Surfing in Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie is one of those quintessential Aussie surf towns where life is centered around what’s happening at the beach. Situated halfway between Sydney and Brisbane on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, 
Port Macquarie is well known for its legendary surf breaks and has been the training ground for numerous men and women professional and world champion surfers.
Port Macquarie offers 15 stunning beaches—two spots in particular that are great for beginning surfers: Flynn’s and Lighthouse Beach. Both beaches offer protection from strong winds, creating waves that are especially suitable for pro-surfers-in-the-making.
Good surfing waves can be found all year round but the most consistent swell comes during the winter (May-Aug). It is the summer cyclone season however that everyone looks forward to, sometimes producing classic swells lasting for more than a week.
Apart from it’s prime surf spots, the area is home to both the Koala Hospital and Billabong Zoo. These tourist attractions offer a great opportunity to learn about the wildlife and to meet some furry friends!
Port Macquarie Bodyboarding Association The Bodyboarding Capital of Australia
Port Macquarie Bodyboarding Association The Bodyboarding Capital of Australia

Enjoy NSW beaches by following these safety tips

Always swim between the red and yellow flags; surf lifesavers have identified this area as the safest spot to swim in the water.  It's also a good idea to always swim with a friend.

Pay attention to the advice of the lifesavers and safety signs. Visit SharkSmart to understand any potential risks in the area you are swimming. You are always welcome to ask lifeguards for more safety advice. If you find yourself needing help in the water, stay calm and attract attention. Check conditions before you go. You can also find a patrolled beach by visiting beachsafe.org.au.

Popular Local Surfing Events

David Gosby Memorial
Date:  October Long Weekend
Location: Port Macquarie
Website:  pmba.com.au
Type of Event:  Bodyboarding
The club pays tribute to one if it’s founding members David Gosby by holding the David ‘Goose’ Gosby Memorial Competition each year. David tragically drowned whilst surfing one afternoon after school whilst surfing with mates. The David ‘Goose’ Gosby Memorial has now been running for over 30 years and has gone from strength to strength attracting riders from as far away as Sydney and the Gold Coast and ultimately becoming a must-attend event on the bodyboarding calendar.
Port Macquarie Bodyboarding Association The Bodyboarding Capital of Australia

Port Macquarie Teams Challenge
Date: June Long Weekend
Location: Port Macquarie
Website: pmba.com.au
Type of Event: Bodyboarding
Port Macquarie Teams Challenge event, held annually on the long weekend of June is the biggest event on the local bodyboarding calendar!! Port Macquarie plays host to over 300 competitors, supporters and fans from all around Australia for this one of a kind event! The Port Macquarie Teams Challenge is where bodyboarding clubs from around Australia pit their best 10 riders against each other to claim the title of “Best Bodyboard Club in the Nation”.
Port Macquarie Bodyboarding Association The Bodyboarding Capital of Australia

Bird Rock Memorial
Date: October
Location: Port Macquarie
Type of Event: Surfboard
The memorial commemorates the longest running surfing event in Port Macquarie, and those who have lost their lives at Bird Rock.  The Bird Rock Memorial Surf Contest reflects the Australian tradition of remembering those who we love and miss.   Created and organised by the community since 1981.
Port Macquarie Bodyboarding Association The Bodyboarding Capital of Australia

Popular Surfing Breaks

Town Beach

Town Beach

Town Beach in Port Macquarie is an exposed point break that has reasonably consistent surf. Autumn and winter are the optimum times of the year for waves. Offshore winds are from the west southwest with some shelter here from south winds. Groundswells and wind swells are equally likely and the ideal swell direction is from the southeast. Best around mid-tide. Rarely crowded here. Beware of rips, rocks, and sharks. The best time of year for surfing Port Macquarie-Town Beach with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Winter and most often the month of May.  
Lighthouse Beach

Lighthouse Beach

Lighthouse Beach Port Macquarie in Port Macquarie is an exposed beach break that has very consistent surf. Autumn and winter are the optimum times of year for waves. Offshore winds are from the northwest and there is no shelter here from cross-shore breezes. Waves just as likely from local wind swells as from distant groundswells and the ideal swell angle is from the east southeast. Waves at the beach break both left and right. Good surf at all stages of the tide. When the surf is up, it can get quite busy in the water. Watch out for - Rips/undertow - Rocks - Localism. The best time of year for surfing Lighthouse Beach Port Macquarie with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Autumn and most often the month of May. 
North Shore

North Shore

Port Macquarie-North Breakwall in Port Macquarie is an exposed beach/Breakwater break that has pretty consistent surf. Winter is the best time of year for surfing here. Ideal winds are from the west southwest with some shelter here from south winds. Wind swells and groundswells in equal measure and the best swell direction is from the east northeast. The beach break offers mainly right-hand waves. Surfable at all stages of the tide. It's often crowded here. Be warned that sharks have been sighted. The best time of year for surfing Port Macquarie-North Breakwall with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Autumn and most often the month of April. 
North Haven

North Haven

North Haven in Port Macquarie is an exposed beach/Breakwater break that has very reliable surf. Autumn and winter are the best times of the year for waves. Offshore winds blow from the southwest. Groundswells and wind swells are equally likely and the best swell direction is from the southeast. The beach breaks are all rights. The quality of the surf isn't affected by the tide. When it's working here, it can get crowded. Crowds may reach hazard levels at this break - consider wearing a lid. The best time of year for surfing North Haven with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Winter and most often the month of June.
Bonny Hills

Bonny Hills

Bonny Hills in Port Macquarie is an exposed point break that has reliable surf. Autumn and winter are the optimum times of the year for waves. Ideal winds are from the west-northwest and there is no shelter here from cross-shore breezes. Waves just as likely from local wind swells as from distant groundswells and the best swell direction is from the southeast. The point breaks favor lefts. Good surf at all stages of the tide. Sometimes crowded. Beware of rips, rocks and locals. The best time of year for surfing Bonny Hills with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Winter and most often the month of July.
Point Plomer

Point Plomer

Point Plomer in Port Macquarie is a fairly exposed point break that has quite reliable surf. Autumn and winter are the favored times of year for waves. Offshore winds are from the southwest with some shelter here from south winds. Tends to receive a mix of groundswells and wind swells and the ideal swell direction is from the south southeast. Relatively few surfers here, even on good days. Watch out for rocks. The best time of year for surfing Point Plomer with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Winter and most often the month of June.

SHOP - PLAY - EAT

Innervision Surf & Skate

Innervision Surf & Skate

Innervision is a family owned and operated surf and skate store that has been around for the past 30 years! We pride ourselves on our great customer service but also our unique range of clothing and accessories. We carry all the top surf labels such as Billabong, Quicksilver, Roxy, Ripcurl, Volcom, Globe, O&E , Creatures as well as fashion brands like Lee, Insight, Afends, Vans and Krew! We are the exclusive stockists of Unit and also stock FOX. It is pretty easy to see we have got just about everything covered! Check us out – it’s worth it!
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Pretty Rad Store

Pretty Rad Store

Based in the beautiful coastal town of Port Macquarie, we are independently owned and operated. We are not a chain store, we have built our concept from scratch and hope you enjoy it as much as we do! We offer unbeatable service including FREE SAME DAY DELIVERY to the Port Macquarie area (conditions apply) and free express delivery Australia wide on all orders over $99.99! Check out our Instagram it goes wild! @prettyradstore
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Black Dog Ink

Black Dog Ink

With over 15 years in the textile printing industry BlackDog Ink works with our clients to produce quality printed merchandise to your specifications.
Our current suppliers include AS Colour, CB Clothing, Aussie Pacific, Gildan, Ramo, Dynamic Headwear, Bocini & Visitec Workwear.
We’ve earned bragging rights with Festival of the Sun, Australian Surf Festival, Indigenous Surf Program, Port Macquarie Boardriders, 5 Star Fitness Wauchope, Matthew J Photography, PMBA, No*Clones and DKS to name a few.
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Port Macquarie Surfing Museum

Port Macquarie Surfing Museum

Town Beach in 1915 was the first location where surfboard riding took place by a local oyster farmer named Harry McLaren, and his friend s, Ray Dick, Herb Reckless and others Harry who built the first surf ski craft pioneered this original concept and they rode the waves off Town Beach.
​ The purpose of the Museum is to bring together a collection of memorabilia for exhibition and to provide special exhibitions and public programmes to present the story of surfing in Port Macquarie and the whole of NSW.. 
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Port Macquarie Surf School

Port Macquarie Surf School

Learn To Surf with Port Macqaurie's Original and Multi Awarding Winning Surf School 
Wayne ‘Huddo’ Hudson and his family have been carving up the local waves since the 1930’s and have been coaching in the area since the early 80’s. Turns out this passion developed into one of the very first surf schools in Australia right here in Port Macquarie. 
Port Macquarie beaches are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Flynn’s Beach, Town Beach and Rainbow Beach in particular, offer amazing locations for beginners and early intermediates with protected rolling waves. 
Lessons are run seven days a week all year round (except Christmas Day)
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Port Jet Cruises

Port Jet Cruises

Port Jet's beautiful boat the "Wave Rider" is one of Port Macquarie's favourite water-based attractions.
Wave Rider is purpose built for our beautiful region, she will blast you out to sea in absolute comfort and safety to spend more time with the whales. 
We now have the choice of two whale watching boats, "Essence" our new Catamaran is the perfect addition to our fleet, she even has underwater viewing windows! 
You can also hop aboard Wave Rider on the 'Ocean Blast' ride and rocket down the coastline in complete safety and comfort to see all of Port Macquarie's beaches. 
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Settlers Inn

Settlers Inn

Port Macquarie’s favourite community pub! The Setts, located in the traditional Clifton area of Port Macquarie has always been the center of our local community. Our focus is to provide a great, family-friendly, and safe Hotel that everyone can enjoy. We are passionate about customer service.
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Salty Crew Kiosk

Salty Crew Kiosk

Catch up with family & friends, or meet someone new, while making the most of our phenomenal natural surroundings.
In winter watch the sunrise & the whales frolic while your hands are wrapped around a steaming cup of your favourite brew. In summer, plant yourself under the oasis of an umbrella as you keep cool in the ocean; with healthy snacks, bowls, salads & icy cold smoothies.
A place where we love to know each other’s names, as well as how you like your coffee. We want you to feel like we are hosting you on our back deck at home and nourish you with our food & our hospitality. All the while getting your daily dose of sunshine, fresh air & calming ions from the ocean.
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Done Coffee

Done Coffee

We’re an action-based coffee business that’s more than a pretty store with a lot of good products.  
Surfers by passion, our company is not the standard run-of-the-mill setup. We believe in getting our hands dirty. While we create the best coffees and teas in Australia, we also involve ourselves in events, training and consultation. 
We want everyone to succeed! We look out for the environment and the future of our planet. We work with environmentally friendly manufacturers and distributors to reduce our overall footprint.
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Burger Rebellion

Burger Rebellion

The Burger Rebellion is a small independent gourmet burger joint in Port Macquarie created and lead by Matt and Bec Conway.
With a team of over twenty staff of misfit ex-fine dining chefs, struggling uni students and lifetime hospo geeks. All band together to create the best dam burgers on the planet. They have teamed up with local farmers and producers to provide the freshest Locally sourced product you're going to get. This stuff is the real deal, not some plastic franchised mass produced chain. 
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Ken Little Fruit & Veg

Ken Little Fruit & Veg

Ken Little has been in the fruit and veg game for over 40 years. He knows his apples from his oranges, and is happy to talk with you about how we can best help you choose the best fruit and veg.
Servicing our retail customer’s who pop into the store, or who order home delivery, Ken always does it with a smile. As a family run business, Ken’s son Daniel, also works in the shop, making sure everything looks beautiful. You might see Ken’s sister Jan, organising the organic displays.
We also have an army of worker’s who love nothing more than coming into work each day and setting up the shop, ready for the days trade.
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Bel's Bakery

Bel's Bakery

Locally Owned & Operated Since 97. Australia's Best Pie 2014, 2015 & 2016. Multiple Award winning products including our Sour Dough that won Best Bread in Show. Famous birthday cakes & a salad bar & coffee to die for. Relaxed surfing atmosphere. Port Macquarie biggest Bakery/Café & longest singly locally owned & operated Bakery/Cafe.
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Port Macquarie Bodyboarding Association The Bodyboarding Capital of Australia

Discover More

Discover more to Port Macquarie than a stunning coastline. Slip away to the lush green Wauchope hinterland, escape to the quiet waterways of Camden Haven or take the road less travelled to uncover quaint villages with friendly locals.

For more trip ideas or to see what events are on visit the Port Macquarie Info webiste or keep up to date with all that is happeing in and around the region by following their social media pages.

Photography on this website has been provided courtesy of Chase O'Leary

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