July in Port Macquarie has a daily maximum of about 17 degrees and only 7 rain days, while March brings about 15 rain days and 140 mm. That gap is a good place to start when you are hunting for Port Macquarie specials, because the weather tells you more about when to go than any discount code does.
Below we cover the months that look drier and milder, the free and low-cost sights worth building a trip around, and the lower-priced tours and caravan park listed on this site. For the wider picture, see our Port Macquarie destination guide.
When to go for the best Port Macquarie value
The climate pattern shows which months are steadier and drier, and that is a sensible way to plan a quieter trip. Check current rates with each provider before you book.
Monthly climate figures
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.4 | 21.0 | 110.3 | 12.4 | 28.2 |
| February | 25.2 | 20.9 | 134.6 | 12.9 | 25.0 |
| March | 24.0 | 19.8 | 140.3 | 14.9 | 28.1 |
| April | 22.0 | 17.3 | 88.9 | 11.9 | 28.3 |
| May | 19.6 | 14.7 | 74.5 | 9.7 | 28.5 |
| June | 17.5 | 12.7 | 88.1 | 9.5 | 27.3 |
| July | 16.9 | 11.4 | 49.4 | 7.2 | 28.5 |
| August | 18.1 | 11.7 | 40.4 | 6.0 | 29.6 |
| September | 20.1 | 13.7 | 47.6 | 7.1 | 28.4 |
| October | 21.5 | 15.7 | 68.7 | 9.2 | 28.6 |
| November | 22.9 | 17.6 | 105.5 | 11.6 | 27.1 |
| December | 24.3 | 19.5 | 102.7 | 12.6 | 27.7 |
The drier months worth a look
August is the driest month on the figures, with about 40 mm of rain over 6 days and nearly 30 sunny days. July and September are close behind, at about 49 mm and 48 mm. Days sit between about 17 and 20 degrees at maximum, and nights fall to around 11 to 14 degrees, so pack a jumper.
January and February reach about 25 degrees, but they are also wetter, with 110 to 135 mm. We would argue the shoulder months of April, May and October give the best balance: milder, with rain of about 89 mm in April, 75 mm in May and 69 mm in October.
Free and low-cost sights
Port Macquarie is known for the Koala Hospital, nine beaches and a coastal walk, and the beaches and the walk are the obvious places to spend a day without opening your wallet.
History you can see from the street
St Thomas's Anglican Church is a Georgian building designed by Francis Greenway and built by convicts between 1824 and 1828. It is among the oldest churches in Australia, with red cedar box pews and a Walker pipe organ that is the only one of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. Its castellated tower gives views over the coastline, town and river.
Tacking Point Lighthouse was designed by James Barnet and erected in 1879, after more than 20 shipwrecks in that area. It is classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). Lake Innes House, built by Major Archibald Clunes Innes in 1830, is now a ruin managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. More ideas sit on our Port Macquarie activities page.
Lower-priced tours
Two tours are listed on this site, and the cheaper of them is the tasting trail.
- Port Macquarie Wine and Beer, Hastings Tasting Trail Tour: 5 hours 30 minutes, from $195. It is a private tour for up to 11 people in an air-conditioned vehicle, with several tasting venues and room for bottles. You set the pace.
- Day Tours Anna Bay and Nelson Bay: 12 hours, from $450.
Because the first tour is private, splitting the price across a full group is the simplest way to stretch it. Browse more on our Port Macquarie tours and rentals page.
Caravan park option
Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills is a caravan park in Bonny Hills, in the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council area. It offers powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates and availability. Details are on the Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills page.
Drive distances and planning
Port Macquarie is about 390 km north of Sydney and 570 km south of Brisbane, at the mouth of the Hastings River. Driving a long way costs fuel and time, so it helps to know the road distances.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | 153 km | about 113 minutes |
| Newcastle | 244 km | about 184 minutes |
| Port Stephens | 245 km | about 186 minutes |
| Hunter Valley | 277 km | about 208 minutes |
| Central Coast | 314 km | about 232 minutes |
| Sydney | 384 km | about 286 minutes |
| Byron Bay | 384 km | about 278 minutes |
For wider planning, see the Port Macquarie travel guide and the state tourism site Visit NSW. Background on the town's history is on Wikipedia: Port Macquarie.
Frequently asked questions
Which month is driest in Port Macquarie?
August, with about 40 mm of rain over 6 days on average.
What is the cheapest listed tour?
The private Hastings tasting trail, 5 hours 30 minutes, from $195.
What does the caravan park offer?
Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills has powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates.
