The Port Mac Pub Crawl

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The Port Mac Pub Crawl

The Port Mac Pub Cr…

25 May 2026

Blog

Coastal favourites, country pubs and cold beers done properly

There are a few different ways to experience Port Macquarie.

You can do the beaches, the cafés and the wineries. You can chase waterfalls inland or spend the weekend walking the coastline.

Or…you can get to know the region properly through its pubs.

Because around here, pubs aren’t just somewhere to grab a drink. They’re community meeting points. Live music venues. Family dinner spots. Sunday session destinations. Places where seafood raffles still pull a crowd and afternoons have a habit of stretching into night.

And while Port Macquarie has plenty of polished coastal venues, some of the best pub experiences are found slightly further out, where country hospitality, riverside beer gardens and live music become part of the story too.

Here’s a few local favourites worth pulling up a chair at.

Coastal favourites, country pubs and cold beers done properly There are a few different ways to experience Port Macquarie. You can do the beaches, the cafés and the wineries. You can chase waterfalls inland or spend the weekend walking the coastline. Or…you can get to know the region properly through its pubs. Because around here, pubs aren’t just somewhere to grab a drink. They’re community meeting points. Live music venues. Family dinner spots. Sunday session destinations. Places where seafood raffles still pull a crowd and afternoons have a habit of stretching into night. And while Port Macquarie has plenty of polished coastal venues, some of the best pub experiences are found slightly further out, where country hospitality, riverside beer gardens and live music become part of the story too. Here’s a few local favourites worth pulling up a chair at.

Port Mac Institution

The Beach House

If you ask locals where to start, chances are someone will mention The Beach House.

Right in the middle of town overlooking Town Green and the Hastings River, this place has become a genuine Port Mac institution. It’s where people roll in after work for sunset drinks, where weekends naturally kick on and where visitors quickly realise why locals spend so much time here.

The rooftop and outdoor spaces are the hero, especially late afternoon when the river starts glowing around golden hour and the venue settles into that relaxed coastal energy Port Mac does so well.

Expect live music, DJs on weekends and a crowd that always feels like a mix of locals, visitors and mates catching up after the beach.

Port Mac InstitutionThe Beach House If you ask locals where to start, chances are someone will mention The Beach House. Right in the middle of town overlooking Town Green and the Hastings River, this place has become a genuine Port Mac institution. It’s where people roll in after work for sunset drinks, where weekends naturally kick on and where visitors quickly realise why locals spend so much time here. The rooftop and outdoor spaces are the hero, especially late afternoon when the river starts glowing around golden hour and the venue settles into that relaxed coastal energy Port Mac does so well. Expect live music, DJs on weekends and a crowd that always feels like a mix of locals, visitors and mates catching up after the beach.

Family-friendly without feeling like a family venue

Tacking Point Tavern

Tacking Point Tavern somehow manages to pull off the rare balance of being genuinely family-friendly while still feeling like somewhere adults actually want to hang out.

Part of the Flower Hotels group, the tavern has built a strong reputation locally for good food, live entertainment and one of the better setups for families in the region. There’s a huge indoor playground for kids, plenty of outdoor seating and regular events that pull a crowd well beyond the local neighbourhood.

It’s also home to events like the famous Dashhound Festival, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the vibe here. Relaxed, social and very community-driven.

Family-friendly without feeling like a family venueTacking Point Tavern Tacking Point Tavern somehow manages to pull off the rare balance of being genuinely family-friendly while still feeling like somewhere adults actually want to hang out. Part of the Flower Hotels group, the tavern has built a strong reputation locally for good food, live entertainment and one of the better setups for families in the region. There’s a huge indoor playground for kids, plenty of outdoor seating and regular events that pull a crowd well beyond the local neighbourhood. It’s also home to events like the famous Dashhound Festival, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the vibe here. Relaxed, social and very community-driven.

The classic country pub stopover

Long Flat Pub

About an hour inland along the Oxley Highway, Long Flat Pub feels like stepping into another version of the Port Macquarie region altogether.

Set right on the banks of the Hastings River, this historic country pub is a favourite stop for road-trippers, campers, locals and motorcycle groups riding the famous Oxley Highway, widely considered one of Australia’s great touring roads.

Part of what makes Long Flat special is that it still feels authentically country. Big outdoor beer garden with a huge outdoor stage for live music. On hot days you’ll find pub-goers nipping down to the river for a quick dip in between shouts. You can also camp at the riverside for a small fee.

The pub itself has become a bit of an institution for travellers heading through the hinterland, and once you’re sitting there with a cold beer and music rolling through the garden, it’s pretty easy to understand why.

The classic country pub stopoverLong Flat Pub About an hour inland along the Oxley Highway, Long Flat Pub feels like stepping into another version of the Port Macquarie region altogether. Set right on the banks of the Hastings River, this historic country pub is a favourite stop for road-trippers, campers, locals and motorcycle groups riding the famous Oxley Highway, widely considered one of Australia’s great touring roads. Part of what makes Long Flat special is that it still feels authentically country. Big outdoor beer garden with a huge outdoor stage for live music. On hot days you’ll find pub-goers nipping down to the river for a quick dip in between shouts. You can also camp at the riverside for a small fee. The pub itself has become a bit of an institution for travellers heading through the hinterland, and once you’re sitting there with a cold beer and music rolling through the garden, it’s pretty easy to understand why.

Worth leaving the highway for

Royal Hotel Kew

The Royal Hotel Kew is one of those pubs that quietly punches above its weight.

Located in the Camden Haven region just south of Port Macquarie, it’s become a favourite stop for locals travelling between the coast and hinterland thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, generous meals and classic country-coastal pub feel.

There’s a proper local energy to the place too. Nothing overly polished, just a genuinely good pub where people settle in for a drink and usually stay for another.

The venue has also undergone a significant revival in recent years, following a major rebuild in 2021 after two local families, the Comans and Bakers, purchased the hotel with the goal of restoring it to its former glory. That local ownership and community focus still comes through in the atmosphere today, giving the pub a refreshed feel while keeping the character and warmth people loved about it in the first place.

It’s also a good excuse to explore a different part of the region beyond Port Mac itself.

Worth leaving the highway forRoyal Hotel Kew The Royal Hotel Kew is one of those pubs that quietly punches above its weight. Located in the Camden Haven region just south of Port Macquarie, it’s become a favourite stop for locals travelling between the coast and hinterland thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, generous meals and classic country-coastal pub feel. There’s a proper local energy to the place too. Nothing overly polished, just a genuinely good pub where people settle in for a drink and usually stay for another. The venue has also undergone a significant revival in recent years, following a major rebuild in 2021 after two local families, the Comans and Bakers, purchased the hotel with the goal of restoring it to its former glory. That local ownership and community focus still comes through in the atmosphere today, giving the pub a refreshed feel while keeping the character and warmth people loved about it in the first place. It’s also a good excuse to explore a different part of the region beyond Port Mac itself.

Sunday sessions done properly

Beechwood Hotel

Another Flower Hotels venue worth the drive, Beechwood Hotel leans fully into its country town charm.

Set west of Port Macquarie near the Hastings hinterland, this venue is known for its epic pub grub. These are country portions. If you can finish the sticky pork ribs, you’re doing well!

You’ll often find horses tied up out the front – either a local saving on fuel prices or a tour group from Hastings River Horse Rides. Wherever they’re from, they certainly add to the country charm of this place.

Sunday sessions done properlyBeechwood Hotel Another Flower Hotels venue worth the drive, Beechwood Hotel leans fully into its country town charm. Set west of Port Macquarie near the Hastings hinterland, this venue is known for its epic pub grub. These are country portions. If you can finish the sticky pork ribs, you’re doing well! You’ll often find horses tied up out the front – either a local saving on fuel prices or a tour group from Hastings River Horse Rides. Wherever they’re from, they certainly add to the country charm of this place.

Coastal pub afternoons at their best

Lake Cathie Tavern

If your ideal pub afternoon involves sunshine, a beer garden and absolutely nowhere to be, Lake Cathie Tavern delivers.

Another Flower Hotels favourite, this spot has become hugely popular thanks to its huge outdoor areas, relaxed coastal atmosphere, family-friendly setup and consistently solid food offering.

Lunch here has a habit of drifting into sunset drinks, especially during warmer months when the outdoor spaces are packed with locals and visitors soaking up the afternoon.

Very “holiday mode”.

Coastal pub afternoons at their bestLake Cathie Tavern If your ideal pub afternoon involves sunshine, a beer garden and absolutely nowhere to be, Lake Cathie Tavern delivers. Another Flower Hotels favourite, this spot has become hugely popular thanks to its huge outdoor areas, relaxed coastal atmosphere, family-friendly setup and consistently solid food offering. Lunch here has a habit of drifting into sunset drinks, especially during warmer months when the outdoor spaces are packed with locals and visitors soaking up the afternoon. Very “holiday mode”.

Some overlook the water. Others sit beside rivers or deep in the hinterland. But they all share that same Port Macquarie energy.

Cold beer. Good food. Local character.

These places aren’t just venues. They’re woven into everyday life. Birthday dinners, post-surf beers, seafood raffles, live music afternoons, road trip stopovers and long lunches that quietly become evenings. Some overlook the water. Others sit beside rivers or deep in the hinterland. But they all share that same Port Macquarie energy. Cold beer. Good food. Local character.

Food and Drink