Bonny Hills.

Nestled between Port Macquarie and Laurieton, Bonny Hills may be a small town, but it packs a real punch, thanks to its laidback lifestyle, village feel and beautiful beaches. From holiday makers to families to empty nesters, Bonny Hills has become a place to lay down roots.

Bonny Hills’ beating heart is Rainbow Beach, affectionately dubbed ‘Bigs’ or ‘Big Beach’ thanks to its excellent surfing conditions. With warm weather year-round, locals spend much of their time outdoors, swimming, walking, boating, kayaking and fishing in the waterholes. During migration season, whales take centre stage. The beach is patrolled by the Wauchope-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club, which also runs Nippers programs, and boasts a park and playground as well as dog-friendly areas. Dooragan National Park is close by, and locals make use of its bushwalking and hiking trails.

The town centre has a string of shops, cafes and restaurants, plus essential amenities like supermarkets, a post office and a co-working space. The Bonny Hills Beach Hotel is buzzing with activity, but if you want to amp things up a little, Port Macquarie is 20 minutes down the road and is brimming with cafes, restaurants and bars.

For those who drive, Bonny Hills is easily accessible from every direction. There are frequent bus services, and train stations in nearby Wauchope and Kendall. For interstate travel, Port Macquarie Airport is 20 minutes away and operates over a 100 flights a week to and from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.