Sensational Summer Holiday Guide

OK so it's been... a year. You NEED the kind of holiday where the tans will fade but the memories will last forever.

To get you off to a great start, we've put together some highlights and tips on what you and the family can do while you're here, to make the most of your trip.

Oh Happy Trails!

Our new Taste Trails are five specially curated, self-drive guides to all the good stuff, including a family-friendly winery trail with mazes, horses, chocolate and more!

It's a great way to get out and explore the whole region.

WINE + WONDER

Discover some Wine + Wonder! These are not your average wineries... Combine your tastings and cheese platters with horse riding, maze-running, chocolate-making, gourmet picnics and colonial history.

CREATIVES + CURIOS

Galleries with a twist, artist-made treasures, wheel-thrown clay and a koala sculpture adventure. There’s something for everyone on this eclectic Creatives + Curios trail.

BARS + BITES

Discover Bars + Bites some unique watering holes around our region, all have great food, many have live and local music. You can thank us later!

BREWS + BURGERS

Visit some of the East Coast’s best brewers, then pair with some next level burgers and you’ve got a great day out on our Brews + Burgers trail!

PRODUCERS + PROVIDORES

Explore our Producers + Providores trail. Pick your strawberries fresh off the vine, meet the farmer, watch your coffee beans being roasted, then take home locally produced fare.

PLAN YOUR ITINERARY AND HIT THE ROAD!

Get your printable map here

Beach, Baby!

If your kids are like ours, you just need to add water to make it fun. And with 17 pristine uncrowded beaches to enjoy, you'll find the perfect one! Not all are patrolled, but all of them are unique and stunning.

Check out our Local's Beach Guide here.

Make the biggest splash

One of the largest inflatable water parks in Australia, Stoney Action Park is soooo much fun for kids (and adults to)! Just a 20 minutes drive north of Port Mac, at Telegraph Point, it's well worth the drive with great picnic facilities, plenty of shade and a kiosk. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are also welcome.

Learn to Surf

Both Port Macquarie Surf School & the crew at Soul Surfing have some great lessons for any gromits looking to improve on their skills or test the water for the first time on a board!! Check out their websites for all the details.

We LOVE Koalas!

The world-famous Koala Hospital is a very special place which has saved and rehabilitated so many koalas over the years. Adjacent to the Hospital is the historic Roto House, and on the grounds, you can grab a treat from the Round & Round vintage coffee caravan. Want more koalas? Find 70+ hand-painted large koala sculptures on the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, taking you to interesting sites across Port Macquarie, from the hinterland to the sea.

Bounce through the Treetops

Our newest attraction is generating a LOT of buzz! Wildnets Treetops Adventure Park is Australia’s largest suspended playground, and is located just west of the highway at Guulabaa, which will open as the world’s first wild-koala breeding facility in early 2023. While you’re there, get a happy snap with our new ‘Big Koala’, part of the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail!

Cool Rainforests

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre and Boardwalk is an easy 1.3 km stroll through ancient rainforest, with a fantastic gift shop and cafe. A family favourite.

On the Water

Almost as much fun as being in the water! Take a deep-sea fishing charter or a twilight dolphin cruise. Check out Port Jet Cruise Adventures for cruises, jet boats and jet skis (hot tip: kids will have a ball getting saturated in the boom net), take an evening cruise down the river with Cruise Port Macquarie, or charter a luxe Catamaran with Port Sailing!

Go wild at Billabong Zoo

Get up-close and personal with koalas, crocodiles, meerkats and snow leopards at award winning Billabong Zoo. Be part of the daily feeding frenzy and hourly animal talks with over 80 species of mammals, reptiles and birds. You can even book a one-on-one encounter with some very special animals. Enjoy the playground, picnic areas, Zoo Cafe & Bar, and gift shop.

Camels! Wait..what?

Yep, we got 'em. You can go camel riding on stunning Lighthouse Beach. It's one of those rare experiences that you have to take while it's there! Visit Port Macquarie Camel Safaris.

Come with us & Gallop..

Port Macquarie Horse Riding Centre have an awesome program of rides these holidays, with something for everyone's ability considered. There are team game days, beginner camps, private lessons, winery trail rides or pony rides for the littlies.

Hastings River Horseriding offers long and leisurely trail rides through our beautiful Wauchope Hinterland, where you and your trusty steed can finish off with a refreshing river swim. If you prefer to ride closer to the coast, they are now doing rides to stunning Queens Lake. Oh, and Pub rides to the iconic Beechwood Hotel, so you can finally tick that off your bucket list!

Hinterland Adventures

Head to the charming town of Wauchope, an easy 15 minute drive west of the highway, for great shopping, and cafes. From Wauchope you can drive over to Beechwood (home to the popular Beechwood Hotel), The story-book worthy Byabarra Café & Bar, and the beautiful rolling hills of Comboyne. It's a great day out.

Family Meal Time - Yum we have that covered too!

Looking for some family-friendly dining options whilst enjoying your time here, we have many venues that welcome families and cater for all ages.

Top 6 Kid-friendly places to eat

Indoor Fun

These fun family activities aren't just for rainy days! Check out movies, bowling, indoor rock climbing, roller skating, laser tag, Springloaded, Facade Escape Room and more.

Indoor Family Fun