{"id":5337,"date":"2024-10-21T00:40:57","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T00:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5337"},"modified":"2024-10-21T00:41:01","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T00:41:01","slug":"5-unexpected-experiences-in-port-macquarie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/5-unexpected-experiences-in-port-macquarie\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Unexpected Experiences in Port Macquarie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you\u2019re stopping by Port Macquarie on a road trip from Sydney to Brisbane<\/a>, or heading there for a relaxing weekend, you\u2019ll be surprised at the unexpected experiences you can have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people know Port Macquarie<\/a> for its temperate climate, stunning beaches and friendly people, but they\u2019re just the beginning. Other adventures to add to your itinerary include riding a camel by the ocean, touring a weatherboard house built in the 19th century and picking strawberries on a working farm.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are five you shouldn\u2019t miss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RIDE A CAMEL ON THE BEACH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might have walked, run and swum at the beach, but seeing it from the back of a camel brings a new perspective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find Port Macquarie Camel Safaris on Lighthouse Beach, a kilometre south of Tacking Point Surf Club. There\u2019s no need to book \u2013 simply turn up and climb aboard for a 20-minute saunter along the sand.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The camels are around from 9:30am-1pm daily. except Saturdays and Christmas Day. During NSW school holidays, hours are extended to 9am-2pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Camel<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

TOUR A 19TH CENTURY WEATHERBOARD HOUSE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All over Australia, weatherboard cottages, which used to characterise coastal villages, are being knocked down and replaced with modern, two-storey houses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, in Port Macquarie, Roto House is bucking the trend. This charming weatherboard dwelling, built way back in 1891, was home to its designer\u2019s family until 1979. These days, though, it belongs to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, so it\u2019s open to the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you wander through the 11 rooms, you\u2019ll feel as though you\u2019ve stepped back in time. For an even more interesting experience, book a tour in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GO STRAWBERRY PICKING <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no substitute for picking and eating strawberries straight off the plant. At Ricardoes, which is a 15-minute drive northwest of Port Macquarie CBD, you can do just that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you arrive, you\u2019ll be given a bucket, then invited to explore the farm\u2019s two acres of greenhouses, where strawberries and tomatoes grow hydroponically. Pick as many as you can manage to carry, then take them home to feast on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also an onsite eatery, Cafe Red, where you can try dishes inspired by tomatoes and strawberries, including strawberry shortcake and fresh scones served with strawberry jam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE A KOALA HOSPITAL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koalas might be one of Australia\u2019s most famous and best loved animals, but they\u2019re close to extinction. In fact, as soon as 2050, there might be none left in the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is doing all it can to prevent such a disaster. They rescue, treat and rehabilitate koalas, and recently launched the first wild koala conservation breeding program in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you visit, you\u2019ll learn more about koalas, why they\u2019re endangered and what the hospital does to support them. Plus, any money you spend will go towards the hospital\u2019s important work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Larrikins
Image credit: Visit NSW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

VISIT A TIMBER GAOL <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This adventure takes you to the Comboyne Plateau, a 50-minute drive west of Port Macquarie through lush hinterland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 2 River St, you\u2019ll find the Comboyne Gaol (aka the Larrikins Lockup), built of timber slab more than 100 years ago, in 1905. Today, it\u2019s surrounded by an acre of gardens filled with majestic old trees, an art gallery and a gift shop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING TO PORT MACQUARIE <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port Macquarie is four hours\u2019 drive north of Sydney<\/a>, 13 hours\u2019 drive north of Melbourne<\/a> and six hours\u2019 drive south of Brisbane<\/a>. You can pick up a SIXT car rental in any of Australia\u2019s major cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re short on time, consider flying to Port Macquarie<\/a>, then jumping in a SIXT vehicle at Port Macquarie Airport<\/a>. We have EVs, SUVs and more, as well as great discounts for auto-club members and a variety of optional extras.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re stopping by Port Macquarie on a road trip from Sydney to Brisbane, or heading there for a relaxing weekend, you\u2019ll be surprised at the unexpected experiences you can have. Most people know Port Macquarie for its temperate climate, stunning beaches and friendly people, but they\u2019re just the beginning. Other adventures to add to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[122,125],"class_list":{"0":"post-5337","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-roadtrips-nsw","8":"tag-port-macquarie","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n5 Unexpected Experiences in Port Macquarie - Sixt Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether you\u2019re stopping by Port Macquarie on a road trip or heading there for a relaxing weekend, you\u2019ll be surprised at the unexpected experiences on offer.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/5-unexpected-experiences-in-port-macquarie\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Unexpected Experiences in Port Macquarie - 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