Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie road trip: Stops, distance & time

The best stops on a Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie road trip itinerary include Bulahdelah Mountain and Taree. By car, the distance from Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie is 219km, with a driving time of around 2h12m.

Planning a Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie road trip itinerary

A Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie road trip takes you to a key hub on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast. For most drivers, this will be a leg on a longer Sydney to Port Macquarie road trip.

For Raymond Terrace accommodation picks, head here.

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.

This guide should help you plan out the best stops on a Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie road trip itinerary. Click through on the individual places and attractions for more detailed, specific information.

If you need to hire a car, find the best rental deals. And don’t forget to do all your pre-road trip shopping.

Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie is 219km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 12 minutes.

Raymond Terrace lies at the confluence of the Hunter and Williams rivers. The highlight is Boomerang Park.

From Raymond Terrace, the Pacific Highway heads past Wallaroo National Park and Karuah National Park.

You may wish to dip towards the coast, however. Jimmys Beach or Bennetts Beach in Hawks Nest are gorgeous. Then you can aim towards Seal Rocks and Myall Lake.

The Pacific Palms area is just to the north, with Blueys Beach, Boomerang Beach and Elizabeth Beach the highlights.

The coastal route then runs east of Wallis Lake, passing through Booti Booti National Park towards Forster and Tuncurry.

Here, choose One Mile Beach or nine mile-long Tuncurry Beach for surfing, or Burgess Beach for the photogenic fairy pools.

There are many impressive accommodation options in Forster. Pick the Hotel Forster for a big pool, the Forster Motor Inn for convenient location and the Dorsal Boutique Hotel for charm.

Inland route from Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie

The inland route is quicker but less enticing. You can stop for walking trails and Aboriginal heritage and walking trails at Bulahdelah Mountain or native wildlife at the O’Sullivans Gap Picnic Area in Myall Lakes National Park.

Other potential journey-breakers are the Great Lakes Paddocks winery and the National Motorcycle Museum in Nabiac.

Turn off along Manning River drive for Taree, another feasible overnight stop.

Taree attractions include the walking trail along the Dawson River and scenic flights from Taree Airport.

Best Taree accommodation

Taree accommodation is available for from $105 per night. But the best choices are…

For central location: In Town Motor Inn.
For good value and a pool: Caravilla Motor Inn.
For charm and warmth: Birches B&B.
For distinctive character: A Railway Lodge.

Raymond Terrace to Port Macquarie road trip: Taree to Port Macquarie

The leg from Taree to Port Macquarie brings the Cattai Wetlands near Coopernook, although veering coastward again for Crowdy Bay National Park is more rewarding. The Diamond Head campground is a famously good place for seeing kangaroos.

Meanwhile, near the Pacific Highway, you can see the enormous Bird Tree in Middle Brother National Park, drive past Queens Lake and maybe pay a visit to Lake Cathie a visit.

Port Macquarie is an obvious overnight stop. Turn east at the junction with the Oxley Highway to go into the city.

Things to do in Port Macquarie include the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, riding camels on Lighthouse Beach and taking scenic helicopter flights.