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Port Macquarie, NSW



Port Macquarie


Port Macquarie coastline

Situated midway between Sydney and Brisbane on the New South Wales Mid-North coast, Port Macquarie has developed into a desirable retirement location as well as an equally popular tourist destination. Located on the south bank of the entrance of the Hastings River, it boasts extensive pristine beaches and untouched waterways.


Port Macquarie and the Hastings River. Photo: NSW Dept. Natural Resources

Where is it?: New South Wales: Mid North Coast. Port Macquarie is 390 km north of Sydney and 570 km south of Brisbane off the Pracific Highway.

Lookouts: Transit Hill (6 km) has views of the district.

Things to see and do:

Greater Port Macquarie has 18 different beaches to choose from, of which six are lifeguard patrolled, eight are dog friendly and almost all of them suitable for swimming and surfing. As well as being blessed with a coastline of beautiful beaches, Port Macquarie also has the Hastings River, which broadens the choice of water-based leisure activities considerably. Besides the usual beach activities (swimming, surfing) you can take a scenic river cruise or high speed boat tour, or try your hand at water skiing on the river. Port Macquarie Beach Guide

Surrounding area:

Away from the beach, there are plenty of activities to cater for people of all interests and ages. These include 4WD tours into the hinterland; getting the know the regional flora and fauna at Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park, Sea Acres Nature Reserve and Rainforest Centre; a day out to Timbertown, a recreated timber cutters village at nearby Wauhope (19km east). Opened in 1975, Timbertown is considered by many to be one of Australia’s finest Heritage Parks.

Biriwal Bulga National Park and Weelah Nature Reserve are located on the northern edge of the Bulga plateau, approximately 45km north west of Taree and 60km west of Port Macquarie. The park is an area of mainly rainforest with many fast flowing streams and waterfalls. Significant to the local Aboriginal people, the Bulga plateau contains numerous Aboriginal sites. More >>


About Port Macquarie

Brief history

The site of Port Macquarie was first visited by Europeans in 1820 when John Oxley reached the Pacific Ocean coast from the interior after his journey to explore inland New South Wales. He named the location after the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie. Later the town was developed, initially as a penal settlement.
In recent times, Port Macquarie has become more commercialised despite protest from residents. The historic Port Macquarie Post Office on the Town Green was torn down to make way for a new high rise apartment block. Town Beach also has high rise apartment complexes. The residential suburbs stretch as far as Lighthouse Beach to the south, Thrumster to the West and Settlement Point to the North. Settlement Point now also has new canal development, being one of the most expensive real estate in the town.
Port Macquarie is a retirement destination, known for its extensive beaches and waterways. The town is also known for its koala population, being the home to the Billabong Koala Park, and the Koala Preservation Society's Koala Hospital, caring for koalas injured through bushfire, dog attacks and collisions with vehicles.


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