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Mid-North Coast Maritime Museum

Early Settlement Room Mid-North Coast Maritime Museum

Mid-North Coast Maritime Museum

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.

Getting There

Located in Port Macquarie on the NSW mid-north coast at 6 William Street, it has beautiful views over the surrounding coast. This would have been vital to the pilot, so that he could see ships arriving before guiding them into the harbour. Parking is available on-street and is free.

The Museum

Spread across the two cottages are nine themed rooms, along with an outdoor display and an additional room with a shell display.

The first exhibits you see are an anchor collection a sea mine and two of the Hello Koala sculptures. Appropriately one of the koalas is decorated as Lachlan Macquarie, for whom the town is named.

The interior exhibits follow the history of Port Macquarie from the arrival of the first colonial settlers and convicts 1821 through to The Second World War.

One room details the loss of the Wollongbar to a Japanese submarine off Port Macquarie and the efforts of local fishermen to save the crew. Thirty-two crew members died, however 6 were saved.

Voyages along the eastern Australian coast proved dangerous with many ships wrecked. Using photos and wall displays all known losses are listed along with some artifacts.

An interesting museum to visit and it’s great to see this sort of history preserved where it provides a link to the past.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk

Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk

Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk

Taking you through the rainforest canopy, the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk is a 1.3km loop that starts and ends at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. Unfortunately, when we visited (December 2022), maintenance on the boardwalk cut the loop because of storm damage. This was not too much of a problem because we retraced our steps and walked the second half from the Rainforest Centre. So, we got twice the walk for the same price.

How to Get There

Located only ten-minutes’ drive from the centre of Port Macquarie on the NSW mid-north coast, Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk is easy to get to. Well sign posted and with a large carpark, it’s easy to find and access. If you need a drink or something to eat, there is a café at the Visitor Centre with indoor and outdoor seating.

The staff are very helpful explaining the walk as well as what we should see along the way.

The Boardwalk

Rated a Grade 1 track, the boardwalk is flat and wheelchair accessible for its entire length. With numerous stops and information boards, it’s an easy and educational walk. At around 7m off the ground, we could see into the canopy while still seeing the understory.

Keeping you out of the mud and fallen leaves is a bonus if you don’t have hiking boots, while you still get to experience the rainforest. The information boards also provide a guide to the different trees and their role in the forest.

What Did We Think?

This was a quick and very easy walk. A great way to fill in an hour. At the end we visited the café to relax and grab a snack while admiring the rainforest. It would be great for families with kids because it means you’re not walking them through the undergrowth. For people with mobility issues, it is excellent as it’s flat and accessible.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Back Creek Bridge

Back Creek Bridge

Back Creek Bridge South West Rocks

After visiting the nearby Trial Bay Gaol, we stopped at Back Creek Bridge before driving further up the coast. Located in the town of South West Rocks, the footbridge crosses a creek (called South West Rocks Creek) to a track through the mangroves.

A large car park next to the creek has room for plenty of visitors. Opposite the bridge a café serves meals and drinks, so you can sit and relax while admiring the scenery. We bought a coffee, sat near the creek before walking over the footbridge.

The bridge has a raised section towards the far bank. This allows boats to pass underneath but is also popular for children to jump off into the deeper water. Younger children and their families were closer to the shore in the shallow protected lagoon area.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.