What are the best things to do in Port Macquarie, NSW?

The best things to do in Port Macquarie include the Koala Hospital, Flynns Beach, camel rides and the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre.

Port Macquarie is one of the largest cities in New South Wales. Along with Coffs Harbour, it is one of the two main regional centres on the Mid-North Coast. But perhaps more importantly for visitors, it’s almost perfectly positioned as a stop on the drive from Sydney to Byron Bay.

A 392km drive north of Sydney, or 244km drive from Newcastle, Port Macquarie majors in nature and wildlife. Perhaps the most iconic of the things to do in Port Macquarie is riding a camel along Lighthouse Beach. The half hour rides are a bit of fun, but you’ll also learn the strange history of camels in Australia.

Things to do in Port Macquarie: Koala Hospital & Billabong Zoo

There are cuter animals at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. This sanctuary takes in sick and injured koalas. It attempts to rehabilitate as many as possible back into the wild, but otherwise gives them a good home. There’s a considerable aaaaah factor at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital that makes it the inevitable highlight of many people’s stay.

The Billabong Zoo majors in koalas too, but has exotic creatures such as cheetahs and snow leopards to go alongside the native Australian wildlife. The Billabong Zoo, in Sancrox just outside Port Macquarie, also offers close-up animal encounters.

Port Macquarie beaches

Port Macquarie is blessed with a fabulous collection of beaches for when the Port Macquarie weather is sunny. Lighthouse Beach in the south is best known due to the camel rides and the Tacking Point Lighthouse. There are some fabulous views along the coast from beside the Tacking Point Lighthouse. But this is the case from the headlands flanking other Port Macquarie Beaches, too. The Town Beach Lookout takes in Town Beach, Nobby Head looks over Nobby’s Beach, the Flagstaff Lookout admires Oxley Beach and Harry’s Lookout takes in Shelly Beach.

Things to do in Port Macquarie: Flynns Beach

Every local will have their own favourite beach, although Flynns Beach is arguably the best all-rounder. The Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club is here, meaning Flynns Beach is patrolled by lifeguards. There are also a few places to eat just behind the beach, while you can get your coastal photos from Flynns Point.

Of course, if you really want to admire the coastline, the best way to do it is in a helicopter. Port Macquarie Helicopters runs half hour helicopter tours along the coast for $345.

What to do in Port Macquarie: Sea Acres Rainforest Centre and boardwalk

If you want a slightly longer walk than one to a headland from the beach, the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is one of the best things to do in Port Macquarie. Part of the Sea Acres National Park between Shelly Beach and Miners Beach, the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is home to a popular boardwalk. The Rainforest Boardwalk rises seven metres into the canopy, with interpretive signs along the 1.3km loop. If you don’t fancy shelling out $9 for the experience, there’s still plenty of information on local ecology and Aboriginal culture inside the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre.

Other enjoyable walks in Port Macquarie include the Googik Heritage Walking Track in the Lake Innes Nature Reserve. The Googik Heritage Walking Track is 2km one way, and home to lots of birdlife. The nearby Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve is a 52 hectare reserve with ten different entrances and a historic cemetery. It’s a great place for leisurely mooching.

Craft beer in Port Macquarie

Not all things to do in Port Macquarie are outdoorsy and wholesome, however. There’s a solid food and drink scene in the city, with the Black Duck Brewery being the best example of small scale enterprise. This Port Macquarie craft brewery offers local produce platters, live entertainment and a range of beers brewed on the premises.

Other attractions near Port Macquarie include the Bago Maze in Wauchope.

More New South Wales beach towns

Anna Bay | Arrawarra | Bawley Point | Broulee | Byron Bay | Cabarita Beach | Callala Beach | Emerald Beach | Forresters Beach | Mossy Point | Patonga Beach | Pearl Beach | Seal Rocks | Terrigal | Tomakin | Yamba