We love the Port Macquarie region, it's people and God's plan for it and we believe you can also. Canberra is a great city, designed with great access to parks, educational institutions, recreational opportunities and community amenities.  

 

Below is our simple guide to surviving and thriving in Port Macquarie with key links.

  

ACCOMMODATION

 

Rentals can be hard to find, particularly as Port Macquarie becomes more popular for Sydneysiders looking to move to the coast, but check out the following:

• realestate.com.au (https://www.realestate.com.au/rent/in-port+macquarie,+nsw+2444/list-1)

• domain.com.au (https://www.domain.com.au/rent/port-macquarie-nsw-2444/)

• allhomes.com.au (https://www.allhomes.com.au/rent/port-macquarie-nsw-2444/)

​

 

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

 

For those coming to Canberra for University or Tertiary education we have some of the best educational institutions not only in Australia but the world.

 

At DIVERGENT CHURCH we also have Genlife (https://www.divergentchurch.com/genlifeyoungadults) which is our Uni and Young Adults Community to connect in. 

 

• Good Schools (https://www.goodschools.com.au/compare-schools/in-port-macquarie-2444) and Better Education (https://bettereducation.com.au/school/Primary/nsw/nsw_primary_school_rating.aspx?enc=T4fHyqFOPxjV5RSCThuHkem9qQWETrazc9cpAByi3qoZMgLuUyTqNMGlcUMRV4iU/hQfPLKSbMgUAtNhZHdfEDMmWfSNKGQERtketk8SwCo=) list and rate schools in the Port Macquarie area.

• Public schools include Tacking Point Public School - https://tackingpt-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/ - Port Macquarie Public School - https://portmac-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/, Hastings Public School - https://hastings-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/ and Hastings Secondary College - https://www.hastingssecondarycollege.com.au/.

• Independent schools include St Columba Anglican School - https://www.scas.nsw.edu.au/ - and Port Macquarie Adventist School - https://www.pmas.nsw.edu.au/, Heritage Christian School https://heritage.nsw.edu.au/, and Port Macquarie Steiner School (https://portmacquariesteinerschool.nsw.edu.au/).

• St Agnes Catholic Parish (https://stagnesparish.org.au/education/)

 

Universities with campuses in Port Macquarie include:

• Charles Sturt University (CSU) (https://www.csu.edu.au/portmacquarie/home) (also check our CSU’s Port Macquarie accommodation page - https://accommodation.csu.edu.au/our-rooms/port-macquarie)

• University of Newcastle (https://www.newcastle.edu.au/campus-life/port-macquarie)

• University of NSW (UNSW) (https://rcs.med.unsw.edu.au/rcs-port-macquarie-campus)

 

TRAVEL

​

• Cycleways (https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Services/Transport/Cycling)

• Bus (https://www.busways.com.au/)

• Train – the closest train station is Waucjhope on the North Coast line. Check out Transport NSW for tickets and timetables (https://transportnsw.info/#/)

 

CAFES

Some of our favourite Port Macquarie cafes are:

 

• The Hill - https://www.thehillcafepmq.com/

• Ruins cafe - https://www.ruinscafe.com.au/

• Casualties Espresso - https://portmacquarieinfo.com.au/see-do/casualties-espresso

• Coast Lighthouse Beach - https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Surfing-Spot/COAST-Lighthouse-Beach-398501590795582/

• Social grounds - https://www.facebook.com/SOCIALGROUNDSPMQ/

 

 

GETTING CONNECTED

 

Particularly for those new to Australia, the mobile (or Cell Phone) options can be most confusing. Most mobile phone plans offer you a minimum spend price (eg. $29, $49, etc.) and come bundled with a certain amount of credit. You can sign up to pre or post paid options.

 

The most popular providers are Vodafone, Virgin, Optus and Telstra. Internet plans also use similar plan structures with pre or post paid options for different data limits and speeds. We do recommend chatting to us before signing up to a deal as some are significant over priced. 

 

GETTING FED

 

Port Macquarie has great food from all over the world. To start, check out Port Macquarie Info (https://portmacquarieinfo.com.au/see-do/restaurants-cafes) and Visit NSW (https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/port-macquarie-area/restaurants).

 

For groceries, we have Coles (https://www.coles.com.au/catalogues-and-specials), Woolworths (https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/storelocator/nsw-port-macquarie-1178), IGA (http://our-stores.iga.com.au/stores/iga-foodbarn-port-macquarie/) and Aldi (https://storelocator.aldi.com.au/Presentation/AldiSued/en-AU/Search?SingleSlotGeo=2444+).

 

GETTING OUT

 

Start with:

​

• What’s On in Port Macquarie (https://portmacquarieinfo.com.au/whats-on)

• Discover Port Macquarie (https://www.discoverportmacquarie.com.au/whale-watching.html)

• Port Macquarie Koala Hospital (https://www.koalahospital.org.au/)

• Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park (https://www.billabongzoo.com.au/)

• Port Macquarie Seaplanes (http://portmacquarieseaplanes.com.au/)

• Port Jet Cruise Adventures (https://portjet.com.au/)

• Glasshouse (art and theatre) (https://www.glasshouse.org.au/Home)

• Sea Acres National Park (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/sea-acres-national-park)

• North Coast NSW National Parks (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/regions/north-coast)

 

BEACHES IN PORT MACQUARIE
 

Port Macquarie has 17 beaches. Some allow dogs and 4WDs. A number of these beaches have barbecue facilities. Some are patrolled by lifeguards at set times.

 

Check out a list of beaches at Port Macquarie Info (https://portmacquarieinfo.com.au/trip-ideas/locals-beach-guide).

 

For beach safety, check out these tips (https://www.pmslsc.com.au/our-club/beach-safety/).

 

For further information about patrolled beaches go to the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council website (https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Facilities-Recreation/Outdoor-Spaces/Beaches-Waterways/Patrolled-beaches).

 

SPORT

​

Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park (https://portmacquarieinfo.com.au/see-do/jolly-nose-mountain-bike-park) and (https://www.hvmbr.com/).

Port Macquarie Cycle Club (https://www.portmaccycleclub.com.au/)

Port Macquarie Running Festival (https://www.portmacquarierunningfestival.com.au/event/)

Port Macquarie Park Run (https://www.parkrun.com.au/portmacquarie/)

Port Macquarie Football Club (https://www.portmacquariefc.com/) 

Hastings River District Cricket Association (http://hastings.nsw.cricket.com.au/) 

Soul Surfing (https://www.soulsurfing.com.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3smABhCjARIsAKtrg6L-sFUXQgyOrXhP0jbQGvpntkchfgMkPOA3W4DPkXdJBqsc9oyr2iAaAhgREALw_wcB)

Port Macquarie Surf School (https://portmacquariesurfschool.com.au/)

 

CHURCHES

​

DIVERGENT Church is newly established in Port Macquarie and meets every Sunday with small groups (Lifecoms) held on Wednesday nights.

 

A more comprehensive list of churches in Port Macquarie is provided here (http://www.portmacquariechurches.org.au/)

 

CONTACT US

 

If you have any questions, feel free to drop a note with our contact form below.