10 Things to do in Port Macquarie for Kids

Planning a big family trip to Port Macquarie? Good choice! This beachside town on the mouth of the Hastings River in NSW has plenty of family-friendly activities to keep the kids entertained. Animals? Check. Fun parks? Check. Beaches? Check. In Port Macquarie the youngsters definitely won’t be short of things to do.

1. Billabong Zoo

Image credit: Billabong Zoo

In this award-winning zoo, kids can meet and greet over 200 animals. With more than 80 species to see, they’ll be able to pat koalas, (safely) feed cheetahs and snow leopards and (for the truly daring) even hold snakes. The whole family can also check out the zoo talks that take place throughout the day.

2. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

Image credit: Destination NSW

Port Macquarie’s koala hospital cares for injured koalas, and you and your family are welcome to visit and see the supportive staff in action. Guided tours and koala feeding time happens at 3pm every day, and visitors can see the animals being fed, being cared for and recovering.

3. Hello Koalas Public Art Sculpture

Image credit: Mixy Lorenzo

Port Macquarie certainly loves its koalas. Spread across the town you’ll find more than 50... metre-high koala statues everywhere from cafes to shops and parks. Kids will love spotting these colourful characters in places they weren’t expecting!

4. Port Macquarie Beaches

Image credit: Destination NSW

The hotel is situated only 5 minutes walk from Town Beach the closest local beach. There are 18 brilliant beaches in Port Macquarie, so it’s perfect if you love to splash around in the shallows or stroll across the sand as a family. Lighthouse Beach is nine kms of sand and quality surf, while Grants Beach has its own scenic coastal walk that ends at the cliffs of a headland.

5. Port Macquarie Surf School

Image credit: Port Macquarie Surf School

Port Macquarie’s own family-owned, award-winning surf school offers lessons from beginner to expert level and for every age group as well. With all equipment provided for you, your holiday in Port Macquarie is the ideal time to become a skilled surfer.

6. Hydro Golf and Putt Putt

Image credit: Hydro Golf and Putt Putt

Hydro Golf is golf played in a waterfront setting with targets you can hit to win daily cash prizes. Putt Putt is a golfing adventure complete with bunkers, traps and other challenges.

7. Port Macquarie Camel Safaris

Image credit: Port Macquarie Camel Safaris

While you’re in Port Macquarie, you and the kids can take a camel ride along famous Lighthouse Beach while listening to fascinating camel stories and facts. From up high on the hump, you and the family might even spot a dolphin or a whale playing about in the waves.

8. Port Macquarie Nature

Image credit: Brian Tolagson via Wikimedia Commons

Waterfalls, rainforests, swimming holes and parks – Port Macquarie is a perfect spot for nature lovers and has a stack of walks for you and the family to enjoy.

9. Timbertown Heritage Theme Park

Image credit: Timbertown

Among 87 acres of natural forest in Wauchope lies Timbertown, a historic village built to recreate the lives of early pioneers. Take the little ones to ride the steam train, learn to crack a whip like a cowboy or cowgirl and stop by to watch the village blacksmith at work.

10. Bago Maze

Image credit: Destination NSW

Get lost… in the most fun way possible! Wander into the Bago Maze and have fun finding your way out of two kms of two-metre high hedge. You’ll have a great time finding your way out of this one. Of course, you’ll probably get distracted by the vineyard and views.

With so many kid-friendly activities in Port Macquarie, the little ones are guaranteed to have fun. Chances are, so are you.

Further Reading