Seven Mile Beach

Stretching for roughly seven miles between the Hastings River and Crowdy Bay National Park, Seven Mile Beach is a wild, windswept ribbon of sand that feels a world away from the bustle of Port Macquarie. This is the kind of beach that rewards walkers, surfers, and solitude-seekers with endless horizons, rolling dunes, and the roar of the Tasman Sea. It’s a place where you can stride for hours without seeing another soul, watching seabirds wheel overhead and feeling the salt spray on your face.

Highlights & What to See

• Endless beach walks: The main draw is the sheer scale of the coastline. Walk south towards the mouth of the Hastings River or north towards the national park; each direction offers a different perspective of dunes, headlands, and surf.
• Surfing & fishing: The beach picks up consistent swell, making it popular with local surfers (especially near the northern end). For anglers, the gutters and river mouth can yield bream, tailor, and whiting.
• Dune ecosystems: The vegetated sand dunes behind the beach are home to unique coastal flora and fauna. Look for the delicate pink flowers of coastal banksia and the tracks of goannas.
• Birdwatching: The beach and adjacent wetlands are a haven for shorebirds, including pied oystercatchers, sandpipers, and the occasional sea eagle soaring overhead.
• Sunset views: With an unobstructed western horizon, the beach offers spectacular sunsets that paint the sky in shades of orange and purple.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 1–2 hours walking a section of the beach or enjoying a surf session. If you’re a keen walker, you could easily fill half a day exploring the full length of the beach and the adjoining national park trails. The beach is unpatrolled and best visited at low tide when the sand is firm and the walking easiest. Plan your visit around sunrise or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Macquarie – The vibrant coastal town offers a historic breakwall, koala hospital, and a lively café scene, perfect for a meal after a beach walk.
• Crowdy Bay National Park – Adjacent to the northern end of the beach, this park features dramatic sea cliffs, coastal heath, and the iconic Diamond Head rock formation.
• Lake Cathie – A peaceful coastal lake system just south of Port Macquarie, ideal for kayaking, birdwatching, and picnicking.
• Hastings River – Explore the river by kayak or paddleboard, or take a scenic cruise to spot dolphins and enjoy the mangrove-lined shores.
• North Brother Mountain – A short drive inland, this peak offers panoramic views of the coast and hinterland from its summit walking track.

Please check official sources for current details.