What do you need for the perfect family holiday?
Good weather?
Well priced spacious accommodation?
Lots of free activities?
Attractions suitable for kids?
Something to do if the weather turns bad?
Or, all of the above?
Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales fits the bill on all counts with one of the best climates in Australia, a huge range of activities, attractions suitable for the whole family, and an extensive array of Port Macquarie accommodation.
Where to start with so much on offer is a challenge! I guess first let’s talk about Port Macquarie’s natural beauty and stunning coastline. No matter what direction the wind is coming from, there is a beach with perfect conditions. The coastline at Port Macquarie is varied with rocky outcrops and secluded coves so the beautiful beaches offer a range of swimming conditions including great surf breaks and sheltered swimming.
The many headlands feature in the 9 kilometre coastal walk that starts at the town green and winds its way along the coastline to the lighthouse at Lighthouse beach. You can do the walk in its entirety over a few hours or do small sections at a time, but the views along the way are well worth the effort. Shelly Beach, midway on the walk, is a great place to stop and hunt for shells, although as they say, take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints.
The town itself has every modern convenience a family could need, including a large Coles and Woolworths, numerous cheap eateries and clubs and a movie theatre. Just outside of the main town area you can find hydro golf and a bowling alley. The Koala hospital near Flynn’s beach is free to visit and there is an educational talk and feeding once a day, and while you’re there you can visit historic Roto House, a beautiful example of Victorian architecture and workmanship, open to the public daily.
If its history you’re interested in, Timbertown Heritage Theme Park, located half an hour from town, is a recreation of a heritage township complete with a steam train and horse and carriages. See a bullock team in action along with a working sawmill, blacksmith, sadlery and more. The kids will love the Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park with its Koala patting, monkey presentations and reptile presentations.
Walk along the famous break wall at the entrance to the Hastings River and check out the painted rocks with their bright and colourful illustrations and fun messages, and if you can find a spare rock you can personalise one yourself. The break wall is also a great place to watch the dolphins coming in and out of the river mouth.
If that isn’t enough for you, there’s also surfing lessons, fishing, exciting playgrounds, a skate park, a rain-forest walk, water skiing, kayaking, whale watching cruises, skydiving, paint-balling, horse riding, camel rides on the beach and more.
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