Autumn in Comboyne Village by Paul Koch

Tiny Towns & Villages

Tiny Towns & Villag…

Little village, big heart. Go off track and under the radar.

Little village, big heart. Go off track and under the radar.
Discover the tiny towns and villages in the Port Macquarie Hastings region of New South Wales, Australia. This region is home to an abundance of charming and quaint villages, each with their own unique character and appeal. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat in the countryside or an escape to the coast, these tiny towns and villages have something to offer everyone. From historic settlements to picturesque seaside communities, this page will guide you through some of the hidden gems of Port Macquarie and showcase the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region.
Discover the tiny towns and villages in the Port Macquarie Hastings region of New South Wales, Australia. This region is home to an abundance of charming and quaint villages, each with their own unique character and appeal. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat in the countryside or an escape to the coast, these tiny towns and villages have something to offer everyone. From historic settlements to picturesque seaside communities, this page will guide you through some of the hidden gems of Port Macquarie and showcase the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region.

These tiny towns and friendly villages will reward your curiosity and charm your socks off.

These tiny towns and friendly villages will reward your curiosity and charm your socks off.
Jolly Nose 6hr bridge Stuart Lyall Photography

Bonny Hills

The evelated coastal views from this seaside village, 20 kilometres south of Port Macquarie, are some of the most spectacular in the region, showcasing over 14 kilometres of pristine beaches.

Bonny Hills was originally home to the fishing enthusiasts amongst the tough, north coast timbermen and dairy farmers from nearby Wauchope and Hinterland. The old wood fishing shacks of the past are long gone, replaced by homes and holiday parks with million dollar views. Here you’ll find Rainbow Beach, an east-coast favourite with surfers and swimmers, and recent host of the Australian Surf Championships.

Bonny Hills is also home to the region’s biggest Mountain Bike Park, Jollynose MTB. It’s open to visitors, and maintained to a great standard by a hardworking club of passionate locals.

Lake Cathie

Lake Cathie

Lake Cathie (pronounced 'cat-eye', and why is anyone’s guess…) is just 12 kilometres south of Port Macquarie.

An idyllic and laid-back sea-and-lakeside holiday with do-it-yourself lakeside barbecues, playgrounds, skate park as well as breezy holiday cottages, caravan parks and self-contained holiday flats that make a week by the seaside pass by in the blink of the eye.

Lake Cathie's large saltwater lake (when it’s periodically open to the sea) has warm shallow waters ideal for swimming, kayaking and SUPing, and there are lots of picnic tables and barbecues around the shore. Venture up to the northern headland where a fantastic forest walk has been established, with a viewing platform that offers fabulous views across the lake and out to the ocean. There are food and retail outlets across the road from the lake, and the town has a major shopping centre and a popular tavern.

Kendall Craft Jeremy Rogers 8

Kew & Kendall

South-west of Port Macquarie are the two villages of Kew and Kendall.

Kew has a beautifully restored heritage hotel, The Royal, with a fabulous family-friendly beer garden, restaurant and accommodation. The Kew Country Club has one of the best golf courses on the Mid-North Coast and the village is home to some delightful and unique stores, including the Squeaky Gate Farm Shop.

Travel a couple of minutes further inland, and you’ll find the charming village of Kendall, with a 'Poets' Walk' in honour of its namesake, the writer and former resident Henry Kendall.

Kendall is a quaint village with heritage-style buildings, beautiful flora and fauna, where you can enjoy a peaceful picnic beside the picturesque Camden Haven River, shop for home-made treasures at the Craft Co-op, or enjoy a special treat from ‘Miss Nellies’.

Remy Brand 2022 The Byabarra customers 406

Byabarra & Comboyne

Around 25 minutes south-west of Wauchope, pleasantly winding country roads will get you to the idyllic heritage Byabarra Café & Bar, where you can settle in for an afternoon of indulgence on the veranda with views over the valley (oh, and the garlic mussels are to die for).

Then head further west for another 15 minutes to the rural village of Comboyne. Once you break through from the heavily forested hill climb, the plateau opens up spectacularly with rolling, verdant farmland. Don't miss stopping into Larrikins Lock-up for a bit of history in the restored gaol. To complete the package, Comboyne is flanked by pristine Nature Reserves and waterfalls. Trust us when we tell you it’s worth the drive! See their illustrated map here.

Check out the latest Discover Mag article here.

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Beechwood & Pappinbarra

Head through Wauchope and take the right-hand fork at the Showground to head to Beechwood, home of Australia’s favourite Country Pub, the Beechwood Hotel (Wotif in 2021)! You can even arrive by horseback and tie your steed to the hitching rail out the front, if you organise it with Hastings River Horseriding. You’ll also find the Beechwood Café & Bar a short stroll away, and both venues serve generous country-style meals with great outdoor areas as well. Beechwood is also host to the famous (some say infamous) Beechwood Billycart Classic, usually held every October.

Continue along the Pappinbarra Road for another 20 minutes, and you’ll find the tiny and welcoming village of Pappinbarra. Here you’ll find the Grown & Gathered market on the first Sunday of every month (9-12/1pm), and the wonderful Nature’s Echo Farm, which runs tours and teas by appointment.

Telegraph Point Wharf by Charlie Blacker

Blackmans Point, Telegraph Point & Rollands Plains

Blackmans Point is about 10-15 minutes’ drive north of Port Mac, and is home to one of the region’s most popular tourist attractions- Ricardoes Tomato & Strawberry Farm. A little further north-west is Telegraph Point, located on the banks of the Wilson River. Local activities include one of the world’s biggest inflatable water parks, along with waterskiing at Stoney Action Park, mountain bike riding, bush walking, four-wheel-driving, camping, swimming, rock hopping in streams and creeks and picnicking. The village lies between two areas of state forest. To the south is Cairncross State Forest, while to the north is Ballengarra State Forest.