Within four hours’ drive north from Sydney, on the Mid North Coast of NSW, the region of Port Macquarie covers more than 3,500sq km of spectacular coastline and hinterland, with the CBD located on the water between the Pacific Ocean and the Hastings River.
The regional has lush coastal rainforests, spectacular National Parks and rich-green valleys. Families can ditch the screens get back to nature by bushwalking, horseriding, mountain and trail biking. Picnics by waterfalls, farm gate lunches – all of this is possible in one long weekend.
12 fun things to do in Port Macquarie with kids
1. The Koala Hospital
There are myriad ways to fill your time on a family holiday in the area, starting with a visit to The Koala Hospital – the world’s first hospital dedicated solely to the care and preservation of koalas, and the only one of its kind in Australia. Join the Feed, Walk and Talk tour, held every day at 3pm, and find out about the adopt-a-koala scheme which helps to save the lives of around 300 furry friends every year. The hospital also has a viewing area for the operating theatre.
2. Billabong Zoo Koala & Wildlife Park
Billabong Zoo Koala & Wildlife Park is another great option for animal lovers. The recently renovated attraction provides the chance to see rare and endangered animals including snow leopards, red pandas, and koalas along with a 5m-long crocodile called Shrek, meerkats, and penguins. Shows run on the hour all day and you can book an up-close encounter to feed and meet the animals.
3. Whale watching in Port Macquarie
In winter, Port Macquarie is also a great place to spot humpback whales as they make their way along the coast during their annual migration. PortJet’s whale-watching Ocean Blast cruise offers some of the best up-close sightings in NSW, just metres from the coast.
4. Bago Maze and Vineyards
Bago Maze is a magical escape where children and adults alike can get lost in the largest hedge maze in NSW. With 2000m of pathways covering 10,000sq m, the maze features lookout towers, bridges, boardwalks, and musical instruments. Located at Bago Vineyards, the design of the maze takes inspiration from the surrounding vineyard, bushland and the influences of earth, air and water, represented in two interlaced spirals.
5. Port Macquarie mountain bike trails
If mixing mountain bike riding, cafés and maze challenges is more your style then the 7km loop track around the Bago Vineyard and Bago Maze is for you. Bago Mountain Bike Park features trails, table tops, step ups, step downs and berms galore, all set in a unique country paddock and rainforest feel.
More experienced riders should check out the Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park in the state forest. It has 50km of purpose-built tracks, fire trails and four enduro hills – rock ‘n roll, KO, Dutch Fun and All Mountain.
6. Giant trees in the Burrawan State Forest
Nestled in the Burrawan State Forest picnic area near Wauchope this is the largest Red Bloodwood tree in the southern hemisphere. Old Bottlebutt measures 54-metres high and 16- metres wide. Take the easy 600 metre walking track and marvel at this majestic tree from the timber viewing platform.
7. Sea Acres Rainforest Centre
At Sea Acres Rainforest Centre families can wander along a 1.3 kilometre rainforest boardwalk. Join a Discovery Tour to learn about bush-tucker, flora and fauna. The Discovery Centre also has monthly meditation walks, a Rainforest Café and interactive exhibits.
8. Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries
Head to Ricardoes Tomatoes, grab a bucket and pick super juicy fresh strawberries from the patch or tomatoes from the vine. Fruit picking is available all year round. Kids can learn how food is grown on the 11am guided tours and enjoy lunch at the vitamin-packed Café Red.
9. Waterfalls and swimming holes in Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie has plenty of waterfalls to explore. At 200 metres, Ellenborough Falls is one of the longest single drop waterfalls in the southern hemisphere. Admire the natural beauty from the viewing platform descend 641 timber steps to hear the roar from its base.
On a visit to Boorganna Nature Reserve, near Comboyne, you can take a 2.7km walking trail to scenic Rawson Falls. On the way you’ll pass a lookout, picnic area and swimming hole.
Deep in the forest of Willi Willi National Park, Wilson River picnic area has a choice of three scenic walking tracks, through sub-tropical and warm temperate rainforest, along the river, and to a sparkling waterfall and plunge pool.
Cobrabald Recreation Area In Mount Boss State Forest is the local’s secret spot! Wild Bull camping area offers BBQ facilities, picnic shelters and a deep cool waterhole perfect for a summer dip. The No 1 Tower picnic area and lookout in Bellangry State Forest offers magnificent views of the Wilson River catchment and coastline.
10. Dine on Port Macquarie's best seafood
When it comes to food, Port Macquarie’s seafood restaurant, Whalebone Wharf, is hard to beat. Established in 1971, Whalebone Wharf is perfect for a long lunch, and children can feed the fish while parents enjoy lobsters from the tank and a seafood platter.
11. Timbertown heritage park
At heritage theme park Timbertown in Wauchope, around a 20-minute drive from Port Macquarie, there are also farmyard animals, Clydesdale horses and bullock demonstrations.
12. More kid-friendly activities in Port Macquarie
Other must-do family attractions include camel rides on Lighthouse Beach, horse riding at Bellrowan Valley and surf lessons.
Where to stay in Port Macquarie with kids
Port Macquarie’s accommodation capacity is amongst the largest in regional NSW, offering a range of quality accommodation to suit every taste and budget: from boutique B&Bs to farmstays, small motels, 4.5-star resorts, and luxury apartments.
The family-friendly 4.5-star Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges capitalises on its riverside location with Hamptons-style architecture. It has 92 guest rooms and suites, a pool with an entertainment terrace, private jetty, The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, The Cape Ballroom, waterfront wedding chapel, and event pavilion and tennis court. A standout feature is its impressive three-storey atrium, which has glass elevators the kids will love and an atrium bar for parents.
