Bonny Hills Itinerary Ideas

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Day 2: Port Macquarie’s culture, wildlife and fine dining

3 Days in Bonny Hills

Bonny Hills, part of the stunning Mid North Coast of NSW, is the place to go for a deep exhale. Take life at any pace, from full sloth mode to extreme sports adventure. That’s the beauty of planning a trip here, and there's no wrong way to do it.

But to help you get started, here’s a 3-day Bonny Hills itinerary that you can adopt for a cheeky long weekender – or use as a base to build out an extended holiday of your dreams.

Day 1: Beach, bites and the headland

Wake up in paradise and make your way to Bonny Hills Garden Cafe for breakfast. Tucked inside a working nursery – open from 8 am daily – the corn fritters and French toast are legendary (plus the coffee is excellent). Soak up the sunshine on the outdoor deck under the gum trees as a wonderful way to ease into your day.

If it’s warm, head straight to Rainbow Beach after breakfast. Stretch out in the sunshine, paddle out the board, or take a refreshing dip. Patrolled from October to April, it’s between Middle Rock Point to the north and where Duchess Gully Creek winds its way to the ocean in the south.

Spend your afternoon on the Grants Head reserve trail, a must-see in any Bonny Hills itinerary. It combines bush and beach with spectacular views from the headland. Dogs are welcome off-leash, and it’s about a 1 to 1.5 hr return trip. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, cap off your day with dinner in the Bonny Hills Beach Hotel beer garden (we hear the pizzas are elite!).

Day 2: Port Macquarie’s culture, wildlife and fine dining

Take a short 20-minute drive north to Port Macquarie for a day that moves from wildlife to history to craft beer to the region's best table. You’ll want to start early at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to see the koalas when they’re active and feedback. It’s one of the region's most popular wildlife attractions, with interactive exhibits, the 'Koalaseum' and the chance to get up close to koalas while learning about conservation efforts.

Next, take a walk on the boardwalk amongst a grove of bangalow palms at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. It’s a picture-perfect spot for lunch where you can grab a souvenir to take home from their gift shop. Afterwards, visit the Port Macquarie Museum for a history lesson, then chase it down with a beer flight at Black Duck Brewery.

Hot tip: book ahead so you don’t miss out on a serious seafood dinner at Port Macquarie’s most acclaimed restaurant: The Stunned Mullet. With a dedicated oyster menu and seasonal surprises, it’s the place to go to sample the region’s incredibly fresh produce. It’s what to do in Bonny Hills if you’re a passionate foodie!

Credit: Destination NSW. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

Day 3: Bikes, vines and farm fare

Adrenaline junkies will love starting the last day of a Bonny Hills itinerary at Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park. It features around 70 kms of single-track mountain bike trails for both gravity and cross-country riding in Queens Lake Nature Reserve. Great for beginners right through to advanced riders, you’ll want to set aside two to three hours, depending on your fitness and appetite for fun!

Switch gears and head over to Long Point Vineyard & Art Gallery for lunch and wine tasting. This hidden gem sits in the hills above Lake Cathie – try lounging in the sculpture garden with a cheese platter and glass of your favourite drop or ginger beer. Or if wineries aren’t your thing, pick your own strawberries at Ricardoes Tomatoes. There, you can browse the produce market and fill up on scones with fresh strawberry cream (some of the best in the area).

Give your trip the send-off it deserves by popping up to Port Macquarie Distillery for a local gin tasting. This passionate small-batch distillery is open on Friday and Saturday evenings, so plan accordingly if you want to catch it.

Things to do in Bonny Hills

Keep your Bonny Hills itinerary as packed or as open as you like. How? Cherry-pick from our list of things to do while you’re here. From beaches and bars to museums and markets, there are activities and attractions to match everyone’s tastes.

View things to do