11 of the best Port Macquarie bars and pubs for good vibes

Character-filled drinking dens plus budget-friendly bites equal epic holiday revelry at the best Port Macquarie bars and Port Macquarie pubs.

From boutique bars pouring crafty local drops to much-adored pubs with all the bells and whistles, the best Port Macquarie bars and pubs unleash excellent holiday memories. Just add pristine river glimpses, inspired live music and generously plated feeds and what you’ve got is the stuff of laidback holiday dreams. Here, we round up the cream of the crop to get you kicking back sooner rather than later.

Port Macquarie Bars

1. Little Shack

the Little Shack, Port Macquarie — Pop by the small kiosk selling snacks and cocktails at sunset. (Image: Little Shack)

Soak up river views over a cocktail or a few at Little Shack . It’s a morning magnet for caffeine seekers but the team dial up the revelry come sunset o’clock when the Port Macquarie bar’s garden is aflush with cocktail jugs (choose from classic hits including Long Island Iced Tea, mojitos and caprioskas), frozen cocktails and all your favourite picks of poisons do the rounds.

Indulge sensibly by lining your belly with snacks that start from midday. Think guac and dip, French fries, fish tacos, prawn rolls and more. It’s relaxed, beautifully positioned overlooking the water and flat-out fun — don’t leave town without experiencing this sunset session.

2. Bar Florian

Drop into Bar Florian for a classy ambience set to the beat of chilled tunes. The scene is retro-cool as the interiors are inspired by 1960s Italy so it’s all big-bodied wine, mouth-watering charcuterie and deep belly laughs. Rushing your vino selection isn’t advised as the Port Macquarie bar’s impressively stacked menu is filled with expertly sourced drops. Keen for something special? Cocktails are never a bad idea.

Antipasto is also embraced with authentic flair as baked camembert, French brie with ciabatta, dips and spiced nuts dot a short but sweet food menu.

2. Stick Bar

clinking cocktail glasses at Stick Bar, Port Macquarie — Spend laid-back afternoons clinking cocktail glasses. (Image: Stick Bar)

Did you know Port Macquarie boasts its own laneway life? True story. Rub shoulders with the cool kids at Stick Bar , a hole-in-the-wall cocktail bar specialising in Yakatori skewers (hence the hot spot’s name) and beautifully crafted beverages. Signature creations include the elegantly executed Tokyo Honey Whiskey Sour, the Smoked Maple Rye Old Fashioned utilising apple and cherry wood, and the Flissy Foo with homemade blueberry and butterfly pea flower (don’t ask, just devour) coulis.

Spooky Island is another high-five menu offering, presented in a ceramic tiki mug and delicately blending Fireball and spiced rum. Save room for the sticks which span the harissa chicken, sticky pork belly, traditional yakitori chicken thigh fillet, fried tofu and more.

4. Jimmy’s Bar and Lounge

Located above The Westport Club on central Buller Street, Jimmy’s Bar and Lounge is a great spot to unwind after a day of exploration. Recline on one of the chairs, take your pick from 100 whiskeys on offer, or comb the cocktail list for your favourite tipple.

It’s a prime viewing spot to watch sailboats glide along the Hastings River as cushy couches and ample space create a soothing holiday atmosphere. If the view demands classic cold ones, there are 25 beers on tap to choose from.

5. Zebu Bar & Restaurant

waterfront dining at Zebu Bar & Restaurant — Sip on a sundowner with waterfront views at Zebu Bar & Restaurant. (Image: Remy Brand Photography)

Waterfront venues may be a frequent fixture in Port Macquarie, but Zebu Bar & Restaurant is one of the most popular of the bunch. This funky spot has become a fixture for locals, corporate travellers and tourists for its unpretentious, vibrant atmosphere. And that’s just the start of it.

Enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, and don’t forget that happy hour swings from 5pm until 6pm every day. There’s an extensive selection of beers, wines and spirits, and the menu heroes seafood. With spectacular views over the foreshore, it’s an idyllic location that demands you put up your feet.

6. Black Duck Brewery

pouring tap beer into the glass at Black Duck Brewery — Enjoy ice-cold beer fresh from the tap at Black Duck Brewery. (Image: Destination NSW)

If you’re keen to get your hands on a locally brewed lager, Black Duck Brewery is the place to go. It’s home to the best craft beer in the region, with inspired creations streaming steadily on tap.

Work your way through a tasting paddle or request a tour to experience exactly what goes on behind the scenes. Head brewer Al Owen knows all the ins and outs, and he might show you around between all that malting and mashing. The space regularly hosts live entertainment (check the website for what’s coming up) and dishes up epic food platters alongside those fantastic brews.

7. Florence Jones

dining at Florence Jones, Port Macquarie — Grab lunch by the river at Florence Jones. (Image: Supplied)

Named after the owners’ beloved cattle dog, Florence Jones is a homely wine bar right by the river. Let shimmering water views and the afternoon light set the perfect scene as an expert edit of boutique drops reliably dazzle — particularly when the team, made of cheese aficionados, roll out their latest dairy discoveries.

Just as alluring as the wine itself, the cheese menu is thoroughly researched, making for a perfect pre-dinner treat as the sun slowly sinks over that magical view.

Port Macquarie Pubs

8. The Local Flynn’s Beach

A little out of the centre of town lies The Local Flynn’s Beach, home to one of the most chilled beer gardens in Port Macquarie. There are also plenty of screens streaming live sports so if there was any question as to where you can sneak off to catch the game, consider it sorted.

The bar menu will sort out rumbling tums as pub classics spanning chicken wings, chicken schnitzel, pizzas and light snacks are dished up all day. There’s also a bistro menu (but you can take your meal wherever you can find a table) offering steaks, pan-seared barramundi and curries. Check out the Port Macquarie pub’s Instagram to see what’s on when you visit as live music and stand-up comedy is staged regularly.

9. Tacking Point Tavern

people hanging out at Tacking Point Tavern, Port Macquarie — Kick back in the beer garden with a cocktail in hand. (Image: Flowers Hotel Photography)

Speaking of beer gardens, you’ll need to check out the one at Tacking Point Tavern . Fitted out with a jumbo screen and dotted with dining tables and umbrellas, it’s an epic space to kick back and let the day get away from you. Live music flows over the weekend, as does a decent roll call of cocktails including coconut margaritas, apple lychee martinis and everyone’s beloved Aperol spritz.

Make it a night to remember (or forget) with a range of cocktail jugs, too, and there’s always a food special on offer so check out the website for up-to-date highlights.

10. Settlers Inn Hotel

pub grub at Settlers Inn Hotel, Port Macquarie — Settlers Inn Hotel serves up great pub grub. (Image: Flower Hotels Photography)

Every town needs a local and around this neck of the woods, it’s the Settlers Inn Hotel . The Port Macquarie pub prides itself on being the best family-friendly spot around and their huge playground facilities are always a hit with the kids. Daily specials keep crowds flocking and every day provides a new opportunity, including the standout $15 meals on Monday.

Additionally, it’s home to one of the biggest screens in town for live sport, so you can always expect a lively atmosphere on game night.

11. The Beach House

cocktail drinks at The Beach House, Port Macquarie — Drink your way through an extensive offering of cocktails at The Beach House.

Part cafe, part pub, The Beach House offers the best seat in Port Macquarie for steady sunset gazing. Located on Town Green, overlooking the Hastings River, the iconic venue is one of the most visited spots around – partly thanks to being within walking distance from the city centre. Many use it as a pit stop along the iconic Port Macquarie Breakwall coastal walk as this place is stacked with delicious rewards including the $18 cocktails from 4pm until 6pm every Friday. That’s discounted pina coladas, espresso martinis and other fruity specials for anyone needing further enticement.

Originally written by Eliza Sholly with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

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Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.