As we made our way south along the Gold Coast Road towards Sydney, one of our stops was Port Macquarie, as coastal town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales (NSW).  It has nice beaches, a relaxed vibe, and variety of restaurants and foods.

We chose The Mid Pacific for our stay, and it was the perfect choice. The location couldn’t be better, right in the heart of town, making it easy to explore everything on foot. The simple hotel was spotless, had a small outdoor pool and indoor hot tubs, basically everything we needed for a comfortable stay.

Our afternoon started with drinks at the “Little Shack” along the path from our hotel to the ocean beach. This place is a must-visit for its laid-back atmosphere and delicious cocktails. The real culinary highlight was our dinner at Ichi. The food was absolutely incredible.  It’s a small family business with terrific authentic Japanese food (chef/owner is Japanese) and the whole family was so welcoming and passionate about their restaurant. It’s clear they put a lot of love into every dish.

Of course, we couldn’t visit Port Macquarie without exploring the stunning coastline. We took a leisurely walk along the Hastings River, out to the Town Beach Lookout on the Tasman Sea. The path was lined with individually painted boulders, adding a splash of color to the already picturesque scenery. The views from the lookout were breathtaking, with the vast ocean stretching out before us.

Port Macquarie is the perfect destination for a relaxing stop or even a few days unwinding, you won’t be disappointed.