Treasures of the Mid-North Coast

Port Macquarie can’t be summed up in a word, let alone a single trip! This coastal hotspot has a rarely-matched diversity of activities to get stuck into, thanks to being wedged between the mountains and the coast.

On a weekend trip to Port Mac (it’s only 4 hrs from Sydney), you can camp next to the beach, have a dip at dawn, and be immersed in ancient Gondwana Rainforest by lunchtime. Get #cultured by visiting an ancient gaol or the historic Smoky Cape Lighthouse.

We’ve thrown together a guide to get you started on your Mid-north coast, Port Macquarie adventure. There’s coastal lovin’, rainforest adventures and a guide based on heritage experiences, but you can mix and match to your heart’s content!

Crowdy Bay National Park

For coastal camping, head to Crowdy Bay National Park. This sprawling seaside getaway is an easy 50-minute drive south from the town of Port Macquarie, and with five campgrounds there's plenty of camping styles for you to choose from.

Crowdy Head

Let’s start at the southern end of Crowdy Bay. Crowdy Gap campground features just ten drive-in spots tucked behind the sand dunes. The endless expanse of beach at Crowdy Bay is only a short walk through coastal rainforest and dunes, meaning the campground's protected from the evening onshore winds. This is good, ‘cause every campground has a fire pit and hot plate. Plan for a cook up!

Diamond Head

The northern end of Crowdy Bay National Park has a cluster of campgrounds for all camping styles. Diamond Head campground is your go-to for ultimate beach convenience – this lux campground is only seconds from the water! It’s a large drive-in campground with great facilities, including gas BBQs and flushing toilets. Bookings are essential as this campground is super popular.

There are two fantastic options a little further south: Indian Head campground and Kylies Beach campground. While still close to the beach, these drive-in sites are a little quieter, so you’re more likely to see the park’s kangaroos, lace monitors and seabirds.

Exploring Crowdy Bay National Park

Playing in the surf and on the sand is a given for any coastal escape, but there are also a few excellent walks in this national park that lead to some pretty special spots.

The Mermaid lookout track is only 1.4km return from Diamond Head campground, but packs in a bunch of hidden coves. The lookout is perfect for whale watching from May to November. Bring binoculars!

The Diamond Head Loop walk is a must-do. The 4.3km track leaves from any of the northern campgrounds and takes in the lush coastal woodland and rainforest of the Forest walking track (listen out for the call of the green catbird), before traversing grasslands along the coast to Kylie’s lookout, where you can see up and down the coast. Saunter down to the natural archway and watch the impressive quartz face of Diamond Head glitter above you.

Sea Acres National Park is pretty special, it protects one of the biggest slices of coastal rainforest in NSW – that’s right, the rainforest runs all the way to the sand – and it’s right in the middle of Port Macquarie!

The Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk lets you experience the rainforest and explore the canopy, all without damaging the fragile ecosystem. There’s heaps to learn about the rainforest, so it’s best to check out the Sea Acres Rainforest centre before your stroll. 

If you’re looking for a longer walk, the 9km Port Macquarie Coastal Walk will be just what you’re after. Smell that salty breeze! 

This place is wild. Before you head inland you’ve got to explore Perpendicular Point. Part of Kattang Nature Reserve, it extends out into the Pacific Ocean for 270-degree salty views. Check out the 3.7km walking track which includes the ‘flower bowl’, a loop that blooms with native wildflowers in spring. Keep an eye out for flannel flowers, everlasting daisy, wedding bush and boronia, as well as honeyeaters and glossy black cockatoo.

While you're there, just a short stroll from the carpark is Charles Hamey lookout great for its coastal views and you might just spot a whale or dolphin.

Werrikimbe National Park

New South Wales is home to some awe-inspiring World Heritage national parks, and Port Macquarie is an excellent springboard into Gondwana Rainforest. Less than 2 hours from the coast, Werrikimbe National Park is your ticket to the canopies of yesteryear. The best bit? This lesser-known national park is sure to give you the solitude you’re craving.

Brushy Mountain Campground

Going bush camping takes a bit more prep than the coastal campgrounds at Crowdy Bay, but it’s well worth the effort. Stash water, firewood, rubbish bags and toilet paper in the car before you jet, it’s time to get wild. Brushy Mountain campground is where you’ll be immersed in blackbutt forest, ready to explore deeper into the rainforest.

The drive takes in the Hastings Forest Way touring route, a 122km return drive that climbs a whole kilometre above sea level as it winds into the escarpment climate. It’s this altitude that’s protected the Gondwana Rainforest for so long.

Plateau Beech Campground

Just down the road from Brushy Mountain campground, Plateau Beech campground is great for getting in touch with nature ‘cause you’ll have to carry your tent a little ways from the car to set up. There are covered picnic tables, soft grass, toilets and boundless rainforest to explore, what else do you need? The King Fern walking track leaves directly from the campground (so technically, it leaves from your tent).

Walking In Werrikimbe

The Brushy Mountain loop track leaves right from the Brushy Mountain campground and offers an easy few kilometres of strolling beneath sprawling ribbon gums and shady ferns. Give yourself a few hours for this one, you’ll want to stop to look for spotted quolls and listen for bird calls, or head out at night with a torch to spot sugar gliders hanging out above.

Adventurous walkers can gear up to walk to Spokes Mountain Lookout. The 9km loop takes in a few trails and looks into adjacent Willi Willi National Park (which we also highly recommend checking out).

From Plateau Beech campground you can take the King Fern walking track into a densely forested mountain gully. In less than 2km you’ll be at King Fern Falls and the Filmy Ferns Cascades. Take a chance to reflect on how special these areas are to the Dunghutti people, the Traditional Owners of the region, and how lucky we are to be able to experience them.

Arakoon National Park

Did you know that New South Wales National Parks isn’t just responsible for natural environments? They also look after heritage sites, including Aboriginal cultural sites and ruins from our recent past. Around Port Macquarie, there’s a historic gaol, lighthouse and the remains of an early convict settlement to explore.

Trial Bay Gaol

An hour north of Port Macquarie stands Trial Bay Gaol. The 130-year-old building was designed to house prison labourers who were building a breakwater – hence the prime real estate!

The best way to experience the gaol is with a guided tour. Hear stories about daily life in the gaol and German prisoners in World War 1 – as well as getting access to special parts of the building.

Hat Head National Park

Smoky Cape Lighthouse

Just south of the gaol sits the stunning Smoky Cape lighthouse, built only 5 years later in 1891. They don’t make them like they used to. Hook into the Smoky Cape Lighthouse: Reach the top guided tour and you’ll get to hike up the spiral staircase and see the inner workings of this functioning lighthouse. 

On the tour you’ll learn about life as a lighthouse keeper in the early 20th century, but nothing quite compares to a stay in the Smoky Cape Lighthouse Keepers' cottage. Or you can always stay close to nature at Smoky Cape campground if you’re after that beachside fix.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse picnic area

This might be the best picnic spot on the East Coast. We’re talking whale watching, BBQs, kangaroos frolicking around like it’s a Qantas ad, just do yourself a favour and add Smoky Cape Lighthouse picnic area to your itinerary.

Remember: national parks are unpredictable natural environments. Before you go plan for all weather conditions, always check for park alerts, and stay safe with our Think before you trek bushwalking safety tips.