No coastal family holiday is done right unless you plan a getaway sometime in your life to Port Macquarie. Surrounded by endless beaches and plenty of fun family activities; it’s a childhood memory haven!

But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to agree on where you might visit, where you might eat or places you might check out! To make it all that little bit easier on your next trip, we’ve compiled all the best places for families to check out in Port Macquarie. 

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre

Rain, hail, or shine; no matter the weather the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre and it’s Rainforest boardwalk is truly beautiful. The 1.3km loop takes you through the dense coastal rainforest’s busy habitat where you’ll likely spot rainforest birds, goannas, and maybe even a snake!

Explore the rainforest canopy along the boardwalk, enjoy the colourful sculptures, and learn about the threatened species living in the previous littoral rainforest at Sea Acres.

Cost: From $5pp
Where: 159 Pacific Dr
When: Mon-Sun | 9am-4.30pm
More Info: click here 

Koala Hospital

Drop by the not-for-profit organisation for a great way to start the day and get up-close-and-personal with an Australian icon; the humble koala. Established in 1973, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital cares for up to 300 koalas a year and is staffed by over 175 volunteers.

Whilst entry into the hospital is free, they do request gold coin donation and offer wild koala adoptions soon. Make sure to pre-book your trip online here.

Cost: FREE
Where: Lord St
When: Mon-Sun | 8am-4.30pm
More Info: click here 

Bago Maze & Winery

Why is it so good for the whole family? Well, the answer is in the name; Maze (for the kids) and Winery (for the BIG kids).

Let the kids run free to wander, explore, and get lost in the 2000m of Bago Maze’s walkways, tall hedges, sunken pathways, bridges, musical instruments, lookout towers, and even hidden characters during the school holidays!

Cost: From $8pp
Where: Milligans Rd
When: Mon-Sun | 9am-5pm
More Info: click here 

Ricardoes Tomatoes

Just ten minutes from town, you’ll find yourself at the ‘Best Tourism Attraction’ in Port Macquarie four years running. There are rows and rows of strawberries with visitors encouraged to come and pick their own strawberries! With over 30,000 strawberry plants growing; there’s plenty to be picked!

Drop-in at 11am on weekdays and join the free guided farm tour. Visit the Jack & the Beanstalk towering rows of tomato vines and learn about the eight varieties they grow.

Whilst you’re there, you can browse all the tomato condiments you can imagine including jams, chutneys, and preserves! Or sit back in Café Red for a bowl of freshly made tomato soup.

Cost: FREE
Where: 221 Blackmans Point Rd
When: Mon-Fri | 7am-5pm
Sat-Sun | 8am-5pm
More Info: click here 

Billabong Zoo

Get up close and personal with Australian and exotic animals at Billabong Zoo! The whole family can pat, stroke, feed, hold, hear and see over 80 species of mammals, reptiles, and birds! With daily zoo talks, personal animal encounters, kangaroo feeding and koala patting; you can make a whole day out of it.

Cost: From $19pp
Where: 61 Billabong Dr
When: Mon-Sun | 9am-5pm
More Info: click here

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

Port Macquarie is lucky enough to have one of the largest Koala populations on Australia’s east coast, but the Aussie icon is still one of our most endangered species. Hello Koalas is a public art project created to bring joy, creativity and a sense of fun to the local area.

It features over 70 individually designed koala sculptures with each having its own distinctly unique character and personality. Follow the Winter Edition trail guide map here to see how many you can spot!

Cost: FREE
Where: Across Port Macquarie
More Info: click here 

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk

With Port Macquarie located right on the coast it’s not news that there are some beautiful walking tracks. So, if you’re all in need of burning some energy and want to soak up that Aussie nature, check out Port Macquarie’s Coastal walk.

Pass historic sites, stunning coastal scenery, beaches and rainforest along this 9km full day walk. If a full day is a bit too much, you can break it up into several short walks.

• Westport to Town Beach (2km)
• Town Beach to Flynns Beach (2.2km)
• Flynns Beach to Shelly Beach (2.2km)
• Shelly Beach to Tacking Point (2.7km)

Length: 9km one-way
Time: 3-4 hrs
More Info: click here  

Looking for more to do with the family in Port Macquarie? Head to Port Macquarie's information site here.