Hiking Holidays At Port Macquarie - Where To Stay, Where To Hike
To say that Port Macquarie gives access to some good hiking opportunities might be something of an understatement
. Port Macquarie holidays make the most of a splendid location. Check out all these great national parks and nature reserves.Werrikimbe National Park
Endowed with plenty of varied plants and animal, this world heritage listed wilderness area is perfect for hardy hikers. Serious hikers may want to take on the Werrikimbe Trail, which leads through to gorges, waterfalls and the Hastings river. Resident fauna, including koalas, brush-turkeys and quolls might be able to be spotted, if one is lucky. Other lengthy hiking trails can also be explored. Shorter walks are also available, from the several picnic areas and camping grounds that dot the park. An old Aboriginal initiation site is also present in the park. Werrikimbe National Park can be found inland, situated in a west-north-westerly direction from Port Macquarie.
Willi Willi National Park
Close to Werrikimbe National Park is this rainforest mountain park. Water's beauty can be appreciated here, with the park located on the attractive Wilson River. A gushing waterfall can also be found, after walking along one of three rainforest walking tracks available in the park. Contained within the park are the 1100 metre high Kemps Pinnacle and Mount Banda Banda.
Dooragan National Park
This park centres around North Brother Mountain, the resting place of Dooragan, one of three brothers who die in a legend of the local Aboriginal people. Rainforests and eucalypt forests greet the visitor, and easy 30 minute walks through to several hour challenging walks with some steepish sections mean there is something for everyone. Should you make it to the summit of North Brother Mountain, beautiful views out to the coast can be enjoyed. Koalas, gliders and bats also enjoy the park.
Boorganna Nature Reserve
This is one of New South Wales' oldest nature reserves, having been established in 1904. A pleasant walk through different types of rainforest leads to the Rawson Falls lookout point. Great views of the falls and surrounding bush can be had from this vantage point. Information about the rainforest is signposted along the path. While this is an easy one kilometre walk, a picnic and barbecue area allow visitors to make a day of it.
Boorganna is 60 kilometres south-west of Port Macquarie.
Swans Crossing
Located in Kerewong National Park, Swans Crossing is the start for walks through regenerating native forest and hardwood plantations, on what was a cattle farm until 1964. Also worth adding into the itinerary, the nearby Longworths Tramway Heritage walk follows the original 1913 logging tramline, where lumber was transported to the Camden Haven river, upon which it continued its journey to a nearby mill.
Where to Stay
There are many great national parks for avid hikers in the Port Macquarie region. As some are off in different directions, staying in Port Macquarie town proper is a good central base from which to fan out each day to the different locations. This also gives the added benefit of combining trekking with appreciating what Port Macquarie town has to offer - local attractions, fine dining and a lovely beach. A hotel with a spa and massage treatments might also be just the ticket, to rest and regenerate weary trekked out limbs. Mercure Centro Hotel offers these types of comforting services.
Port Macquarie hotel accommodation puts you right in town. One can then venture out and explore these nearby hiking trails.
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