The Ultimate Long Weekender’s Guide to Port Macquarie

Welcome to the ‘Land of the Long Weekend’! Port Macquarie is the kind of place that sneaks up on you. You arrive expecting a pretty coastal town and leave wondering how quickly you can get back. Three days, no kids, and no place else to be.

Consider this your insider’s guide, the sort of thing a local would scribble on a napkin for a mate over a glass of wine. Which, come to think of it, is exactly how we want you spending parts of this weekend with friends.

Before You Arrive

Accommodation tip: Our pick for the long weekender is Mercure Centro Hotel on William Street, smack in the heart of the CBD. Modern guest rooms, a heated pool, the highly acclaimed Birdrock Bar & Grill, a day spa and secure parking. It’s the kind of place where you can walk to almost everything on this list, which is exactly what you want when there’s wine involved. Book at centrohotel.com.au or call 1300 786 989.

Other bookings we recommend making before you leave: Stunned Mullet (dinner), Birdrock Bar & Grill (dinner or lunch), Sea Acres Aboriginal Ranger Guided Tour, Maria River Distillery Tour & Tasting.

Day 1: Arrive, Swim, Eat, Repeat

Breakfast

If you’re an early riser, may we suggest a coffee fix from Haus of Alma’sespresso bar on Clarence Street – it opens at 6am, seven days a week. Get a coffee, find a seat and officially switch holiday mode on. Then wander one block over to the water and walk the promenade or take a dip at nearby Town Beach. Brekkie can be found at Salty Crew Kiosk (right on Town Beach), or back towards town you’ll be spoilt for choice (we like Four Espresso, Frankies, or for holiday nostalgic fun, Pancake Place).

If you’re staying near Flynns Beach, Roam Cafeisdirectly opposite the beach is the go. Fab local food, and across the road of one of the best beaches on the Mid-North Coast. Open from 6:30am weekdays and 7am weekends. Or, head five minutes up the road to Lighthouse Beach, where you’ll find Coast’s fringed umbrellas serving up tasty beachfront fare.

Morning

Walk it off on the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. The full route stretches 9km from Westport Park all the way to Tacking Point Lighthouse, passing beaches, headlands and some genuinely jaw-dropping views. You don’t have to do the whole thing. Even the Town Beach to Flynns Beach section (around 2.2km) is enough to make you feel very smug about yourself. Keep an eye out for dolphins (and whales from May-November). They’re usually showing off.

Lunch

Head to Chop n’ Chillon the Town Green. Southeast Asian street food meets American BBQ, and it absolutely works. Think bao buns, brisket, inventive share plates and a fully stocked bar. The pet-friendly patio faces the river, the vibe is relaxed and the Wicked Cake Cabinet deserves its own dedicated visit. Open for eat-in or takeaway.

Afternoon

Shop or Golf? You choose…

Haus of Alma on Clarence St is a local favourite for quality leading edge fashion, accessories, homewares and gifts. Within a short walk are other gems such as Lilli-Rose Designs, Pearl, Chyc Collective, and a browse through the Regional Gallery and Gift Shop at the Glasshouse is a must do.

Golfers will love our local courses, but we’ve also got X-Golf, which has state-of-the-art simulators so you can play the world’s best courses! And don’t worry- the 19th hole is sorted-there’s a bar and kitchen on-site and it’s the perfect all-weather indoor option.

Dinner

Tonight is The Beachfront Bar & Grill at Port City Bowling Club. You booked it, right? Oxley Beach views, multi-million dollar renos and steaks to die for. This is not your average ‘bowlo’ restaurant!

Day 2: Go Wild, Then Wine

Breakfast

This morning, drive out to Sea Acres Rainforest Centreand have breakfast at The Rainforest Cafe, tucked into one of Australia’s largest remaining coastal rainforests. Lush greenery, bangalow palms, peaceful energy and a breakfast menu that pairs beautifully with the sounds of the bush. Open seven days. It’s the most calming way to start a day you’ll have all year.

After breakfast, walk the 1.3km elevated boardwalk through the rainforest. It’s accessible, it’s beautiful and it costs less than a cocktail. If you want to go deeper, pre-book a ranger-guided Aboriginal Culture Tour and learn how the Birpai people have lived in and loved this landscape for millennia. Genuinely fascinating stuff. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, try Port Macquarie Camel Safaris at Lighthouse Beach, or Hastings River Horseriding.

Morning Option 1- Dry Land

Then take a 10 minute drive over to Guulabaa (Place of Koala) for a visit to the world’s first Wild Koala Breeding Visitor Centre. The iconic Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is currently being upgraded (due to open August 2026) and koala care has moved here in the meantime. You’ll meet resident koalas, get your photo with the Big Koala sculpture and almost certainly leave wanting to become a wildlife volunteer.

Morning Option 2 - Ocean adventure

If you’re here between May and November, a Whale Watching Tour with Port Jet Cruise Adventuresis bucket-list stuff! These guys have a small fleet of safe, high-tech vessels which will get you out to the action super quick. And the Port Mac coastline is one of the best places on the East Coast to watch the great humpback migration. During Summer, these guys also run the high adrenaline Ocean Blast ride along the coast and daily dolphin/river cruises. One of the best experiences in the region.

Lunch

It’s wine time! Cassegrain Wines on Winery Drive, just 15 minutes from the CBD. Start at their door with a tasting of their award-winning wines, then wander across to the restaurant for a lazy lunch. You’ll be dining overlooking the vines, surrounded by local art, with a fire crackling in the cooler months. Rated 5/5 by Australian Traveller. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Book at cassegrainwines.com.au.

On the way back, it’s worth a detour to Long Point Vineyard & Art Galleryat Lake Cathie for afternoon tastings on a wooden deck overlooking the vines. Outdoor sculptures, Indoor art gallery, local treats and a very pleasant way to watch the afternoon disappear.

Dinner

Head to Florence Jones Cheese & Wine or buzzing Little Shack for sundowners overlooking the riverfront. Start your evening with good vibes and great company.

For the main event (aka ‘dinner’) head to Birdrock Bar & Grill in the Port Macquarie CBD on William Street. Modern Australian with French-inspired technique, premium local produce, knockout steaks and handcrafted cocktails. The bar opens at 4pm and it’s open for dinner every night. FYI: On weekends, the Bottomless Lunch also runs, four courses with two hours of wine and draught beer for $99 per person. You’re welcome! Book at birdrockbar.com.au.

Day 3: A taste of the hinterland, and the Drive Home

Morning

Spend the morning in Wauchope, about 20 minutes west of Port Mac. (It’s pronounced War-hope, just so you know.) Wauchope has a lovely riverside precinct, a charming main street and some great little independent shops and cafes worth nosing around. Grab a takeaway cruffin and a coffee from Baked Culture, then wander down to the riverside.

Lunch/Afternoon/Homeward

If you’re heading south:

Don’t miss Bago Maze & Wine.It’s about 20-30 minutes south of Wauchope or Port Mac. Stop in for a wine tasting paddle with a cheese platter made from all-local produce, then get utterly lost in an architecturally designed hedge maze. Equal parts ridiculous and brilliant, and the property itself is gorgeous. Open 7 days, last maze entry at 4pm.

And now for lunch! if you want to stretch the drive home into a proper road trip moment, swing through Kew (about 30 minutes from Port Mac) and stop at The Royal Hotel Kew, a heritage pub dating back to 1891 that has been beautifully restored. Lush beer garden, great bistro, live music on weekends and luxe country rooms if you want to push it to a fourth night. The beer’s cold and the welcome is warm. royalhotelkew.com.au.

If you’re heading north:

Back in Port Mac, try lunch overlooking the river at Mekong Thai Lao (their seafood dishes are exceptional), then on your way home take the Blackmans Point exit just a few minutes up the highway and pop into Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries for some strawberry picking, produce and gift shopping and afternoon tea. The scones. The jam. Delish! Locals Tip: If you’re heading north in the morning, Ricardoes does a free farm tour at 11am each day.

The Long Weekend Essentials

A few things worth knowing before you go:

–      Book ahead. The Stunned Mullet, taste@cassegrain and Birdrock fill up fast, especially on weekends. Don’t leave it to chance.

–      Get the Discover Port Macquarie magazine when you arrive. It’s free, it’s packed with local recommendations and it’ll live in your bag for the whole trip.

–      The Coastal Walk is free and one of the best things you’ll do all weekend. Good shoes are worth it.

–      Cassegrain Cellar Door is open 7 days if the restaurant doesn’t suit your timing, so you can always pop in for a tasting.

–      Florence Jones wine and cheese bar on Clarence Street is perfect for a pre-dinner drink with a water view. Wednesday to Sunday from midday (Wednesday and Thursday from 3pm). Don’t skip it.

For the official destination guide and planning info, visit portmacquarieinfo.com.au. For the insider’s guide to where to eat, drink and spend your money wisely, you’re already in the right place.

Ready to go? Browse our Eat & Drink guide for even more local favourites, or check out our Stay page for the full accommodation rundown.