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.

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.