BEACHES & WATERWAYS
Whatever the way you wish to enjoy a day out on, across and even beneath the water wonderlands of Port Macquarie - its rivers, estuaries, beaches, surf and open ocean - excellent facilities are at your command. There are action sports to get the adrenalin pumping, relaxing scenic cruises, dolphin and whale watching and learn-to-surf for adults and kids.
SURFING
Soul Surfing is dedicated not to mere technicalities but to nurturing your surf experience to maximum enjoyment and safety. All equipment included, refreshments for everyone; personal service in smaller or private classes sees you catch more waves. Half and full day surf tours and safaris for experienced riders tailored to demand. Dynamic school holiday programs; birthday parties. Lessons in Port Macquarie and Bonny Hills.
Tel: freecall 1800 787 353; www.soulsurfing.com.au
Port Macquarie Surf School offers all equipment for daily, group or private lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. Courtesy bus available. Board hire and sales.
Tel: 6585 5453; www.portmacquariesurfschool.com.au;
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KAYAK TOURS - JET SKI HIRE
Kayak Tours offers healthy exercise along with the chance to enjoy nature as you go. Centrally based at the launching ramp near Country Comfort Motel, Port Macquarie - scenic 2-hour river and mangroves tour, with fruit on North Shore beach; 4-hour freshwater rapids tour; kayak surfing available.
Tel: 6584 1039. Kris Isherwood 0401 392 613; Mark Harrison 0409 776 566.
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Aquatic Blue Charters offers 7-day jet ski hire fully supervised in Port's 8.25ha ski park. Conveniently located base at the river end of Short Street in the Port Macquarie CBD. Yamaha 3-seater 110hp 4-stroke skis, no licence required, no age limit for passengers.
Blue & yellow floating office at berth 15, Town Wharf. Tel: 6583 8811; www.aquaticbluecharters.com.au
BOAT HIRE - FISHING - SAILING - SAILBOARDING
Jordan's Boating Centre hires canopy covered fishing boats for long days in the sun, with directions to the best spots from experienced local fishermen. Also: barbecue pontoon boats with comfy upholstered seating and enclosed W.C. Expert instructors for sailing, sailboarding and sea kayaks. Located close to Port Panthers/Settlement City on the Hastings River.
Tel: 6583 1005 for bookings, information; a/hours 6583 8535. www.jordans.com.au
Settlement Point Boatshed, at the river's tip on Settlement Point Road, hires fishing boats, canopy runabouts, half-cabins, skipper boats, picnic & barbecue boats powered by reliable Yamaha motors. Hourly, half-day or full day rates, from $25; fuel and life jackets included. Reel, tackle and bait shop; ice and cold drinks; EFTPOS. Canoe hire from $6.
Tel: Garry or Susan Searle on 6583 6300; 0418 669969. Adjacent to Settlement Point Ferry; open from 6am daily.
Port Macquarie Deep Sea Fishing on the 40ft Randel Ocean Star puts you into the expert hands of Port's most experienced charter operator, the vessel equipped with superb electronics, comfy seating and private toilet. Quality rod, reel, bait, food and drinks supplied; free pick-up and return. Your catch of snapper, marlin, dolphin fish, pearl perch, kingfish or jewfish is cleaned, iced and packed. Tel: John on 6584 6965 or 0416 240 877. Located adjacent to the Fisherman's Coop at Town Wharf.
Castaway Estuary Charters offers estuary lure-casting charters on the Hastings and surrounding rivers on board its 5m Quintrex Hornet Trophy with a qualified skipper, and quality rods, reels and lures provided. Catering for beginners including children through to tournament anglers. No fishing licence required: boat has licence coverage. Enjoy the adventure of landing bream, flathead, whiting, jewfish or bass. We encourage catch and release but will prepare one or two fish for eating. Digital photography.
Contact Mark or Paul at Port Marina Bait & Tackle at the marina on Park Street, Port Macquarie. Tel: 6583 1111; mobile 0429 234 345;
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CRUISES & WHALE WATCHING
Port Macquarie Cruise Adventures offers river fishing, scenic tours or private charters in three cruise boats including Discovery, a 48-passenger capacity cruiser featuring walk-around deck, undercover area, swim ladder and onboard toilet. Explore the coast, reefs, beaches, bird rock and hidden rainforest. River fishing cruises; regular dolphin encounters. Scenic Eco Cruise takes in dolphins, Pelican Island, Oyster World, fish feeding, morning/afternoon tea or buffet lunch. Everglades cruise travels 90km through three rivers to natural wetlands and rainforests, spotting wildlife and exotic birds. Morning tea & lunch. Sunset cruises; parties; water transport.
Award-winning environmental tourism. Go whale watching in your choice of three superb vessels.
Located at the Dolphin & Whale Watch Centre floating office at Town Wharf.
Tel: 1300 555 890; www.cruiseadvenures.com.au
Port Venture II is Port's newest and most powerful boat, built to go to sea. See whales (in season), dolphins and great coastal views in the company of friendly, knowledgeable crew. Several cruises daily; courtesy pick-up.
At the river end of Clarence Street, Port Macquarie. Tel: 1300 795 577;
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The Chinese Junk, Port's unique character vessel, offers scenic morning tea cruises, lunchtime fish and chip cruises, sunset cruises, and group and party charters all featuring dolphin spotting, starting from $15 adult; $8 children to 14 years. Group discounts. Phone, book, then pay on baord.
Tel: 0409 744 270; www.junkcruises.com.au; e: junk
And further afield
Just 15 minutes' drive north of Port Macquarie on the Pacific Highway, Stoney Waterski & Wakeboard Park is open 7 days for a safe and fun day on the water for all the family on two giant and picturesque man-made lakes. All equipment provided; personalised instruction for all levels; picnic/BBQ facilities on site. At: 16 Hacks Ferry Road, Telegraph Point. Tel: 6585 0080; www.stoneypark.com.au; e:
Just to the south of Port Macquarie, Scuba Haven PADI diving specialists offer a drive school and a range of boat dives - the Telegraph bommie with two wrecks that attract large schools of baitfish; the Cod Grounds off Point Perpendicular that attract grey nurses all year round; Ttian, a huge crane lying 40m below; Mermaid Reef and more. Equipment, service, air/nitrox refills. Based at: 5/559 Ocean Drive, North Haven. Tel: 6559 5530; 0407 457 542. See website for news and special deals at www.mypage.tsn.cc/scubahaven; e: scuba
Berthed alongside The Parade, North Haven, Canopus Deep Sea Fishing Charters invites you on board its modern, fast 41ft Stebercraft with electronic fish and positioning equipment to locate the best fishing grounds. Rods, reels, bait, tackle, licence-coverage included. Game fishing and whale watching on request. Just 30km drive south of Port Macquarie. Tel: Rod or Roslyn on 6585 5474; www.users.bigpond.com/canopuss
Cruise the beautiful Camden Haven River on your own boat hired from Dunbogan Boatshed & Marina. No licence required; runabouts; half-cabin; BBQ pontoon. Pack a picnic lunch and/.or your fishing tackle; relax on the river beneath North Brother Mountain in view of the boatshed or on Watson Taylor Lake or along Stingray Creek. Disability friendly; 7 days. Chandlery, fuel, tackle, bait, ice, gas bottles. AT: 46 The Boulevarde, just over the Dunbogan Bridge through Laurieton. Mike and Judy Morrison, tel: 6559 9713.
