Port Macquarie.

With the Hastings River on one side and white sandy beaches on the other, Port Macquarie is the ultimate coastal town. Shaking its sleepy town vibe, Port Macquarie has been busy redefining itself, and people are noticing.

Located on the Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie is known for its picturesque surrounds. It boasts a string of beaches, including Town Beach, Shelly Beach, Flynn’s Beach and Lighthouse Beach, which also has dog-friendly areas. It’s a haven for watersport lovers, and locals never tire of all the places to swim, surf, kayak, dive, fish and dolphin and whale watch. The coastal trails will get your heart rate pumping, but you will be well-rewarded with incredible views, Sea Acres National Park comes complete with a Rainforest Café and the Koala Hospital is a sanctuary for local koala’s in need of care.

As a commercial hub, Port Macquarie caters to the regions shopping, dining and entertainment needs. There are two main shopping centres – Settlement City and Port Central – as well as specialty stores, markets, galleries, theatres, and a burgeoning food and wine scene. Port Macquarie also hosts a range of lifestyle and sporting events every year, including the highly anticipated Ironman Competition.  

Port Macquarie is well-serviced by public transport, with regular buses and railway stations in the neighbouring towns of Kendall, Pembrooke and Wauchope. It also has its own airport that operates over 100 flights a week to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For drivers, it is easily accessible via the Pacific Highway and Oxley Highway.