Built in 1879 by New South Wales architect James Barnet, Tacking Point Lighthouse is the thirteenth oldest lighthouse in Australia. The lighthouse is located in the picturesque coastal town of Port Macquarie, New South Wales, and sits atop a rocky headland that offers stunning panoramic views.
The area is a popular location for whale-watching during migration. Nearby features include a stunning coastal walk, and a 9.1-kilometre trek.
The Lighthouse Beach has a gorgeous seven-kilometre stretch of sand and is also a popular destination for surfers as the headland offers protection from summer north-easterly winds. Visitors can also enjoy a camel safari ride, go beach fishing and take to the sand in a 4WD. The nearby Surf Life Saving Club features a cafe and kiosk.
Recent upgrades include an accessible walkway that enables people of all abilities to enjoy not just the historic lighthouse, but to also enjoy the breathtaking vistas at the northern end of Lighthouse beach. The new walkway is fibre reinforced composite, with accessible handrails and safety fencing, and additional disabled parking has been added.
Lighthouse Beach is seven kilometres south of Port Macquarie and is a nine-kilometre stretch of south-east facing sand heading to Lake Cathie. It is a favourite surf beach offering protection from the summer north easterlies. The beach picks up all available swell so it's great for the intermediate surfer and above, with short powerful rides.
A perfect beach for ideal long walks, taking a camel safari ride, beach fishing and 4WD access at the southern end. The beach is patrolled during the School Holidays (northern end, near the surf club and cafe).
Visit the historic Tacking Point Lighthouse with was built in 1879 which is the final stop along the scenic coastal walk, enjoy the viewing platform for a stunning view along the coastline, it is also a great vantage point for whale watching from May to November.
South of Watonga Rocks on this long stretch of beach, is the perfect place for taking your four-legged friend for some energetic dog beach play. You can let your friend off the lead from this point, please be sure to check signage on the beach for details on leashed and unleashed areas.
A boutique public exhibition space located in Port Macquarie, NSW showcasing a range of original artworks by internationally recognised realism artist Nicola McLeay. It has a focus on sharing with the public one-off pieces that are for sale of the region and wider parts of Australia and New Zealand.
Attractive leasing options and personalised commissions are available in a range of sizes, media and mediums. Visitors are welcome to linger and absorb the beauty of Nicola McLeay’s fine art while watching a digital display of the artists process via time-lapse. The works on show change frequently as new pieces are completed, fresh off the easel.
Lighthouse Gallery is situated at Lighthouse Beach, one kilometre south of the Tacking Point Surf Club opposite the famous Camel Safari, along one of Australia's most majestic coastlines.
Visiting the gallery can easily be arranged by appointment or when it is open for public viewing.
Located just 10 minutes from beautiful Port Macquarie's town centre. Port Macquarie Horse Riding Centre offers Trail Rides through the picturesque Cassegrain Winery Estate's vines in New South Wales' Mid North Coast. In addition, operating as a busy horse riding school, they offer a full-day program during the school holidays for children aged six and over and pony rides for the younger pony enthusiasts.
The Port Macquarie Horse Riding Centre's staff are highly skilled and trained to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for the whole family.
Innes Ruins has a charming setting looking over Lake Innes and is an important remnant of early settlement days on the north coast of NSW. Built by Major Archibald Clunes Innes, it contains rich history about the settlement of NSW, convict labour and the culture of the 1800s.
The Depression of the 1840s brought financial ruin to Innes, and the closure of Port Macquarie as a penal settlement deprived him of convict labour. Following his departure, the house was occupied by a number of people over time, but was derelict by the beginning of the 1900s. It subsequently deteriorated to its present state as a result of natural decay and vandalism.
Today, the ruins are classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). Access to the site is by guided tour only.
Whether you're an eager history student or an outdoor adventurer, you'll find plenty to do at Lake Innes Nature Reserve, not far from Port Macquarie. The reserve features a fascinating historic site set in gorgeous natural scenery with plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, birdwatching and water sport activities.
Lake Innes lies at its heart and is a picturesque setting for the historically significant Innes Ruins, which is a great place to learn all about early settlement and convict history in NSW. Book in advance to join a guided tour of the ruins.
The lake is also a gorgeous backdrop for picnicking, birdwatching, walking or cycling. Or, get out on the water by kayaking or canoeing across it or enjoying a splash of swimming in its tranquil waters or spot of fishing from Perch Hole. There's an impressive array of wildlife to admire here too, including osprey, ducks and swans paddling on the lake and the kangaroos, wallabies and dingoes that can be seen throughout the reserve.
The Big Koala (2.5 metres high) is 88th sculpture on the award-winning Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, on NSW Mid North Coast.
Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail encompasses 91+ one-metre-high fibreglass koala sculptures, hand painted by local artists with designs that promote koala and Australian wildlife conservation and the environment, arts and cultural heritage.
Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail won Gold for 'Tourist Attractions' in 2022 NSW Tourism Awards and was Finalist in 2022 Australian Tourism Awards.
Hello Koalas won "Best Sculpture Trail in Australia" (Gold in 2022, Silver in 2021) and The Big Koala won " Best Landmark Sculpture in Australia" (Silver in 2022 and Gold 2023) in the Australian Street Art Awards.
The Big Koala is an iconic public artwork to photograph and share with family and friends and free for everyone to enjoy.
The sculpture was created by local artists Pauline Roods and John Belfield for the visitor experience 'Guulabaa, Place of Koala' in the Cowarra State Forest, five minutes from the Pacific Highway, corner Oxley Highway and Burrawan Forest Drive.
'The Big Koala, Spirit of All Koalas' depicts 31 koalas, 30cm-55cm, living happily in their forest home.
Guulabaa means 'Place of Koala' in the local Gathang language. This visitor experience nestled within Cowarra State Forest on Biripi Country delivers that promise.
Visitors are welcomed by The Big Koala, a 2.5-metre mural koala, part of the award-winning Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail. Visitors follow the path to The Hub, a series of decks gently taking visitors into the forest canopy. The Hub views are incredible! Free for visitors.
Seeking adventure? Have a WildNets experience! Gain a new sense of gravity bouncing from bouncy netted room to room (no safety gear required!) or tackle the more energetic tree-to-tree challenges. Pre-bookings via WildNets are recommended. Open daily.
The world's first Wild Koala Breeding Facility - run by Koala Conservation Australia in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society and the Australian Museum - operates out of Guulabaa. Come visit koalas in the wild and learn more about the great work happening in koala conservation. Open daily.
Bunyah Cafe, operated by Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council, offers coffee and tea, slushies, cold drinks, muffins, cakes and sandwiches. Open Thursday through Sundays, and daily in school holiday periods.
Guulabaa Cathedral is a 150 church-pew-style seated area. Free for visitors. Bookings are available for weddings and large events.
Bunyah Bilbay Cultural Centre is opening soon!
See you at Guulabaa!
WildNets Adventure Park is Australia's biggest suspended playground.
Discover a vast network of interconnected spaces. Experience a whole new sense of gravity as you bounce from room to room, discovering a variety of fun games.
The suspended nets include giant bouncy netted rooms, tree houses, suspension bridges, ball pits, slides, pods, giant inflatables and many other exciting features for all ages and abilities.
Or take on the thrilling Treetop Ropes Courses. Kids aged 3-7 can explore the Kids Treetop Rope Course, while those 8 and up can conquer the Big Treetop Ropes Course. With over 100 challenges combined—ziplines, rock climbing, and suspended bridges included—there's no shortage of smiles and excitement!
Have fun whilst supporting the environment, knowing 50 per cent of all profits go to the new Wild Koala Breeding Program.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a relaxing day by the water at Perch Hole picnic area.
People come from miles around to take in this beautiful setting, where you can also enjoy fishing, kayaking, canoeing and swimming in this large estuarine lake in the middle of the reserve. Birdwatching is another highlight here, as the lake supports a variety of birdlife including osprey, black swans and wood ducks, as well as many other aquatic animals.
Perhaps the best way to enjoy the lake though is to explore it by kayaking, canoeing, or setting sail in a small motored dingy.
Venture down Oxley Lane in Wauchope and view the new and amazing murals created by local artists! These murals were created in response to community feedback around the growing amount of graffiti in the laneway.
Damon Moroney, from Iknowgraffix and a number of other artists, created these murals in conjunction with the Wauchope Chamber of Commerce, local business owners and Councillor Josh Slade.
While you are visiting Wauchope and the Hinterland, be sure to check these murals out!
Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park is located in Queens Lake State Forest Bonny Hills.
The park boasts approximately 70 kilometres of single track mountain bike trails for both gravity and cross country mountain bike riding.
All trails in the park are sign posted and are rated according to the level of difficulty. The ratings range from beginner to intermediate and advanced.
Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park is easily accessible by car and is only a short 20 minutes drive south of Port Macquarie.
