Port Macquarie is a classic Aussie seaside city made for holidays spent by the beach, great food and wine, and as many outdoor and water adventures as you can pack into a day. But after exploring the coastal hinterland along the Hastings River, you might just swap sides…
Golden sandy beaches dotted with Norfolk Island Pines, Point Tacking Lighthouse, a classic Mid North Coast break-wall of vibrantly painted rocks, a bustling marina and water sports galore. Cobble them together and you have the essence of sunny Port Macquarie.
However, if you’re a road-less-travelled kind of person, follow the Hastings River inland and beyond Port Mac’s famous coastal frontage you’ll find a lush hinterland brimming with endless beauty and outdoor adventures that’ll make your heart sing.
Wauchope and Comboyne Plateau
Hit the road and head west from Port Macquarie Marina and the landscape changes quickly. Within 15 minutes, ocean vistas give way to fertile farmland, villages where the pace is slower, corner pubs and cafes that are character-filled havens, and rainforests where wildlife is as abundant as the verdant greenery.
Welcome to the Hastings Hinterland – a place that rewards those who take the road less travelled.
A great starting point for a few days in this part of the country is Wauchope (pronounced War-Hope for the uninitiated), which is about 20 minutes out of Port Mac.
This charmingly rural town of around 7,000 residents is filled with local makers, an abundance of fresh produce and plenty of places to eat. For a cool photo, check out the murals in Oxley Lane, and if you’re after a tasty pub lunch that sums up Mod-Aus cuisine, head to the Hastings Hotel. Built in 1897, it has retained its heritage charm even after having a stylish renovation.
Don’t miss a stop at Bago Maze & Wine, which is home to Australia’s largest hedge maze. Wander amongst two kilometres of meticulously manicured green walls, enjoy a wine tasting, and if you haven’t eaten, tuck into a charcuterie board while relaxing outdoors and soaking up magnificent views of the vines.
Head out of town to Byabarra, where the picturesque scenery makes for a relaxing trip – working farms and ultra-green hills rolling by like a short film capturing quintessential rural life.
Byabarra is worth slowing down for, particularly if you’re hungry or after an afternoon drink. With spectacular views across the hinterland, The Byabarra Café is a laidback, licenced eatery owned and run by friendly locals Alan and Kerri, who are always happy to share their favourite things to do in the region.
One of which is a visit to Comboyne Plateau. Although only 20 minutes away, the area is blessed with cool air and dense rainforest due to it being 600 metres above sea level. Take a perch on Comboyne Rock and look out over the endless mountains and valleys – it’s so pristine you could have stepped back a thousand years.
Grab a cuppa at the charmingly rustic Udder Cow Café, which is (aptly enough) cow themed. Everything in this quirky spot is made from scratch, and the scones and classic beef pies are delicious.
Waterfalls and a retreat for renewal
For another natural wonder, Boorganna Nature Reserve is a beauty, and its home to 40-metre-high Rawson Falls, which are reached via a stunning five-kilometre round-trip rainforest walk. There’s a deep, tranquil plunge pool at the falls’ base for a refreshing dip, and pack your binoculars if you’re a keen birdwatcher, as plenty of feathered friends call the forest home.
In spring, keep an eye out for flowering orange blossoms, and in autumn you might discover pretty spotted cinnamon orchids.
A 45-minute cruise down the road will have you in Ellenborough – a charming hamlet of only 170 locals that’s home to the award-winning Yulo Kopa nature retreat.
Set on a 160-acre riverfront property, the eco-luxury, off-grid cottages have access to natural swimming holes on the pristine Ellenborough River, and there’s a dedicated meditation and yoga space, as the focus here is on renewal and wellbeing.
Go bushwalking and wallaby-spotting or simply unwind and enjoy the picture-perfect setting where you might be lucky enough to spot a platypus or a bandicoot.
Put together over two or three nights, Wauchope, Byabarra and Comboyne offer a hinterland escape that you’ll no doubt share with others for years to come. When you’ve had a taste of the Hastings, you might just become another of the region’s smitten lovers.
Explore Port Macquarie, Wauchope and the Hastings hinterland: portmacquarieinfo.com.au
To discover the best places to eat and drink in Port Macquarie, click here.
Rex flies to Port Macquarie! Book your flight HERE or check out the route map below for more details.
