Located three hours drive north of Newcastle (and five hours from Sydney), Port Macquarie in New South Wales is a top location for a family holiday with plenty of fun activities for both parents and kids!
There’s tons of things to do in Port Macquarie! Swim at beaches, visit Billabong Zoo, Wildnets and Timbertown, pick strawberries, get lost in a maze or head for a family stroll along the coastal walk or through state forest. Between the attractions, cafes and events, there’s plenty to keep everyone happy on a Port Macquarie family holiday.
Here’s a guide to visiting Port Macquarie with kids including attractions, kid-friendly places to eat and family accommodation.
Jump to a specific section to enjoy Port Macquarie with kids: Attractions | Places to Eat | Places to Stay | More Info
Attractions
Visit the Beaches
Port Macquarie has loads of beaches. In fact, there’s 17 beaches in the region. Whether you’re surfing, swimming or just walking by the beach, you’re spoiled for choice. Best family-friendly beaches include Town Beach (surf patrolled) Flynns Beach and Shelly Beach . It’s easy to spend hours at the beach. Kids love building sandcastles, collecting shells and splashing in the waves.
Billabong Zoo: Koala and Wildlife Park
This regional zoo features a wide range of Australian and exotic animals, reptiles and birds. All of your favourites are here including koalas, monkeys, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, cassowaries, quolls, red pandas, crocodiles, lizards, snakes and birds. Set on 10 acres, this zoo is fantastic for families as it offers lots of opportunities for meets and greets but it’s not too large and overwhelming. Don’t miss seeing the koalas. Billabong is a major breeding centre for koalas and supplies koalas for Taronga Zoo and Western Plains Zoo. There’s also kangaroos and wallabies to feed.
Billabong Zoo also hosts snow leopards. Billabong Zoo is now one of only five zoos in Australia to host snow leopards, which are one of the most endangered big cats on earth with a wild population estimated at less than 4,000.To learn more about the animals, try to attend a keeper presentation. There’s different keeper presentations throughout the day including penguins, dingoes, snow leopards and a reptile show.
The park is wonderfully landscaped with plenty of shade which is necessary on a hot day. With wide paths, there’s plenty of space to push prams and strollers around and there’s even pram parking near the Croc Show amphitheatre. There’s also a children’s playground as well as a chalk desk area in the outdoor seating area of the cafe.
Insider Tip: If you get hungry while you’re there, visit the The Meeting Point Café. There’s a variety of tasty options. You can also bring your own food for a picnic as there’s plenty of undercover picnic tables to sit down and enjoy some food.
Billabong Zoo: Koala & Wildlife Park
61 Billabong Drive, Port Macquarie, NSW
(02) 6585 1060
Website
Wildnets
Suspended in the gum tree canopy of Cowarra State Forest, Australia’s biggest net suspension playground opened in September 2022. Designed for all ages, Wildnets is a massive network of interactive, interconnected spaces made of taut netting securely fastened between the trees. There are colourful ball pits, slides, interactive toys and giant inflatable balls that cast rainbow shadows on the forest floor.
Bounce, run or walk over the vast play spaces and suspension bridges. Swing in hammocks or climb into the treehouses for a bird’s-eye view of the mid- north coast koala habitat. The precinct is built around the world’s first koala breeding program by Koala Conservation Australia, and half the profits from Wildnets go towards conserving the endangered marsupial.
Wildnets
Corner of Oxley Highway and Burrawan Drive, Lake Innes, NSW
Website
Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail
Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is a multi-award winning art project which was launched in September 2014 to celebrate one of Australia’s iconic animals – the Koala.
Spot koalas all around the Greater Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast area as part of the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail. There’s 81 hand-painted koalas along the trail. To find them, download a map.
See Koalas at the Koala Hospital and Wild Koala Breeding Visitor Centre
The original Koala Hospital, Port Macquarie is currently closed for redevelopment from 3 May 2025 and is expected to reopen mid-2026.
The Koala Hospital is temporarily based at the Wild Koala Breeding Visitor Centre at Guulabaa – Place of Koala, Lake Innes, a 15-minute drive from Port Macquarie Town Centre. Here you can observe resident koalas from the viewing decks and immerse yourself in the interactive, educational koala experience. Learn about their Wild Koala Breeding program, view koala care in action in the new koala clinic, watch and learn as staff prepare koala feed and browse the shop for quality artisan gifts and koala merchandise. Opening hours are between 8:30am and 4:00pm, 7 days a week. There is an entry fee to visit and bookings can be made online.
Also, in the Guulabaa – Place of Koala precinct, you can grab a bite to eat at the Bunyah Land Council’s Cafe, walk along the peaceful, forested pathways, bounce through the treetops at Wildnets Adventure Park and snap a ‘Big Thing’ selfie with the Big Koala.
Koala Hospital & Wild Koala Breeding Visitor Centre
8 Guulabaa Way, Lake Innes
(02) 6584 1522
Website
Walk along the Port Macquarie Breakwall
Part of a larger walk 9km coastal walk which starts at Town Green and ends at Lighthouse Beach, the breakwall is a fun place to stroll and check out the painted rocks. Originally started as a Lions Club art competition in 1995, this is now an unofficial gallery containing declarations of love, tributes to loved ones, commemoration of special occasions and holiday memories.
Insider Tip: Keep an eye out for rocks painted by friends. We found a rock painted by our friends on a past holiday to Port Macquarie!
Pick Strawberries at Ricardoes
Head to Ricardoes for some strawberry picking. This iconic spot in Port Macquarie is a producer of hydrophonic tomatoes and strawberries. Eight yummy varieties of tomatoes are grown at Ricardoes including cherry tomatoes, round and roma in vertical PVC pipes.
You can also pick strawberries. Ricardoes boast 5 varieties of hydroponic strawberries, with over 30,000 plants growing in their greenhouse. Like the tomatoes, these are cultivated off the ground and are grown in vertical PVC pipes with drip feeders supplying water and fertiliser to each individual plant. Bucket and scissors are provided and you’re encouraged to pick your own strawberries. It’s free to visit Ricardoes.
You just pay by kilo for the strawberries you pick. It’s a wonderful experience to illustrate to kids how strawberries and tomatoes grow. If you visit in on weekday mornings, join the free farm tours at 11am.
Insider Tip: Don’t leave without tasting the award-winning jams, relishes and chutneys. Recommend ordering bruschetta and a serving of scones so that you can fully experience the Ricardoes tomatoes and strawberries.
Ricardoes
221 Blackmans Point Road, Port Macquarie, NSW
(02) 6585 0663
Website
Explore the rainforest at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre
Head to Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is the ideal place to begin your fascinating journey through Sea Acres National Park, near Port Macquarie. Learn more about this nature spot. Eco-displays provide a wealth of information about local Aboriginal culture and the surrounding rainforest environment. Once you’ve finished at the Centre, you can wander through ancient remnant rainforest on the Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk. It’s an easy 1.3km walk through the rainforest canopy. It’s a great walk for all ages – keep your eyes open for rainforest birds and animals.
Sea Acres Rainforest Centre
159 Pacific Drive, Port Macquarie, NSW
Website
Look Up to Old Bottlebutt
A curious attraction in the Port Macquarie area is Old Bottlebutt, the largest Red Bloodwood tree in the southern hemisphere. It’s located in After 15 minutes down a single-lane gravel road, we arrive at a parking and picnic area in Burrawan State Forest, 15 minutes down a single-lane gravel road outside Wauchope.
You’ll have to venture through remmant rainforest and cross two small bridges along the 600 metre Old Bottlebutt Walking Track. But at the end, you’ll see Old Bottlebutt which. The tree is aptly named. It’s large flared “butt” measures 16 metres around and it’s more than 52 metres high.
Insider Tip: Take a seat on the hardwood timber viewing deck and look up. It’s a much more more relaxing way to enjoy Old Bottlebutt than craning your neck.
Burrawan State Forest
Bago Road, Wauchope, NSW
Website
Get Lost in Bago Maze
Challenge yourself in the Bago Maze. This maze took six years to complete with the construction of towers, bridges and allowing native lilly-pilly hedge to grow to a sufficient height. Standing from the top of the hill overlooking the maze, it doesn’t look that difficult. However, once you’re inside, you realise how challenging it is.
The aim of the maze is to reach the two lookout towers and then find your way out or if you’re feeling particularly energetic, you can try the Bago Maze Treasure Hunt. This involve finding your way to the lookout towers and searching for hidden items like searching for leprechauns and hidden items. It’s harder than it looks and there’s a few wrong turns but use navigational and teamwork skills.
Insider Tip: Celebrate solving the maze with a cheese plate and wine at the Bago Winery and try to time your visit with live music in the wineyards which takes place on the second Sunday of every month.
Bago Maze at Vineyards
Milligans Road off Bago Road, Wauchope, NSW
(02) 6585 7099
Website
Go back in time at Timbertown
Step back in time and visit Timbertown, a heritage theme park. Located in Wauchope on 87 acres of forest, Timbertown is a recreation of a colonial village which Australia’s pioneers in the Timber industry. Jump on a steam train on a trip to the forest, pan for gold and gemstones, experience a carriage ride and observe timber craftsman and blacksmiths. If your family is a fan of Australian history, it’s entertainment and education in one spot. You’ll be immersed by the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of yesteryear making your family discover what life was like in the late 1800s to early 1900s period
Timbertown
Oxley Highway, Wauchope, NSW
(02) 6586 1940
Website
Enjoy the view at North Brother Lookout
On your drive back to Newcastle, stop off at Brother Lookout near Laurieton. It’s a 10 minute drive to the top of the mountain (490 metres high) and once there, you’ll see spectacular views of the coast. It’s worth a visit.
Places to Eat
Pancake Palace is one of Port Macquarie’s favourite family restaurants. As you would expect from the name, munch down on stacks of pancakes.
If you’re looking for a playground with your meal, head to Port City Bowling Club. It features an indoor and outdoor children’s play area which means you can finish your meal in peace.
If you’re near Town Green, order some takeaway fish and chips from Off the Hook and drive to Flynn’s Beach. This is a popular beach with families featuring large shaded picnic areas. It’s a beautiful spot to sit and watch the sun go down.
Family-Friendly Accommodation in Port Macquarie
There’s lots of family accommodation in Port Macquarie. Whether you want to stay in a hotel, serviced apartment or holiday park, there’s plenty of options.
Flynns Beach Caravan Park
Stay near Flynns Beach at Flynns Beach Caravan Park, a small family-owned holiday park in Port Macquarie. Surf, swim or walk along Flynns Beach. Accommodation includes powered and unpowered camping and caravan sites, studios, and 1 & 2 bedroom cabins.
Ingenia Big 4 Bonny Hills
There’s loads of families to enjoy at Ingenia Big 4 Bonny Hills holiday park. It has direct access (2 minutes to Rainbow Beach. Accommodation includes powered camping and caravan sites, safari tents, studios and 1, 2 and 3 bedroom cabins. It includes a resort-style pool with water splash park and tipping bucket.
NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park
Camp right in the middle of Port Macquarie at NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park at this well-situated spot. Near to Town beach, city centre and the Hastings River, you can leave the car parked for your entire stay if you want. Accommodation includes powered and unpowered camping and caravan sites, studios, and 1 & 2 bedroom cabins.
Rydges Port Macquarie
Set along the picturesque Hastings River, Rydges Port Macquarie features a pool and has interconnecting family rooms, ideal if you need extra space.
Telegraph Retreat
Enjoy some country air at a farm stay at Telegraph Retreat located just 20 minutes north of Port Macquarie in Telegraph Point. Located on 8.5 hectares, Telegraph Retreat provides luxury family-friendly accommodation and country hospitality. There’s plenty of space and privacy at Telegraph Retreat and families can do as little or as much as they want.
Telegraph Retreat offers plenty of outdoor fun activities for kids including a heated swimming pool, kids play equipment and a trampoline and just the freedom to roam around and explore. The property is full of animals including chickens, ducks, geese, goats, cows and a donkey.
More Information
Port Macquarie is a three hour drive from Newcastle via Pacific Highway.
For more information, visit the Port Macquarie tourism website. For family-friendly activities, visit the Kids Port Mac website.
You might also like:
50+ Camping, Caravan & Holiday Parks to Stay Within a 3 Hour Drive of Newcastle
Seal Rocks: Lighthouse, Beaches & Nature