Sister Beaches

Just south of Port Macquarie, the Sister Beaches — Shelly Beach, Miners Beach, and Lighthouse Beach — offer a string of wild, windswept shores where the Pacific crashes against golden sands and rocky headlands. This is the North Coast at its most elemental: a place for long walks, whale-watching, and feeling the salt spray on your face. The beaches are linked by a scenic coastal walk that passes through heathland and offers dizzying views from Tacking Point Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in Australia.

Highlights & What to See

• Lighthouse Beach: The longest of the three, stretching for kilometres. It's a favourite for surfers (watch for rips) and a prime whale-watching spot from May to November.
• Miners Beach: A clothing-optional beach (the northern end) with sheltered coves and rock pools. It's quieter than its neighbours.
• Shelly Beach: Named for the shells scattered along its shore, this is a great spot for a picnic or a gentle swim in the patrolled area.
• Tacking Point Lighthouse: Built in 1879, this whitewashed lighthouse is one of the oldest in Australia. The short walk to its base rewards you with panoramic views.
• Coastal Walk: A 4.5 km trail from Lighthouse Beach to Shelly Beach, passing through banksia scrub and along clifftops. Allow 1.5 hours one way.

Suggested Time to Spend

Half a day is enough to explore the highlights: walk the coastal trail between two beaches, visit the lighthouse, and have a swim. If you want to settle in for a full day of sun, surf, and solitude, bring a picnic and stay for the afternoon. The beaches are also perfect for a morning run or an evening stroll to catch the sunset.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Macquarie — the lively town centre with cafes, the Koala Hospital, and the Hastings River waterfront.
• Crowdy Bay National Park — dramatic sea stacks and the iconic 'Diamond Head' headland, about 30 minutes south.
• Lake Cathie — a peaceful coastal lake with walking trails and birdlife, just 15 minutes north.
• Wauchope — the historic timber town on the Hastings River, gateway to the rainforests of Werrikimbe National Park.
• Port Macquarie Coastal Walk — extend your walk north along the 9 km trail from Town Beach to Lighthouse Beach.

Please check official sources for current details.