New South Wales

Port Macquarie

A koala hospital, a rainforest, and the beach, all in one afternoon

This town packs an unusual amount of wildlife encounter into a single afternoon, starting with the Koala Hospital, the first of its kind in the world, where feeding time puts healthy koalas alongside patients recovering from fire and traffic. Sea Acres' elevated boardwalk carries you through coastal rainforest without leaving town. Dolphins work the river mouth most days, and Tacking Point Lighthouse offers one of the best vantage points on the coast for watching whales in season. Even the beach feels like an afterthought here, and that's saying something.