Go Fishing - Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is a vibrant town on the NSW Mid-North Coast, about 4 hours’ drive from Sydney. Located at the mouth of the Hastings River, Port Mac is a popular fishing destination surrounded by lush forests and picturesque hinterland.
The Hastings River is one of the 30 Recreational Fishing Havens along the NSW coastline and is renowned for some great fishing, whether just a casual day on the water with the family or a serious outing looking for that fish of a lifetime!
The river dominates the landscape and offers a variety of fishing options from Australian bass in the upper tributaries of the Maria River and Limeburners Creek to bream, mullet, whiting, luderick, mulloway, trevally and even the odd mangrove jack through its salty reaches.
Along the coast, stunning white sand beaches and rocky outcrops offer more great fishing from bream, whiting, dart, tailor, and mulloway in the foamy beach gutters with luderick, drummer, longtail tuna, mackerel and cobia from the rocky headlands and river break walls.
If a blue water experience is what you are after, the area offers many options including an artificial reef deployed by NSW DPI in 2016 with funds supported by the Recreational Fishing Trusts. The reef is comprised of 20 concrete modules in a depth of 46m of water. In the cooler months snapper, teraglin, tusk fish and pearl perch are on the menu and during the warmer months marlin, dolphinfish, cobia and mackerel can be targeted fishing the artificial structure.
The area also offers up some great guided charter services. See the following link for more information https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/charter/go-charterfishing-in-nsw.
When you’re not wetting a line, there are a variety of activities to enjoy including swimming, surfing, hiking, snorkelling, mountain bike riding, kayaking and more. The town is home to several cultural attractions, such as the Port Macquarie Museum, the Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, and the Koala Hospital.
Port Macquarie is renowned for its excellent dining with a range of restaurants, cafes, and bars, serving up everything from fresh seafood to locally grown produce.
Whether you’re seeking a fishy holiday, relaxation, or a bit of both, Port Macquarie has accommodation options from beachside caravan and camping sites, hotels, and motels right up to ocean view holiday houses.
This Port Macquarie Go Fishing guide is part of a series of guides to popular locations in NSW. Be sure to keep an eye out for current and future editions in the department's Go Fishing guides.
Guide
Go Fishing - Port Macquarie (PDF, 4853.45 KB)
