Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie

Koala Hospital, nine beaches, coastal walk and mid-north-coast holiday hub.

2 tours
1 caravan park
8 articles
📷 4 photos
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Tours in Port Macquarie

See all 2 tours →
Port Macquarie Wine and Beer, Hastings Tasting Trail Tour

Port Macquarie Wine and Beer, Hastings Tasting Trail Tour

5h 30m
From AUD $195
Day Tours Anna Bay and Nelson Bay Port Macquarie North Coast NSW

Day Tours Anna Bay and Nelson Bay Port Macquarie North Coast NSW

12 hours
From AUD $450
Port Macquarie (locally /məˈkwɒri/ mə-KWO-REE), sometimes shortened to Port Mac and commonly locally nicknamed Port, is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, 390 km (242 mi) north of Sydney, and 570 km (354 mi) south of Brisbane, on the Tasman Sea coast at the mouth of the Hastings River, and the eastern end of the Oxley Highway (B56). It had a population of 47,974 in 2018, and an estimated population of 51,965 in 2023.

Background information about Port Macquarie adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Next 7 days at Port Macquarie

Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.

Loading forecast…

Best time to visit Port Macquarie

Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Apr, Sep, Oct — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Feb, Jun if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.

Jan
25°
21° low
110mm
Feb
25°
21° low
135mm
Mar
24°
20° low
140mm
Apr
22°
17° low
89mm
May
20°
15° low
75mm
Jun
17°
13° low
88mm
Jul
17°
11° low
49mm
Aug
18°
12° low
40mm
Sep
20°
14° low
48mm
Oct
21°
16° low
69mm
Nov
23°
18° low
106mm
Dec
24°
20° low
103mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.

Beach & ocean conditions at Port Macquarie

Typical wave height around 1.1 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.

Avg wave height
1.1 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.

What else is around Port Macquarie

Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.

🔭 Lookouts & viewpoints (39)
⛰️ Peaks & summits (8)
🏰 Historic sites (12)
🎭 Theatres, cinemas & markets (2)
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Drive times to and from Port Macquarie

Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.

To Lord Howe Island
83 km · 1h 9m
To Coffs Harbour
153 km · 1h 53m
To Newcastle
244 km · 3h 4m
To Port Stephens
245 km · 3h 6m
To Hunter Valley
277 km · 3h 28m
To Central Coast
314 km · 3h 52m
To Byron Bay
384 km · 4h 38m
To Sydney
384 km · 4h 46m

Photos from around Port Macquarie

Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills
Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills
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Taree
Taree
article
Dining
Dining
article
Backpackers
Backpackers
article

Frequently asked about Port Macquarie

Where is Port Macquarie?
Port Macquarie is in Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other New South Wales destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Port Macquarie?
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Port Macquarie are typically October, April, September — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. February tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
What's the weather like in Port Macquarie?
Summer daytime highs average around 25°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 11°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 1051 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
How do I get to Port Macquarie?
Most travellers arrive by road. From Lord Howe Island it's about 83 km — roughly 1h 9m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other New South Wales destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
What are the top things to see in Port Macquarie?
Well-known spots within day-trip range include Douglas Vale Historic Homestead & Vineyard, Port Macquarie Surfing Museum, Port Macquarie Adventure Flights, Port Macquarie War Memorial, Majestic Cinemas. The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
Where can I stay near Port Macquarie?
We list 1 caravan and holiday park in and around Port Macquarie above — powered sites, cabins, glamping, and big-rig-friendly options. Pet rules, dump points and shaded sites are noted on each park's page. For hotel-style stays, the Drive Times panel makes it easy to base yourself in a nearby town and day-trip in.
How many days should I spend at Port Macquarie?
Most travellers spend 1–2 days at Port Macquarie to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 2 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
Is Port Macquarie good for families with kids?
Yes — there are 13 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
What day trips can I do from Port Macquarie?
Within ~2.5 hours' drive: Lord Howe Island, Coffs Harbour. The drive-times panel above lists every nearby destination with road distance and travel time — pick one, drive across in the morning, and you're back for dinner.
Is there public transport at Port Macquarie?
Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
Is Port Macquarie accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Port Macquarie are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
How much does a trip to Port Macquarie cost?
Budget travellers can do Port Macquarie on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
Will I have phone signal at Port Macquarie?
Most named destinations in New South Wales have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.

Everything in Port Macquarie

Browse every guide, listing and how-to for Port Macquarie.

Dining(1)

Travel guide(1)

All tours in Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie Wine and Beer, Hastings Tasting Trail Tour
Port Macquarie Wine and Beer, Hastings Tasting Trail Tour
★ 5.0 · from AUD $195
Day Tours Anna Bay and Nelson Bay Port Macquarie North Coast NSW
Day Tours Anna Bay and Nelson Bay Port Macquarie North Coast NSW
from AUD $450

Caravan parks nearby

Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills
Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills
Bonny Hills · Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
★ 4.6

Nearby destinations

Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour
Mid North Coast
Port Stephens
Port Stephens
Hunter Region
Newcastle
Newcastle
Hunter Region
Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley
Hunter Region
Central Coast
Central Coast
Central Coast

Port Macquarie travel articles

Taree
Taree
Quick Links Taree is a town in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, it is approximately 3 hours north of Sydney and 1 hour south of Port Macquarie, it is situated on the beautiful Manning River. The Manning Valley is the region where Taree (the main town of the region)and Wingham, Harrington, For
North Coast
North Coast
Quick Links The New South Wales north Coast region includes the area from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads and Kingscliff and all the coastal ciies and towns in between, it also includes Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island which are both officially part of New South Wales. This area is one of Australia
Dining
Dining
Quick Links The different dining experience that you will have open to your when you stay in Port Macquarie are simply endless! Surrounded by local farms and wineries that produce some of Australia’s finest wineries that produce some of Australia’s finest beef, produce and wines and not to mention t
Backpackers
Backpackers
Quick Links The accommodation in Port Macquarie is just one of the beautiful benefits when you holiday at this picturesque location. Every accommodation establishment strives to offer a home away from home this going to compliment every holiday, no matter who you are and what you are looking for whe
Tours & Rentals
Tours & Rentals
Quick Links So you are trying to organise your next big holiday to Port Macquarie and you are trying to find the options for tours and rental that are available. Well within this seaside, city location you will find so many exciting and fun filled tours and rental options that you will be left wonde
Weddings
Weddings
Quick Links The accommodation in Port Macquarie is just one of the beautiful benefits when you holiday at this picturesque location. Every accommodation establishment strives to offer a home away from home this going to compliment every holiday, no matter who you are and what you are looking for whe
Travel Guide
Travel Guide
Quick Links The accommodation in Port Macquarie is just one of the beautiful benefits when you holiday at this picturesque location. Every accommodation establishment strives to offer a home away from home this going to compliment every holiday, no matter who you are and what you are looking for whe
Real Estate
Real Estate
Quick Links The real estate market in Port Macquarie has been booming over the past few years, as are many of the other coastal towns and cities in New South Wales . Located just four and half hours from Sydney and only about seven hours from Brisbane, many city residence are looking to pack up and