Port Macquarie's Hinterland & Regional Towns

Port Macquarie's hinterland region is abounding with treasures. The townships to the south provide tranquil swimming areas, great surfing and excellent fishing while the towns just inland from Port Macquarie provide a scenic escape and a pleasant change from the beach. Wauchope is home to a historical theme park featuring a recreated logging town from the 1880s and further inland there is an abundance of wildlife, natural areas and pristine forests. Many of these natural areas situated within forest reserves and protected areas such as Boorganna Nature Reserve.

Camden Haven

The Camden Haven is situated approximately 30 minutes south of Port Macquarie. This beautiful area comprises a number of small towns and communities that gather around the point where the Camden Haven River runs into the Pacific Ocean. The lakes and unspoilt coastline of the Camden Haven makes it an excellent spot for sailing, fishing, sightseeing, walking and surfing. For the more adventurous, there are some excellent places for hangliding.

Point Perpendicular is a paradise for people keen on fishing. There are well worn walking tracks to some of the best spots off the point including Fisherman's Bluff and Flat Rock. The species caught in the area include Tailor, Snapper, Bream, Drummer, Jewfish and the occassional Groper.

Lake Cathie

The township of Lake Cathie boasts a population of only 1500 people. It is situated just 12kms south of Port Macquarie and the tiny town is at the northern most tip of the Camden Haven. There area is excellent for families looking for a quiet getaway. There are a couple of pleasant foreshore reserves with BBQ facilities, toilets and picnic tables.

Lake Cathie's famous sea water lake is a great spot for young families to spend the day or a their entire holiday. There is safe swimming along the lake's foreshore beaches and the reserve areas are good for exploring and bushwalking.

Laurieton

Laurieton is on the south side of the Camden Haven, about 42kms south of Port Macqurie. The town is bordered by three lakes that are linked by the Camden Haven River. Queens Lake, Watsons Taylor Lake and Stringy Creek all boast excellent fishing for Bream, Whiting and Flathead. Being the largest town in the Camden Haven, Laurieton has a shopping centre, amusement centre, plenty of restaurants and great sporting facilities such as a heated pool, tennis and squash courts.

In behind Laurieton providing the town with shelter from strong winds is North Brother Mountain. For the adventurous, there are some popular hangliding launch sites on the mountain that take advantage of favourable north-easterly winds that whip up the side of the hill. The summit lookout provides spectacular views over the Dooragun National Park down to Bonny Hills, Camden Haven Valley, Dunbogan, and Lake Cathie.

North Haven

The pituresque town of North haven is situated on the northern side of the Camden Haven. Due to its proximity to the Camden Haven River, North Haven has boast some great fishing spots and facilities. There are numerous jetties, boat ramps and fish cleanig tables making it a easier to bring in and then take home the catch.

Wauchope

The early settlers and timber getters made Wauchope their home in the mid 1880s. The town thrived for many years as a timber town and a recreation of Wauchope in the early days is now a historical theme park. The town features a working dairy farm, the Big Bull that is open to the public. The farm features an animal nursery, restaurant, hands-on milking displays, rides for the kids and of course a 14m high replica "Big Bull".

Not far from Wauchope is the Wilson's River Primitive Reserve which is one of the best forests in the region. There are three good bush walks through the park varying in length and taking in some of the most spectacular ancient forest scenery in the area.