the Macleay River.

Before entering South West Rocks, you might wish to veer east slightly to see the Smoky Cape Lighthouse in Hat Head National Park.

Otherwise, keep going to South West Rocks. Highlights here are the beaches – Horseshoe Bay Beach is the nearest to the town centre – and the atmospheric ruins of Trial Bay Gaol in Arakoon National Park.