Sydney to Gold Coast road trip: Stops, distance & driving time

Sydney to Gold Coast road trip: Stops, distance & driving time

Attractions between Taree and Port Macquarie

Stay with the highway rather than the coast and you’ll soon arrive at Middle Brother National Park. Beeline it to the Bird Tree picnic area where short stroll will take you to a 69m high, 300yo blackbutt tree.

The Taree to Port Macquarie leg of the drive then heads past Queens Lake. A potential coastal detour will take you to the Long Point Winery and Lake Cathie Beach.

However, there are more good coastal detours before this point. Crowdy Bay National ParkDiamond Head and Dunbogan

At the junction with the Oxley Highway by Billabong Zoo, however, you need to turn off for Port Macquarie.

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

koala at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is one of the best things to do in Port Macquarie. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Port Macquarie accommodation picks

The best Port Macquarie accommodation options are…

Click through to the next section: North to Kempsey.