Cool Things to do in Port Macquarie During your Holiday
Port Macquarie is a coastal city on the northern coast of New South Wales, which is 390 km north of Sydney and 570 km south of Brisbane. The town sits at the mouth of the Hastings River and if you are planning a visit in the near future, here are a few cool activities to add to your itinerary.
- Day trip to Billabong Zoo – This 10-acre wildlife park that is one of the main koala breeding centers in Australia, which supplies the animals to many sites across the country. The zoo houses African lions, bare-nose wombats, spider monkeys, a fantastic selection of macaws and parrots, several species of kangaroo, and saltwater crocs. This is a great day out for the family. There is affordable family accommodation in Port Macquarie which you can book online.
- Tacking Point Lighthouse –The 13th oldest lighthouse in Australia, the white structure was built in 1879 on a rocky piece of land to warn ships of the dangerous rocks. Indeed, Lighthouse Beach is a great place from which to witness the whale migration, with 8km of pristine beach with some amazing waves to surf.
- Tour of local wineries – No visit to Port Macquarie would be complete without a tour of the top local wineries. Cassegrain Winery, Long Point Vineyar, and a few others are included in the tour, which takes almost a full day. Here are a few tips for a stress-free family vacation.
- Learn to surf – Port Macquarie has a pro surf school where you can learn the basics of this awesome sport. Don’t worry, there are 17 beaches in the area, with varying degrees of wave difficulty, so there will be waves that are right for you.
- Hiking in Burrawan State Forest – This amazing place is a must-see if you are at Port Macquarie; the Old Bottlebutt Trail has it all, the highlight of the experience is the Old Bottlebutt, the largest tree in the Southern Hemisphere, with a girth of 16 metres at the base. After the hike, there is the famous Burrawan Picnic area where you can enjoy a lovely meal in a beautiful natural paradise.
- Whale watching in Port Macquarie – One of the best locations to observe the whale migration is Port Macquarie, spring and autumn are the best times to witness the humpback whales as they head to and from their breeding grounds off Queensland. While there are land locations to watch whales, the best way is to book a spot on a whale watching boat.
- Bago Maze & Winery – The giant maze is a challenge for everyone and after that, you can sample some of the best wine made in Australia. The kids will love getting lost in this unique hedge maze, while you can enjoy wine tasting.
Port Macquarie is steeped in history and you and your family are sure to enjoy the many attractions that this beautiful location has to offer.
