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Port Macquarie

PORT MACQUARIE ACTIVITIES AND TRAVEL | Port Macquarie Car Rentals | Port Macquarie Transport

Port Macquarie is situated on the Hastings River and surrounded by several beaches, along its coast. There are plenty of shops around Port Macquarie town centre including a number of different shops including surfing shops, craft and gift shops, antique shops, as well as large shopping malls like Port Central and Settlement Point Peninsula.

Around Port Macquarie town are several historic buildings, including the Courthouse, Roto House, St Thomas Church and the Wesleyan Church. You can also visit the Maritime Museum which has some interesting displays.

The many beaches around Port Macquarie include Flynn's Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Nobby's Beach, Oxley Beach, Rocky Beach, Shelly Beach and Town Beach. Flynn's Beach, Lighthouse Beach and Town Beach all offer free parking and barbecues, and are patrolled during high season.

The major attraction in Port Macquarie are the vast range of water sports that it offers. You can hire boats and windsurfers to explore the area and see the beautiful landscape. Windsurfing is popular around Port Macquarie at Big Bay, Regatta Grounds, Pilot Beach and Trial Bay. You can hire Barbecue Pontoon Boats allowing you to explore the waters or do a days fishing.

Fishing spots on shore include around the Co-op Wharf, Regatta Ground, and Settlement Point Reserve. The best time to fish is around 1 hour either side of high and low tides, and common fish to catch include Bream, Flathead, Jewfish, Tailor and Whiting.

If you fancy surfing there are several good places around the town, although you can also head south to Bonny Hills, Dunbogan or North Haven. Alternatively, for a relaxing day and a great picnic spot head to Lake Cathie. Hang gliding is good at Harrys Lookout and North Brother Mountain, where you can take part or watch everyone else. You can take trips along the Hastings River, which is a pleasant way to spend some time or visit one of the golf courses around Port Macquarie.

Around Port Macquarie are a number of beautiful gardens with bushland and rainforest walks, as well as several wildlife and nature parks. In the town you will find the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park which has some wonderful marked walking trails.

If you are interested in animals then you have to visit one of the wildlife parks and animal sanctuaries. These include the Billabong Koala & Aussie Wildlife Park. There are also several museums and interesting buildings to visit around the town itself, and some beautiful parkland areas where you can relax. Port Macquarie also offers some fantastic walking trails through bushland and along the coast, which are definitely worth following.

Port Macquarie offers accommodation including hostels, hotels and holiday apartments. There are also plenty of restaurants to suit every budget as well as every palate. There is plenty to choose from with the majority within walking distance from the town centre. There are a number of pubs with live bands and entertainment, although one of the main nightclubs in the town is Down Under on Short Street.

Getting around isn’t a problem. If you don't fancy walking then hop on one of the local buses. The service also runs to Wauchope, which is a timber town further inland. From here you can also catch a train to Sydney. For longer distance travel head to the main bus station on Hayward Street. However, Greyhound Pioneer stops at the Pacific Highway Service Centre.

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