When heading to Port Macquarie for the first time, I knew of two things: incredible beaches and koalas. And whilst it has those in abundance, there is so much more to it than that. Whether you want to swim at the bottom of a giant waterfall, wander through pristine rainforest, or simply kick back in one of the local craft breweries, we have you covered.
In this guide you’ll find the big ticket items if you’re just starting an East Coast road trip and therefore short on time, as well as lots of lesser known spots for those who are looking to scratch under the surface.
Here are the best things to do in Port Macquarie.
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1: Lookout for dolphins from the Tacking Point Lighthouse
2: Meet the adorable locals at the Koala Hospital
3: Kick back in a hidden rock pool
4: Stand in awe at the foot of NSW’s tallest waterfall
5: Wander the spectacular rainforest boardwalk
6: Take a dip in the beautiful emerald pool at Waitui Falls
7: Check out the picturesque Watonga Rocks
8: Try a paddle of local craft beer
9: Take a stroll along the art covered Breakwall
10: Admire the largest bloodwood in the Southern Hemisphere
11: Explore the nooks and crannies of Nobbys Beach
12: Go wild koala spotting
13: Marvel at the little known Rawson Falls
14: Catch a sunset from Queens Lake
15: Enjoy 8 incredible beaches in one walk
16: Indulge in a local wine tasting
17: Try the homemade scones at Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries
18: Learn some local history at the Port Macquarie Historical Museum
Things to do in Port Macquarie
1. Look out for dolphins from the Tacking Point Lighthouse
Our first holiday after arriving in Australia was along the East Coast and the Tacking Point Lighthouse is one of my favourite memories from the trip. We sat beside the lighthouse and watched a huge pod of dolphins play in the surf, a truly magical experience.
Although you won’t always see dolphins here, it is a great vantage point to look for them, as well as migrating humpback whales between May and November.
Even if you don’t get lucky with any marine life, the ocean views will not leave you disappointed. It’s also a wonderful spot for sunrise and sunset, (our photos are sunset).
You can drive right up to the lighthouse and it’s also one end of the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk if you’re feeling energetic.
2. Meet the adorable locals at the Koala Hospital
A visit to the Koala Hospital is a heart warming experience. You are able to observe the koalas at close range and really take in all their quirky habits - something that is increasingly difficult to do in the wild in NSW.
The best time to come to the hospital is early in the morning, or for the afternoon feeding, when the koalas are at their most active (we saw this happen at 2.30pm, but it may differ slightly day by day). The koalas might be slumbering in a tree, but the moment the bunches of eucalyptus arrive, they’ll soon come down for a munch.
All the koalas at the sanctuary are rescues; some will live out their days here due to injuries, but any that can be released back into the wild will be.
Currently visits are self guided, but there is always a member of staff around the enclosures to tell you all about the residents, as well as lots of general koala info.
Visits are free, but I can’t imagine anyone comes and doesn’t make a donation.
3. Kick back in a hidden rock pool
I normally opt for wild swimming holes over rock pools, but the one at the southern end of Miners Beach had me reconsidering my choices!
It’s a really big pool with great water clarity and lots of little fish, including some colourful ones which made it feel like I’d gone snorkelling, but without the need for any gear.
It’s the perfect place to relax in the water and we couldn’t believe we got it to ourselves on a hot Saturday in summer! We visited at low tide which was great, however, mid tide should also be ok. High tide would cover the pool.
The walk down to Miners Beach from the nearest parking area is just 400m each way. It’s mainly downhill, but it’s not very steep and the path is in very good condition.
You then head right (to the end of the beach) and over a few rocks where you’ll find the pool. It only takes a few minutes from when you get down onto the beach.
4. Stand in awe at the foot of NSW’s tallest waterfall
Ellenborough Falls is not just the tallest waterfall in NSW, but the second highest in Australia.
Even setting eyes on it from the viewing platform by the car park is a jaw dropping sight. Standing at the very bottom of the falls is really something else.
In times of high flow (like you can see in our pictures) the waterfall is just extraordinary, but with less water it’s still beautiful and it will be calm enough to swim in the pool at the base - a major bonus. On the information board, the locals stated that they’ve never seen Ellenborough run dry which is a rarity in NSW!
Although walking to the bottom is not difficult, there are several viewpoints which don’t require many stairs and we detail all of them, as well as an additional swimming spot in this guide.
The falls are a 1.5 hour drive from Port Macquarie, but it’s well worth the time.
5. Wander the spectacular rainforest boardwalk
The Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk is a wonderful way to explore a section of pristine rainforest whilst never having to worry about tricky terrain.
The 1.3km flat boardwalk guides you effortlessly through the spectacular dense forest full of tree ferns, hanging vines, sandpaper figs and so much more. It’s a truly beautiful walk and the forest canopy provides lots of shade even on the sunniest days.
If you’re lucky you might even spot the resident Powerful Owls which were a major highlight for us. Ask the visitor centre where they were last spotted so you have a rough idea where to look.
The boardwalk is open every day but Christmas day, from 9am-4.30pm. An adult ticket is currently $9.
6. Take a dip in the beautiful emerald pool at Waitui Falls
The swimming hole at Waitui Falls is just gorgeous. The emerald water is lovely and clear and the small waterfall and surrounding forest are incredibly atmospheric.
Reaching the pool is almost too easy for a spot this good, at just a 100m each way, and accessing the water is also a breeze.
The only downside is that it is a popular spot and therefore if you’re looking for some peace and serenity you’ll want to avoid weekends, or come early or late in the day.
All the details on accessing the falls, including what the forestry roads are like are in this post.
7. Check out the picturesque Watonga Rocks
Lighthouse Beach is one of the most beautiful in NSW. It stretches for 9 breathtaking kilometres, so there’s plenty of room to find your own private paradise, even on the busiest of days.
It’s a great place to go for a long walk or hit the surf, but personally we love just soaking it all up from Watonga Rocks. These unusual rock formations are found right on the beach and the grippy surface makes climbing up for an elevated view easy.
There’s even one that has a little opening which gives it sea cave like vibes. We visited at high tide and the rocks were still exposed, so you don’t have to worry too much about timing.
In terms of getting there, there is a specific parking area close to the rocks and then it’s just a couple of minutes walk.
8. Try a paddle of the local craft beer
I am pretty sure that the Black Duck Brewery offers the cheapest tasting paddle I have ever seen at just $7 and it doesn’t compromise on taste.
If you love your ales there are plenty of choices and they also have non alcoholic ginger beer which is brewed onsite.
It’s a friendly laid back affair with indoor and outdoor seating. As they had sold out of the alcoholic ginger beer and I’m not much of a beer drinker, I tried the non alcoholic version.
It’s made with real ginger rather than syrup and tasted great, I was taken aback that it only cost $3!
9. Take a stroll along the art covered Breakwall
The Breakwall is a popular stroll of just over 800m each way. As well as it being lovely just to be by the water, the main highlight is all the colourful rocks that line the entire pathway.
The art is a mix of fun messaging, poignant quotes, memorials and just a bit of fun and I found myself stopping often to look more closely as so many caught my eye.
The Breakwall starts at Town Green and finishes by Town Beach (or you can do it vice versa). It’s another popular place to spot dolphins, although we’ve sadly never got lucky.
10. Admire the largest Bloodwood in the Southern Hemisphere
We decided to visit Old Bottlebutt on a bit of a whim and it turned out to be a fabulous stop. We’ve visited some big trees around the world and the girth of Old Bottlebutt felt like it was right up there with the biggest.
It’s an absolute giant and a beautiful old tree to sit quietly beside and soak up the atmosphere of the forest.
And on that note, the forest is very special. In just a 500m easy loop walk you truly feel like you’ve got into the wilds. The path is in great condition and almost entirely flat, so it’s not the kind of the walk that normally gives you that feeling, but this one was definite jungle vibes.
If you love big trees and forest bathing you are going to be in for a real treat.
Note that the last 3.2km of the road to the reserve is gravel, but it’s in good condition and no special clearance is required (that’s the route off Bago Road, there’s a second route with a more rustic dirt road).
11. Explore the nooks and crannies of Nobbys Beach
Nobbys Beach is the dog lovers favourite, but we came to check out the rock shelf (best done during low tide and swell).
From the southern end of the beach, you can climb up onto the rock shelf, which is grippy when dry, and make your way along the headland.
There’s a tiny little sea arch which you’ll see almost immediately and then a couple of minutes further along you’ll reach a dead end and a small pink sea cave.
Unfortunately due to all the rocks and the way the water enters the cave, you can’t go in, but it was still quite fun to check out from above.
Definitely don’t go expecting something like the Pink Caves on the Central Coast but it’s still a pretty spot and watching the waves crash against the rocks beside the cave was mesmerising.
12. Go wild koala spotting
Sadly, it’s not easy to find wild koalas in NSW, but in Port Macquarie your odds are a little better than most.
We started off by looking at the eucalyptus grove in the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve which is said to be a favourite haunt. It’s just a few minutes walk and the forest is beautiful.
We didn’t get lucky here, so we decided to scan the bushy residential streets near the aptly named Koala Street and within minutes we’d found one.
Keep your eyes open as you drive along, particularly where the koala road signs are and you may just get lucky.
They are also said to be found in the bushy areas of Shelly Beach and Lighthouse Beach if you don’t spot any at the reserve.
13. Marvel at the little known Rawson Falls
I am not quite sure how this amazing waterfall is not more well known. It’s a huge cascade surrounded by breathtaking rainforest that reminded us of Dorrigo National Park.
For such a big waterfall it’s surprisingly easy to get to the bottom and the rainforest will leave you enchanted.
Every step reveals something new, with strangler figs, huge masses of twisted vines, tall trees covered in epiphytes and plenty of weird and wonderful fungi. You’ll be serenaded by the resident birdlife, although the gentle calls are sometimes dwarfed by the eerie caw of the catbirds.
It’s a captivating walk and your first glimpse of the falls feels like you’ve stepped onto the set of Jurassic Park. Although the waterfall is at its most dramatic after rain, if it’s too heavy you won’t be able to swim in the pool at the bottom.
Lots more details on Rawson Falls are in this guide.
14. Catch a sunset from Queens Lake
There are lots of lovely sunset spots around the area, but there’s something about the jetty at Queens Lake Picnic Area that I loved.
It’s so quiet and tranquil, and sitting on the edge of the jetty and paddling in the warm (yes warm!) water made me feel instantly at peace.
It was just us and the jumping fish - of which there were the most I’ve ever seen - and that was on a Saturday night in summer! It’s one spot you definitely don’t need to worry about battling the crowds.
It would be a fantastic place for a dip too, with calm water and so much space, that is if you don’t get freaked out by the profusion of jumping fish!
The last 6km of the road into the reserve is gravel. At time of writing there are some lumps and bumps, but no special clearance is needed. The jetty is then just a 30 second walk from the car park for the Queens Lake Picnic Area.
15. Enjoy 8 incredible beaches on one walk
The Port Macquarie Coastal Walk is a 9km track that takes in eight fabulous beaches. It’s a one way walk, so unless you’re super keen you’ll want to organise a taxi/car shuffle, or catch the bus back from Lighthouse Beach.
We walked the trail on our first trip to Port Macquarie and ran out of time to do it again this time unfortunately. Although it was quite a few years ago (so my memory is hazy on specific details), I do remember it being a gorgeous walk and a great way to see all the main beaches in one go, as well as many fab lookouts.
There isn’t much in the way of climbing to do, but it isn’t flat, there are definitely some little hills snuck in there to give you a work out.
If you don’t want to walk the whole thing it is broadly divided into four shorter sections; Westport to Town Beach (2km), Town Beach to Flynns Beach (2.2km), Flynns Beach to Shelly Beach (2.2km) and Shelly Beach to Tacking Point (2.7km).
16. Indulge in a local wine tasting
There are quite a few wineries in the Port Macquarie area, but Cassegrain Wines caught my eye, as one of their winemakers had recently won winemaker of the year.
As soon as I got out the car and saw the restaurant overlooking the vines, I wished I’d booked in for lunch, the view is just gorgeous.
I checked it later and it’s very well reviewed, so if you fancy a splurge I would definitely try the restaurant out.
If not, you can also enjoy a wine tasting at the cellar door which has a particularly grand entryway! For $10 (which is redeemable on purchase of a bottle) you can try an array of whites, reds, rose and sparkling.
It’s not a set tasting so you can just choose the ones that appeal to you the most. I went for six and I kept being offered more so it doesn’t seem there’s a set number you can try.
My faves were the reds and I was glad when it came to buying that the bottles were a lot cheaper than many other wineries we’ve visited lately : )
Although all the wine is processed on site, not all the grapes are grown locally, so ask for the ones that are if that’s important to you.
17. Try the homemade scones at Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries
Most people come to Ricardoes for the tomato and strawberry picking, but we came for the scones!
They have been heralded as the best in the world by some people, including some major media, so we were expecting big things.
I’ll be 100% honest that they aren’t the best scones I’ve tasted, but they were nice enough and the staff were lovely.
Although after all the lavish praise I was expecting a bit more, I still wanted to include it here because so many people love them and I guess it’s all down to personal taste!
18. Learn some local history at the Port Macquarie Historical Museum
If you like to scratch under the surface of an area and get to know some of the local history, then head for the Port Macquarie Museum.
It’s a bit of a tardis with lots of rooms that just keep appearing as you make your way round.
It’s a well presented museum with interesting artefacts and some good local stories. I am always morbidly fascinated by the old convict tales and there were quite a few in this museum.
There’s also a display on tourism development in the area which I also really enjoyed reading, look out for the black and white photo of the person by the waterfall. It wouldn’t look out of place on Instagram today!
At time of writing the museum entry fee is $5.
Where to stay in Port Macquarie
Surf Beach Motel Port
We stayed in a deluxe king room at this motel and it was one of the best motels we’ve stayed in, in NSW. It’s really clean and comfy, with a good bed and shower. It’s also really quiet, yet incredibly central. My only bugbear was the pillows are a little hard, but I guess I might have been able to ask for a different one! Overall it was great and we would definitely go back.
You can check out the reviews and prices on:
Flynns on Surf Beach Villas
If you’d like a bit more space and also the option to self cater (including hob and oven) then the Flynns on Surf Beach Villas look great. There’s a small outdoor pool and it’s just a three minute walk to the beach. They have one, two and three bed options.
You can check out the reviews and prices on
If you’re travelling with friends or family and would like a two bedroom house Fi's relaxing Beach House looks great. It’s more expensive than the two beds at Flynns Villas, but it does look worth it if you have the budget.
Getting to Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is located just under 400km and roughly a 4 hour 15 minute drive from Sydney. It’s 160km and around a 1 hour 45 minute drive from Coffs Harbour and approximately 400km and 4 hours from Byron Bay.
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