Port Macquarie by Mood: The Kind of Day You Need

Some days adventure is on the cards; a lighthouse climb, salty air and adventures through national parks. Other days call for sitting by the river with a pastry and a local wine tasting afternoon. This quick guide to Port Macquarie is built so you can scroll straight to the mood you are in, and find the part of this scenic town that matches it.

Port Macquarie, Shaped Around You

Online guides or itineraries will tell you that when you visit a new place, you’ve got to see it all. They assume you’ve got boundless energy at the ready, and you’re poised to tick off the top five generic sights.

In reality, we all escape for different reasons, we don’t always need to go sightseeing and not every getaway looks the same.

So on your next trip to Port Macquarie, let go of the pressure and spend the weekend how your mood tells you to.

If you wake up feeling social, the breakwall is full of early risers, dog walkers and people who somehow manage to chat to complete strangers before 8am. If you want the opposite, there is always a headland or a quiet stretch of sand where you can step away from everyone and let the sea do its thing.

Port Macquarie by Mood

In this article, we give you Port Macquarie by mood. Read on to discover the kind of day you need, in relation to what you feel like doing when you roll out of bed.

For when you want solitude

Start your day at Town Beach while it’s still quiet. Experience the water with that early morning calm, when the sand hasn’t collected footprints yet and the only real activity is a couple of locals walking their dogs. Pick up a coffee from the little cluster of cafes nearby and take it down to the beach. Sit for a bit, walk for a bit, then sit again if you like.

When you feel ready to move, head to the quieter part of the Coastal Walk. The section from Shelly Beach down toward Miners Beach has long stretches where you barely see anyone. The bush sits close to the track, the ocean stays in view and the sound of it carries even when the path bends inland.

If hunger catches up with your walking pace, head back toward town and stop at Bandwagon for something simple, healthy and fresh. Their pastries rotate through the day and you can sit outside too. Otherwise, swing by Social Grounds for a calmer vibe if you want something more tucked away.

For a day that feels like a refresh

Shock yourself into the day with an ocean dip at Flynns Beach before the sun gets too warm. The water wakes you up properly, not in a gentle spa way but in the honest, salt-up-your-nose way that clears your mind right out. Swim a little, float for a minute and let the cool hit your skin and remind you that you are, in fact, alive and capable of more than scrolling your phone.

Walk up to Sea Acres from there and slip into the boardwalk to swap from bright sand to tall forest. Here amongst the leaves, you’ll have a moment to reflect and unwind, as the sounds turn into birds and leaves instead of traffic. Take the loop and let the last of the mental fog fall away.

Head back down to Port Macquarie Surf School for a surf lesson if you have the time today. Enjoy some time on a board to get your body working and your brain focused on something simple. Their instructors are relaxed but very switched on, and they get beginners standing more often than you’d expect. By the time you come out of the water, you will be tired in the absolute best way; the kind that makes your shoulders warm and your thoughts quiet.

For a day filled with food and drink

Start your morning at Blackfish Coffee on Horton Street. The pastries here vanish for a reason.

Take a seat outside and let the day warm up around you. Otherwise, wander to Little Shack by the river. Order something light and sit under the palms while boats drift in and out.

After some wandering or lounging, lunch works well at Bills Fishhouse, where the seafood is fresh and there’s a calm lunchtime energy.

In the afternoon, drive out to Black Duck Brewery, a relaxed spot where the beer list has enough range to keep things interesting and there is plenty of room to hang out for an hour or two.

For dinner, head to The Stunned Mullet if you fancy something refined, or stick with a casual spot near Town Beach if you’d rather keep things simple.

For when you crave wholesome connection

Start with the Port Central farmers market, if it is on, for a morning of easy wandering, and chatting to local growers and makers. A jar of honey, a loaf of bread, a short chat with someone who knows everything about what they produce, and you’re all set for good vibes.

Next, head out to Cassegrain Wines for something equally as slow and wholesome. Their cellar door is relaxed and the vineyard offers plenty of room for you to wander. Sit in with cellar door with a tasting and take in views of the vines.

On the way back, stop at a local cafe like Bittersweet in Wauchope or one of the smaller spots in town where the owners are often behind the counter chatting about their products. These are often the spots where good food and a quick conversation make you feel part of a place.

Finish with a visit to the Koala Hospital. Go at a quiet time and walk through at your own pace. Watching the volunteers with the animals adds something very sweet to the day and reminds you how much care sits behind the scenes here.

Where to stay in Port Macquarie

ibis Styles Port Macquarie sits right across from Town Beach, so you can walk out the door and be on the sand almost immediately. The hotel has a simple coastal feel, comfortable rooms and some impressive ocean views if you pick the right spot.

And it works so well as a base, because everything is close, from the breakwall to the cafés to the morning swim you keep telling yourself you’ll wake up for.

Book your stay at ibis Styles Port Macquarie.