Comboyne Village

Perched high on the Comboyne Plateau, this sleepy village feels a world away from the coastal bustle. Its cool-climate setting, lush dairy-farming country and pockets of subtropical rainforest make it a refreshing detour for travellers exploring the Hastings hinterland. Comboyne is the kind of place where you slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the quiet rhythm of rural life.

Highlights & What to See

• Boorganna Nature Reserve – A pristine patch of ancient rainforest with walking trails, a swimming hole and one of the few remaining stands of coachwood trees. The Rawson Walk loop is a gentle introduction.
• Comboyne Museum – Housed in the old school, this volunteer-run museum tells the story of the plateau’s pioneering timber and dairy industries through photographs, tools and household artefacts.
• Comboyne General Store – The village hub, serving excellent coffee, homemade pies and local produce. Grab a seat on the verandah and watch the world go by.
• Ellenborough Falls – A short drive south, this single-drop waterfall plunges 200 m into a fern-lined gorge. The viewing platform offers a vertiginous perspective, and there are longer walks for the energetic.
• Scenic drives – The road from Wauchope via the Comboyne Road winds through forest and farmland, with panoramic views over the Camden Haven River and coastline.

Suggested Time to Spend

Comboyne itself is a half-day stop – enough for a walk in Boorganna, a browse of the museum and a leisurely lunch. If you plan to hike at Ellenborough Falls or explore the plateau’s network of country lanes, set aside a full day. It works well as a lunch break en route between Port Macquarie and the New England region.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Wauchope – Gateway to the plateau, with a historic main street and the Timbertown heritage park.
• Port Macquarie – Coastal hub with beaches, the Koala Hospital and the Hastings River.
• Crowdy Bay National Park – Wild beaches, coastal heath and the iconic Diamond Head.
• Kempsey – Macleay Valley town with a strong Indigenous heritage and the Slim Dusty Centre.
• New England National Park – A scenic drive west leads to this World Heritage-listed wilderness with dramatic escarpment views.

Please check official sources for current details.