Port Macquarie Itineraries
Couples 3-day Escape
DAY 1
DIAMOND HEAD LOOP WALK
A pleasant 40 minute drive south of Port is the stunning Camden Haven, where you'll find Diamond Head. Soak up the serenity in a secluded spot and admire the lush rainforests and golden sand. Located in Crowdy Bay National Park, this track offers sweeping views across Crowdy Bay without the big crowds. Finish off with a swim at Diamond Head Beach. If you're feeling a little too relaxed for the walk, drive to Diamond Head Campground and the iconic 'Split Rock' is a short walk on the beach from there. Then you'll have time to visit the lovely Queens Lake at Laurieton before you head into the Hinterland.LUNCH BREAK
Nestled in the stunning Hinterlands, a gorgeous drive through farmland and forest, The Byabarra Café & Bar offers spectacular views, a licensed bar and hearty food.
ELLENBOROUGH FALLS
Admire the natural 200-metre beauty from the viewing platform or the more adventurous can take the 641 timber steps to the bottom to hear the roar and feel the spray.
DINNER
The Stunned Mullet has sweeping views over Town Beach and is perfect for an enchanting dinner. Offering a seasonal menu with a focus on local and specialty ingredients, incredible wines and sublime service, you are in for an amazing dining experience.
UNIQUE BOUTIQUE STAY
Akuna Luxury Waterfront Retreat is one of Port's newest and most luxurious accommodation offerings. Think open fire, waterfront, views and luxe decor. Treat yourselves!
DAY 2
RELAX
Indulge in a luxury spa experience at the Port Macquarie Day Spa. Here you can relax in a beautiful peaceful environment and spend a day being pampered with your partner.
BRUNCH
Little Fish Cafe & Vineyard is such a pretty and romantic spot it's been voted #1 'Brides Choice' several years running! Only a short 10 minute drive from the center of Port.
SHOP
You will find many outlets brimming with goodies to tempt you. Check out Arthouse Industries, where you will find unique hand-made glass jewelry and watch Skye Petho at work creating her pieces.
WINERY AND CRAFT BEER BREWERY TOUR
Sip away on an array of wines before delving into the craft brewery scene. A perfect afternoon adventure for both beer & wine lovers with Frankie’s Travel. The tour runs from 1-5pm.
BREAKWALL
Watch the sunset together by the breakwall at Town Beach and read the collage of messages on the graffiti rocks by locals and visitors.
GRAB A PRE-SHOW SNACK
Oozing atmosphere and ambiance, boasting a forward thinking menu to please all palates and an extensive drinks list, Botanic Wine Garden is the perfect place for a bite to eat before the show.
GLASSHOUSE
Take in an excellent show or intimate concert in the magical theatre setting and enjoy a glass of wine at an evening art talk with leading artists and curators. Performing arts and music flourish locally in this cultural hub, offering a world of cultural experiences.
SWEET DREAMS
Port's premium resort, Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges, is set over expansive grounds fronting the marina and river. It has recently undergone a multi-million dollar extension and renovation, with an instagram-worthy pool deck and a Hamptons-inspired feel. Spoil yourselves with buffet breakfast at The Boathouse Restaurant or drop in to the bar for a night cap.
DAY 3
BEACH YOGA
Start your day with gentle stretches, breathing exercises and relaxation with a Beach Yoga class held on Town Beach by Yoga Shala.
BREAKFAST AT SALTY CREW KIOSK
Right on Town Beach, this favourite has one of the best views in town, healthy treats and great coffee.
STRAWBERRY PICKING
Call in to Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries and experience the pleasure of picking your own plump, luscious strawberries. Enjoy a free farm tour undertaken weekdays from 11am and sample award-winning jams, condiments and pickles.
LUNCH
Whalebone Wharf Restaurant has a prime frontage to the mighty Hastings River, and decor and menu to match! The perfect lunch date venue.
KOALA HOSPITAL (BOOKINGS REQUIRED - CLICK HERE)
Visit the world’s first Koala Hospital, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating koalas. Free tours are available (please book ahead).
OR
HAVE A WHALE OF A TIME
Book on to a Jet Boat ride for thrill (and whale) seeking adventure! Whale season is from May to November and the Jet Boat rides operate year round. More sedate river cruises are also available!
COASTAL WALK AND SUNSET
Wander along a section of the Coastal Walk as the sun sets.
PRE- DINNER DRINKS
Bar Florian is a classy, comfortable, easygoing Italian style wine bar with a comprehensive wine list. Perfect for a pre- dinner drink.
DINNER
Bills Fishhouse and Bar is a casual, modern dining space that embraces locally sourced, seasonal and sustainable ingredients to produce simple, uncomplicated food. A space that boasts a buzzing vibe.
Credit: portmacquaireinfo.com.au
Family-friendly 3 day trip
DAY 1
SALTY CREW KIOSK & WALK/SKATE
Start your day off with a steaming cup of your favourite brew or a healthy snack and take in the magnificent ocean views of Town Beach. While you are there, check out the Breakwall (with Breakwall HQ also fab for a cuppa), colourful graffiti rocks that are a collage of messages, tributes and memories from visitors and locals. The adjacent Skate Park is one of the best on the North Coast, with great views and plenty of room for younger kids on scooters.
SUP HIRE OR SEA ACRES RAINFOREST BOARD WALK
Head over to Settlement Point or Buller Street near Westport Park where Tony will teach you how to use a stand up paddleboard. Get close to marine life and have fun!
OR...If SUP-ing isn't your thing, take the five minute drive out to the award-winning Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, Cafe and Boardwalk. It's an oasis of lushness and tranquility, with lots for little ones to explore.
LUNCH BREAK
You are in the perfect place to enjoy a waterside lunch, try The Point Café Restaurant in Settlement Point or if you’re at Buller Street wander along the waterfront to LV’s On Clarence to enjoy locavore dishes made from fresh local and biodynamic produce.
KOALA HOSPITAL (BOOKINGS REQUIRED)
No trip to Port Macquarie is complete without a visit to the world’s first Koala Hospital, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating koalas. It's an easy 3 minutes drive from the CBD! Head down for a free “feed, walk and talk” tour (bookings required), and grab a cuppa (and a 'caramelo koala' special for the kids) from the gorgeous Round & Round coffee caravan. The hospital is located adjacent to historic Roto House which is open to the public for a wander back in time.
ICE CREAM BREAK
An essential part of any family break, the all important ice-cream! A leisurely 30-minute coastal drive south of Port will see you in the pretty Camden Haven. Head to the iconic Dunbogan Boat Shed where you can grab an ice cream or a cuppa, and feed the fish (handy tip- you can also hire a boat if you wish). Or, if the finest hand-crafted gelato is your thing- you can't go past Blue Cow Gelato in Port's CBD. It's truly heavenly!
DINNER
Don’t fear when it’s time to take the kids out to dinner! Settlers Inn Hotel make family dining easy with a huge play area for the kids and even a kid’s movie room to enjoy. Serving everything from tacos and poke bowls to steaks and schnitzel, paired with a glass of your favourite beverage.
SWEET DREAMS
Sails Port Macquarie is the newest 4.5-star waterfront resort in our region. This coastal beauty has emerged from an extensive refurbishment to reveal 92 stunning guest rooms and suites with a waterfront restaurant & bar overlooking the marina.
Day 2
CAMEL R I D E
Experience Port Macquarie’s most beautiful southerly beach on the back of a camel. Hop aboard for this unique and fun filled experience. First rides begin at 9:30am.
SCENIC VIEW AND WHALE OR DOLPHIN WATCHING
Perched on a rocky headland offering stunning panoramic views along the coast Tacking Point Lighthouse is the perfect spot for dolphin and whale watching (or... if you drive the ten minutes back into town, dial up the thrills on-water with Port Jet Boat!)
COASTAL WALK TASTER/BEACH BREAK
Heading north from the Lighthouse this short section of the Coastal Walk is perfect to try with the kids. It is a steeper section but the steps lead down to Little Bay. A stunning bay, with sandstone and volcanic rock formations, crystal clear water and rock pools for the kids to explore! Head over the other side to Lighthouse Beach. The southern section is patrolled through the summer.
LUNCH BREAK
Take in beach views while eating something delicious from Coast Café at Lighthouse Beach under the Tacking Point Surf Club.
BAGO MAZE AND WINERY (& CHOCOLATE SHOP!)
Now it is time to relax on the grassy hill sipping wine and eating cheese while the kids and the kids at heart find their way through the longest hedge maze in New South Wales. Be sure to stock up on some Baba Lila chocolates to take home.
Just down the road, you can take the easy 600-metre loop walking track in Burrawan State Forest to visit the largest Red Bloodwood tree in the Southern Hemisphere. Old Bottlebutt is a towering, grand tree over 200 years old and has a massive girth of 16 metres.
DINNER
You have surely worked up an appetite after today. Keep it simple and grab dinner at The Boathouse - an atmosphere of relaxed simplicity and delicious indulgence at Sails overlooking the water.
DAY 3
BREKKY
Indulge in wholesome and delicious pancakes and crepes at Pancake Place – a colourful, toucan-themed indoor/outdoor dining experience that the whole family will love.
BILLABONG ZOO KOALA & WILDLIFE PARK
Get up-close and personal this morning to Australian and exotic animals. You can pat, stroke, feed, hold, hear and see over 80 species of mammals, reptiles and birds, including Koalas!
LUNCH BREAK
Try the Zoo Cafe at Billabong, or Experience Café Red at Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries, for a great day out and a farm-to-plate eating experience in the countryside.
STRAWBERRY PICKING
After lunch at Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries, grab your bucket and head to the greenhouse and experience the pleasure of picking your own plump, luscious strawberries. People of all heights and ages can reach a row of climbing vines!
PONY RIDES AND WINERY
Enjoy the best of both worlds at Cassegrain Winery! Delve into a local cheese platter and award-winning wines whilst the kids enjoy a pony ride at the ‘Port Macquarie Horse Riding Centre’ onsite.
DINNER
Take advantage of the burger craze in Port Macquarie and head to The Burger Rebellion. Its buzzy, open plan kitchen dishes out delicious burgers, sides and some killer salads. There is also a huge selection of chilli sauces along with ice-cream sandwiches, beer, wine, cider and milkshakes.
Credit: portmacquaireinfo.com.au
3 day Itinerary for Foodies
Day One
TO MARKET!
There are a number of markets held all around our region every weekend. The Port Macquarie Foreshore Market is held at lovely waterside Westport Park every second Saturday of the month. Laurieton Riverwalk Markets are held every third Sunday. Wauchope Farmers Market is held on the fourth Saturday of the month head to the markets to fill your baskets with anything from fresh vegetables and fruits to local preserves, and sample gourmet jams, fresh homemade breads and more. The Artists Markets are held every fourth Sunday at the Maritime Museum. These markets have live music, artisan goods and a great vibe for all ages.
BAGO - WINERY, MAZE & CHOCOLATE SHOP
Explore a Russian chocolate shop (where owner Tash from on a hand-makes thousands of delicious chocolates each week!) and lose yourself in the largest hedge maze in NSW. Perch yourself on the grassy hill and sip local wines and indulge in a cheese platter.
LUNCH AT DRURY LANE EATERY
With produce sourced locally, being spoilt for choice with local farmers and keen backyard gardeners, Drury Lane’s ever-changing menu is a must-try.
LONG POINT VINEYARD
Taste local wines delicious products from the Hastings hinterland while admiring local art. Try the famous Agent Orange liqueur and refreshing alcoholic ginger beer.
SEA ACRES RAINFOREST CENTRE
Gain insight into local Aboriginal culture with Aboriginal bush tucker and discovery tours, a 1.3km loop Rainforest elevated boardwalk and monthly rainforest meditation. The Rainforest Café is in a lush setting and serves breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day.
DINNER
So many choices! Especially for seafood lovers...Bill's Fishouse has quickly become a favourite with locals and visitors alike, with a focus on the freshest seafood, amazing oysters and an innovative menu. Or, if you like your seafood dining waterside, head to Whalebone Wharf for the stunning food, decor and views.
DESSERT
Head to Blue Cow Gelato and try one of their every changing flavours while you watch the sunset on your first evening in Port Macquarie.
SWEET DREAMS
Mantra The Observatory offers seaside accommodation in the heart of Port Macquarie. Located directly across from the beach, this contemporary hotel boasts spectacular views over the ocean, river and hinterland, and provides close proximity to many of the areas natural attractions. Secure onsite car parking is complimentary for all guests along with free in-room wireless Internet access.
Day Two
LV’S ON CLARENCE
Enjoy brekky at this family owned café where the menu is crafted around the region’s freshest local produce. The owners even own their very own free-range chicken and pig farm to help supply the café, so big is their passion for local farming!
GO CRUISING
Take a heart pumping Jet Boat thrill ride , an eco-cruise or take in the scenery on a river cruise, departing regularly from Town Wharf at the end of Clarence Street. From May to November you will almost definitely spot humpback whales.
TAKE AN ITALIAN COOKING CLASS
Formerly from Naples, and now a Port Macquarie resident and chef, the lovely Alessandra from Osteria Pappazo not only runs a pop-up authentic Italian restaurant, she fits in a number of fabulous cooking classes into her busy schedule. Hand-make filled pastas and gnocci and enjoy your creations.
LUNCH
If you’re hungry grab a quick bite at the Burger Rebellion – a funky gourmet burger restaurant sure to tickle your taste buds.
WINE TASTING WITH FRANKIE’S TOURS
Spend the day cellar door hopping around the hinterland, visiting three boutique wineries and enjoy a leisurely two-course lunch overlooking the vineyards. It’s a fabulous way to get a sense of the wider region and takes the worry out of driving after a few wine tastings. The tour runs from 1-5pm.
TACKING POINT LIGHTHOUSE
Visit the most photographed spots in Port Macquarie, you may even spot a whale or two.
DINNER AT THE STUNNED MULLET
The Stunned mullet is the region's hatted restaurant, with sweeping views over Town Beach and is perfect for a magical evening a short walk from your accommodation. Offering a seasonal menu with a focus on local and specialty ingredients, incredible wines and sublime service, you are in for an amazing dining experience.
Day Three
BREKKY
Head on down to the Salty Crew Kiosk for a light and healthy bite to eat before hitting the waves at Town Beach. Whether it’s a cold-pressed juice, acai bowl or chia pudding you’re after, you’ll find them all here. If you're not up for the beach, head to Urban Grain Bakery for incredible pastries, pies and sourdough hand made on the premises.
COASTAL WALK
Time to work off all that food! Start at Town Beach and walk some of Port Macquarie’s 9km easy grade coastal walk.
CASSEGRAIN WINERY FOR TASTINGS & LUNCH
Enjoy an in-depth winery tour and take home award-winning local wines. Or, head to the region's newest restaurant - Twotriplefour- overlooking the vines. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can explore by horseback at the Port Macquarie Riding Centre onsite.
STRAWBERRY PICKING
Call in to Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries and experience the pleasure of picking your own plump, luscious strawberries. Enjoy a free farm tour undertaken weekdays from 11am and sample award-winning jams, condiments and pickles.
DINNER OPTIONS - THE BOAT HOUSE
You will find a balance of fresh elegant foods, breezy drinks and water views from the stunning deck. Located at the fabulous newly renovated Sails Resort, The Boathouse Bar and Restaurant is the place to pop in for an atmosphere of relaxed simplicity and delicious indulgence.
Or...
BOTANIC WINE GARDEN
With a team hailing from some of the finest dining establishments and a passionate love of food and wine, this urban, sophisticated diner with a large alfresco area and carefully curated wine list has become a favourite with the locals.
Now you can take the best of Port home with you...
The Port Macquarie Food Hub is a collective of local growers,producers and chefs (including farm fresh veggies, eggs, and meat, baked goods and gourmet products using local ingredients), that deliver weekly to Port Macquarie and surrounds, as well as Sydney and Newcastle! Do yourself a flavour and either take a box of goodness home with you, or order online delivery if you can.
Credit: portmacquaireinfo.com.au
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
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