Located a 20-minute drive north of Forster-Tuncurry on the New South Walesmid-north coast, the Big Tap is another of Australia’s Big Things that are dotted around the country. We drove along The Lakes Way heading out of Tuncurry. On the way, we passed through what the map called The Big Roundabout. It is a roundabout but is not that big, so we didn’t bother stopping.
The side closest to the Big Tap had a cleared spot where several cars could stop. As it’s located on a farmer’s property you can’t get close, so we viewed it from the fence line.
An interesting attraction and worth stopping to see if you are trying to see Australia’s big things.
Located on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australia, Port Macquarie is a favourite tourist destination. Not only does it have beautiful beaches and rainforests, but is the Koala Capital of Australia. Not only these things and convict history, but if you get bored you can pick your own tomatoes or strawberries.
Below is a list of place we visited and things we did with links on this page. Should you want a more in depth story, links are provided further down the page.
One of the great attractions to Port Macquarie is the amazing beaches. Surrounded by wonderful sandy beaches, there are plenty to choose from, whether you want ones close to town or more privacy a small drive away.
Flynns Beach
Looking Through Trees to Flynns BeachFlynns BeachFlynns Beach
Oxley Beach
Beautiful Oxley BeachOxley Beach
Rocky Beach Lookout
View from the Rocky Beach LookoutRocky Beach Lookout
Housing the Port Macquarie Theatre, Regional Art Gallery and Visitor Information Centre, the Glasshouse Arts and Visitor Centre is a great place to visit, because not only does it have these things, but there are ruins in the basement!
Located all over Port Macquarie and its surrounding districts on the NSW mid-north coast, The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is a fun way to find your way around town. Many businesses and attractions have sponsored one or more of the sculptures making it an interesting way to explore the area and as a bonus finding lots of them.
Established in 1973 and dedicated to the to rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild koalas, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital also helps visitor learn about this unique Australian animal.
Preserving Port Macquarie’s maritime history, the Mid-North Coast Maritime Museum occupies two old Pilot Cottages dating from the 1890s. Originally used to house the pilot and the boatmen who assisted him but now repurposed into a museum.
This is a fun area near the town centre and next to Town Beach. The rocks of the break wall have been decorated by past visitors to make a colourful display along the beach.
Decorated rocks on the breakwallDecorated rocks on the breakwallFamily portrait painted on the breakwallTacking Point Lighthouse painted on the breakwallDecorated rocks on the breakwall
Located in the centre of town, the Port Macquarie Museum preserves the area’s history from colonial settlement and its dependance on the timber industry to the tourist destination it is today.
A favourite with locals and tourists, Port Macquarie’s Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries is a fun place to pick your own fresh produce. Located only 20 minutes from the Port Macquarie CBD on the New South Wales mid-north coast, it’s a must-see place for visitors.
Designed by James Barnett and built in 1879, Tacking Point Lighthouse is the thirteenth oldest lighthouse in Australia. With its own small carpark and located only 9km from Port Macquarie, it’s easy to get to.
Located in the centre of town, the Port Macquarie Museum preserves the area’s history from colonial settlement and its dependance on the timber industry to the tourist destination it is today.
Parking is available on street, or you can walk there from your accommodation, depending where you are staying.
The Museum
Divided into eight themed rooms and galleries the museum is well laid out and curated with many interesting exhibits. The room detailing Port Macquarie’s convict past has a full size display of a man receiving the lash as punishment for a misdemeanor. Somewhat graphic, it does show how brutal Australia’s past was.
An interesting room called the Street of Shops displays artifact collections as if they were is a window display. The entire room is setup to look like a street with shop windows. Each window has its own themed display from timepieces to a dentist’s surgery.
Port Macquarie’s past relied heavily on the timber industry; particularly cedar which grew locally. A large room shows how the timber was processed and what it was used for. Unfortunately, the harvesting of so much cedar means it is now a rare tree to find in the wild.
This was an interesting museum to visit and learn more about the local history.
Koala statueMannequin of a British soldierConvict punishmentDomestic life for colonial womenConvict and his bedMuseum displays designed to look like shop frontsClock displayTimber and its importance to Port MacquarieIn-ground water tankDentist displayFirearms displayMuseum displayMaritime History
