Port Macquarie
Discover Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is a coastal beachside city on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast, approximately 400 km north of Sydney and 550 km south of Brisbane. The Port Macquarie–Hastings area (which includes many towns such as Wauchope west of the Pacific Mwy) had a population of 86,762 in 2021. The airport is on the eastern edge of town. Taxis are available to meet each flight, and car hire is available inside the terminal - but it is best to book in advance. The 340/341 bus serves the airport and town around every two hours - slightly more frequent in peak. So, if you're lucky you could meet one of the bus services.
What to Experience in Port Macquarie
Taste of Port Macquarie...
Central Port Macquarie has plenty of high quality mid range cafes and most days you can just turn up and get a table. Here are some of the best: There are so many mid range places in Port Macquarie that serve food of a high range standard, that it's almost not worth the extra effort. If you must eat at a high range place, here are a couple: Port Macquarie is a great place for beachside relaxation, or a family holiday, but a haven for nightlife, it is not. Compared to most other towns of similar size along the east coast of Australia, the pubs and clubs in Port Macquarie are quite substandard. Below are some of the better ones. Craft beer has made it to Port Macquarie, with two breweries now calling the town home. Wineries are not as common, but Cassegrain Wines is the largest local. They make an interesting style Rose, and you can ask for it at the local restaurants and pubs. Port Macquarie as a major tourist centre has lots of accommodation choice. Peak season is the summer Christmas and New Year period, when all accommodation can book out, and minimum stay periods are commonly enforced. There is some true resort style accommodation, together with a range of motels, hotels, guest houses, traditional B&Bs, backpacker hostels and apartments. Late on Friday and Saturday nights, avoid the main street as there are often brawls. Mostly this occurs as people are making their way from the Macquarie Hotel to Roxy's.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe airport is on the eastern edge of town. Taxis are available to meet each flight, and car hire is available inside the terminal - but it is best to book in advance. The 340/341 bus serves the airport and town around every two hours - slightly more frequent in peak. So, if you're lucky you could meet one of the bus services. Premier Motor Service and Greyhound each run a daily bus services to and from Port Macquarie as part of their daily service between Sydney and Brisbane. Sydney buses arrive and depart Central Railway Station in Central Sydney and take approximately 8 hr to travel between Port Macquarie and Sydney. Brisbane buses depart and arrive at the Roma St Transit Centre in Central Brisbane and take approximately 10 hr to cover the distance. In Port Macquarie, all buses drop off at the Port Macquarie Coach Station on the southern side of the Central Business District (CBD)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Port Macquarie has a limited bus service, but it has limited frequency that can make getting around by public transport difficult. While buses may run to most places, they often run at odd times, and terminate early in the day. The most useful bus route is the Shelly Beach - Town Centre route, which seems to run quite regularly, and is the best way of those without a car getting to the beaches and lighthouse. Other than this, don't bother with the public transport, it isn't worth the aggravation. Fortunately, Port Macquarie has a great many places to walk to from the Town Centre. From here you can quite easily walk to many beaches and some attractions. Because it has such a compact CBD, you won't have to walk far to get to restaurants, shops and pubs if you stay in town, or nearby. Port Macquarie has many quiet streets and a few cycleways suitable for getting around by bike. Check the contours before setting off, as there is often a short way or a flat way.
Where to Stay
Port Macquarie as a major tourist centre has lots of accommodation choice. Peak season is the summer Christmas and New Year period, when all accommodation can book out, and minimum stay periods are commonly enforced. There is some true resort style accommodation, together with a range of motels, hotels, guest houses, traditional B&Bs, backpacker hostels and apartments. Late on Friday and Saturday nights, avoid the main street as there are often brawls. Mostly this occurs as people are making their way from the Macquarie Hotel to Roxy's. You'll often see large groups of 18-25 year-olds being hostile towards random passers-by. Other places to avoid late at night are the Town Green and the area surrounding the McDonald's car park (near Settlement City.)
Money & Budget
Central Port Macquarie has plenty of high quality mid range cafes and most days you can just turn up and get a table. Here are some of the best: There are so many mid range places in Port Macquarie that serve food of a high range standard, that it's almost not worth the extra effort. If you must eat at a high range place, here are a couple: Port Macquarie is a great place for beachside relaxation, or a family holiday, but a haven for nightlife, it is not. Compared to most other towns of similar size along the east coast of Australia, the pubs and clubs in Port Macquarie are quite substandard. Below are some of the better ones. Craft beer has made it to Port Macquarie, with two breweries now calling the town home. Wineries are not as common, but Cassegrain Wines is the largest local.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Late on Friday and Saturday nights, avoid the main street as there are often brawls. Mostly this occurs as people are making their way from the Macquarie Hotel to Roxy's. You'll often see large groups of 18-25 year-olds being hostile towards random passers-by. Other places to avoid late at night are the Town Green and the area surrounding the McDonald's car park (near Settlement City.)
Glimpses of Port Macquarie
an aerial view of a beach and ocean at sunset
a view of the ocean from a rocky outcropping
looking up at tall trees
I was on a road trip from Brisbane to Sydney, and we did some stops along the way. We pulled off to a small ocean town called Port Macquarie and went to the oceanfront. A tradition had started a few years ago, where people started to paint the rocks (most were travellers). As i was reading the rocks, I saw this one in particular and thought it was amazing. You really should, be here.
two people holding fish reels on seashore
white pelican on brown wooden post during daytime
a beach with a hill and trees
a view of the ocean from the top of a hill
Morning architecture photography in Port Macquarie.
Sails down yacht
an aerial view of a beach and ocean at sunset
a view of the ocean from a rocky outcropping
looking up at tall trees