A coastal town on New South Wales' mid-north coast with 17 beaches, a koala hospital, and year-round whale watching. Known for its waterfront restaurants and coastal walks.
Port Macquarie, 390 km north of Sydney, is a coastal town where you can spot koalas in gum trees and walk along sandy beaches. You might see humpback whales breaching from the coastal walking track between May and November, watch injured koalas recover at the Koala Hospital, or swim at one of seven beaches. At Flynns Beach, beginners learn to surf in the smaller waves, while experienced surfers head to the wider breaks at Lighthouse Beach.
Swimming and Surfing at Port Macquarie's Beaches
You can swim safely between the flags at Town Beach, Flynns Beach, and Lighthouse Beach, where lifeguards monitor the water conditions daily. At Flynns Beach, two rocky headlands create waves that break gently - perfect for your first surfing lesson. Stop by the beach kiosk to rent boards or book lessons with local instructors. Town Beach's location next to the center lets you walk straight from cafes to the sand.
Walking the Coastal Trail
Start the 9-kilometer coastal walk at Westport Park marina. Information panels along the path identify local plants and wildlife, while wooden benches at lookout points give you spots to rest. Walk down stone stairs to explore hidden beaches, then continue through the elevated boardwalk in Sea Acres National Park's rainforest. The trail ends at Tacking Point Lighthouse, which has helped ships navigate this coastline since 1879.
Meeting Koalas at the Hospital
Join the daily 3:00 PM tour at the Koala Hospital to see koalas during their feeding time and learn about local conservation efforts. Walk through the treatment areas, see recovering koalas climb in the rehabilitation yards, and visit the intensive care unit. Most patients arrive after car accidents or encounters with dogs, and many return to the wild after treatment.
Getting Around Port Macquarie
Five daily flights connect to Sydney and two to Brisbane from Port Macquarie Airport. Local buses run regular routes between beaches, shops, and main sites. The town center is walkable, and bike rentals give you freedom to explore further. Greyhound coaches stop here on the Sydney to Brisbane route.
Best Time to Visit
Visit between September and November when temperatures stay between 20-25°C with little rain. Summer days reach 29°C and often bring afternoon thunderstorms. Winter nights drop to 10°C. June to August is peak whale watching season - spot humpbacks from coastal lookouts or take a boat tour.
Historical Sites
Inside St Thomas' Anglican Church (1824-1828), you'll find 60-centimeter thick sandstone walls built by convict labor. The Port Macquarie Museum displays colonial artifacts across fourteen rooms, showing daily life from the penal settlement era to modern times. At Roto House, see the original 1890s cedar doorframes and explore rooms furnished as they were during the Flynn family's residence.
