Port Macquarie is the vibrant coastal town situated at the mouth of the Hastings River on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, around 150km south of Coffs Harbour.
Best known for beautiful beaches and its laid-back vibe, Port Macquarie is a popular holiday destination for families with young kids and relaxation-chasing retirees alike.
House prices in Port Macquarie have increased by 20.41 per cent over the past three years and 1 per cent over the past year with the median house price now sitting at $578,496. According to Propertyology, Port Macquarie is set to see increased housing market activity over the next two years.
Top things to do in Port Macquarie
1. Get up close to koalas at the Koala Hospital
Since 1973, The Koala Hospital has treated sick and injured koalas. The Hospital sees between 200 and 250 koalas each year, commonly injured as a result of motor vehicle accidents or dog attacks.
The Hospital is completely free to visit and runs daily guided tours at 3pm where you can watch the koalas being fed and hear from their carers.
2. Experience Port’s beauty on the Coastal Walk
For those who enjoy a picturesque walk along stunning coastline, Port Macquarie’s coastal walk is a must. It is one of the only places in NSW where the forest meets the sea.
With a mix of beaches, historic sites and rainforest, the entire walk stretches 9km and will take roughly three to four hours.
For a more leisurely walk, the track can be broken up into smaller stretches of around 2km.
Between May and November, you may even be lucky enough to spot a whale along the track.
3. Visit Billabong Zoo: Koala and Wildlife Park
See snow leopards, cheetahs, crocodiles, lions, red pandas and many more at Port Macquarie’s Billabong Zoo. Hear talks from keepers throughout the day or book your one-on-one animal encounter to get up close and personal with the cuddly and not-so-cuddly residents.
The Zoo is located just off the Pacific Highway on Billabong Drive. It is open daily 9am to 5pm and entry costs $32 for adults, $17 for kids (aged 3-15 years) or $92 for a family pass.
Quick stats
- Postcode– 2444
- Median house value– $578,496
- Median unit value– $384,485
- Price growth – House prices in Port Macquarie have increased by 20.41 per cent in the past three years while unit prices have increased by 16.36 per cent in the same period
- Rental returns– The average house in Port Macquarie has a weekly median rent of $450 and average rental returns of 4.32 per cent, while units have a median weekly rent of $360 and average returns of 4.88 per cent
- Average listing duration– 70 days for houses; 63 days for units
- Average weekly income– $659
- Dwelling type– The majority of properties are houses (59 per cent)
- Occupation– The majority of residents are professionals
- Ownership– The majority of properties are fully owned (39 per cent) while 30 per cent are rented
- Birthplace– 83 per cent of Port Macquarie residents are Australian
- Age – The majority of residents are aged 0-19 years (23 per cent) followed by those in the 50-64 age group (20 per cent)
Learn more about Port Macquarie stats and figures.
Places to eat in Port Macquarie
Locals are raving about The Burger Rebellion, for good-sized, tasty burgers. Located on Clarence Street, the popular restaurant serve burger classics such as the ‘Old School Cheese’ with a few modern twists such as the ‘Hot Rubbed Chicken’ and ‘Fat Lamb and Fetta’. The Burger Rebellion also have two vegie options and kid-sized burgers.
For a relaxed trendy pub dinner, head to The Beach House along the town green. With waterfront views and a young, relaxed vibe, this is the place to go for a few beers at sunset.
If you’re looking to treat yourself, dinner at The Stunned Mullet won’t disappoint. The hatted restaurant specialising in fresh seafood and gourmet wine is highly regarded by locals as the place to go for something ‘a little bit fancy’.
Great food? Tick. Even better wine? Tick. Beautiful views over the vineyards? Tick!
How about all of these three together? That’s what you get at Little Fish Café and Vineyard. A popular wedding venue with a stunning vineyard backdrop, Little Fish serves French cuisine and wines made onsite.
Transport in Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is serviced by busways with various routes connecting the beaches and city centre to the residential areas. The route maps and timetables can be viewed here. There is also an airport located 5km west of the CBD which has direct flights to Brisbane and Sydney.
Hospitals and healthcare in Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is home to the Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Werin Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre and several other health centres and GP clinics. There are also services for dental, occupational health, Chinese medicine and acupuncture and more.
Education and childcare in Port Macquarie
In Port Macquarie, you will find TAFE NSW Port Macquarie, Charles Sturt University – Port Macquarie campus, The University of Newcastle – Port Macquarie campus, The Port Macquarie Shared Health Research and Education Campus (SHREC) – University of Newcastle and University of New South Wales and Port Macquarie Community College. There are also many options for primary and secondary schools and childcare.
Shopping in Port Macquarie
The main shopping centres are Port Central in the CBD and Settlement City, however, there are many interesting shops lining Port’s streets.
A highlight located just outside Port Macquarie is Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries Farm, where you can pick your own strawberries and fill a bucket.
Sports and recreation in Port Macquarie
With Port Macquarie’s idyllic location, there are endless outdoor activities and sports on offer. Enjoy one of Port’s various walking trails, beaches or picnic areas or take part in the famous camel rides on Lighthouse Beach.
Kids can enjoy surf lessons at Port Macquarie Surf School, mini golf or outdoor go karting, just to name a few. Port Macquarie is also home to a thriving tennis club, yoga club and regular kayaking group.
Entertainment in Port Macquarie
The Glasshouse is Port’s unmissable modern structure located just outside Port Central Shopping Centre. It is home to a 588 seat tiered theatre, gallery, Visitor Information Centre, café and more. Catch a comedy act, concert or theatre production in the impressive Glasshouse. This month, you can see Fiona O’Loughlin, Aladdin Jr or the Melbourne City Ballet.
You can also enjoy the artwork on display at the seaside Hastings Fine Art Gallery or visit Timbertown Heritage Theme Park, located in Wauchope. The village is a demonstration of Australia’s timber industry and you can ride a steam train, observe timber craftsmen or pan for gold in the stream.
Cassegrain wines are a well known and loved Australian wine label and their estate is located in Port Macquarie. Head to the cellar door for a tasting or enjoy a meal at Seasons Café-Restaurant.
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