16 of the best places to stay in Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie accommodation is all about being in position to savour the simple pleasures.

Port Macquarie accommodation has put the country town on the map as a magnet for road-trippers making a beeline for Brisbane or Sydney. Whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat, a holiday home with space for the whole crew, or a hotel with river views, this coastal town has much to offer. Initially conceived as Australia’s third largest penal settlement, the town is now known for its chain of beautiful beaches, stunning hinterland, waterfalls and views as well as wineries and restaurants. Here are a few of the top spots to stay that will lure you away from the hum of the highway.

Port Macquarie hotels & motels

The accommodation in Port Macquarie has evolved to include brands that have upped the ante, offering a multitude of reasons to pull away from the hum of the highway.

Rydges Port Macquarie

Rydges Port Macquarie has been reimagined into the sunny new coastal retreat of our dreams. All 103 of the guestrooms, as well as 16 self-contained apartments, have been updated to include eucalyptus hues found in the Australian bush. Linger over cocktails at Zebu Bar & Restaurant. Cool off in the pool. Hop on a paddleboard. Climb into a kayak. Or use the hotel as a launching pad for day trips that promise adventure and leisure. Guests staying at the Rydges Port Macquarie can walk right out of their airy room and onto the waterfront in a matter of minutes.

The stylish hotel is in a prime location in the heart of the CBD, and in terms of accommodation in Port Macquarie, it has a lot to offer, including – but not limited to – King and Twin rooms to Superior and Deluxe King and Twi and Deluxe Family Interconnecting rooms. While the colour palette in the interior of the hotel is quite restrained, the view from the heated pool and spa overlooking the Hastings River pops in technicolour blue.

Address:  Hay St, Port Macquarie

Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges

Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges is so close to the Hastings River you may as well be on a lilo. The revamped hotel reads like an ode to the river with an open-plan foyer, infinity pool and large windows designed to enable guests to appreciate the water from different angles. Sails has personality plus while remaining pared back, and the airy coastal-themed rooms make this Port Macquarie accommodation feel like a breeze.

Curl up on a chair on the balcony and read a book, or head for the heated spa, which looks out onto the water. Enjoy breakfast at the Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, then hire a paddleboard and head upriver. Looking for somewhere on the NSW Coast to have a destination wedding? The renovated hotel has a Hamptons-style wedding chapel and private pavilion. Go full bridezilla and arrive by superyacht.

Address: 20 Park St, Port Macquarie

The Mid Pacific

a bedroom with a window that opens up to river views, Port Macquarie — Book a room with river views at The Mid Pacific. (Image: Supplied)

The boutique Mid Pacific Port Macquarie has nailed what you need during a holiday on the Hastings River. And it’s worth making the pilgrimage to Port Macquarie just to stay in the Pacific Suite at the mid-range motel, which also overlooks the Town Green.

The motel is also a short walk to the beaches and shops and a top spot to hole up in while binging on the complimentary Foxtel and wi-fi. The rooms are bright and airy and there is a heated outdoor pool and spas with water views. The boutique Port Macquarie accommodation is well maintained. Once you get your early-morning surf in, you will be ready for the day exploring Port Macquarie, one of NSW’s Top Aussie Towns.

ibis Styles Port Macquarie

Simplicity is key at the ibis Styles Port Macquarie . The beachfront hotel accommodation has just 49 contemporary rooms perched on the headland at Port Macquarie. Choose from a range of rooms, terraces and suites suitable for girls’ getaways, family groups or a romantic weekend away.

Unwind in the guest lounge, which has 180-degree views and a soundtrack of crashing waves, before doing a few lazy laps in the outdoor swimming pool or visiting the nearby beaches. The bedrooms are light and bright and talk to the landscape in muted nautical hues. The breakfast lounge also adheres to a minimalist palette that avowed escapists will appreciate.

Address: 1 Stewart St, Port Macquarie.

Mercure Centro Hotel Port Macquarie

The water is never far away in Port Macquarie. And that’s the way we like it. Whether you’re motoring up the highway to Byron Bay or zooming back to Sydney, the Mercure Centro Hotel provides an incentive for a pit stop. The rooms are basic and comfortable but the position near to many of Port Macquarie’s picturesque surf beaches makes Mercure Centro Hotel Port Macquarie a magnet for business and leisure travellers.

Each of the 72 rooms has a balcony and free movies and casting options and there’s a day spa and heated pool too. There are restaurants on your doorstep such as the onsite Birdrock Bar & Grill. And the Glasshouse Regional Performing Arts Centre is a hop, skip and a jump away. Take a bow Port Mac.

Address: 103 William St, Port Macquarie

Luxury homes, apartments, and Airbnbs

A lot of Port Macquarie’s best accommodation options are dotted along the oceanfront or by the river where it winds its way out to sea. As the demand for leisure travel increases, these homey stays – which range from high-end to budget-friendly – allow for better connectedness to the community.

Tallowwood House

There are white breezeblocks that recall the 1950s and 60s. Glass louvres that let the light in. And interiors and exteriors that reveal a reverence for both natural textures and mid-century design at Tallowwood House in Port Macquarie. There are two thoughtfully curated suites at the well-appointed adults-only bed and breakfast retreat: one is dog-friendly  – the Driftwood  – and the other – the Tallowwood – is not. Both suites have private entryways.

Relax into a settled calm on your road-trip between Byron Bay and Sydney or vice versa when you pull into this brand-new house located just a short walk from Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie. The house is surrounded by rainforest and the beautiful thing about the built form is that it seems to blend in with nature. The arrangement of furniture and soft subdued lighting also lands an air of tranquillity. Charge your EV while you recharge in the king-size floating bed made from tallowwood by a local artisan in the suite of the same name. Or bask in the luxury of the concrete bath in the Driftwood Suite.

Address: 34 Reading St, Port Macquarie

Braelee Stays

Fans of flea-market chic will appreciate these country cottages filled with vintage furniture and quirky objects such as velvet easy chairs and old suitcases, bits of driftwood and potted plants. Braelee Stays includes Braelee Bower and Braelee Studio, small but perfectly formed options for accommodation near Port Macquarie that are hidden in the hinterland.

While Braelee Bower is open plan, with an outdoor bath and firepit, the pet-friendly Braelee Studio has a hammock and spa and indoor and outdoor fire. Depending on the weather, you can either shut out the outside world or invite it in. The rustic cabins have stunning Manning Valley views are are just a half-hour drive from Port Macquarie. Gather for s’mores and stargazing at night.

Address: 1483 Rollands Plains Road, Rollands Plains

Ana Mandara Luxury Bed & Breakfast

Keen anglers will be the first to cast a line in at dawn from the front lawn of Ana Mandara Luxury Retreat , the conveniently located Port Macquarie accommodation on a bend of the Hastings River. Three of the luxurious four rooms feature private balconies and views over the river so you can step outside your private guestroom and shout ‘G’day’ to passing kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders gliding past.

The Hastings River haven has a resident chef who creates three-course gourmet breakfasts each day. Want to organise most romantic proposal ever? Book a Helicopter Coastal Experience, which includes a scenic flight over the coastline as well as lunch at Cassegrain Wines and a one-night stay at Ana Mandara. The retreat is adults only.

Address: 152 Settlement Point Road, Port Macquarie

Blue Vista

Port Macquarie has 17 beaches. And you will overlook quite a few of them when you book a stay at Blue Vista luxury beachfront apartment. Spend your time exploring the rock pools, walking along the coastal path, enjoying a bracing dunk in the sea and watching the waves roll to shore from the three-bedroom apartment, which is swathed in glass in a low-rise complex directly opposite Town Beach.

Inside, the apartment is all soothing whites and turquoise tones with colourful artworks and the ocean, as ever in the periphery. Bring your laptop and work in idyllic seclusion. Or sit in a corner of the balcony which is bathed in light and more light, which heightens the saturation of both sea and sky. The entire rental unit sleeps six guests and includes a barista-style coffee machine and Weber BBQ.

Address: 4 Stewart St, Port Macquarie

Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat

Guests staying at this NSW Tourism Gold award-winning eco-friendly retreat sandwiched between the Camden Haven River and the sea will wake up to a chorus of birdsong during a stay in one of the treehouses on the five-hectare property. There’s free wi-fi. But most guests at Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat want to switch off and relax in the luxury hand-crafted treehouses, which have well-appointed kitchens and expansive balconies that look out over the wetlands.

Tread lightly by exploring the waterways in a canoe hired from Dunbogan Boatshed or wandering over the wetlands on purpose-built new accessible wetland walkways. The Treehouses have been designed with full accessibility along hard-surface pathways that will accommodate guests with mobility issues. A bright and airy pavilion has been added to the property to facilitate gatherings that range from yoga and wellbeing retreats to family gatherings and weddings.

Address: 128 Diamond Head Road, Dunbogan

Toms Creek Nature Domes

These luxury glamping domes are not just a place for sleeping, but for discovering the beauty of Port Macquarie. Perfect for everything from a romantic weekend to a girls’ getaway, the dinky Nature Domes are dotted around the hinterland and are a magnet for climate-conscious travellers.

But you won’t be roughing it at these elegant structures which are energy efficient and empathetic with the setting near a squiggle of Toms Creek. Attention to detail gives the domes a luxe feel. Take your foot off the pedal and pull off the highway to find the domes which feature Dutch hot tubs, campfire pits and kitchenettes.

Address: 2001 Toms Creek Road, Toms Creek

Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel

One of the best ways to get to know the Mid North Coast NSW town of Port Macquarie is to live like a local for a week. This multi-award-winning 4.5-star boutique apartment hotel lets you do just that, providing a comfortable base in the heart of the city that has been curated with comfort and convenience in mind.

The apartments at Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel are within walking distance of some of Port Macquarie’s best restaurants and cafes. There’s also a roof deck with a hot tub and a newly renovated pool, making this one of the best places to stay in Port Macquarie with a family.

Address: 11 Clarence St, Port Macquarie

Bellbird Hill Bed & Breakfast

This boutique bed and breakfast is filled with hand-crafted furniture and quirky objects and, like its owners, has personality in spades. The single-level sandstone dwelling feels very homey, albeit in your wildest patchwork quilt and shabby chic Escape to the Country fantasies.

The three rooms all have ensuites and air conditioning and French doors that lead out onto the balcony. Bellbird Hill Bed & Breakfast offers easy access to the hinterland and surrounding national parks and has views over the Manning River.  There’s a large lounge with a combustion heater for a weekend getaway in winter.

Address: 298 Karaak Flat Road, Karaak Flat

Flynn’s Beach Resort

One of the perks of staying at Flynn’s Beach Resort in Port Macquarie is the easy access to Flynn’s Beach. Families return again and again to the deluxe two-bedroom apartments, which tick all the boxes on parents’ and kids’ wish lists. Families who want to self-cater will want to book this Port Macquarie accommodation for its well-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities.

In addition to the comfortable lounge room and private balcony, Flynn’s Beach Resort features family-friendly facilities such as two heated pools, BBQ cabanas and a tennis court. Look out for the resident koalas who live in the grove of gum trees near the resort and work through the list of how to keep the kids happy in Port Macquarie.

Address: 68 Pacific Drive, Port Macquarie

Club Wyndham Flynns Beach

This Trademark Collection by Wyndham Resort is steps away from the sugar-white sands of Flynns Beach. It’s also close to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, one of the most popular places to visit in Port Macquarie. Despite being so near to the beach, the Port Macquarie resort has a heated outdoor pool and hot tub as well as a children’s retreat and pool.

The Port Macquarie resort has a restaurant onsite, Henry’s Restaurant & Bar, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also call room service and dine on your balcony overlooking the pool. What makes a beach holiday at Club Wyndham Flynns Beach such a success is that staying put is so appealing.

Address: 14-20 Flynn St, Port Macquarie

Pet-friendly accommodation

There’s an increasing demand for pet-friendly accommodation around Australia as parents of fur babies don’t want to leave Fido behind when they’re headed off on holiday. Luckily, Port Macquarie accommodation includes some of the most paw-fect pet-friendly stays.

NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall

Great restaurants and cafes, culture, adventure, natural beauty and surf beaches. This Port Macquarie accommodation checks a lot of boxes. While the NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park is positioned to encourage visitors to get out and explore, it’s also very enticing to just stay put. Pick up a dozen oysters to enjoy with a bottle of local Cassegrain wine on the balcony of your cabin where you can keep watch for dolphins.

Pitch your tent or pull up your caravan to one of the pet-friendly sites a short stroll away from the resort-style pool, which includes a wading pool designed for toddlers. Give yourself over whole-heartedly to the rhythms of daily life here which revolves around the sun, sea, sailing and surfing or taking the dog for a walk around the breakwall and along the path to Oxley and Rocky Beaches.

Address: 1 Munster St, Port Macquarie

Stoney Park

Keeping the kids happy while on holiday has a beneficial trickle-down effect on parents. And the huge inflatable obstacle course on the manmade lagoon at Stoney Park enables both parents and children to have a blast. For many, the pleasure will simply be about just camping out with your family.

Families can also relax and unwind with a kayak around the lake. Play a round of Stoney Aqua Golf. Enjoy Astronomy Nights and a two-hour guided sky show. All the accommodation at the family-friendly G’day Park is pet-friendly including the Lakeview Lodge cabin, which sleeps up to seven people, the fully self-contained villas and studio cabins. There are also powered sites and campground sites.

Address: 16 Hacks Ferry Road, Telegraph Point.

Discover the best cafes and pubs in Port Macquarie.

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.