Port Macquarie is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast, 390 km north of Sydney, and it suits children well. It has a Koala Hospital, nine beaches and a coastal walk, which makes it easy to plan Port Macquarie holidays with kids around outdoor time and short stops.
This page gathers what we know about the city for families: the sights that suit young travellers, the weather month by month, how long the drive takes from other places, and where to stay. For the wider picture, start with our Port Macquarie destination guide.
Family-friendly sights in Port Macquarie
The Koala Hospital is the headline stop for most families. Alongside it, the town is known for its nine beaches and its coastal walk, which is a gentle way to spread a day across the shoreline rather than staying in one spot.
History can work for children too, if you keep it short. St Thomas's Anglican Church was built by convicts between 1824 and 1828 and designed by Francis Greenway. Its castellated tower gives views of the coastline, town and river, and older children may enjoy the red cedar box pews inside. We would not push small ones through a long visit, though. Ten minutes of looking around is plenty.
Tacking Point Lighthouse was built in 1879 after more than 20 shipwrecks in that area. It is a good story for curious kids, and the lighthouse is classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). The ruins of Lake Innes House, built by Major Archibald Clunes Innes in 1830, are managed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service and suit children who like exploring.
Beaches, walks and things to do
With nine beaches and a coastal walk, you can mix swimming days with easy walking days. Browse our Port Macquarie activities page for more ideas, and check the Port Macquarie whale watching page if your visit falls in the right season.
Port Macquarie sits on Birpai country, and the area was long known to the Birpai people as Guruk. It is a good chance to tell children whose land they are visiting.
Weather and the best time for a family trip
The climate is mild all year. Summer days reach about 25 degrees, and even July averages a daytime high of about 17 degrees. Winter is also the driest stretch, with August the driest month at about 40 mm of rain over six days. Summer is wetter: March has about 140 mm over 15 rain days.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.4 | 21.0 | 110.3 | 12.4 |
| February | 25.2 | 20.9 | 134.6 | 12.9 |
| March | 24.0 | 19.8 | 140.3 | 14.9 |
| April | 22.0 | 17.3 | 88.9 | 11.9 |
| May | 19.6 | 14.7 | 74.5 | 9.7 |
| June | 17.5 | 12.7 | 88.1 | 9.5 |
| July | 16.9 | 11.4 | 49.4 | 7.2 |
| August | 18.1 | 11.7 | 40.4 | 6.0 |
| September | 20.1 | 13.7 | 47.6 | 7.1 |
| October | 21.5 | 15.7 | 68.7 | 9.2 |
| November | 22.9 | 17.6 | 105.5 | 11.6 |
| December | 24.3 | 19.5 | 102.7 | 12.6 |
Every month has roughly 25 to 30 sunny days, so even the wetter months leave plenty of bright hours. We reckon September and October are a nice balance: mild days, lower rain and warmer evenings than winter.
Getting there with children
Port Macquarie is about 384 km from Sydney by road, roughly 286 minutes, so break the trip up with kids in the car. Coffs Harbour is 153 km away (about 113 minutes) and Newcastle is 244 km (about 184 minutes). From Byron Bay it is 384 km, about 278 minutes.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie | 153 km | about 113 minutes |
| Newcastle to Port Macquarie | 244 km | about 184 minutes |
| Port Macquarie to Port Stephens | 245 km | about 186 minutes |
| Central Coast to Port Macquarie | 314 km | about 232 minutes |
| Port Macquarie to Sydney | 384 km | about 286 minutes |
| Byron Bay to Port Macquarie | 384 km | about 278 minutes |
Port Macquarie is also at the eastern end of the Oxley Highway (B56), which links it to inland New South Wales. Our Port Macquarie travel guide has more on getting around.
Where to stay
Families can look at the Port Macquarie accommodation options, including Port Macquarie resorts. Pacific Palms Resort has been described as offering plenty to keep little ones occupied.
For a caravan or cabin stay, Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills is a caravan park at Bonny Hills with powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current prices and availability before booking.
Tours for the whole family
Most tours here suit adults more than children, so check ages before booking. The Anna Bay and Nelson Bay day tour runs 12 hours from AUD 450, which is a long day for little ones. The Hastings tasting trail tour is a private 5.5 hour trip from AUD 195 for groups of up to 11, and it is mostly one for the grown-ups. For more options see Port Macquarie tours and rentals. Further background is on Wikipedia: Port Macquarie, and statewide planning help is at Visit NSW.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best family sight in Port Macquarie?
The Koala Hospital is the best known, and the nine beaches and coastal walk suit all ages.
When is the driest time to visit?
August is the driest month, with about 40 mm of rain over six days. July and September are also drier.
How long is the drive from Sydney?
It is 384 km by road, about 286 minutes, so plan breaks for children.
