The park
A two hour drive from Coffs Harbour, and just under three from Newcastle, is sunny Port Macquarie and this excellent holiday park. Flanked by the beach on one side and the river on the other, the park is a five minute easy walk to Port Macquarie’s bustling streets and restaurants. The swimming pool is a great way to cool down on a hot summer’s day, while the camp kitchen and barbecue areas make dinner a breeze. Plus, there’s free wifi and a free kids’ club – that’s a lot of free love to go around.
The accommodation
Whatever you’re travelling budget or style, the caravan park won’t disappoint. If you’re looking to wake up to the sights of glistening waters, choose from bay or riverside cabins located along the breakwall, glamping, or ocean breeze cabins that have glimpses of the breaking waves. There is also a range of unpowered and powered sites suitable for any manner of tent, campervan, motorhome or caravan. And the broad stretch of breakwall frontage means most sites also have clear access to a bit of blue, which is what you want when you’re on holiday. And Port Macquarie’s certainly has plenty of it.
The neighbourhood
Port Macquarie is the ultimate Australian coastal paradise. Seaside walks? Check. Remote lighthouse? Check. Boat tours with dolphin and whale spotting options? Check and check. You could even take a camel ride on Lighthouse Beach. You won’t be lost for dining options, either: at the pointier end of the budget scale is The Stunned Mullet, TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice 2017 winner. The modern Australian menu by David Henry and Michael Urquhart has delighted locals and visitors for years – particularly the signature Patagonian toothfish. At the more wallet friendly end of the scale is LV’s on Clarence, where brunch reigns supreme (the watermelon “pizza” will keep the kids happy, too). If you tire of all the sparkling sea views (but would you really?), head inland. The Wauchope hinterland area makes for a magical day trip, or you can just take in the nearby natural beauty of state forests and national parks. Finally, make sure you drop into the world’s first hospital dedicated solely to the care of koalas.