Find your haven in Port Macquarie, which is just a four-hour drive north of Sydney but may feel like a completely different universe where the pace is as chilled as the local wines.
Situated at the mouth of the Hastings River and the ocean, Port Macquarie is ideal for water lovers for surfing, swimming, fishing, river cruises and whale and dolphin watching. There are kilometres of excellent surf beaches, sheltered coves, magnificent farming country and lush hinterland. The world's largest urban population of koalas can also be found there. Port Macquarie is where the over 55s come to unwind with at least 19 retirement villages and communities to settle down in.
Commune With Nature in Port Macquarie
Who needs to go to a fancy gym or be tortured in exercise classes when it’s possible to stay fit in Port Macquarie by just investing in a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Regular trekkers will love the 9km coastal walk from the town to Lighthouse Beach or the 1.3km elevated rainforest loop walk at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. Port Macquarie is also rich in indigenous culture and history, with bush tucker tours, at `Sea Acres’ where you can also discover a wealth of information about the First Nations People
who settled here and the rainforest environment. There are also regular exhibitions of works by local artists.
If you’re after a more sedate lifestyle, take a river cruise on the Hastings River with other options including fishing and water sports. Plus. there’s a sea plane service, which is a great way to survey your new home.
Keep Your Cool In Port Macquarie
The best months of the year include April, May, August, September and October when the temperatures range between 20 degrees and 25 degrees. January is the warmest month of the year with temperatures around 28 degrees and July is the coldest at around 19 degrees. The wettest month is often March and it’s most dry in September. The annual rainfall is around 1194mm.
Arriving Is Easy, Leaving Is Hard…
After all, it’s always hard turning your back on paradise and the chilled, natural beauty of Port Macquarie but luckily it’s pretty each to return as it’s such an accessible destination. Port Macquarie has its own airport, which is just 5km west of the centre of town. Qantas and Virgin Australia fly in from Brisbane and Sydney each day. There’s car hire available at the airport or take a shuttle bus. Taxis are also plentiful and affordable.
The Grafton, Casino and Brisbane XPT trains run daily from Sydney and stop at Wauchope with connecting coaches to Port Macquarie.
Getting around Port Macquarie is easy with a local bus service, plentiful taxis and two ferry services.
Choosing Your Place In The Sun
There are many prime residential areas to choose from and around 19 retirement communities, in stunning settings, ready to welcome you warmly with organised activities, leisure centres, transportation options and village jaunts. Most importantly they all have medical call on demand to ensure your continued health. Check out the stylish villages in Newport and Pozieres, in particular, which offer sophisticated villas that were designed for entertaining.
It all depends whether you wish to live in a community with all the amenities of a holiday resort but geared towards the over 55s or whether, you’re simply looking for a launch pad for your travels. Then, it’s all about having a cash flow, which allows you the freedom to be spontaneous.
The area of Sovereign Hills is one of Port Macquarie’s prime residential areas with a mix of young families and over 55s communities. It’s a place of manicured streets and gardens, sleek, modern homes and well maintained recreational areas, which the visiting members of your extended family might also enjoy.
To get a real taste of life in Port Macquarie, consider the Lighthouse Beach precinct, with its shopping strip, Pacific Plaza Mall, golf courses and the beach itself that will entice you to dip in. Or Wauchope, close to the Hastings River and a launching point for picnics, bush walks and of course, water sports, which is what the rhythm of life in Port Macquarie is all about.
See all the retirement living properties currently available in Port Macquarie here
Living Your Best Life For Less
Your dollar buys more in Port Macquarie including a sleek two-bedroom villa in an over 50s community at Pozieres for around $450k - that’s around the price of a studio apartment in Sydney or a one bedder there (that needs a lot of work). You’ll find that when it comes to daily life, Port Macquarie is less expensive than many other resort-style destinations in NSW.
According to cost of living site, nimbeo.com , dinner for two in a restaurant will cost on average $60, a cappuccino is under $3 and a beer in a pub (500ml) is around $4.15. A grocery spend for one person for a month is estimated at around $420, while driving 8km in a taxi for around $15. (Port Macquarie also has an Uber service).
Whet Your Appetite For Dining Out In Port Macquarie
This is a food and wine lovers destination whether it’s cafe and bar hopping in Port Macquarie itself or dining luxuriously on a seafood feast at one of the many modern Australian restaurants throughout the area including The Stunned Mullet. Oyster fans may purchase direct from the growers at Laurieton and North Haven for a real bivalve flavour hit, as the oysters are shucked in front of you, unsealing their freshness. There’s also many ethnic restaurant choices including Italian, Thai, Mexican and Japanese and many have outdoor seating, which adds to the resort feel.
For an indulgent experience, treat yourself to a luxe meal in the Seasons restaurant, which overlooks the rose garden and vineyard, at Cassegrain Wines. The marriage of food and wine there is taken as seriously as any union.
Give Your Shopping Muscle a Workout in Port Macquarie
It all begins in the air-conditioned wonder of Port Central shopping mall in the heart of `Port’s CBD. Open 7 days a week, with free wifi and great parking, over 55 shops are here including most of your favourites.
Beyond the big name malls, all around Port Macquarie, you’ll also find art galleries with indigenous work on display and many speciality stores and boutiques.
The Foreshore Market at Westport Park, Port Macquarie is open on every second Saturday of the month at Westport Park, Port Macquarie with artisan wares, fashion and a farmers market with plenty of open air food stores for breakfast and
lunch choices. Not to be missed.
Taking Really Good Care Of Yourself
There’s no shortage of public hospitals and health facilities in Port Macquarie including Port Macquarie Base Hospital with Emergency and Critical Care, General; Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery plus ENT and it also houses the North Coast Cancer Institute.
Port Macquarie also has its own Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Head & Neck Cancer Clinic, plus there’s many private hospitals and health clinics dotted around the regions. So there’s no need to travel to Sydney or Brisbane to get the best health care. People in Port Macquarie will take care of you like one of their own.
Living It Up In Port Macquarie
From camel rides on the beach, visiting the koala hospital or taking a river cruise, the Port Macquarie lifestyle can be as active and adventurous as you like. Take a walk along the Rainforest loop around the top of North Brother Mountain for 360-degree views and a picnic in the clouds. When you send the photos to the family, they’ll all want to join in the fun.
For something completely different, near the Burrawan State Forests, you’ll find the Bago Vineyards & Maze - yes, a 1000 metre hedge maze, where you can also enjoy some wine tastings and fortify yourself at the artisan chocolate shop.
Beer lovers needn’t miss out either. The Black Duck Brewery is situated at Port Macquarie with tastings and tours on offer. You could also taste the beers of another local brewer, Little Brewing famed for its award-winning Wicked Elf Beers. It’s all
part of life in your haven, which awaits.
Pros
- Excellent location, close to both Sydney and Melbourne
- Thriving destination for over 55s.
- Superb beaches and nature walks
- Wildlife attractions from dolphins and whales to koalas
- Sophisticated food choices.
- Full cultural program throughout the year
Cons
- Tourism hot spot, expect price rises in the school holidays.
- Water restrictions may come into play for locals if there is a drought.
- Traffic can be challenging at certain times.
- During summer, you will need air conditioning or a ceiling fan.
