Things to do in Macksville, NSW

The best things to do in Macksville, NSW, include the Valley of the Mist, Mary Boulton’s Pioneer Cottage and the Way Way Creek Road drive through Yarriabini National Park.

Macksville, NSW, is one of Australia’s classic drive-through towns. It’s on the Pacific Highway on the drive from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, sandwiched between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. Most people driving north from Sydney to Byron Bay or Brisbane won’t think twice about stopping in Macksville.

Things to do in Macksville, NSW: Valley of the Mist

There are, however, a few things to do in Macksville that are potentially worth considering on the Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour drive. These Macksville attractions include the Valley of the Mist and Mary Boulton’s Pioneer Cottage.

The Valley of the Mist is a Ramsar-listed wetland, and a group of local landowners have got together to preserve the land in its natural state for the birds. It’s just off Taylors Arm, which flows into the Nambucca River.

Macksville attractions: Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage

If birdwatching is not your thing, try the Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage. This heritage building has been turned into a small museum celebrating the history of the Nambucca Valley. The Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage was built in the early 19^th century. Now it hosts horse-drawn vehicles, a former cell from Macksville Police Station and artefacts from the dairy, beef and banana industries. Riveting, it is not, but the position by the Nambucca River is pleasant.

Nambucca River in Macksville, NSW — The Nambucca River flows through Macksville, NSW. Photo by Seen Australia.

Things to do in Macksville, NSW: Yarriabini National Park

Realistically, Macksville doesn’t hold as much appeal as nearby beach towns Scotts Head and Nambucca Heads. But it does have Yarriabini National Park just to the south. The best way to see Yarriabini National Park is on the looping 17km Way Way Creek Road drive. This scenic drive heads through rainforests and over creeks. It’s a fine way to get a feel for the green hinterland that lies just beyond the beaches of the Mid-North Coast.

Driving times to Macksville, NSW

Sydney to Macksville: Distance 480km, driving time 5h.

Brisbane to Macksville: Distance 441km, driving time 4h39.

Port Macquarie to Macksville: Distance 100km, driving time 1h6m.

Coffs Harbour to Macksville: Distance 57km, driving time 40m.

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Mid North Coast New South Wales