Region

With its idyllic climate, stunning beaches, natural beauty and perfect position nestled between Sydney and Brisbane, it's no wonder Port Macquarie is an extremely popular destination. Sea changers and tree changers are increasingly being attracted to our piece of paradise.

⟶ Town Beach, Port Macquarie

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PORT MACQUARIE

Port Macquarie (or "Port" to locals) offers the visitor so many opportunities to share our fabulous lifestyle. Apart from enjoying our relaxed coastal vibe or taking in the breathtaking scenery of our hinterland, there are a myriad of events throughout the year to enjoy. From food, wine and beer festivals, markets, music festivals to major sporting events, there is something for everyone (subject to COVID restrictions of course!). Port can proudly claim that it has become a food-force to be reckoned with, with many restaurants and cafes truly embracing the locavore tenet. From a sublime dining experience at our one-hatted restaurant to a relaxed coffee, juice or smoothie by the beach, Port Macquarie has it all!

TOWN GREEN + TOWN SQUARE As the central hub in town, the Town Green + Town Square are popular places to enjoy the waterfront. The area has recently been given a face-lift to enhance the community experience. Sunsets are simply not to be missed from here! Nearby at Town Square, works have also taken shape to provide a more vibrant area with al fresco dining and space to host markets, events and festivals.

KOOLOONBUNG CREEK NATURE PARK (Entry through the historic cemetery) –covering 52 hectares, the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park preserves an area of natural bushland with 3kms of walking tracks, boardwalks, and a new 600 metre cycleway. Here visitors can wander and enjoy the beauty of the area and its eco-systems. Map ref J9 SETTLEMENT POINT RESERVE Located just five minutes drive from Port Macquarie Town Centre it is a great spot to take in the Hastings River. Facilities include picnic tables, BBQs, a playground, lots of parking and a nearby cafe. You can even take the short ferry ride over to the North Shore from here. Dolphins are frequently spotted along the shore as they frolic in the shallows of the river. Be sure to look out for them! Map ref H3

TACKING POINT Named by Matthew Flinders in July 1802. The lighthouse is the third oldest in the country and has recently been restored. It was built in 1879 to warn ships of the rocks near the shore and was converted to automatic operation in 1919. Apart from the interest of the lighthouse itself, Tacking Point with its elevation above the surrounding coastline offers superb views to both the north and the south – in October and November be sure to look out for whales. Map ref Q18

WAUCHOPE + HINTERLAND

WAUCHOPE (Pronounced war-hope) - 20 minutes west of Port Macquarie. Surrounded by Australia’s most extensive Blackbutt forest, it was here in the mid 1800s that pioneers made the town famous as a timber town. Today, Wauchope is the gateway to the hinterland and has many unique businesses and fabulous boutique shops with friendly old fashioned service. As an RV Friendly town, and the first Motor Cycle Friendly Town in NSW, Wauchope makes for a great stop or a day out.

ABUNDANCE GARDEN CENTRE + LAKESIDE DINING Ideally situated just a three minute country drive off both the Pacific and Oxley Highways at Sancrox. Located at the Vanderley Nursery site, this beautiful complex is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The wholesale production nursery supplies professionally grown and conditioned plants to Abundance Garden Centre - a bonus for gardeners and landscapers in the Hastings area and beyond. An excellent selection of pots, water features and garden art complement the green-life. John van der Ley and his team of horticulturalists offer expert advice and friendly service for all gardening requirements. Complete your experience at Abundance Lakeside Dining where you can sit back, relax and dine overlooking the picturesque lake. An innovative and exciting menu prepared by a young and passionate team is offered 5 days a week from Wednesday to Sunday. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and delicious morning or afternoon teas. Take a drive down into the country and experience Abundance for yourself! Closed public holidays and Cafe bookings are essential.

⟶ Bago Bluff

HINTERLAND To the west of Port Macquarie is true paradise, with breathtaking scenery of rolling hills and lush rainforest. The Hinterland is a truly spectacular sight and is popular with bush walkers, four-wheel drive enthusiasts or those just keen to explore. Take time to discover this region with a day trip or two. Perhaps stay overnight in one of the many cottages or B&B’s scattered along the way. We have outlined some trails you may like to try, or you may prefer to make up your own, but whatever you do don’t miss this vast area of natural beauty.

COMBOYNE A tranquil place of rolling green pastures, forests, streams and waterfalls located about a 1 hour drive from Port Macquarie. Here you’ll find the Boorganna Nature Reserve, a large remnant of the forest that once covered the whole plateau. There is a fantastic 2.7km walking track that starts at the picnic area where you can see many differing bird species and lush rainforest plants. Allow a few hours for this.While in Comboyne, you must drive a further 25kms to visit Ellenborough Falls in the Manning Valley - a truly amazing sight as water plunges into a gorge 200m below. There is a viewing platform and a timber walkway for those who would like to walk to the bottom of the falls. Whilst the road is mostly unsealed, it is definitely worth the trip (allow around 45 minutes for the drive from Comboyne). They have two walks, one 500m to the lower falls, and another 700m to the knoll plus there is a Kiosk and picnic facilities which makes it a great lunchtime stop.

LORNE AND KENDALL Whilst part of the Camden Haven, these two small towns also form part of the Hinterland. Kendall ‘The Poets Village’ - is a quiet village with a population of 250 people located just off the Pacific Highway, at Kew. Its vibrancy, diversity and charm fuel Kendall’s community spirit and have earned it a reputation as a great place to live and visit. Named after the Australian poet Henry Kendall, it is a growing community, with its famous golf course, craft and antique stores as well as numerous other tourist attractions.

BENWERRIN BAMBOO NURSERY Located in the Mid North Coast off Lorne Road, Kendall, just 4 minutes off the Highway. They specialise in non-invasive clumping varieties for privacy, screening, hedges, ornamentals, windbreaks, erosion control, timber and bamboo shoots for food. Advanced plants for landscaping are available by order and transport can be arranged. For information, plant identification and viewings contact Jane or Kelly on 0423272582. Bookings essential. No EFTPOS facilities available (cash or direct debit only). Follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

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LAKE CATHIE + BONNY HILLS

LAKE CATHIE (Pronounced cat-eye) – Located midway between Port Macquarie and Laurieton, Lake Cathie (when open to the ocean) is centered on a large toddlerfriendly saltwater lake and is perfect for young families. With fishing and swimming, picnic tables, BBQ facilities and a playground, it is an ideal spot to spend a day. Cathie Beach adjoins the Lake and is a popular swimming beach. There is also a wonderful walking track that takes in both the lake and the ocean.

BONNY HILLS South of Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills boasts some of the best coastal views in the region. It is home to the stunning Rainbow Beach, a huge expanse of white sand that goes on forever. The beach is patrolled during summer and has a fantastic picnic and BBQ area with playground equipment. Not only popular for swimming, Rainbow Beach is also an excellent surfing beach for both body boarders and surfers.

⟶ Lake Cathie

BONNY HILLS GARDEN CENTRE Stockists of the largest range of plants in the Hastings region. The pond water feature sets the scene for a relaxing real life experience of plants, pots, water features, landscape supplies...everything. Upon entering you’ll find spacious, sealed car parking, and wide wheelchair friendly pathways. Or just come and relax with a great cup of coffee and lunch at The Garden Cafe that overlooks the magnificent dam. The menu is extensive, and coaches are welcome. Then continue to browse through the Garden Centre where you will find beautiful ornaments, water features and many fantastic gift ideas in their gift shop.

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CAMDEN HAVEN

CAMDEN HAVEN The collective name given for the communities scattered along the Camden Haven River including Laurieton, North Haven and Dunbogan at the mouth of the river, stretching to Kew, Kendall, Lorne and Comboyne further inland. With cafes and shopping combined with local charm, the Camden Haven is a wonderful place for a day or a week. It is all about water activities and the lake and river provide plenty of opportunity for fishing, boating and walking along the foreshores. Enjoy the peace and quiet on this magnificent river or grab your fishing rod and throw a line in, you’ll certainly attract the attention of some quizzical pelicans!

LAURIETON, NORTH HAVEN AND DUNBOGAN North Brother Mountain overlooks Laurieton, North Haven and Dunbogan. At the summit (490 metres), in Dooragan National Park, is the North Brother Lookout (accessible via sealed roads), which is not to be missed, offering a superb view over the coastline, the lakes and the mouth of the Camden Haven River. It is one of Australia’s most impressive coastal panoramas. The area is characterised by large stands of rainforest which are rich in native fauna and flora.Take a picnic as they have excellent facilities. Three walks of varying length and difficulty are available if you are feeling energetic. The mountain supports a wide range of vegetation communities, including some of the best examples of old growth blackbutt forest in NSW and pockets of sub-tropical rainforest that provide habitat for gliders, bats and koalas.

PILOT BEACH A fantastic and secluded beach for the kids, as it is naturally protected. It also has excellent BBQ facilities and a playground area with showers to rinse off.

⟶ North Brother Trail

CROWDY BAY NATIONAL PARK Take the road from Laurieton and head south and you will enter the northern section of Crowdy Bay National Park. This area of parkland was first sighted by Captain Cook in 1770. He saw Aborigines standing on what is now known as Diamond Head and named the promontory Indian Head. In more recent times a man named Ernie Metcalf lived on the headland. He was the subject of ‘The Man on the Headland’ written by Kylie Tennant. He built a hut for Tennant who subsequently gifted it to the park. It was restored in 1980 and is now one of the park’s attractions. Diamond Head itself is quite striking. It rises 113 metres and is edged by the wetlands and heathlands of the coastal plain. The park is ideal for bushwalking, birdwatching, fishing (from the rock platforms you can catch groper, bream, tailor and drummer) and swimming.

NEWPORT Live the lifestyle you deserve. Spread across 20 lush acres of expansive landscaped grounds in Port Macquarie, Newport is the ultimate in over 55’s lifestyle living. This friendly and welcoming community offers you an opportunity to balance relaxation and adventure. Start the day catching up with friends in the gym, or perfecting your stroke in the pool. If a slower pace is what you need, the community library and games room are fully stocked for your enjoyment. Enjoy the freedom of being part of a well-established community. Discover your new lifestyle today and enjoy the benefits of land lease living; no stamp duty, retain capital gains, no exit fees and no council rates.

⟶ Camden Haven

Map Ref C12