Beach Holidays

Top 10 Things to do in Port Macquarie

April 29, 2011, 3:08 pmTotaltravel

Much like Ironman, Port Macquarie, which is steeped in history, is the home of champions and loves its sport.

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Much like Ironman, Port Macquarie, which is steeped in history, is the home of champions and loves its sport. Settled in 1821 it is one of the oldest penal settlements in Australia with a variety of museums and heritage buildings.

Sportschampions who live here include Tim Berkel (Ironman), Jason Stone (three-event skier) and Mick Cain (surfer). Sport enthusiasts will have a field day with bush and coastal walking, canoe and kayak tours, fishing, championship golf courses, horse-riding, micro-lighting, surf lessons and sky-diving.

The Top 10 Things to do in Port Macquarie:

1. The Koala Hospital - rescues 250-300 koalas every year with a feed, walk and talk tour every day at 3pm.
2. Cruise along the Hastings River - whale-watching, dolphin spotting or on a fast jet-boat. Rides depart from the Short Street Wharf.
3. Glasshouse - see a show or an exhibition at the new arts, conference and entertainment centre.
4. Hinterland drive - Wauchope is the gateway to 40,000 hectares of lush green valleys, forests and cute villages for a scenic drive to charming Beechwood and dairy-farming Comboyne.
5. Port Macquarie Panthers - a family-friendly club overlooking the river for a cold beer, coffee, lunch or dinner.
6. The Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park - offers a wide variety of Australian and exotic animals, reptiles and birds and lots of interactive shows all day.
7. Wineries - visit the cellar doors, some with cafes, at the local wineries at Cassegrain, Bago, Innes Lake, Innes View Vineyard, Long Point, Rose’s Vineyard and historic Douglas Vale Vineyard.
8. A Historical Walk - through Port Macquarie’s CBD to the Maritime Museum, the convict built St Thomas’ Church, the Historic Court House and the Historical Society’s Museum.
9. Sea Acres Rainforest Centre - learn about Indigenous history on a Bush-Tucker tour or walk independently along an elevated boardwalk through the rainforest.
10. North Brother Mountain - enjoy a picnic with panoramic views 560m above sea level at North Brother Mountain in the Camden Haven.

Located on the Mid-North coast of NSW, Port Macquarie is a four-hour drive from Sydney and half-way to Byron Bay. It is serviced by regular QantasLink and Virgin Blue flights.

For maps and more information on any of these tours and activities visit the friendly staff at the Visitor Information Centre at The Glasshouse, Corner Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie. Call 1300 303 155.