"Port Macquarie - not just for holidays " a Port Macquarie Travel Page by iandsmith

Port was always known as "God's waiting room". It referred to the propensity of tourists who had holidayed there and ended up retiring there. The majority of them were from south of the town. Sydney, for one, and particularly Melbourne, from where the idyllic temperatures and seaside lifestyle seemed like a magnet but, as time went by and more people moved there and younger people were required to service the increasing tourist demand, it slowly blossomed. Then, in the late 20th century, it boomed. In a seemingly few short years it doubled in population and spread into areas that I remember pointing out to my family as lovely bush.
Now it still retains its allure. Good shopping, excellent fishing, good sports venues and generally good weather make for a nice lifestyle.
As far as beaches go, personally I used to go elsewhere and still do. I find the ones here pretty but not good for surf. North or south of Port the beaches are far superior. The exception is Lighthouse Beach.

Some of Australia's finest rainforest lies in the hinterland though it's rarely visited by tourists.
Comboyne (see my Comboyne pages) is absolutely stunning yet most people in Port have never been there though it's just half an hour up the road.
Wilson River Reserve and Werrikimbe are further inland, the former is one of Australia's finest rainforest pockets with several waterfalls and a picturesque stream to boot.
This shot is taken at Werrikimbe and shows King Fern Falls which you will come across should you take the 2km walk from Plateau Beech camping area.