Port Macquarie Coastal Walk
Birpai Country

2 h 30 min to 4 h

8.7 km
oneway

↑ 234 m
↓ -219 m

Hard track
From Clarence St car park this walk takes you along the coast all the way to Tacking Point lighthouse, built in 1879. On the way visit Rocky Beach lookout and Harry's lookout or have a rest and a swim at one of the beaches. Part of this walk leads through Sea Acres National Park, dogs are welcome on the rest of the route. Let us begin by acknowledging the Birpai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-31.429338,152.9059463)
Mode Bus Car
DirectionsFrom Oxley Highway, B56, Port Macquarie.
  • Turn on to Gordon Street, 10 then drive for 220 m
  • Turn left onto Gore Street and drive for another 390 m
  • Turn right onto Buller Street and drive for another 410 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Short Street and drive for another 110 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 20 m
  • Turn right and drive for another 50 m
  • Turn right and drive for another 75 m
  • Turn right and drive for another 40 m
Finish (-31.4756196,152.9370242)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Bus   Car  
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the cruise terminal at the western end of Clarence St, Port Macquarie, follow the path along the foreshore (keeping the water on your left).....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 140 m head into the park.
After another 100 m pass the playground (35 m on your right).
After another 240 m pass the "Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre" (190 m on your right).
Then pass the "Pancake Place" (135 m on your right).
Veer left.
After another 255 m pass the "Port Central Car Park" (235 m on your right).
Then pass the car park (75 m on your right).
Veer left.
After another 150 m head into the park.
After another 480 m turn right.
After another 40 m head into the park.
After another 90 m pass the cafe (10 m on your right).
After another 20 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right).
After another 25 m to find the car park.
After another 135 m come to the "Port Macquarie Lions Lookout" (40 m on your right).
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 95 m pass the park (95 m on your right).
Turn left.
After another 225 m pass the car park (20 m on your right).
Then pass the toilet (10 m on your right)., female.
After another 285 m come to the viewpoint (65 m on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Sidetrip to a lookout overlooking the sea. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Turn right.
After another 30 m pass the park (30 m on your left).
Turn left.
After another 80 m continue straight.
After another 60 m pass the picnic table (10 m on your right).
Then pass the BBQ (9 m on your right).
After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 25 m pass the picnic table (on your left).
After another 6 m pass the BBQ (10 m on your right).
After another 3 m continue straight.
After another 95 m pass the park (65 m on your right).
Then pass the car park (130 m on your right).
After another 245 m pass the park (215 m on your right).
After another 30 m head into the park.
After another 105 m continue straight.
After another 200 m pass the park (190 m on your right).
Then pass the picnic table (6 m on your right).
After another 3 m continue straight.
After another 30 m pass the "Folly" (15 m on your right).
After another 420 m head into the "Rocky Beach Lookout".
After another 20 m pass a seat (15 m on your left).
After another 165 m head down the steps (about 15 m long)
After another 460 m pass the "Rocky Beach Lookout" (270 m on your left).
Then pass the "Sandbox" (55 m on your right).
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After another 295 m head down the steps (about 85 m long)
After another 440 m head down the steps (about 25 m long)
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Sidetrip to Henry Gardiner monument. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Turn right.
After another 40 m pass the car park (on your left).
Continue straight.
Veer left.
After another 70 m pass the toilet (65 m on your right).
After another 20 m come to the viewpoint (30 m on your right).
After another 135 m pass the "John Downes Park" (125 m on your right).
After another 8 m find a seat.
After another 130 m veer left.
Then head up the steps (about 40 m long)
After another 580 m come to the "Harry's Lookout" (115 m on your right).
This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible.
After another 180 m pass the shelter (20 m on your right).
After another 145 m to find the car park.
Continue straight.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 15 m pass the toilet (35 m on your right).
After another 420 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 6 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 90 m head down the steps (about 40 m long)
After another 450 m come to the viewpoint (75 m on your left).
After another 285 m continue straight.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 670 m to find the car park.
After another 25 m come to the viewpoint (9 m on your left).
After another 130 m come to the viewpoint (55 m on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Sidetrip to a lookout. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Turn sharp right.
After another 570 m head up the steps (about 20 m long)
After another 50 m pass the "Tacking Point Lighthouse" (20 m on your right).
Turn left.
Then head up the 10 concrete steps (about 6 m long)
After another 10 m head up the 41 concrete steps (about 25 m long)
After another 30 m pass the "Tacking Point Lighthouse" (8 m on your left).
Turn right.
Then head down the 16 concrete steps
About 70 m past the end is a viewpoint.
The end.

Sidetrip to a lookout overlooking the sea.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the picnic table at the start.
Find the BBQ at the start.
After another 10 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 15 m pass the park (30 m on your right).
About 15 m past the end is a viewpoint.
Continue another 0 m to find Flagstaff Hill at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 50 m to the main route.

Sidetrip to Henry Gardiner monument.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
Find the viewpoint at the start.
After another 145 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 145 m to the main route.

Sidetrip to a lookout.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the viewpoint at the start.
After another 60 m come to a viewpoint.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 8.7 km
Time 2 h 30 min to 4 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required No experience required (2/6)
Weather Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 5.7 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 1.7 km apart with the largest gap of 2.9 km.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 2.2 km apart with the largest gap of 3.1 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
1.3 km[toilet]
Toilet
1.8 km[toilet]
Toilet
4.7 km[toilet]
Shelter
5.7 km[shelter]
Toilet
5.9 km[toilet]
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