Port Macquarie is a coastal town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. It is about a 4 hour drive north of Sydney, 390 km north of the capital city. It is situated at the mouth of the Hastings River. In 2014 the population of Port Macquarie was 44,875 and the entire region population is over 70,000. Port Macquarie is one of the faster growing towns in New South Wales. Port Macquarie has a central business district with two shopping centres, a marina, and quite a few specialty stores. There is bus service throughout Port Macquarie and also linking to the nearby towns and suburbs of Laurieton, Wauchope, Kempsey, Lake Cathie, and Bonny Hills. The towns’s CBD also has cultural and arts attractions, a conference centre, entertainment centre, and a visitor-information facility.
Port Macquarie Entrance to Kooloonbung Creek Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By Nathanhb98 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43066290
Downtown Port Macquarie, Ritz Centre Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By Nathanhb98 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43066291
Port Macquarie Coastline Aerial View Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
Port Macquarie Coastline Aerial View Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
Port Macquarie Beaches
Port Macquarie Tacking Point Lighthouse Photo Credit (Wikipedia) By Nathanhb98 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43066294
Port Macquarie Nobby Head Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By Cgoodwin – Own work, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4305189
Port Macquarie Town Beach Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By Nathanhb98 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43066294
Port Macquarie Town Beach Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
There are a total of 9 beaches in Port Macquarie: North Shore, Town Beach, Oxley Beach, Rocky Beach, Flynns Beach, nobbys Beach, Shelly Beach, Miners Beach, and Lighthouse Beach. Miners Beach is a nude beach and sections of Lighthouse Beach are an off-leash area for dogs. Surf Life Saving Clubs patrol Town Beach, Flynns Beachm and the northern end of Lighthouse Beach. They are also building out a coastal walk, which is great for residents and tourists alike.
Tourism in Port Macquarie and Surrounds
Hunter Valley near Port Macquarie Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
Hunter Valley near Port Macquarie Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
Kiama near Port Macquarie Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
New England near Port Macquarie Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
Ellenborough Falls Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
Koala Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
Port Macquarie is a popular retirement destination in New South Wales and is also big on tourism. In addition to Port Macquarie’s quaint, laid back atmosphere and many beaches, there are several nearby destinations and are also popular for holidays including New England and the Hunter Valley. A holiday here allows visitors to see the beaches, the valley, and New England National Park as well. Nearby is the hinterland with Taree, Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park, and the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre where you can explore the rainforest as well as Werrikimbe National Park and Dooragan National Park. It makes for a well-rounded and relaxing time, which makes Port Macquarie a popular place to stay with all the beaches to choose from and the waterways to explore. Port Macquarie is also known for koalas. There is a rather large koala popular here that supports the Billabong Koala Park and the Koala Preservation Society’s Koala Hospital.
Port Macquarie Climate
Port Macquarie Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Port Macquarie’s subtropical climate is one of the reasons that this is thought of as one of the most liveable towns in Australia. The average high temps in summer range from 15°C to 18°C and average low temps in winter dip between 6°C and 9°C. The average relative humidity is 61 per cent with 145 average precipitation days each year. Rainfall averages just over 1,430 mm a year.
Hiring a Moving Truck to Get to Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie Map Photo Credit: Google Maps
New South Wales Truck Hire Map Photo Credit: BudgetTrucks.com.au
Depending on where in New South Wales you are coming from, you can hire a moving truck in several convenient locations throughout the state. Sydney is less than 400 km south of Port Macquarie and there are many places to rent a moving van or truck in Sydney. There is also Coffs Harbour to the north where you can rent a moving truck from Budget. Hiring a moving truck or moving van on your own helps make your move budget friendly and convenient. There are always special offers and deals available that make hiring your own moving truck affordable and easy. Budget Australia offers different size trucks and vans and also helps with moving tips, moving supplies, and the friendly expertise of our staff. When moving to this area, you can familiarise yourself with things to do with a little help from our sister site Budget Australia Rent a Car’s Travel Tips Blog posts from this region:
Best Scenic Drives in Australia: Greater Blue Mountains
Scenic Drives in the Snowy Mountains
Snow Valley Way: A Delicious Scenic Drive
Things to Do on Holiday in Sydney
Sydney Holiday Ideas for Families with Kids
Free Things to Do in Sydney
A Spectacular New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Places to See in and Around Sydney
5 Day Trips from Sydney
Sydney’s Famous and Secret Beaches
Scenic Drive from Sydney to Melbourne
Experience the Vast Beauty of Wollemi National Park
Royal National Park
Summertime is the Perfect Time for Sydney’s Outdoor Pools
Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Sydney
Experience the Vast Beauty of Wollemi National Park
Wandering About Waterfall Way from Coffs Harbour to Armidale
Best Scenic Drives in Australia: The Rainforest Way
Tips for Moving to Port Macquarie, New South Wales or any City in Australia
These are some general moving tips and advice if you are moving to any city in Australia. The important thing is to plan ahead, get organised, and don’t wait for the last minute when you are moving.
Make sure your passport is valid and up-to-date. Obtain a visa if you are going to need one.
Get an international free email address so that you will be able to keep in touch. Checkout Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail.
Connect with a relocation agent to help you find a job and a place to live.
Start going through your clothing and other belongings to see what you can sell or giveaway before it’s time to pack.
If you are moving from another country, check the compatibility of your appliances. Australia uses voltage 220-240 volts.
Start to inventory the items you are taking and see if you have receipts for those items.
Start getting quotes for renting a moving truck or hiring a moving company and decide which one is best for you.
Ask about the cost marine insurance. This is based on the value of the things you are taking.
Take pictures of everything you are moving, especially the more expensive items to keep a record for insurance purposes.
Make a checklist and a calendar and stick to them.
Here are some other city spotlights we have covered for other cities in Australia:
City spotlights in Queensland: Brisbane, Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Tannum Sands.
City spotlights in New South Wales: Sydney, Wollongong, Maitland, Newcastle, Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour, Wentworth, and the Twin Cities of Albury, New South Wales and Wodonga, Victoria, or Wagga Wagga.
City spotlights in Victoria: Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and the Twin Cities of Albury, New South Wales and Wodonga, Victoria, Mildura Victoria, or Mooroopna or Shepparton, Victoria
City Spotlight: Canberra, ACT
City Spotlight: Perth, Western Australia, Bunbury, Western Australia
City Spotlight: Adelaide, South Australia
City Spotlight: Darwin, Northern Territory
City Spotlight Alice Spring, Northern Territory
City Spotlight: Hobart, Tasmania, City Spotlight Launceston, Tasmania