Port Macquarie NSW Tourist Guide

Places to Visit

Port Macquarie and the Manning Valley

The town had been established originally as a penal colony, but is now very much a “Fun in the Sun” place set on the NSW Coast, with beautiful beaches backed by scenic lush green forests atop mountain ranges. The area is a favourite escape retreat for Sydney-siders.

Craft shops, tea rooms and wineries are located in the area, and try to take some time to explore the many antique shops, speciality shops and art galleries.

There is a deep harbour at the Port, where you will find fishing boats, cruisers and luxury yachts. For the fisherman, there is great beach and estuary fishing and there are deep sea fishing cruises available.

Within easy reach of Port Macquarie, There are plenty of opportunities for bushwalks, swimming, surfing, cruising, fishing, sailing and wineries that you can visit. During the day the national parks and country side are well worth a drive.

The town itself has a resident koala population.

Beaches

There are 14 great beaches on the city edges for surfing and swimming, as well as Diamond Head Beach to the south.

At Shelly beach, the Sea Acres Nature Reserve and Rainforest Centre is an information centre protecting the rare coastal rainforest. The largest and most diverse rainforest in the region, Sea Acres has an elevated boardwalk for a spectacular perspective.

Diamond Beach - Hallidays Point

The walking trails around Black Head and Red Head areas are great! They meander around the remnants of Littoral Rainforest and take in the coastal formations.

Museums and Attractions

Visit the historical Museum and the Maritime Museum. At the Macquarie Nature Reserve, there is Roto House, a now fully restored timber home and serves today as an excellent example of Victorian architecture.

Restaurants and Dining

There are plenty of good restaurants and eateries, especially for seafood served with other fresh local produce.

Kempsey and Macleay Valley

Cruise the Macleay River, sample quality locally grown wines or cruise the country-side through banana plantations, lush forests and farmlands. See Kempsey and the Macleay Valley NSW.

Taree - Cundletown and the Manning Valley

The Taree and the surrounding Manning Valley district includes the small towns of Harrington, Manning Point, Saltwater, Old Bar, Cundletown, Hallidays Point, Tinonee and Wingham. There are a number of national parks and beautiful subtropical rainforests, stunning waterfalls and waterways to explore. On the coast, there some 40kms of coastline beaches for surf, swimming, snorkeling, fishing and diving.

Take a cruise on the Manning River for the wonderful lush pastoral landscapes. At Wingham Brush, there are thousand year old giant Moreton Bay fig trees. Manning also offers wonderful rainforests, National Parks, stunning waterfalls and waterways to explore at your leisure.

Activities

Watersport activities including surfing, skiing and wakeboarding, and there are fishing charters, seaplane flights, skydiving and more. In short, or rather in shorts, there is a whole lot to do.

Coffs Coast Activities.

 

North Coast NSW

Further Reading about the North Coast Region

Maps of the NSW North Coast

 

Working Australian Holiday?

Curious about working in Australia? The Australian Government has made it easier for people to get work in Australia. See Work in Australia.

Hotels and Accommodation

There is a large variety of stays available on the North Coast in the form of everything from hostels and backpackers to farmstays, Bed and Breakfasts, caravan parks, self contained units, hotels, motels and some very nice resorts.

See Hotels in NSW.

 

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